School Lighting Accelerator Program

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER), through its Lead by Example (LBE) Initiative, has been working with public entities for a number of years developing and implementing clean energy projects. We are working to extend our success converting State buildings to LED lighting with controls to Rhode Island public schools through our new Public School LED Lighting Accelerator Program.

This program provides technical assistance, procurement support, implementation oversight, and financial incentives to Rhode Island public schools to accelerate the transition to LED lighting with controls in these important buildings.

These LED lighting projects can provide immediate energy consumption and cost reductions; shrink public sector footprints; support clean energy jobs; and improve the quality of lighting in classrooms

The program is being supported through Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds and will leverage utility-administered energy efficiency funding, and where possible, financial support from the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE).

Eligible Entities:  Currently, this program's eligibility aligns with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) Facility Equity Initiative communities. The ten (10) communities currently eligible are: Central Falls, Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, West Warwick, East Providence, North Providence, Cranston, Coventry, and Burrillville. 

Additionally, any individual school outside of the above 10 communities will be eligible if they meet either of the following criteria:

The school has a Free/Reduced Lunch population of 30% or greater, as determined by RIDE.

The school falls into one of the overburdened/underserved census tracts identified by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool - https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5

As eligibility expands, we will continue to update this list accordingly.

Program Application: If you are interested in participating in this program please fill out the Program Application.

    Case Studies 

    Summary table 

    Includes School Lighting Accelerator program projects that have been completed, are under construction, or planned based on the school district.

    School District

    kWh Saved¹

    CO2 avoided²

    Central Falls

    4,940,728

    1,724

    Pawtucket

    6,683,391

    2,332

    Providence

    12,995,372

    4,534

    West Warwick

    6,516,692

    2,274

    Woonsocket

    9,920,222

    3,461

    ¹ Lifetime kWh savings and CO2 impact are calculated for a 13-year period

    ² CO2 in metric tons