Solar Space Heat

Energy-Efficient Mortgages

Homeowners can take advantage of energy efficient mortgages (EEM) to either finance energy efficiency improvements to existing homes, including renewable energy technologies, or to increase their home buying power with the purchase of a new energy efficient home. The U.S. federal government supports these loans by insuring them through Federal Housing Authority (FHA) or Veterans Affairs (VA) programs. This allows borrowers who might otherwise be denied loans to pursue energy efficiency, and it secures lenders against loan default.

FHA Energy Efficient Mortgages
The FHA allows lenders to add up to 100% of energy efficiency improvements to an existing mortgage loan

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Tennessee C-PACER Financing

Note:  In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activity subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing

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C-PACE: Garden State Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy

Note: In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activity subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing

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Solar-Ready Zones

This rule applies to new buildings seeking construction permits on or after January 1, 2025.

In 2023, Delaware HB 11 was enacted, adding a provision for "Solar-Ready Zones" to the commercial building code. These rules apply to new commercial buildings with a foundation footprint of 50,000 square feet or more.

Solar-Ready Zones are sections of the building's roof or overhang reserved for future installation(s) of solar photovoltaic or solar thermal energy systems.

Solar-Ready Zones shall be located on the roof of buildings up to 5 stories above grade with low-slope roofs or slanted roofs facing 110 to 270 degrees from

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City of Oakland - Solar Access Ordinance

Current Municipal codes provide some solar access protections to adjacent properties. Mostly in relation to new development proposals.

17.65.080.A.3.B - Maximum Floor Area Ratio

Regards the maximum floor area ratio regulation for the city of Oakland. It specifies the conditions for a conditional use permit for an FAR or up to 3.0 in the HBX-3 and HBX-4 zones. Including that “the additional Floor Area Ratio does not significantly decrease the solar access of existing adjacent single family homes or duplexes to a degree greater than would be created if the facility were built according to the base FAR.”

17.134.050.F.1 –

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New Solar Market Development Tax Credit

New Mexico provides a 10% personal income tax credit (up to $6,000) for taxpayers that own a residence, business, or agricultural enterprise who purchase and install certified photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal systems on their property. Eligible systems include grid-tied commercial and industrial PV systems, off-grid and grid-tied residential PV systems, active solar thermal systems, and systems with or without storage. To be eligible, systems must first be certified by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. The taxpayer must then apply for the tax credit with the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department within 12 months of

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2021 Sustainable Building Tax Credit (Personal)

H.B. 15, enacted in April 2021, established a new version of the personal tax credit and corporate tax credit for sustainable buildings in New Mexico. The tax credits apply to both commercial and residential buildings.

Commercial Buildings

Commercial buildings which have been registered and certified by the U.S. Green Building Council at LEED Gold or higher for new construction (NC), existing buildings (EB), core and shell (CS), or commercial interiors (CI), and are broadband- and electric vehicle-ready are eligible for a tax credit. The amount of the credit varies according to the square footage of the building, the level of

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2021 Sustainable Building Tax Credit (Corporate)

H.B. 15, enacted in April 2021, established a new version of the personal tax credit and corporate tax credit for sustainable buildings in New Mexico. The tax credits apply to both commercial and residential buildings.

Commercial Buildings

Commercial buildings which have been registered and certified by the U.S. Green Building Council at LEED Gold or higher for new construction (NC), existing buildings (EB), core and shell (CS), or commercial interiors (CI), and are broadband- and electric vehicle-ready are eligible for a tax credit. The amount of the credit varies according to the square footage of the building, the level of

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State of NY Commercial PACE Financing Program

Note: In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activities subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing
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System Benefits Charge

The New Mexico system benefits charge was replaced with the passing of the Efficient Use of Energy Act
As part of New Mexico's Electric Utility Industry Restructuring Act of 1999 the legislature created the Electric Industry System Benefits Fund for renewable energy, customer education, and low-income assistance. The fund is created through a charge of 0.03¢/kWh beginning January 1, 2002 and doubling in 2007. The charge is collected from all electric utilities, both private and public. The funds will support renewable energy up to $4 million to be used by school districts, cities, towns, villages, or counties. Renewable technologies
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