CaliforniaFIRST is a pilot program with 14 counties and over 130 cities that provides upfront capital for energy efficiency and renewable energy home improvements. Homeowners can finance projects through property tax assessments without using personal funds. Contractors must meet qualifications to participate. The program aims to create local jobs and meet climate goals while being fiscally neutral for cities and counties. Standard underwriting includes debt-to-income and loan-to-value ratios to qualify properties.

1. CaliforniaFIRST
Annie Henderson| April 16, 2010

2. CaliforniaFIRST: Pilot Partners
• 14 Counties • CSCDA • Sacramento
SEP Pilot
Local Agencies
Program
• 130 Cities • Royal Bank County
of Canada • Ecology
• CCSE • Jones Hall Action
and Orrick • Renewable
• Renewable Funding
Funding

3. CaliforniaFIRST Pilot
– Alameda – San Luis Obispo
– Fresno – San Mateo
– Kern – Santa Clara
– Monterey – Santa Cruz
– Sacramento – Solano
– San Benito – Ventura
– San Diego – Yolo

4. CaliforniaFIRST in SD County
Unincorporated County La Mesa
Carlsbad Lemon Grove
Chula Vista Oceanside
Coronado Poway
Del Mar Santee
Encinitas Solana Beach
Escondido
* City of San Diego will have a stand-alone PACE program

5. CaliforniaFIRST: Overview
City /County
$$ Upfront
“opts-in”
• Creates financing • Identifies work &
district chooses contractor
• Provides complete $$ Repaid • Applies for financing
admin on tax bill • Repays financing on
• Provides upfront capital property tax bill
through bond sales • Repayment obligation
transfers with ownership

6. Key Benefits for Cities & Counties
Helps meet Tax neutral and Promotes
energy and no exposure to local jobs
climate goals General Fund

7. 124
jobs created with
$10 million
investment

8. Potential Program Reach

9. Contractor Qualifications
Standard
– Appropriate State license
– Participation in State rebate programs
– Agreement to Code of Ethics
– Compliance with CEC HERSII requirement (as available and
applicable)
Under Development
– Energy Efficiency certification requirement will be dependent on
State standards currently under development by HERCC, WHPP,
Home Star, etc.

10. Integration of Programs
Home Star
Whole House Residential
Performance Retrofit
Program Program
CaliforniaFIRST

11. Main Points
Loading Order
– 10% EE improvement required prior to financing for on-site
renewable generation (does not include SWH)
– Emerging EE rebate program may increase requirement to 20%
– Multiple pathways to meet loading order
Residential properties
– Specific underwriting criteria
Commercial properties
– Process under development
Financing available to RE and EE projects
– Water efficiency to follow

12. Participation Pathways
Homeowner
Based on BPI,
Rebate Basic Performance HERSII,
Package Audit
Requirements Equivalent
Other EE
PV
Measures

13. Property Qualification
Property • All property owners must sign and agree to terms
Ownership • Mortgage lender must at minimum be notified
• Current on property taxes for the last 3 years
Property- • Cannot have any involuntary liens > $500
Based Debt • Cannot have any mortgage defaults or foreclosure filings
within the last 5 years
Underwriting • Project to Value ratio is 10:1
Ratios • Private loan to value ratio must be at least 80%

14. CaliforniaFIRST.org

15. Annie Henderson| annie@renewfund.com | (510) 451-7911
www.CaliforniaFIRST.org