Meeting Rebate Program Requirements with Custom Scheduling Solutions

Across the United States, energy rebate programs are incentivizing homeowners to shift towards electrification, with offers that can reduce upfront costs and encourage energy efficiency. For homeowners aiming to electrify — whether through adding solar panels, battery storage, or smart thermostats — these rebate programs provide a valuable opportunity to reduce energy bills and contribute to sustainability goals. Many state and local governments, alongside utility providers, offer rebates for households adopting technologies that help reduce grid demand and promote cleaner energy.

With the increasing focus on grid resilience and sustainable energy, these rebates often require participants to meet specific load-shifting or energy usage criteria. Homeowners and businesses that meet these criteria not only benefit from cost savings but also support a more stable and greener grid by using energy during off-peak hours. However, ensuring devices adhere to the specific schedules that maximize these savings can be challenging without a tailored approach to control.

#Texture’s Custom Scheduling Solution for Rebate Compliance

This is where Texture’s Device Schedules feature comes in. Designed for seamless integration and control, the Device Schedules feature empowers developers and device operators by providing a unified API to manage devices such as thermostats and batteries across all supported manufacturers. This flexibility removes the limitations of device compatibility, allowing operators to set consistent schedules regardless of manufacturer.

With our platform, developers can create custom schedules aligned with rebate requirements, enabling devices to operate in sync with load-shifting needs. For instance, a battery can charge and discharge at optimal times, supporting compliance with rebate program requirements for grid contribution or energy storage. You can read our technical API docs on Scheduling here.

#Scheduling Made Simple: How It Works

Through the Device Schedules API, users can schedule devices on a weekly interval, specifying operating modes such as charging or discharging. Learn more about our battery strategies here. The API’s rules allow for seamless transitions between operating modes based on schedules that align with rebate requirements. A weekday schedule might prioritize grid discharge during peak hours, while weekends focus on storage. Here’s an example:

1{
2  "schedule": {
3    "deviceTimezone": "US/Eastern",
4    "defaultDeviceOperatingMode": {
5      "operatingMode": "charge",
6      "minimumBatteryReserve": 20,
7      "maximumBatteryReserve": 95,
8      "enableGridInteraction": false
9    }
10  },
11  "rules": [
12    {
13      "daysOfWeek": [
14        1, // "monday"
15        2, // "tuesday"
16        3, // "wednesday"
17        4, // "thursday"
18        5  // "friday"
19      ],
20      "startTime": "08:00",
21      "endTime": "18:00",
22      "deviceOperatingMode": {
23        "operatingMode": "discharge",
24        "minimumBatteryReserve": 10,
25        "maximumBatteryReserve": 95,
26        "enableGridInteraction": true
27      }
28    },
29    {
30      "daysOfWeek": [
31        0, // "sunday"
32        6, // "saturday"
33      ],
34      "startTime": "00:00",
35      "endTime": "23:59",
36      "deviceOperatingMode": {
37        "operatingMode": "charge",
38        "minimumBatteryReserve": 10,
39        "maximumBatteryReserve": 95,
40        "enableGridInteraction": true
41      }
42    }
43  ]
44}

#Efficient Load Shifting with a Flexible API

Our scheduling engine works continuously, evaluating device states and making real-time adjustments to ensure a smooth transition across modes without device conflicts. This system empowers users to set granular rules that control devices precisely when it matters, promoting cost savings and sustainability.

#Allow Program Participants to Opt-In Through Texture Connect

To make enrollment effortless, Texture offers Texture Connect — a user-friendly interface that enables participants to connect their devices directly to Texture, allowing program administrators to monitor performance seamlessly through our platform. Texture Connect simplifies device authentication with opt-in screens tailored to program requirements, helping participants enroll with just a few clicks. Once connected, they benefit from preset, rebate-compliant schedules without needing to manually configure device settings.

For programs without a dedicated engineering team, Texture also offers in-house experts who can manage and build out schedules for opted-in devices. This allows program administrators to focus on achieving rebate and load-shifting goals without needing in-depth API expertise.

#Enhancing Customer Experience with Effortless Rebate Compliance

For homeowners and businesses aiming to capitalize on energy rebates, Texture’s Device Schedules offer a flexible, scalable solution to meet load-shifting and scheduling requirements. By enabling custom, automated scheduling, Texture reduces the complexity that often comes with rebate compliance, so homeowners don’t need to navigate complex device settings. Instead, devices follow an optimized rebate schedule, achieving load-shifting goals and maximizing energy savings effortlessly.

This approach not only alleviates the homeowner’s burden but also increases the likelihood of successful rebate payouts. By helping program participants seamlessly meet compliance requirements, Texture enhances the overall customer experience — empowering both individuals and communities to benefit from cost savings and grid stability.

#Want to learn more?

If you’re interested in how Texture’s custom scheduling solution can support your rebate program, reach out to our team today.