Financing Your Climate Action Plan Green California Summit 2015 Joe Livaich Regional Director
Solar Reaches the Tipping Point Even at $10 a barrel, oil can t match solar on cost. National Bank of Abu Dhabi, March 2015 Over the next 5-10 years, we expect new business models to generate a significant amount of economic and shareholder value. Within three years, the economics of solar will take over from policy drivers (subsidies). Deutsche Bank, March 2015
California Passes AB 811 (2008) AB 811 (2008) allows local govts in CA to establish PACE districts to finance renewable energy, energy efficiency and water efficiency improvements that are permanently affixed to real property (residential and commercial). PACE is based on long-standing California bond law. More than 4,700 special assessment districts exist in CA. More than 1 in 3 California homeowners have at least one special assessment on their property. Renewable Funding launched BerkeleyFIRST pilot program: 40 slots taken in less than 9 minutes (2008)
Top 20 World Changing Ideas: A new innovation in financing, however, has opened up an additional possibility for homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their electric bills: get the panels for free, then pay for the power as you go. December
PACE TAKES OFF: 31 STATES PASS LEGISLATION 31 states and DC - 80% of US population 2011 2010 2010 2010 2014 2010 2013 2008 2013 2013 2010 2012 2010 2013 2010 2013 HI Existing Authority 2010 PACE enabled 2014/2015 legislative interest or Bills 5 5
The Hammer Falls on Residential FHFA guidance letter July 6, 2010 PACE creates safety and soundness concerns. Authorize punishment of PACE properties and communities. PACE violates mortgage contract and can be considered an act of default. Require larger down payments for all new mortgages issued in communities that offer PACE financing. Require mortgage holder consent prior to homeowners receiving PACE financing. Tighten underwriting requirements to make it harder for buyers to qualify for new mortgages in entire communities that offer PACE financing.
California Establishes PACE Reserve 2014 SB 96 (2013) creates PACE reserve to cover mortgage lender s PACE-related losses in the event of a foreclosure or forced sale PACE programs must register with CAEATFA, an agency within the Department of California Treasurer CAEATFA established regulations, including underwriting standards, quality assurance and consumer protections (March 2014) PACE programs must report to CAEATFA bi-annually on activity in their portfolios
Renewable Funding Relaunches CalFIRST RF selected by CSCDA in to develop CaliforniaFIRST program. CSCDA put CaliforniaFIRST on hold in July 2010, following guidance from Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). CSCDA voted in March 2014 to re-start CaliforniaFIRST, following establishment of CA PACE Reserve. RF launched CaliforniaFIRST program in August 2014.
200+ Participating Local Governments 175 Cities In 30 Counties Marin 65,234 96% Solano 82,687 76% San Francisco 69,712 Contra Costa 248,094 50% San Mateo 136,546 Mendocino 20,815 7% Sonoma 119,997 44% Santa Cruz 56,482 Shasta 43,977 56% Butte 52,176 28% Yolo Napa 30,836 San Joaquin Alameda 125,475 54% 257,878 Stanislaus Santa 97,363 Clara 13% 313,065 96% San Benito 13,138 Monterey 64,063 San Luis Obispo 63,163 52% Santa Barbara 67,950 Fresno 148,332 69% Tulare 76,814 60% Kern 147,423 92% Nevada 41,085 3% 33,712 Sacramento 280,566 25% Ventura 165,452 Los Angeles 1,348,165 100% (May 1) San Bernardino 375,536 Full county and city participation in CaliforniaFIRST Partial county and city participation in CaliforniaFIRST: % listed for each county indicates the percentage of owneroccupied units in that county opted in to CaliforniaFIRST Orange 513,690 11% San Diego 513,924 97% Riverside 465,355 2%
What Do We Finance? Hundreds of eligible products include: Energy Efficiency Duct Insulation, Furnaces, Windows Renewable Energy Solar Panels, Solar Water Heating Water Efficiency Artificial Turf, Drip Irrigation, High-Efficiency Faucets
500+ Participating Contractors 500+ contractors Licensed and bonded In operation 1+ years Better Business Bureau grade B or higher In partnership with EGIA, nation s largest contractor association
Residential Interest Rates/Terms
