Projects  /  California Fruit, Inc.
Case study · LED Lighting

California Fruit, Inc.

NRG Incentives was referred to California Fruit, Inc. through the agricultural community, after delivering results for a trusted peer. The goal: brighter, safer light across active harvesting areas — captured alongside real energy savings, with zero capital out of pocket.

California Fruit, Inc.LED retrofit · harvest & processing floor
$14,074
annual energy savings
$1,173
monthly savings — matched to repayment
2.83 yrs
payback period
$0
out-of-pocket cost
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The challenge

California Fruit, Inc. needed better lighting across its active harvesting and processing areas — brighter, safer conditions for crews working long seasonal hours, with stronger operational visibility on the floor. The catch: no capital could leave operations.

The solution

NRG was referred through the agricultural community after results for a trusted peer. We deployed GoGreen financing to fund the retrofit up front — so it moved quickly, with no capital allocation and no out-of-pocket cost.

“
We couldn’t find fluorescent bulbs anymore, and energy costs were climbing. NRG Incentives came in, did a full audit, and offered a zero out-of-pocket LED upgrade. I was skeptical at first, but it turned out to be real — no hassle, quick install, and now we’re saving 35–40% on energy. It’s preserved our cash flow and improved our bottom line. Transparent, professional, and fast. I highly recommend them.
Nicholas J. Melkonian
Nicholas J. Melkonian
President & CEO, California Fruit, Inc.

The results

The retrofit delivers $14,073.70 in annual energy savings — about $1,172.80 a month, matched to the financing repayment — recovering the $39,786.46 project cost in roughly 2.83 years, then compounding into net savings while the new lighting keeps working.

Return on investment — net cash position over 10 years
Break-even 2.83 yrs
+$100,951
$120k$80k$40k$0-$40k
Yr 0Yr 2Yr 4Yr 6Yr 8Yr 10

Beyond the savings, crews get even, glare-free light across the floor — better visibility and safety through the season.

Additional financial impact

What the upgrade is worth to the asset

Two of the levers an upgrade like this moves — value created and interest avoided. Adjust the rates to match your underwriting.

Added property value
$255,885$234,562$216,518$201,053$187,649$175,921
a one-time lift to the property's value at a 5.5%6%6.5%7%7.5%8% cap rate — capitalizing $14,074/yr in energy savings.
Cap rate
0% financing — interest you avoid
$3,183$3,581$3,899$3,979$4,377$4,774
in interest avoided each year at 8%9%9.8%10%11%12% — on the $39,786 project cost, financed at 0%.
Interest rate