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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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.
Solar Lending Practices by Community and Regional Financial Institutions Members only
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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
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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.
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.
CDFA–Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Focusing on Sustainability Using PACE
This is the third webinar of the 2020 CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Focusing on Sustainability Using PACE. Speakers included: Brooke A. Mangiarelli with Bricker & Eckler LLP, Eric Alini with Counterpointe Real Estate Solutions, Mayor Ben Kessler of Bexley, Ohio, Steve Melink with Melink Corporation, and Maryrose Myrtetus with Philadelphia Energy Authority.
CDFA–Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE Program Efficiency - Managing An Effective PACE Program
This is the second webinar of the 2020 CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE Program Efficiency - Managing An Effective PACE Program. Speakers included: Chris Jones with Bricker & Eckler LLP, Josh Campbell with Missouri Energy Initiative, Jeremy Druhot with Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority, Colin Kalvas with Bricker & Eckler LLP, Jennifer Kuzma with Northeast Ohio Advanced Energy District, Jason Stringer with Slipstream / PACE Wisconsin, and Jason Tiemeier with Bricker & Eckler LLP.
CDFA–Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE 101 - The Basics of PACE Financing
This is the first webinar of the 2020 CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE 101 - The Basics of PACE Financing. Speakers included: Caleb Bell with Bricker & Eckler, Norma Horwitz with Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, John Costlow with Sustainable Energy Fund, and Bali Kumar, Lean & Green Michigan, LLC .
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Intro Opportunity Zones Finance WebCourse
April 28-29, 2021
12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern
The Intro Opportunity Zones Finance WebCourse will bring together program designers, fund managers, communities, investors, and policy experts to educate and review the most up-to-date thinking and strategies on how to maximize Opportunity Zone designations and how best to attract zone investments. This interactive webcourse will help communities bring all economic development stakeholders to the table, and have a firm understanding of how the development finance toolbox can both encourage and supplement Opportunity Fund investments.
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Intro Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Finance WebCourse
June 23-24, 2021
Daily: 12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern
The Intro Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Finance WebCourse will explore the process of creating, operating, and maintaining a community-based PACE program. This two-day course will feature a comprehensive overview of PACE including program design, capital markets analysis, investor attraction, legal and regulatory considerations, market potential, and operations.
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Intro Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Finance WebCourse
June 23-24, 2021
Daily: 12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern
The Intro Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Finance WebCourse will explore the process of creating, operating, and maintaining a community-based PACE program. This two-day course will feature a comprehensive overview of PACE including program design, capital markets analysis, investor attraction, legal and regulatory considerations, market potential, and operations.
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CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE 2.0 - The Next 10 Years
Tuesday, November 20, 2021
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern
It has been approximately 10 years since the first PACE programs began. During this workshop, our speakers will provide 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 storm water mitigation, and sewer overflows.
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