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DLC QPL Reference.
DLC Horticultural QPL Reference
Is your grow light DLC-qualified? Reference list of Qualified Product List entries plus the threshold rules that govern utility rebate eligibility.
DLC threshold rules (V3.0, current)
| Metric | Threshold | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Photosynthetic Photon Efficacy (PPE) | ≥ 2.3 µmol/J | Floor for energy efficiency; QPL standard |
| Q90 (90% lifetime maintenance) | ≥ 36,000 hours | Long-life requirement |
| Power factor | ≥ 0.9 | Grid quality |
| THD (total harmonic distortion) | ≤ 20% | Grid quality |
| Driver lifetime | 50,000 hours minimum | Reliability |
| Premium tier (V3.0) | PPE ≥ 2.5 µmol/J + Q90 ≥ 50,000 h | Higher rebate eligibility in many programs |
What DLC listing means for you
- Utility rebates: Most US energy efficiency rebate programs require DLC-listed fixtures. Cannabis cultivators in legal states have captured millions in rebates this way; commercial greenhouse operators do the same.
- Rebate amount: Typically $50-200 per fixture, sometimes more. Some programs scale by wattage or by efficacy.
- Premium tier: Higher PPE and longer Q90 — often qualifies for ~25-50% larger rebates.
- Listing ≠ best fixture: DLC sets a floor. Many top-performing fixtures exceed the threshold significantly. Use the QPL as eligibility filter, not as quality ranking.
- Verify with your utility: Each program publishes its own incentive structure. Many require pre-approval before purchase.
DLC vs DLC Premium vs other certifications
| Certification | Body | What it verifies |
|---|---|---|
| DLC Standard | DesignLights Consortium | Performance floor for utility rebates |
| DLC Premium | DesignLights Consortium | Higher floor; bigger rebates |
| ETL / UL Listed | Intertek / UL | Electrical safety only — not performance |
| FCC Part 15 | FCC | EMI emissions; required for sale in US |
| IP65 / IP66 | IEC standard | Water and dust ingress protection (greenhouse use) |
| CE / CB | EU / IECEE | European safety / global mutual recognition |
Note: A DLC-listed fixture is also UL-listed. The reverse is not true — UL is safety only.
Authoritative source
This widget is a reference snapshot. The authoritative current QPL is at designlights.org/horticultural-qpl. The DLC publishes monthly updates and threshold revisions every ~18-24 months.
Free under CC BY 4.0. Cite as "OAT DLC QPL Reference (openagriculturetechnology.com)". Reference data sourced from public DLC QPL; verify current status at designlights.org.