Colorado C-PACE is a financing tool, available to Pueblo County business, that allows commercial and multifamily property owners to finance qualifying energy efficiency, water conservation, and other clean energy improvements on existing and newly constructed properties, with repayment of the financing through a voluntary assessment on their property tax bill. More information.

 

How does Colorado C-PACE work?

  • Colorado C-PACE financing is repaid through a voluntary special assessment on the property tax bill. The security of the tax lien is key to this program as the lien attaches to the property and transfers with ownership. Colorado C-PACE provides financing for eligible energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy improvements over their useful life — up to 20 years — thus making projects cost-effective and encouraging property owners to invest in newer, greener technologies.
  • Interested property owners opt to receive long-term (up to 20-year) financing for as much as 100% of the cost of these improvements. This arrangement spreads the cost of clean energy improvements over a longer period than could be obtained with traditional debt financing.

 

Three Basic Options for Financing Onsite Renewables

A solar power purchase agreement (PPA) is a financial agreement where a developer arranges for the design, permitting, financing and installation of a solar energy system on a customer's property at little to no cost.

Customer Attributes

  • Limited tax appetite
  • Limited access to capital for energy projects
  • Typically government, education, businesses

Solar Company Role

  • Development, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) & Operations and Maintenance (O&M)
  • Arranges financing for 3rd party to monetize investment tax credit

Payment

  • Customer pays $/KWh PPA fee
  • Typically 20-25 years w/ option to buy-out in year 7

Benefits

  • Energy savings & hedge
  • No upfront/capital cost expenditure
  • Not responsible for operations & maintenance

Customer Attributes

  • Tax appetite
  • Access to capital
  • Owns facility
  • Desire to own system
  • Typically businesses

Solar Company Role

  • Development & Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
  • May perform Operations and Maintenance (O&M) through a service agreement
  • Does not arrange financing

Payment

  • Customer owns system
  • Pays capital costs for the asset

Benefits

  • Energy savings & hedge
  • Tax & financial benefits from system ownership

Customer Attributes

  • Tax appetite
  • Limited access to capital
  • Owns facility, has equity
  • Desire to own system
  • Typically businesses

Solar Company Role

  • Development & Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
  • May perform Operations and Maintenance (O&M) through a service agreement
  • Coordinates PACE application & funding

Payment

  • Customer owns system and makes PACE payments via special prop. Tax assessment
  • Term up to 20 years

Benefits

  • Energy savings & hedge
  • No upfront capital required
  • Tax & financial benefits from system ownership