Costs and benefits of a utility rebate program to promote compact fluorescent lamps in Brazilian households

Abstract

This article presents results of the first utility-sponsored residential lighting rebate programs in Brazil. The costs of conserving electricity via this type of program as well as the impact on CFL sales resulting from different rebate levels are presented. The programs were held in three cities of the state of Sao Paulo and followed the same structure: the same information campaign, lamp products, number and type of vendors, and participation conditions. The results show that with higher rebate more lamps are sold per day, and the number of lamps sold per household and the total savings achieved increase. It was also noticed that the most affluent consumers have higher participation levels, and this applies to all rebate levels tested. In the present analysis rebate costs, administrative costs and all other program costs were included. The results show that the utility program was cost-effective at three rebate levels tested.