Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to heatable glass substrates that may be used in connection with lighting applications, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a glass substrate supports an antireflective (AR) coating on a first major surface thereof, and a conductive coating on a second, opposite major surface thereof. Bus bars connect the conductive coating to a power source in certain example embodiments. The substrate may be heat treated (e.g., heat strengthened and/or thermally tempered), with one or both coatings thereon. The heatable glass substrate thus may help provide a chemical and/or environmental barrier for the luminaire or lighting system disposed behind it. In addition, or in the alternative, the heatable glass substrate may help reduce the amount of moisture (e.g., snow, rain, ice, fog, etc.) that otherwise could accumulate on the luminaire or lighting system.