The DLC is pleased to release the draft of Networked Lighting Controls Technical Requirements Version NLC5.1 through the DLC Stakeholder Input Process. NLC5.1 is a minor revision that contains updates to the policy’s energy monitoring and cybersecurity requirements.

Draft NLC5.1 will have a single 6-week public comment period and a tentative final release date of July 2024, ahead of the annual NLC listing update in August 2024. Please submit all comments using the NLC5.1 comment form linked below to comments@designlights.org by Friday, May 31.

DRAFT NLC5.1 Technical Requirements

When properly applied, networked lighting controls increase the energy savings of a lighting project by roughly 50% compared to transitioning from legacy lighting to LEDs alone. However, lighting projects that involve networked lighting controls are still under-represented in the market. This missed opportunity limits our ability to not only capture energy savings but also to help future proof our investments in LED upgrades.

The DLC NLC program has helped energy efficiency programs enable incentives for networked lighting controls by creating technical requirements that improve cybersecurity, energy reporting, and interoperability. Version NLC5.1 offers minor updates to key areas of the NLC Technical Requirements.

Energy Monitoring Updates:

• Recognizes ANSI C137.5 and C137.6
• Recommends that interval data be shared in either .CSV or Excel file formats
• Revises DLC recommendations for file contents

Watch the DLC’s Energy Reporting Update webinar for more information about energy monitoring.

Cybersecurity Updates:

• Now accepts PSA-certified chip level 1
• Includes updated criteria for acceptance

Comment Form

Please submit all comments using the NLC5.1 Comment Form to comments@designlights.org by Friday, May 31, 2024.

Q&A Session

To support the six-week public comment period, the DLC will host a question-and-answer session to explain the drafted updates to NLC5.1 on May 6, 2024 at 2:00pm ET.

Please submit all questions and comment forms to comments@designlights.org by May 31, 2024. We look forward to engaging with you throughout this process and shaping the future of networked lighting controls together.