This presentation from the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) covers: [1] Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE); [2] Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) program; and [3] US Department of Agriculture (USDA) program.

1. Financing Opportunities
PACE, MDA, USDA
Peter Lindstrom
Local Government Outreach Coordinator
Fritz Ebinger
Rural Energy Manager

2. We connect individuals and their
communities to the resources they need
to identify and implement community-
based clean energy projects

3. Save $1 TRILLION…
in Buildings
Alone

4. PACE
Low-Cost, Long-Term
Financing
with No Upfront Costs

5. 70% of the
State’s
Population
has Access
to PACE

6. PACE Results
 68 Projects
 $32 Mil of Project Costs
 $2.8 Mil Annual Savings
 140 Bil BTUs Saved Annually
 50 Jobs Retained/Created
 320 Construction Jobs Created
Winona Rental

7. Grandview Tire

8. Project
Process
 Gov’t Establishes PACE
 Application Submitted
with Energy Audit,
Lender Consent &
Financials
 Loan Approved
 Project Completed
 Savings Pay for
Assessment (Revolving
Loan Fund)

9. Who Performs
Energy Audits?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

10. Why PACE?
 Lower Utility Expenses
 Save Now, Pay Next Year
 Pass on Savings and
Assessment to Tenants
 Address Deferred
Maintenance & Building
Comfort Issues
 Assist Your
Businesses/Nonprofits
 Create Local Clean Energy
Jobs
 Promote Sustainability
Business Government

11. Blue Line Travel Center
Worthington
Project: Lighting
Cost: $74,000
Source of Funds:
RMEB PACE Program
Worthington Public Utilities
USDA REAP Grant
Annual Savings: $14,000
Assessment: $9,000
Total Net Savings: $85,000

12. Timm’s Trucking
Morristown
“Financing through my property
tax assessments keeps the debt
off my balance sheet and my
financial position strong. I felt like
the PACE financing interest rate
was favorable, and the process
was fairly painless.”
- Randy Timm, OwnerProject: 30kw solar
Cost: $107,000
Funds:
MinnPACE Funds
Utility Rebates
Federal Tax Credits
USDA REAP Grant

13. Parkwood Place
Mountain Lake
Project: Lots of Energy Efficiency
Measures!
Cost: $90,000
Source of Funds:
RMEB PACE Program
Mountain Lake Utility Rebates
USDA REAP Grant
Annual Savings: $9,700
Assessment: $8,700
Total Net Savings: $15,000

14. Cozy Corner Campground
Richmond
Solar Panels will
generate 15% of
campground’s energy
needs
Problem: $10,000 monthly bill
Project: 40kw solar array
Source of Funds:
Utility Rebates
Made in MN Funds
St. Paul Port Authority PACE
30% Federal Tax Credit

15. “As a prudent building owner, we’re
always looking for ways to reduce
costs and be as efficient as possible.
It’s well worth the time and cost we
put into these projects because we
reap savings for years to come.”
- Scott Goltz
VP, Madison Equities
1st National Bank
St. Paul
Project: New Chiller, 3,000+ LEDs,
VFDs on Pumps & Motors
Project Cost: $6.75 Million
Source of Funds:
PACE
~ $1 million in Rebates
$300,000 tax credits

16. Peterson Farm
Meeker County
Project: 40kw solar
Cost: $174,000
Source of Funds:
PACE
USDA REAP Grant
Total Net Savings (25 yrs):
$250,000+

17. 25% of eligible project costs
 Labor, equipment, fees, permits…
 Competitive: 1 in 4 odds
Eligibility:
 Farms
 Rural Small Businesses
 Rural Electric Cooperatives
 Tribal Entities
USDA REAP: Grant

18. Three Project Size Tiers:
 Small: ≤ $80,000
vendor estimates accepted
 Medium: $80,001 - $250,000
RE site assessment or EE
energy audit & feasibility
study
 Large: Over $250,001
Engineering studies and more!
USDA REAP: Grant
Credit: LifeHacker.com

19. USDA REAP: Grant
Deadlines:
Oct. 31, 2017 (small projects ≤$80k)
April 1, 2018 (all project sizes)
Once application is submitted,
you can start the project.
Icing on the Cake: Project can
be completed when the grant
money arrives.

20. USDA: Guaranteed Loan
 Up to 75% backing of
private bank loan
 Guarantee reduces
bank risk: brings loan
rate down
 Not competitive

21.  Grant 10% of project cost (5% for
solar PV)
 Min investment of $4,000
 Any improvements, including
energy efficiency
 Funding cycle once per year
 Application Period: Sept - Dec
 Covers project costs NOT started or
purchased prior to the grant award
 ≈50-60% success rate
MDA Livestock Investment Grant

22. Peter Lindstrom
612-625-9634
plindstr@umn.edu
Fritz Ebinger
612-626-1028
ebing007@umn.edu
Additional information:
• DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency –
www.dsireusa.org
• PACENow – www.pacenow.org
• CERTs!
Thank You!