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Energy Finance Resource Center

Energy finance is one of the fastest growing areas of development finance nationwide. The steep upfront costs are a barrier to implementing energy-efficient and clean energy projects. These projects are more accessible with incentivizing financing tools. A variety of financing tools exist to encourage energy efficiency and alternative clean energy generation projects on every scale, from residential, commercial, and industrial properties to entire communities.


Energy finance has become a driving force in the economic development efforts of communities. Grants, loan guarantees, revolving loan funds, and tax credits are some of the major development tools of the energy finance sector. Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is another popular, innovative tool for commercial, industrial, and residential energy projects. On-bill financing and green bonds are other emerging financing tools for renewable energy financing. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also play active roles in financing energy development. The development finance tools for funding energy projects can improve energy efficiency, provide alternative clean energy generation, or assist with large scale energy distribution.


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-Understanding Energy Finance

Financing clean energy is a fast-growing field, and successfully financing energy can catalyze the economic development efforts of communities nationwide. This section contains resources on understanding the basics of energy financing.

Financing Low-Carbon Buildings and Energy Efficiency in the Green Bond MarketMembers only Login
There are substantial opportunities to leverage green bonds to finance low-carbon buildings and energy efficiency in the country. Issuance across the world shows that capital markets can be accessed to finance energy efficiency and buildings. Financing climate adaptation and resilience also presents opportunities.
Solar Lending Practices by Community and Regional Financial Institutions Members only Login
Current projections of solar photovoltaic (PV) system costs and deployment in the United States indicate substantial capital requirements over the next 30 years and beyond. Concurrently, community and regional financial institutions (CRFIs), including community banks and credit unions, collectively hold $3.6 trillion in assets. These institutions could provide a significant portion of the required PV capital while creating a large investment opportunity for themselves. Looking ahead, access to additional credit and market information is critical for accelerating the role of CRFIs and other financial institutions in supporting U.S. PV growth.
Energy Investment Partnerships: What Is It & How to Get Started
CDFA and the U.S. Department of Energy have partnered to produce the Energy Investment Partnerships Webinar Series and a set of four Fact Sheets. Each Fact Sheet will summarize the best practices covered in the corresponding webinar and provides quick and easy access to the best practices and information available in the webinar.
Solar Energy Investment Tax CreditsMembers only Login
This fact sheet from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency provides a details on the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program as it relates to solar energy. The sheet overviews the program and discusses how the tax credits can benefit banks.

-Resources

View all Energy Finance Resources

-Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)

Looking for the PACE Resource Center? Click Here!

Soil Wealth Areas: Place-based Financing for Conservation, Rural Communities & Regen AgMembers only Login
A new report from Croatan Institute highlights how the Soil Wealth Area model can facilitate more investment in regenerative agriculture, enhance conservation, and support resilient rural economies. The report provides specific recommendations for implementing Soil Wealth Areas in each of the regions analyzed and creating a wider Soil Wealth Community for practitioners to share learnings about their experiences with place-based financing.
CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE 2.0 - The Next 10 Years
It has been approximately 10 years since the first PACE programs began. During this workshop, our speakers provided insights related to expanding PACE assessments to benefit buildings and properties for other non-energy related improvements such as indoor air quality, lead water pipe replacement, surface stormwater mitigation, and sewer overflows.
NYC Department of Finance's Notice of Adoption Relating to C-PACE  Members only Login
The New York City Department of Finance published a Notice of Adoption of a new rule broadening the scope of the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) finance program. The amended rule, which goes into effect on November 7, 2021, has two key components: it will allow C-PACE financing to be used for the installation of energy efficiency improvements in new construction and it will expand loan eligibility to ground lease holders.
CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Best Practices for Marketing & Selling PACE Across All Market Sectors
Now that the PACE marketplace has been “built,” how does it become mainstream so that all property owners know about PACE? This workshop explored proven methods for marketing and selling PACE to contractors, economic development agencies, commercial real estate professionals, and ultimately the property owner.
CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Advancing Multi-Family Housing & Renewable Energy Goals with PACE
Certain property and project types have not taken full advantage of PACE, however, during this workshop, we explored what is being done to advance the goals in these market areas.
View more PACE Resources

