Oakland University
Monday, January 12, 2015

Developing at a Faster PACE

Property-assessed clean energy loan (PACE) programs substantially grew in 2014. PACE programs allow investments in energy-efficiency retrofits and distributed renewable generation to be paid back through property taxes, which lowers the risk for both owners and lenders. PACE programs can potentially open up a far larger swath of the energy-efficiency market and are expected to grow even more in 2015.

While PACE is new to Michigan, it has been working successfully in over 30 states. By eliminating one of the biggest barriers, access to capital and financing, the program allows qualified property owners to access 100 percent up-front financing using long-term loans in the form of a ‘special assessment property tax.’ This makes energy improvements and efficiency significantly more affordable.

Since PACE projects qualify as an operating expense, owners can finance improvements without incurring additional debt on their balance sheet and while preserving capital and credit lines for core business investments. Typical Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) financed by PACE include insulation, certified energy audit and evaluation, energy control systems, water use reduction or efficiency, solar PV energy systems and solar thermal, wind and geothermal, and improved energy recovery systems.

PACE programs include substantial benefits. Benefits include no charge to see if you qualify, no up-front costs, improved energy efficiency that will pay off year after year, higher building value, and improved indoor air quality which can result in improved productivity of people who work there. With so many benefits and numerous ECM opportunities for people, it is easy to see why PACE programs have seen such success in both residential and commercial sectors.

For more information about PACE programs visit: http://www.pacenow.org/pace-programs/

Property-assessed clean energy loan (PACE) programs substantially grew in 2014. PACE programs allow investments in energy-efficiency retrofits and distributed renewable generation to be paid back through property taxes, which lowers the risk for both owners and lenders. PACE programs can potentially open up a far larger swath of the energy-efficiency market and are expected to grow even more in 2015.

While PACE is new to Michigan, it has been working successfully in over 30 states. By eliminating one of the biggest barriers, access to capital and financing, the program allows qualified property owners to access 100 percent up-front financing using long-term loans in the form of a ‘special assessment property tax.’ This makes energy improvements and efficiency significantly more affordable.

Since PACE projects qualify as an operating expense, owners can finance improvements without incurring additional debt on their balance sheet and while preserving capital and credit lines for core business investments. Typical Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) financed by PACE include insulation, certified energy audit and evaluation, energy control systems, water use reduction or efficiency, solar PV energy systems and solar thermal, wind and geothermal, and improved energy recovery systems.

PACE programs include substantial benefits. Benefits include no charge to see if you qualify, no up-front costs, improved energy efficiency that will pay off year after year, higher building value, and improved indoor air quality which can result in improved productivity of people who work there. With so many benefits and numerous ECM opportunities for people, it is easy to see why PACE programs have seen such success in both residential and commercial sectors.

For more information about PACE programs visit: http://www.pacenow.org/pace-programs/



Created by Joesph Ciaravino (jaciarav@oakland.edu) on Monday, January 12, 2015
Modified by Joesph Ciaravino (jaciarav@oakland.edu) on Monday, January 12, 2015
Article Start Date: Monday, January 12, 2015