The Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) has extended the annual grant award for 2022-23 to the City of Naperville to be used for energy improvements.

Year 1 (2019): $253,882 was available for our non-residential Electric Utility customers as incentives toward completing energy efficiency projects.

Year 2 (2020): $274,691 was available for non-residential customer grants for energy improvements.

Year 3 (2021): $345,058 was available for non-residential customer grants for energy improvements.

Year 4 (2022): $344,256 is available for non-residential customer grants for energy improvements.

The IMEA Electric Efficiency Program helps IMEA member cities like Naperville and their customers reduce their electric demand and consumption, thereby reducing wholesale power costs. This allows members to shift dollars for other needs and to enhance their economic climate by making utility costs more affordable for established and potential businesses.

Eligible Projects

Examples of projects that might qualify include installation of light-emitting diode (LED) exterior and interior lighting systems. Additional applications for other programs, such as refrigeration; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; and efficient fans and motors are also available.

Application Criteria

The applicant must be a nonresidential customer of Naperville's Electric Utility. Commercial, industrial, institutional, local government or nongovernment (schools, parks, museums, etc.) are all eligible to apply. 

How To Apply

Applicants can submit their energy efficiency project proposals to the IMEA using one of the five IMEA application forms that best fits their proposed project. Lighting Replacement Program applicants should use the first form, "Lighting Measures." 

Application Period

The application period opens May 9, 2022. Applications will be accepted and evaluated on a first-come, first-evaluated basis until all funds are awarded. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Grant Award Amount

Projects may receive up to 50% of the total project cost, up to $20,000, and awarded funds must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the applicant. Applicants are limited to $20,000 per program annual award cycle (until Sept. 1). Any customer (or owner of multiple properties) can only receive up to $20,000 in incentive awards until Sept. 1 of each grant year. Then, if there are any remaining funds, applicants/business owners already awarded incentives of $20,000 would be eligible for an additional $20,000 incentive for a separate project location based on the date the application was received. Projects must be completed within one year from the date of the award or funding will be withdrawn.

Required Inspections

After receiving notice to proceed, but prior to commencing work, the applicant must notify the City's Inspection Dispatch at (630) 420-6100, Option 1, to schedule and pass a pre-project inspection. Additional inspections may be required depending on the scope of work. After all work is completed, the applicant must notify the City to schedule and pass a post-project inspection. Failure to schedule and pass the required inspections will cause the applicant to forfeit their grant money. 

Time of Funding

After the energy efficiency project is completed, the applicant will submit a final application for funding along with invoices, receipts and other documentation by email to Rod Whelpley, IMEA, at rwhelpley@imea.org and Bernie Saban, City of Naperville, at sabanb@naperville.il.us. The City will verify all work has been completed. The IMEA then reviews the final application materials and issues the project reimbursement to the recipient.

Contact Information

Bernie Saban, Utility Analyst, sabanb@naperville.il.us

2021 Grant Recipients

The following are recipients of IMEA Electric Efficiency funding for projects during the 2021-2022 grant cycle, which is estimated to result in a savings of more than 1.07 million kWh.

Agellan 1100 Warrenville Building (Nai Hiffman)	Dwight Avram Builders	Naperville Mob GAHC3, Ogden Ave.
Archistar 2 inc.	Freedom Commons	Naperville Park District, Frontier Park - Ball Fields 1 & 2
Bobr Group	Gateway NFC, LLC	Naperville Park District, Frontier Park - Ball Fields 3 & 4
Bright Horizons	Hugo's Frog Bar	North Central College
Chiro One Welness Center	Link Logistics	Northtown Plaza
Congregation Beth Shalom	Naperville Electric Utility	Petsmart #1884
PGBK Group	Naperville MOB GAHC3, 95th Street	Target Stores 0840
Phoenix Instruments	River West	St. Thomas The Apostle Church
Prasan Properties - Midwest Sports	Southern Spices

2020 Grant Recipients

The following are recipients of IMEA Electric Efficiency funding for projects during the 2020-2021 grant cycle, which is estimated to result in a savings of more than 2.6 million kWh.

Ace Graphics	Adtalem Global Education	Agellan Warrenville LP
All Saints Catholic Academy	Carmax	Bernina
Caputo's Fresh Markets	Currie Fair Oaks Ford	Chevy of Naperville
Chrysler Corp.	Jewel-Osco #03059-95th Street	Disc Replay
Dollar Tree	Naperville Public Library - 95th Street	Greco/Reggi Development
House of Smiles	Penny Mustard	Mall of India
Naperville Dodge	ThinkFirst	Neuquon Professional Condo Assn.
Park Place Office Condos	Spirit of America Car Wash	Sequoia Realty Group

2019 Grant Recipients

The following are recipients of IMEA Electric Efficiency funding for projects during the 2019-2020 grant cycle, which is estimated to result in a savings of more than 3 million kWh.

Albertson's Jewel-Osco #3185	Bethany Lutheran Church	Butera Foods
CarMax	Carnica #240	Carnica #350 Dent Wizard
Chevy of Naperville	Dewitt Property Mgmt.	Dollar Tree Stores #2461
Dollar Tree Stores #4127	DuKane Precast (NEX-NRM)	Marriott of Naperville
Matsock Financials, Inc.	McDonald's #11231	Naperville Park District - DuPage River Sports Park
North Central College	RCS Naperville LLC	River Square Shopping Center
St. Margaret Mary Church	Stillwater Development	Suburban Real Estate
Tapestry Naperville Apts.	Target Stores	Turning Pointe Autism Foundation
Waterside Center	Woody Buick

2018 Grant Recipients

The following are recipients of IMEA Electric Efficiency funding for projects during the 2018-2019 grant cycle, which resulted in a savings of more than 3.8 million kWh.

Albertsons Jewel/Osco #1 - 2855 W. 95th St.	Albertsons Jewel/Osco #2 - 1227 S. Naper Blvd.	Arvos
Birkholz Body Werks	Cadillac of Naperville	Dick's Sporting Goods #643
Lexus of Naperville	MEPT Springbrook (Whole Foods Plaza)	Naperville Crossings/Mid-America Asset Managment
Naperville Tennis Club	Toyota of Naperville