Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Finance Resource Center
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a finance tool used to implement energy-efficient improvements on private property. PACE provides access to affordable capital with no upfront costs to make energy efficiency improvements to residential and commercial properties. Extended-term financing allows for the property owner to pay back the loan over time, as well as the potential to increase property values and reduce energy costs.
PACE is a broad, flexible tool that can be applied to individual properties, as well as manufacturing campuses and business districts. The PACE financing model allows for property owners to access affordable capital to make energy efficiency upgrades to their properties by allowing the local municipality to place a special assessment on the property’s tax bill. The debt is associated with the property, not the property owner, and therefore is repaid by the property owner via the assessment on the tax bill, making the costly energy efficiency upgrades affordable in the long term.
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-Understanding Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
Interested in learning about this flexible energy efficiency financing tool? This section contains resources on understanding the basics of PACE.
Legal, Policy & Regulatory ConsiderationsMembers only 
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In order for PACE programs to be successful, there are a complex set of legal requirements and financial guidelines that must be taken into consideration. These policies allow the tool to function as well as bring about financial viability for the properties involved. During this session, Caleb Bell will outline the legal and policy necessities that must be met for successful implementation of PACE.
PACE Financing OptionsMembers only Login
David Rogers explores the many starting funds that can be used for capitalization options for the initial investments into a PACE district, including bonds, grants, loans and more. David also focuses on the process of issuing PACE bonds.
-Resources
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-Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
Large-Scale Solar Development: A Playbook for Southwest VirginiaMembers only Login
To ensure that Virginia's coal country doesn't miss out on opportunities in large-scale solar, the Solar Foundation and the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia have developed a step-by-step guide for how municipalities and counties can encourage utility-scale or commercial solar projects. The playbook includes guidance on engaging stakeholders, identifying and resolving barriers, reviewing development proposals, and adopting local planning and zoning regulations to facilitate solar energy in legacy coal country. The publication also discussing financing options for using PACE, Opportunity Zones, and other programs to support solar projects.
CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE Program Capitalization
This is the fifth webinar of the 2020 CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE Program Capitalization. Speakers included: Colin Kalvas, Associate Attorney, Bricker & Eckler LLP; Lain Gutierrez, CEO, CleanFund; Michael Linder, Loan Officer, Saint Paul Port Authority; Andrew Meyer, Senior Vice President, Petros PACE Finance; and Paul Scharfenberger, Executive Director, Colorado Clean Energy Fund.
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-PACE Program Analysis
CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE Program Capitalization
This is the fifth webinar of the 2020 CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE Program Capitalization. Speakers included: Colin Kalvas, Associate Attorney, Bricker & Eckler LLP; Lain Gutierrez, CEO, CleanFund; Michael Linder, Loan Officer, Saint Paul Port Authority; Andrew Meyer, Senior Vice President, Petros PACE Finance; and Paul Scharfenberger, Executive Director, Colorado Clean Energy Fund.
CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Policy and the Future of PACE
This is the fourth webinar of the 2020 CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Policy and the Future of PACE. Speakers included: Jason Tiemeier, Associate, Bricker & Eckler LLP; Clifton Kellogg, Executive Director, C-PACE Alliance; Elyssa Rothe, Director of Policy and Program Development, Greenworks Lending; and Teresa Snyder PhD, Vice President Strategic Growth & Development, Ebee Management Group.
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.
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-PACE Bonds
Introduction to C-PACE in New YorkMembers only Login
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) provides long-term, low-cost financing for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects for commercial buildings. Unlike traditional financing, repayment is secured through a benefit assessment lien that is subordinate to municipal taxes, but senior to all other liens. Financing automatically transfers to a new owner if the property is sold.
Mortgage Lender’s Guide to C-PACE: Lender Consent
To document the C-PACE financing, most programs require mortgage holders to consent to the assessment because, like other property tax assessments, the claim for delinquent C-PACE payments is typically on par with normal property taxes.
CDFA – Bricker PACE Webinars: PACE 101: The Basics of PACE Financing
This is the first webinar of the CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE 101: The Basics of PACE Financing. Speakers included: Colin Kalvas with Bricker & Eckler, Colin Bishopp with PACENation, Dustin Reilich with Renovate America, and Andrew Zech with Greenworks Lending.
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-Programs Map
Search the map below to find Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) 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 programs available. Login with a CDFA Member account at the top of the page to view full results.
-Case Studies
CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE Program Capitalization
This is the fifth webinar of the 2020 CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE Program Capitalization. Speakers included: Colin Kalvas, Associate Attorney, Bricker & Eckler LLP; Lain Gutierrez, CEO, CleanFund; Michael Linder, Loan Officer, Saint Paul Port Authority; Andrew Meyer, Senior Vice President, Petros PACE Finance; and Paul Scharfenberger, Executive Director, Colorado Clean Energy Fund.
CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Policy and the Future of PACE
This is the fourth webinar of the 2020 CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Policy and the Future of PACE. Speakers included: Jason Tiemeier, Associate, Bricker & Eckler LLP; Clifton Kellogg, Executive Director, C-PACE Alliance; Elyssa Rothe, Director of Policy and Program Development, Greenworks Lending; and Teresa Snyder PhD, Vice President Strategic Growth & Development, Ebee Management Group.
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.
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-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 -Training Courses
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.
Register
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-Upcoming Events
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.
Register
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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-Webcasts