--- title: "Networked Lighting Controls: An Introduction to NLC Systems and Growing Utility Program Support" description: Networked Lighting Control systems are helping to make efficient lighting even more efficient. As this technology gains in popularity find out how the DLC is supporting adoption efforts and how Encentiv can help your sales efforts for these systems. image: https://blog.encentivenergy.com/hubfs/NLC%20Intro%20(1).png --- [hello@encentivenergy.com](mailTo:hello@encentivenergy.com) [+1 8558960568](tel:+1%208558960568) [![](https://blog.encentivenergy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2019%20e%20news%20spotlight%20logo%20(1).png?width=500&name=2019%20e%20news%20spotlight%20logo%20(1).png)](https://blog.encentivenergy.com/news) - [SCHEDULE A DEMO](https://www.encentivenergy.com/schedule-a-demo/) ![](https://blog.encentivenergy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/News%20Post%20Header%20and%20Post%20Images/HubSpot%20Blog%20Hero%20Image.png?width=1980&height=880&name=HubSpot%20Blog%20Hero%20Image.png) # e News **SPOTLIGHT** The latest energy efficiency industry news, tips, trends, and insights from the Encentiv Energy team. 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As this technology gains in popularity we are diving into the components of these systems, the DLC Qualified Product List, and how Encentiv can help your sales efforts for these systems. ## What is a Networked Lighting Control System? In the race to maximize energy efficiency, you might reach a point where you have retrofitted every lighting fixture, have adopted daylight or occupancy controls, and are left wondering if there is anything more you can do to reduce your energy consumption and grid impact. Great news, you can achieve this with Networked Lighting Control systems that use digital network capability to connect all of your lighting components to help centralize energy management, giving you the control to optimize your lighting efficiency. Networked lighting control systems typically consist of four key components: sensors, network connectivity, processing, and a web or app-based user interface. Sensors measure various environmental factors like occupancy, light levels, temperature, and humidity at the fixture or zone level. Network connectivity allows individual luminaires and control devices to exchange digital data within the system. The processing component integrates sensor inputs with programmed information, such as scheduling or occupancy timeouts, to optimize lighting controls. This decision-making can occur locally, on a site-based server, or in the cloud. The user interface enables users to configure control settings, review energy monitoring reports, and remotely control fixtures based on sensor data.   What About Incentives? Calculation methods for NLC incentives vary widely between programs and may require a minimum number of control strategies implemented to qualify for the incentives. In an effort to help increase the adoption of this technology and to empower utility programs to incentivize these systems the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) maintains a Qualified Product List (QPL), similar to their Solid State Lighting QPL that many are familiar with, based on a set of technical requirements that differ slightly for interior versus exterior system. In addition to interior and exterior NLC systems, the DLC also will recognize certain Building Management Systems on the NLC QPL if they meet all technical requirements. [![](https://blog.encentivenergy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-09-04%20at%205.03.31%20PM.png?width=449&height=502&name=Screenshot%202024-09-04%20at%205.03.31%20PM.png)](https://designlights.org/resources/reports/report-energy-savings-from-networked-lighting-control-nlc-systems-with-and-without-lllc/) The most recent version of the Technical Requirements, v5.1, states that Interior NLC system Required capabilities include Networking of Luminaires and Devices, Occupancy Sensing, Daylight Harvesting/Photocell Control, High-End Trim, Zoning, Individual Addressability, Continuous Dimming, and Energy Monitoring in some instances. More details about some of these control capabilities and information about some additional recommended capabilities can be found in the table, from the 2020 "[Energy Savings from](https://designlights.org/resources/reports/report-energy-savings-from-networked-lighting-control-nlc-systems-with-and-without-lllc/) [Networked Lighting Control](https://designlights.org/resources/reports/report-energy-savings-from-networked-lighting-control-nlc-systems-with-and-without-lllc/) [(NLC) Systems with and](https://designlights.org/resources/reports/report-energy-savings-from-networked-lighting-control-nlc-systems-with-and-without-lllc/) [without LLLC](https://designlights.org/resources/reports/report-energy-savings-from-networked-lighting-control-nlc-systems-with-and-without-lllc/)" report. *NLC definition of control capabilities (as defined by the DLC)*. DesignLights Consortium, 2020 If you follow our [UtilityGenius Blog](https://blog.utilitygenius.com/mid-2024-lighting-controls-rebate-update) you know that utility programs are giving much more attention to NLCs and recognizing the need for more adoption across buildings and campuses. Generally, incentive rates are on the rise and we are seeing more saturation of programs offering incentives for Networked Lighting Controls across the U.S. Encentiv is Here to Help! Similar to our Rebate Finder for LED Lighting, we offer a version for Networked Lighting Controls. Allow your website visitors to view incentives for all of your NLC Qualified Products across all utility programs in the U.S. and Canada. With the NLC Rebate Finder, you can easily keep up with the growing popularity of rebates for these systems and become THE rebate expert for your customers. See a [demo here](https://mfg.utilitygenius.com/rebate-finder-demo/d6f9f660-4238-47dd-a28f-6fb578eb3879?populate=z..60002..u..7..pt..prescriptive..wc..2500.00..h..4000) and [contact us](https://go.encentivenergy.com/24-mfg-contact) to learn how to get an NLC Rebate Finder for your website. ![Kelli DeThomas](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/c2d96495d44b5dda77709de56a86e772) ###### Kelli DeThomas Product Manager, Encentiv Energy ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2029673/Assets/Search_Image.png) ### Recent Posts [![UG-Ad-News-Page](https://blog.encentivenergy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MISC%20Images/UG-Ad-News-Page.png?width=1336&name=UG-Ad-News-Page.png "UG-Ad-News-Page")](https://app.utilitygenius.com) ## Want more awesome content? Sign up for our newsletter. ## Related Posts ## [Utility Rebate Programs for Lighting Controls in 2026](https://blog.encentivenergy.com/news/utility-rebate-programs-for-lighting-controls-2026) Key Takeaways As a building manager in 2026, you have a golden opportunity to cut costs and boost energy ... [Kelli DeThomas](https://blog.encentivenergy.com/news/author/rachel-bromley) September 4, 2024 ## [The Quiet Decline of DLC® Premium](https://blog.encentivenergy.com/news/the-quiet-decline-of-dlc-premium) Updated March 2026 | Mike Cham, CTO, Encentiv Energy [Kelli DeThomas](https://blog.encentivenergy.com/news/author/mike-cham) September 4, 2024 ## [Growing Awareness and Technical Requirements in Horticulture Lighting](https://blog.encentivenergy.com/news/horticulture-lighting-dlcv3) The horticulture industry, particularly in indoor agriculture and controlled environment agriculture (CEA... 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