Financing Opportunities

The Bright Schools Program provides a wide range of technical assistance to public K-12 school districts. Typical services include conducting energy audits, reviewing existing proposals and designs, and developing equipment performance specifications. All publicly funded California K-12 school districts are eligible for assistance from the Bright Schools Program.

The Energy Commission is temporarily suspending technical assistance provided under the Energy Partnership Program (EPP). Due to workload constraints associated with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, technical assistance will not be offered to BSP applicants after December 3, 2009. Typically, the technical assistance program has provided energy audits to identify energy savings recommendations or reviews of energy proposals and designs. Technical assistance will continue to be conducted for ARRA related activities. (Notification Posted: January 5, 2010)

The Energy Conservation Assistance Act (ECAA) Low Interest Loans provide cities, counties, public schools & colleges, special districts, public care institutions, and public hospitals a financing opportunity for energy efficiency and energy generation projects. Approximately $25 million is currently available with the maximum loan amount set at $3 million per application. There is no minimum loan amount.

Energy Upgrade California is your one-stop-shop for home improvement projects that lower your energy use, conserve water and natural resources, and make your home healthier and more comfortable. Use this website to: plan your upgrade projects; locate participating contractors; and find rebates and incentives in your local area. Simply enter in your city name or zip code and check out the incentive programs under the finance tab.

The California Cash for Appliances Program is closed and all funding has been exhausted. The waiting list for the HVAC and water heater rebate program closed on December 31, 2011. Rebates for the home appliance program closed on December 6, 2010.

The Energy Efficient Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Program focuses on projects that deliver lasting financial benefits to California consumers and the economy through energy efficiency. The EECBG Program will provide more than $35 million in direct allocations to California's eligible small cities and counties. The local governments can use these funds to concentrate on cost-effective energy efficient projects for their communities and the options are almost limitless when considering the various types of lighting retrofits, building upgrades, mechanical equipment, clean energy systems, and various energy management controls available.

The remaining funds will be spent for energy planning that reduces green house gas emissions and dependency on fossil fuels.

The Clean Energy Business Financing Program uses ARRA State Energy Program (SEP) funds to provide $30.6 million in low-interest loans to eligible applicants that improve or expand their energy efficiency or renewable energy manufacturing facilities in California. The Clean Energy Business Financing Program will leverage private capital and other funds and incentives to maximize benefits for Golden State-based businesses. Applications will be competitively awarded until all funds have been exhausted.

To promote economic vitality and build a clean energy workforce, the Energy Commission is providing up to $110 million in State Energy Program (SEP) funds for energy programs focused on existing residential and commercial building energy efficiency (and water efficiency) retrofits. Onsite solar electric generation may be eligible if installed in conjunction with energy efficiency measures. Local jurisdictions, non-profits or private organizations can create partnerships and apply for program funding under a competitive solicitation process for three different areas: the California Comprehensive Residential Building Retrofit Program, the Municipal and Commercial Building Targeted Measure Retrofit Program, and the Municipal Financing Program.

California has received $226 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment (ARRA) funds for the State Energy Program (SEP). California's SEP is focused on increasing energy efficiency to reduce energy costs and consumption, cut reliance on imported energy, and shrink energy impacts on the environment.