Promote financing and incentive programs, such as PACE, for clean energy:
Best Practice of this action
Rating Guideline
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Promote local utility incentives to residents and businesses; promote available PACE financing; promote any local, state and federal financing tools and/or incentives available. Report where and how frequently promotions have been conducted. |
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Provide targeted outreach and education about resources to low-income households, historically marginalized communities, and minority-owned businesses; report the number of participants utilizing funding sources promoted, which sources were used, dollars lent and installed capacity in kW. |
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Use city funds or partner with a financial institution (local bank, investment firm) to create a renewable energy/energy efficiency loan product; leverage heating-assistance funds for renewables installation. Target funds and programming toward low-income households, historically marginalized communities, and minority-owned businesses. |
Resources
- Cities can promote Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing available through the many MN counties participating in PACE programs that finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to the buildings of commercial property owners.
- Guide to Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Financing Districts for Local Governments (University of California, Berkeley: 2009).
- Find local, state and federal financial resources and incentives from the U.S. Dept. of Energy's Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.
- The Minneapolis Green Cost Share program is an example of a local government fund that supports solar and energy efficiency projects and gives priority to properties in Green Zones. The City of St. Louis Park has a similar solar cost-share program that provides higher cost share rates to census tracts identified as priorities for environmental justice.
Sublist
a. PACE for commercial property owners to install renewable energy systems, energy efficiency measures and EV charging infrastructure for existing or new construction.
b. Local, state and federal financial incentives for property owners to install renewable energy systems.
c. Local utility renewable energy production incentives and rebates.
Order Number
3