Comparing PACE to Other Financing Options Source of Funds CALFIRST HELOC* HEL Interest Rate 6.75% - 8.39% (fixed) 3% - 7% (variable) 6% - 9% (fixed) Personal Unsecured Loan 6% - 10% + (fixed) Credit Card 5% - 25% (variable) Tax Deductibility of Interest Yes Yes Yes No No Minimum Finance Amounts $5K $1 $1,000 $1 $1 Maximum Finance Amounts, and Primary Limiting Factors Lesser of $200K or 15% of home equity Limited by Combined LTV, DTI Limited by Combined LTV, DTI Limited by DTI Limited by DTI Minimum Loan Term 5 years 1 day 1 day 1 day 1 day Maximum Loan Term Speed to Approve Financing Application Key Qualifying Criteria 20 years (25 for solar) 20 years 20 years Unlimited Unlimited 1 day 1 month+ 1 month+ 1-2 weeks 1 day Equity in the home FICO, Combined LTV, DTI FICO, Combined LTV, DTI FICO, DTI FICO, DTI Transferability of Typically, yes No No No No Repayment* * Only 12% of owner-occupied homes have a HELOC in place, 8% of homes owned by >65 years old, 7% of African- American owned homes, 9% of Hispanic-owned homes
Comparison of Lease, Prepaid and CalFIRST Payments Lease Prepaid Lease or PPA CaliforniaFIRST for Prepaid Lease or PPA Monthly $130 $0 $97 Total over 20 years $31,090 $13,135 $27,125
Comparison Own (cash payment, other loan) Own w/ CaliforniaFIRST financing Lease or PPA Pre-Paid Lease or Pre-Paid PPA CaliforniaFIRST Financing for Pre-Paid Benefits Full ownership of the system Full ownership of the system Take advantage of the full tax credit via 3 rd party Take advantage of the full tax credit via 3 rd party Take advantage of the full tax credit via 3 rd party PO gets tax credit and incentives PO gets tax credit and incentives 3 rd party maintenance 3 rd party maintenance 3 rd party maintenance Tax deduction of interest portion of annual payment Discounted payment compared to Lease or PPA Discounted payment compared to Lease or PPA Tax deduction of interest portion of annual payment Drawbacks Responsible for maintenance Responsible for maintenance Don t own the system at end of agreement Don t own the system at end of agreement Don t own the system at end of agreement
Consumer Protections All participating contractors certified All eligible products meet minimum efficiency and/or performance standards Third-party quality assurance check with process for putting contractors on probation Dispute resolution process All calls to call center recorded
WHEEL Overview The Warehouse for Energy Efficiency Loans is an unsecured product that provides low-cost capital to homeowners for energy efficiency and water conservation improvements WHEEL includes: Leverage of public capital with private institutional capital Multi-state aggregation of loans to capture economies of scale and reduce risk Leading to lower interest rates for borrowers Private-sector driven marketing, QA/QC, and contractor oversight Eliminating a state s need to develop and implement its own program Job creation and energy & water outcomes reporting (data & analysis) provided to participating states
WHEEL: Key Facts WHEEL is based on Pennsylvania s Keystone HELP model In 2006, Pennsylvania launched Keystone HELP, a residential energy efficiency financing program Keystone HELP established uniform underwriting criteria, eligible measures and a managed network of contractors So far Keystone HELP has deployed $100M and benefitted over 13,500+ homeowners WHEEL launched in April 2014 with programs in PA and KY In Q2 of 2015, WHEEL will complete its first capital markets transaction and launch new programs in FL, IN, NY and VA WHEEL is a market-driven financing platform specifically designed for contractors who upgrade homes
WHEEL Partners
WHEEL Financing: How it Works (Start at the bottom) Capital Markets/Institutional Investors Warehouse PA KY FL Every time the Warehouse reaches sufficient volume, an investment grade bond is issued that is purchased by institutional investors. This leads to the recapitalization of each state s program. All conforming loans originated in participating states are purchased by the Warehouse. On average, 80% of the purchase capital is provided by Citi and 20% is provided by the state sponsors. Participating state partners agree to WHEEL standards that have been pre-vetted by Fitch Ratings and capital providers. Partner states also contribute sponsor capital which is leveraged at least 5 to 1.
Questions Joe Livaich Regional Director jlivaich@renewfund.com 916.396.7659