The introduction to this two-part series described general information that is available on the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE). This database contains all known policies and incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency across the country. DSIRE’s website is a valuable source of information for states and localities that are setting up financing programs that focus on clean energy development, and provides information for planners of what resources are already available.

The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) also maintains a useful website on energy loan programs. The State Energy Loan Fund Database (SELF) specifically covers loan products and contains technical guidance on establishing loans, as well as a list of active loan programs around the country. The loan program statistics it provides include funding sources, different fund sizes and their focus, website links, and contact information.

One of the most useful items on the NASEO site is the library of RFPs (Requests for Proposals) and the state financing resources pages. Any person or organization that is evaluating different finance programs can benefit from viewing the requests for proposals from existing programs, both for third-party administrators and for lending partners, and especially to satisfy any legal or finance staffing liability concerns. While it is important to tailor each RFP to the community offering the energy finance program, being able to see actual RFPs can help communities consider elements they wish to include in their own documents. Similarly, the financing resources pages contain guidelines, model ordinances, sample loan agreements and other documents on a range of financing options including revolving loan funds, loan loss reserves, Property Assisted Clean Energy (PACE) programs, and Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECB).

SELF and DSIRE are just two examples of resources that can supplement the information found on the Solution Center. Are there other web resources that you find useful for your finance programs? Please share these in the comments section below.

Content for this blog post courtesy of Glenn Barnes of the UNC Environmental Finance Center, a member of the Center for Climate Strategies financial technical assistance team