-Renewable Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

COVID-19 Rebirth Using Proven Tools
This white paper looks at how 5 successful programs can be used to finance the recovery from COVID-19. The 5 programs are C-PACE and R-PACE, State Historic Tax Credits, State Opportunity Zones Programs, State New Markets Tax Credits, and Solar and Energy Tax Credits (ITCs).
Summary of the GREEN Act Discussion DraftMembers only Login
This is a section-by-section summary of the Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now ("GREEN") Act. The GREEN Act would extend the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) and investment tax credit (ITC) until 2024. It would also extend the Section 25D, Section 179D and Section 45L energy-efficiency deductions and credits through 2024, as well as create energy credits for manufacturers.
Reducing Energy Burden for Low-income Residents in Multifamily Housing with Solar Energy Members only Login
When paired with energy efficiency measures, cost effective solar energy systems can support state and local program administrators’ goals to reduce low-income household energy burden. Energy burden is the share or percentage of annual household income that is used to pay annual home heating and cooling costs.
Solar Lending Practices by Community and Regional Financial Institutions Members only Login
Current projections of solar photovoltaic (PV) system costs and deployment in the United States indicate substantial capital requirements over the next 30 years and beyond. Concurrently, community and regional financial institutions (CRFIs), including community banks and credit unions, collectively hold $3.6 trillion in assets. These institutions could provide a significant portion of the required PV capital while creating a large investment opportunity for themselves. Looking ahead, access to additional credit and market information is critical for accelerating the role of CRFIs and other financial institutions in supporting U.S. PV growth.
Direct Federal Financial Interventions and Subsidies in Energy in Fiscal Year 2016Members only Login
This report—an update based on Fiscal Year 2016 data—continues a series of U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports on federal direct financial interventions and subsidies into energy markets. EIA assigns within-scope U.S. tax and direct expenditures to a set of discrete energy system categories.
View more Renewable Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC) Resources

-Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC)

Summary of the GREEN Act Discussion DraftMembers only Login
This is a section-by-section summary of the Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now ("GREEN") Act. The GREEN Act would extend the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) and investment tax credit (ITC) until 2024. It would also extend the Section 25D, Section 179D and Section 45L energy-efficiency deductions and credits through 2024, as well as create energy credits for manufacturers.
Direct Federal Financial Interventions and Subsidies in Energy in Fiscal Year 2016Members only Login
This report—an update based on Fiscal Year 2016 data—continues a series of U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports on federal direct financial interventions and subsidies into energy markets. EIA assigns within-scope U.S. tax and direct expenditures to a set of discrete energy system categories.
Minnesota Clean Energy: Economic Impacts and Policy DriversMembers only Login
A new University of Minnesota study projects that the extension of the PTC and ITC programs may, in combination with other factors, create up to 5,000 jobs in the renewable energy industry in Minnesota.
Brownfields to Renewables: Redeveloping Contaminated Lands with Renewable Generation FacilitiesMembers only Login
Bjorn Jensen's 2010 Thesis for MIT focuses on using renewable energy generation to facilitate brownfield remediation, examining three successful and one unsuccessful case study to understand best practices and common hurdles.
Clean Energy & Energy Finance: Overcoming Challenges & Delivering SuccessMembers only Login
Kate Tompkins with Squire Sanders addresses challenges in clean energy and energy finance. Furthermore, Tompkins touches on important financing considerations, and assessing various sources of capital to find the best match for your particular project.
View more Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) Resources

-State Energy Tax Credits

Available CFA Resources - New York Regional Economic Development CouncilsMembers only Login
In 2011, Governor Cuomo created ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) and the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) to advance the administration’s efforts to improve New York’s business climate and expand economic growth. This 2019 document outlines information about each agency’s grant programs, including eligibility, scoring criteria, applicant requirements, and agency contact information.
Energy Investment Partnerships: Product Offerings & Market Assessment
Factsheet 2 of the Energy Investment Partnerships covers clean energy through bond markets, credit enhancements and capital markets, property assessed clean energy, and market assessment.
Measuring Success in the States
Sandy Fazeli from the National Association of State Energy Officials will present ways some states have financed and already seen success with energy programs on the state levels
Making it Count: Understanding the Value of Energy Efficiency Financing Programs Funded by Utility CustomersMembers only Login
The State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network examines various policy and regulatory mechanisms that can be used to ensure that efficiency financing initiatives provide value for society and protection for consumers. Featuring case studies from around the United States, Making it Count explores emerging questions that jurisdictions will need to answer when considering an increased reliance on financing.
View more State Energy Tax Credits Resources

