Become a C-Pace Contractor
Contractors and engineers that specialize in energy efficiency upgrades, water conservation projects, or renewable energy systems for commercial buildings can leverage the Last Best PACE program to gain new sales opportunities
Last Best PACE is an innovative program that provides commercial property owners low-cost financing for up to 100% of the capital required to complete substantial energy and water efficiency improvement and renewable energy projects. This means new business opportunities for C-PACE contractors to implement large-scale, comprehensive upgrades instead of patching up old equipment or installing temporary solutions.
If you are interested in becoming a contractor for C-PACE projects, reach out to the program today.
Contractors typically assist property owners with completing applications and obtaining proper approvals from Last Best PACE. Professional services firms including contractors, installers, engineers and project managers must register with Last Best PACE to share their firm's information.
Visit the Program Guidelines for an overview of the development process and financing approval.
Projects Eligible for C-PACE Financing
Last Best PACE is available to eligible commercial and industrial property owners in participating communities. All building owners or eligible properties located within a C-PACE District may participate in C-PACE financing. "Eligible properties" include commercial, industrial, non-profit, mixed-use, agricultural, and multi-family (residential properties with four or more dwelling units). Government and residential property with fewer than three dwelling units are not eligible properties.
The program supports the redevelopment of existing buildings, as well as new construction projects. Please note that new construction projects require additional verification and documentation of energy savings above a baseline, as detailed in the Program Guidelines.
Energy Conservation Projects
C-PACE financing may be used to pay for Energy Conservation Projects - the installation or modification of an Energy Conservation Measure or the acquisition, installation, or improvement of a Renewable Energy System.
- An Energy Conservation Measure is a permanent cost-effective improvement fixed to real property, including new construction, and intended to decrease energy or water consumption and demand, including a product, device, or interacting group of products or devices on the customer’s side of the meter that use energy technology to generate electricity, provide thermal energy, or regulate temperature.
- A Renewable Energy System is a fixture, product, device, or interacting group of fixtures, products, or devices on the customer's side of the meter that uses one or more forms of renewable energy to generate electricity or to reduce the used of nonrenewable energy. The term includes a biomass stove but does not include an incinerator or a digester.
- Products or devices that are not permanently fixed to real property are not eligible for C-PACE financing.
Types of equipment that may qualify as part of an Energy Conservation Project:
- High efficiency heating, ventilating and air conditioning (“HVAC“) systems
- High efficiency chillers, boilers, and furnaces
- High efficiency water heating systems
- Energy management systems and controls
- Distributed generation systems
- High efficiency lighting system upgrades
- Building enclosure and envelope improvements
- Water conservation and wastewater recovery and reuse systems
- Combustion and burner upgrades
- Heat recovery and steam traps
- Water management systems and controls (“indoor and outdoor”)
- High efficiency irrigation equipment
- Solar energy systems
Frequently Asked Questions
The requirements set forth in the Last Best PACE Program Guidelines require contractors and project developers to register. The contractor registration is a short process.
Yes, C-PACE projects can qualify and receive additional rebates and incentives from utility providers and other sources. C-PACE borrowers are encouraged to obtain all applicable government, utility provider or manufacturer rebates, and other upfront cost reductions to reduce the total project cost for purposes of calculating the amount of the C-PACE loan.
Applicants must submit an Energy Assessment or Renewable Energy Feasibility Study for the C-PACE project that evaluates the proposed improvements to be financed and is consistent with the requirements set forth in the Program Guidelines. The C-PACE project must be shown to be cost-effective in that the estimated monetary savings of the project will be equal to or greater than the cost of the project over the life of the improvement(s).