Sonoma County Funds First AB 811 Loan

Last night, Sonoma County sent us some good news that we are happy to share — it has funded its first clean energy loan secured by a lien on property taxes.  As we have posted before, the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program is California’s first county wide energy efficiency financing district, authorized by AB 811.

The loan of $25,500 went to homeowners and paid for a 5 kilowatt photovoltaic system, net of an $8,200 California Solar Initiative rebate, and 30% tax credit on the remaining system cost.  What’s more they report in their press release (download here-> sceip-dekay-release (1)) that there is already $6 million worth of applications for more loans from the programs.

During the ULI Developing Green Conference last week, there was much buzz about the power of energy efficiency financing districts as being a true game changer for energy efficiency and carbon emissions reduction.  I’ve included one of my slides discussing it in my presentation on energy efficiency financing. ULI drew its typical smart crowd, who talked seriously about the critical milestones that would affect the success of this funding mechanism:

-     The additional property tax liens created by these loans might disturb some commercial real estate lenders who might see them as a threat to the priority of their loan.

Several folks felt that lenders might become more relaxed about this when they compared the actual loan size to their own mortgage loans (very small), as well as the fact that the loan might accomplish energy efficiency retrofits which upgrade the property – and possibly even its cash flow and value. Note that Sonoma County’s program tells commercial property owners to get the approval of their lenders before applying for their loans.

-    We’re all still waiting to see that the bond markets will buy paper based on these types of loans, their terms, pricing and conditions. That acceptance is needed to bring increased secondary market liquidity to these funding mechanisms. Without it, these size programs will remain too limited to have much environmental impact and potentially just wither on the vine.

Get to Know One Block Off the Grid

Of course, no innovative program can exist without attracting smart folks who can commercialize it and ramp up its scale   We were just recently contacted by  One Block Off the Grid, which essentially runs a Costco for solar shoppers. Consumers join them in towns where they’ve set up shop, joining a big pool of like-minded consumers they’ve organized – to be able to bulk buy solar systems and share the discounts. Organizing and scaling up around energy efficiency loans is very impressive. The fact that they showed us some love yesterday warmed our hearts as well. We’re keeping an eye on them and hope to report more good things on their progress.

So Can Easy Green Finance Affect Home Pricing?

Homebuilders and homeowners should think for a second –> what does it mean for home prices in those areas where homeowners have direct access to easy credit for clean energy systems, energy efficiency retrofits, not to mention some pretty good rebates and tax credits?

Do you think that easy access to this type of green financing (and the benefits of the retrofits that it enables) makes it harder for other property owners to sell their unretrofitted properties at market rates? Will more homebuilders have to build green homes to compete?

Yes, AB 811’s gonna keep things interesting — and good — for a while.

More Calls for Sustainability Financing Districts

Photo credit: LA WadCalifornia Assembly Bill 811 fans: here’s another update.
Yet another call was issued recently for a sustainability financing district; where the city would offer residential green tech financing via property tax assessments - one of my super faves among the green finance moves out there.

Back in May, I posted about how legislation authorizing cities to create sustainability financing districts has been gaining traction.

That traction continues.

In this latest item, you basically have a key staff member of a state senator’s very green leaning Santa Rosa  district, calling for a sustainability financing district for their city. I’m not saying that enacting this type of program is a no brainer, but given the headway already made by Berkley, San Francisco and others — Santa Rosa should have an easier time envisioning how to get it done and reaping the benefits. Once legislation authorizes them to take action.

I can’t stop singing this song: AB 811 represents one of the best new strategies in green real estate finance. It can foster the rapid adoption of green technology via sharing a city’s cost of capital with homeowners. It empowers cities to step up and address climate change using their own unique financial advantages.

As a result, the proposed sustainability financing districts could create a mega-win for the cities, homeowners, green tech companies and the future green collar job holders involved.

Oh yeah, and let me sing my other AB 811 song: Banks and other consumer financiers, that currently shy away from residential lending should be taking notice of a very big horse that has taken another step out of the barn in California.