-Energy Revolving Loan Funds

The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability AcceleratorMembers only Login
These are the slides from the Coalition for Green Capital's virtual presentation, "The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator".
Measuring Success in the States
Sandy Fazeli from the National Association of State Energy Officials will present ways some states have financed and already seen success with energy programs on the state levels
Local EIP Example of Evaluating Impact
.Duanne Andrade from Solar Energy Loan Fund talk about lessons learned and the success seen from SELF as they have adapted to meet the needs of the community.
Opportunities in Debt and Capital Financing MarketsMembers only Login
Teveia Barnes from IBank gives a brief overview of IBank's various financial programs.
Financing for Energy Efficiency and The SAVES PlatformMembers only Login
Greg Montgomery of Abundant Power provides an overview of several programs involving energy efficiency financing. This includes PACE and SC Saves.
View more Energy Revolving Loan Funds Resources

-Energy Efficiency Programs

The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability AcceleratorMembers only Login
These are the slides from the Coalition for Green Capital's virtual presentation, "The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator".
Precedents for the National Climate Bank - Federal Financing via Independent InstitutionsMembers only Login
The National Climate Bank Act of 2019 was introduced in the U.S. Senate on July 8, and in the House on December 12, 2019. This paper discusses their lessons and precedents for the National Climate Bank, including relevant details of their formation, legal status, capitalization, governance, mission, and accomplishments.
Clean Energy For Low Income Communities ToolkitMembers only Login
The Clean Energy for Low Income Communities Accelerator (CELICA) was a voluntary partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and state and local governments to lower energy bills for low-income communities.
RI Clean Energy Industry Report 2018Members only Login
With aggressive targets, Rhode Island’s overall clean energy economy continues to grow. The industry’s workforce has grown by 72 percent since 2014, resulting in 6,650 new jobs across the state.
View more Energy Efficiency Program Resources

-State Energy Finance Programs

NMEDD - Economic Development Innovation Task Force ReportMembers only Login
In 2019, the Governor signed House Memorial 16 directing the Economic Development Department (NMEDD) to bring together stakeholders and convene an Economic Development Innovation Task Force to spur collaboration and innovative discussions on methods to create new economic development concepts and ideas to enhance New Mexico's economy. This report is the result.
Precedents for the National Climate Bank - Federal Financing via Independent InstitutionsMembers only Login
The National Climate Bank Act of 2019 was introduced in the U.S. Senate on July 8, and in the House on December 12, 2019. This paper discusses their lessons and precedents for the National Climate Bank, including relevant details of their formation, legal status, capitalization, governance, mission, and accomplishments.
Available CFA Resources - New York Regional Economic Development CouncilsMembers only Login
In 2011, Governor Cuomo created ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) and the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) to advance the administration’s efforts to improve New York’s business climate and expand economic growth. This 2019 document outlines information about each agency’s grant programs, including eligibility, scoring criteria, applicant requirements, and agency contact information.
Regional Resilience Toolkit: 5 Steps to Build Large Scale Resilience to Natural DisasterMembers only Login
Cities, regions, and states across the country are facing natural disasters that can have devastating effects on life, property, the economy, and ecosystems. Climate change is already having observable effects on the environment, and past conditions are no longer a reliable indication of the type or extent of disasters communities will face in the future.
View more State Energy Finance Program Resources

-Programs Map

Search the map below for energy finance programs by state. This specialized search is part of CDFA's State Financing Program Directory, the only online resource cataloging the development finance programs offered by state governments. Click on a state to see a sample of state energy programs available. Login with a CDFA Member account at the top of the page to view full results.

