Playbook for Green Buildings + Neighborhoods | Buildings | Leading Actions | Berkeley Financing Initiative for Solar and Renewable Technology (FIRST) Program

Berkeley: Financing Initiative for Solar and Renewable Technology (FIRST) Program

The City of Berkeley is developing a program that would allow property owners to install solar systems (and, ultimately, energy efficiency projects) on their buildings and pay for the cost over 20 years through a voluntary annual special assessment on their property tax bills. Participants would pay only for the cost of their project (including interest) and fees to administer the program. The City would provide the funding for the project from a bond or loan fund that it repays through assessments on participating property owners’ tax bills. The pilot program is expected to roll out in the Fall of 2008 and will include approximately 50 homes.

Click here to learn more about Berkeley’s FIRST Program

Energy Star Challenge would improve the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings by 10% or more, saving businesses $20 billion a year and reducing greenhouse gas emissions enough to equal those from 30 million vehicles. (US EPA)