Saturday, October 30, 2010

St. Lucie County's Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) Becoming a Reality

Despite the national halt of energy finance programs, St. Lucie County is forging ahead with the Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF).  The program has $18-20 million in funding, most of which are being delivered by local banks.  Unlike most private-backed Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs being proposed across the nation,  the SELF will be administered by a non-profit organization known as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).  The benefit of this approach is that energy finance loans can be offered at a very low interest rate and will target low and moderate income residents.  Commissioner Doug Coward has been the visionary behind the St. Lucie "Green CDFI" model that is the first of its kind in the nation. 

Many other cities and counties are considering energy finance programs in Florida.  Leon County is currently in the pilot testing stage of the Leon Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).  This program will provide energy audits and low interest loans to 100 residents and assess the demand for a full-scale energy finance program.

3 comments:

  1. What other local governments are considering it?

    markogleswesinc@hotmail.com

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  2. Word travels fast and various Florida local governments are aware of the model. Many are waiting to see how the St. Lucie program goes.

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  3. WRONG!!!!! The program DOES NOT have 18-20 Million Dollars in funding. It has only the money from DOE! The is a complete snow-job by the local politicians from St. Lucie County!

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