-Case Studies

CDFA - Frost Brown Todd LLC Infrastructure Finance Series: Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Financing for Energy
Interest in Public-Private Partnership (P3) finance is growing not only because state and the local governments realize the strength, flexibility, and efficiency of the P3 model, but because of the growing need for P3s to promote higher quality and greater coordination between public and private sectors. P3s are an asset for both capital and operating needs since projects can benefit from a private operating option and/or affordable capital provided by the bond and debt markets. When P3s are paired with bonds or other traditional financing, major energy infrastructure and related development projects become possible. Learn the different ways these renewable energy deals can be structured and the common characteristics and drivers of P3 financing throughout the country.
The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability AcceleratorMembers only Login
These are the slides from the Coalition for Green Capital's virtual presentation, "The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator".
Seeding Climate Resilience Through Equitable InvestmentMembers only Login
In this publication, the Center for Community Investment uses six case studies of successful climate resilience investments to surface a set of common strategies that take aim at the systems underlying the inequitable distribution of risk. Together, these case studies point to the urgency of acting quickly, strategically, and creatively to design and finance equitable climate resilience before disaster strikes—again.
Success Factors, Challenges, and Early Impacts of the POWER Initiative: An Implementation EvaluationMembers only Login
This evaluation was designed to help ARC and its stakeholders learn from the POWER Program's implementation successes and challenges; identify technical assistance needs; and report on the qualitative impact of investments made, to date, with POWER funds.
View more Case Studies

-Headlines

-Publications

Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance
The Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance 2nd Edition is the only comprehensive resource dedicated to building and utilizing the development finance toolbox. The Practitioner's Guide provides the insight and practical information needed to critically understand how economic development is financed and the tools, strategies and techniques used to build strong communities. From bonds, tax increment finance and special districts to tax credits, seed & venture capital, revolving loan funds and much more, this Guide outlines the financing tools required for succeeding in today's competitive economic development climate.
Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency
Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency (Handbook) serves as a companion to the Practitioner’s Guide to help illuminate the structures of development finance agencies (DFAs), essential conduits to access development finance tools. The Handbook provides an overview of DFAs and their myriad roles in various development efforts. Included in this discussion is a comprehensive look at over a dozen high-performing DFAs throughout the country. The Handbook is designed to be a starting point for local leaders to engage in the creation or acceleration of a DFA to build and utilize the development finance toolbox.
View more Publications

-Upcoming Events

SSBCI Learning Series - Leveraging SSBCI for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
May 7, 2024
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern
Creating new and expanding existing small businesses will be critical to the success of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). During this session, panelists will provide insights on how local SSBCI practitioners can leverage SSBCI to bring GGRF dollars to their communities.
Register
CDFA-Bricker Graydon Webinar Series: Financing Green Energy with PACE and Special Assessments
September 10, 2024
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern
Communities are reinforcing tax increment financing (TIF) districts with special assessments and combining TIF with tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, subordinate loan programs, and other federal tools to channel funding toward improvements in distressed or underdeveloped areas. During this session, speakers will discuss the creative ways to use TIF and how to facilitate the successful financing of high-impact revitalization projects.
Register
View more Upcoming Events

-Webcasts

CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE 2.0 - The Next 10 Years
It has been approximately 10 years since the first PACE programs began. During this workshop, our speakers provided insights related to expanding PACE assessments to benefit buildings and properties for other non-energy related improvements such as indoor air quality, lead water pipe replacement, surface stormwater mitigation, and sewer overflows.
CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Advancing Multi-Family Housing & Renewable Energy Goals with PACE
Certain property and project types have not taken full advantage of PACE, however, during this workshop, we explored what is being done to advance the goals in these market areas.
The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability AcceleratorMembers only Login
These are the slides from the Coalition for Green Capital's virtual presentation, "The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator".
CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series: P3s That Fuel The Economy
During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, we will explore how major projects are able to access private and public capital to construct extra large P3 deals in the U.S.
CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series: Picking Up the PACE State by StateMembers only Login
During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series, Caleb Bell with Bricker & Eckler LLP and David Gabrielson with PACENation discussed the best practices in crafting PACE enabling legislation as well as case studies of some of the most effective legislation to date.
View more Webcasts

CDFA National Sponsors

  • BNY Mellon
  • Bricker Graydon LLP
  • Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
  • Business Oregon
  • CohnReznick
  • Frost Brown Todd LLP
  • Grow America | Formerly NDC
  • Hawes Hill and Associates LLP
  • Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP
  • Ice Miller LLP
  • KeyBanc Capital Markets
  • Kutak Rock LLP
  • McGuireWoods
  • MuniCap, Inc.
  • NW Financial Group, LLC
  • PGAV Planners, LLC
  • Raza Development Fund
  • SB Friedman Development Advisors
  • Stifel Nicolaus
  • U.S. Bank
  • Wells Fargo Securities
  • Z. The Bond Buyer
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