Commercial Solar Financing
Big impact, little or no money down
Pay cash, finance with a loan or lease, or use C-PACE to fund 100% of the project through a property tax assessment. We stay neutral on how you pay and introduce you to trusted finance partners.
- ✓C-PACE in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado and Michigan
- ✓Loans and leases with predictable payments
- ✓Proposals built around bill savings and return on net cost
Ways to pay
Four ways to pay for commercial solar
Cash purchase
The strongest long-term savings. Your business owns the system and keeps every incentive.
Commercial loan
Predictable monthly payments while your business still captures the tax benefits of ownership.
Lease or PPA
A third party owns the system and you pay for the system or its power, with little or nothing upfront.
C-PACE
Up to 100% of the project paid back through a property tax assessment over a long, fixed-rate term.
C-PACE financing
What is C-PACE?
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) lets building owners pay for solar and other energy upgrades through a special assessment on the property tax bill. It can cover 100% of hard and soft costs, such as design and engineering, with terms that can run 20 to 30 years depending on the state and the life of the equipment.
The assessment stays with the property, so if you sell the building, the next owner takes over the payments along with the savings. Your mortgage lender must consent, and we help prepare what lenders and program administrators ask for.
- ✓Little or no money down
- ✓Long, fixed-rate terms that can match the life of the system
- ✓Payments can be offset by energy savings from day one
- ✓Commercial, industrial, agricultural, nonprofit and larger multifamily properties are typically eligible
Where it is available
C-PACE in the states we serve
| State | C-PACE today | Program |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | Yes. Most counties take part (77 of 87 allow PACE). | MinnPACE (Saint Paul Port Authority) and regional programs |
| Wisconsin | Yes, in participating counties. | PACE Wisconsin |
| Illinois | Yes, where the county or city has a program. | Local programs, such as Cook and Lake counties |
| Colorado | Yes, in participating counties. | Colorado C-PACE |
| Michigan | Yes, in participating local governments. | Lean and Green Michigan |
| Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota | No C-PACE law today. | Loans, leases and utility programs |
Program rules, caps and participating counties change. We confirm eligibility for your property before you apply. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
Incentives we model
What every proposal accounts for
Federal credit timing
Solar projects that start construction now generally must be placed in service by December 31, 2027 to claim the federal credit. Storage has a longer window.
Depreciation
Depreciation, including bonus depreciation, can add to the savings. Your tax advisor confirms how it applies.
Utility programs
Rebates and demand-charge savings from your utility, included in the numbers.
Plain numbers
Bill savings, return on net cost and cost per kWh over the life of the system.
How it works
From bills to a funded project
Send your bills
Twelve months of utility bills and basic property details.
Design and model
We design the system and model each way to pay.
Pick financing
We introduce you to C-PACE administrators, lenders or lease partners.
Build and save
We permit, build and commission the system.
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Get my free quoteFinancing questions
What is C-PACE?
Commercial PACE lets owners finance energy improvements through a property tax assessment, often covering 100% of costs over a long, fixed-rate term.
Which states have C-PACE?
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado and Michigan, where the local government takes part. Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota do not have C-PACE today.
Does my lender have to agree?
Yes. Mortgage lenders must give written consent before a C-PACE assessment is placed. We help prepare the information they ask for.
Can I still claim the federal credit with C-PACE?
C-PACE is financing, so the system owner can still claim available tax benefits. Federal solar credit deadlines apply; confirm with your tax advisor.
Do you arrange the financing?
We stay neutral and introduce you to trusted C-PACE administrators, lenders and lease partners.