Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs

CaliforniaFIRST

Program Overview


Category:
Financial Incentive
Program Type:
PACE Financing
Implementing Sector:
State
State:
California
Eligible Storage Technologies:
Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Photovoltaics, Wind (All), Geothermal Heat Pumps, Fuel Cells using Non-Renewable Fuels, Equipment Insulation, Water Heaters, Lighting, Lighting Controls/Sensors, Furnaces, Heat pumps, Air conditioners, Heat recovery, Programmable Thermostats, Caulking/Weather-stripping, Duct/Air sealing, Building Insulation, Roofs, Other EE, Wind (Small), Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels, Reflective Roofs, Tankless Water Heater
Website:
https://californiafirst.org/overview
Terms:
Minimum financing amount: $50,000
The maximum financing amount is dependent on the property value. Current outstanding debt plus CaliforniaFIRST financing amount must be less than the property value plus the value of the financed projects.
Repayment periods range from 5-20 years, depending on the expected useful life of the financed improvements and the negotiated terms.
Administrator:
Renewable Funding
Applicable Sectors:
Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential
Last Updated:
03/11/2016

Summary

The CaliforniaFIRST Program is a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program for non-residential properties. PACE programs allow property owners to finance the installation of energy and water improvements on their buildings and to pay the amount back through their property taxes. CaliforniaFIRST is available to commercial, industrial, agricultural, and multi-family (over 5 units) buildings in one of the 120 participating cities or the unincorporated parts of the 14 participating counties. Click here to see all the local governments that are participating.

Eligibility is generally determined by the property records and value, and the property must meet general underwriting criteria established by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA). The property must be current in payment for all obligations secured by the property, including mortgages, property taxes, and assessment and tax liens, for the past 3 years. There cannot be any notices of default or foreclosure filed against the property within the last 5 years. The current property owner also cannot have a record of bankruptcy in the past 7 years. Lenders may request additional information and have additional criteria.

More information and a complete list of the currently approved energy and water efficiency technologies are available at the web site above.