C-PACE Expansion: Live in Philadelphia

More building owners in Philadelphia are now able to apply for clean energy loans through the expansion of the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy or C-PACE Program.

The C-PACE Program Guidelines have been updated to reflect the C-PACE expansion enabled by Act 43 of 2022. Applications are now being accepted for multifamily properties with 5 or more units and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and resiliency projects.

The Philadelphia Energy Authority, Philadelphia’s C-PACE Program Administrator, in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Fund, conducted an extensive stakeholder engagement process to draft the revised guidelines. A draft Addendum was issued for public comment on August 25, 2022 for a two-week period. The final Addendum to the Philadelphia C-PACE Program Guidelines is now available for download from the Philadelphia Energy Authority.

In addition to the Program Guidelines and Addendum update, the Pre-Application, Final Application and Statement of Levy and Lien have also been revised.

A summary of changes includes:

  • Multifamily properties to be treated the same as other property types
  • Guidelines for submission of IAQ and Resiliency projects now available (Addendum starts on Page 70 of the September 2022 Program Guidelines)
  • Appendix M – Disclosures and Recommendations form added to Final Application Requirements
  • Brief discussion between Property Owner and Program Administrator required prior to submission of final application
  • Section 4.3.1 energy survey requirements updated
  • Statement of Levy and Lien modified
  • C-PACE Assessment no longer requires Program Administrator or Property Owner consent to assign and “Exhibit E” language of Statement of Levy and Lien modified

Download the latest versions of all application materials, including the Statement of Levy Lien, prior to submitting information to PEA. Word versions of documents are available for those with approved Pre-Applications.

Looking for the status of the C-PACE Program expansion in other counties?

Act 43, enabling C-PACE expansion across Pennsylvania, took effect September 6, 2022. Counties must also implement necessary local updates including amendments to ordinances and program guidelines to allow projects to be financed under the expanded guidelines. Implementation timelines will vary county by county. Check the status of C-PACE in your county or fill out an application.

Additional, recent county updates and events concerning the expansion:

The Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) has openly offered to act as the Program Administrator for any local unit of government in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As a nonprofit, SEF provides any county or municipality opting into the program (outside of the city and county of Philadelphia) a uniform, turn-key C-PACE program administration platform that can be adopted at no cost to the County or Municipality. SEF offers a single point of access for Property Owners, Local Units of Government, Qualified Contractors, and C-PACE Capital Providers. The Program Administrator reviews and certifies projects that are eligible for C-PACE financing.