Custom Projects

Commercial buildings often have highly complex and unique systems and variable operations. For this reason, many commercial energy efficiency opportunities are best approached as custom projects. BPA has a team of Customer Service Engineers on hand to support customer utilities in identifying custom project opportunities for retrofit and new construction.
If you are an equipment installation contractor and think you have a building that qualifies for a custom project approach, please contact your local utility. For an easy-to-use zip code lookup tool of utility contacts and incentives, visit the Trade Ally Network NW's Local Resource Search page.
BPA custom project payments range from $0.025/kWh to $0.35, up to 70% of incremental project cost.

Custom projects follow 5 basic steps


1. Proposal Development
The utility works with its customer to develop a custom project proposal, including estimated energy savings, project cost, and measurement & verification (M&V) plan. A custom project proposal is not strictly required for every project, but it is often a good idea. A BPA Customer Service Engineer is available to provide technical expertise during proposal development.

2. Proposal submittal 
The utility submits the proposal to BPA for review and approval.

3. Project implementation
The utility works with its customer and necessary trade allies to complete the project. BPA’s trade ally networks are on hand to support identification of trade allies that can serve projects effectively. Note that the order and purchase date of the equipment must be after BPA approval of the custom project proposal (if applicable).

4. Project close-out
The measurement & verification (M&V) are completed and the custom project completion report is prepared. The BPA Customer Service Engineer is available to provide M&V expertise during the project close-out and can help fill out the necessary custom project completion report.

5. Project completion
The utility submits the completion report to BPA for review and acceptance. Final payment from BPA to utility is based on the accepted completion report data.

The Energy Conservation Implementation Manual (IM) provides a robust section on Custom Project eligibility and process. In addition, BPA's customers may contact their energy conservation account executive or customer service engineer to discuss custom project requirements and opportunities. 

The IM provides a detailed description of Custom Project eligibility and process. For more information regarding custom projects, please refer to the IM and the Custom Projects section of the Document Library.