AllianceNRG Program FAQ

F.A.Q.
AllianceNRG General
What is the Alliance NRG Program ?

The AllianceNRG Program provides up to 100% financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy products for  property owners.

Unlike loans, the AllianceNRG Program financing can include all the  soft costs of construction such as permits, inspections, and some warranty and maintenance contracts.  The AllianceNRG Program has low fixed interest rates and terms that match the useful life of the product or improvement for up to 30 years. Repayments are made through your property taxes and in case the property is sold, the remaining assessment can be passed to the new property owner as the Program does not require repayment.

 

Why is the AllianceNRG Program different then other energy loans ?
This is not a loan.
AllianceNRG Program financing is considered a tax assessment levied by the local governmental taxing authority, (similar to a infrastructure improvement bond). The financing is self amortizing ( no balloon payment) with terms that match the useful life of the improvement. Similar to a non ad-valorem tax, the regular payments are collected along with the normal real estate taxes on your tax cycle. The financing is a tax it is reported similar to other line item taxes on the income statement of the property. Please consult with your tax advisor for further information on how this type of financing affects your property .
How is an AllianceNRG Program financing repaid ?

The AllianceNRG Program financing is repaid through your property tax bill and collected in the same manner as your regular property taxes. You will see an additional line item on your property tax bill for your scheduled payment. If you have your taxes escrowed by your mortgage lender, the bank will adjust your monthly payment to include the amount due for the AllianceNRG financing. 

 

 

 

Who is eligible for AllianceNRG Programs ?
The AllianceNRG Program is available in a numerous communities in California and Florida with more coming every day. Use the check eligibility button to see if the Program is available in your area.
What Are the eligibility criteria for the AllianceNRG Program ?
The eligibility criteria vary slightly from state to state, but generally they include :
 
  • All mortgage related debt plus the AllianceNRG financing may not exceed 100% of the value of the property.
  • The Property Owner must be current on their mortgage at the time of the application without any delinquencies of more than 30 days in the past 12 months or since the property owner acquired the property, whichever is shorter.  
  • The Property taxes must be current with no more than one late payment or tax lien over the past 3 years in California and no delinquencies in Florida.
  • The Property must not be subject to outstanding involuntary liens such mechanics or municipal nuisance liens. 
  • The Property owner must not have declared bankruptcy in the last 7 years and must not be subject to an active bankruptcy. 
Do Trust Properties qualify for the AllianceNRG Program ?
Yes. Properties held in trust qualify for the AllianceNRG Program subject to proper and adequate documentation of ownership. Please contact the Program for details.
 
Do i have to select a Program Contractor or can i use my own ?
You are welcome to select your own contractor provided the contractor is approved as a AllianceNRG through the normal contractor clearance process. Please ask you professional to visit our website for registration materials.
Contractors
Why is AllianceNRG financing different than other construction loans ?

This financing is not a loan. It is a property assessment and repayments are made through the property tax bill. PACE is a public private partnership to help property owners and to improve our environment.

Unlike construction loans, AllianceNRG financing offers 100% of the cost of the improvement including development soft costs, permits, inspections, the cost of the product, installation and other approved ancillary costs. AllianceNRG Program offers low fixed interest rates and financing terms up to 30 years. 

What is required to become an AllianceNRG Program eligible contractor ?

AllianceNRG Program eligible contractors must meet the following Minimum Requirements:

  • Possess all valid licenses, certifications and registrations (federal, state, and local) legally required to make the Qualifying Improvement(s);
  • License must be active and not on probationary status;
  • Maintain the appropriate insurance coverage for work to be performed;
  • Satisfy workers' compensation requirements; and
  • Satisfy other federal, state and local requirements associated with the Qualifying Improvement(s).

In addition, specialized improvements such as solar installation, flood mitigation or seismic retrofits may require additional certifications, licenses or training.

 

 

How do I become an AllianceNRG Program Eligible Contractor ?

Please look under contractor enrollment for registration forms or contact us for further information on how to become registered and eligible for the AllianceNRG Program.

Commercial and multifamily professionals must register separately through CounterpointeSRE.com

How does AllianceNRG support contractors in the program ?
Please contact us for co branding oportunities and more information on how to grow your business through the AllianceNRG Program
Are progress payments available to offset the upfront cost of materials ?
Yes. The Program generally pays contractors upon completion of the project, but the Program does allow for progress payments. Please contact us for more information.
How are payments made by the AllianceNRG Program ?
Payments can be made by either check, ACH or wire. We will call to confirm instructions during the contractor registration process. Payments are made upon receipt of documentation required by the Program.
How quickly are payments made for completed projects ?
The AllianceNRG Program understands the demands of payroll, vendor and subcontractor payments. As soon as all the necessary documentation is provided  we can make payment.
Commercial and Seismic
What can CounterpointeSRE Program offer commercial property owners?

PACE provides an innovative solutions for capital improvements.

Assessment may qualify as an operating expense thereby preserving capital and credit lines for investment. PACE enhances property value without ROI limitations.

Energy projects can deliver net positve annual cash flows to owners or tenants in first year after project completion. Projects with a savings to investment ratio greater than one are cash flow positive.

Optimized building cap stack with potential for off-balance sheet treatment. PACE improves cash flows of the property through utility savings and lower capital costs than both equity and mezzanine debt.

No acceleration clauses

 

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate offers a suite of green energy financing products with PACE as a cost effective source of capital.

Please call 855 431-4400 or visit www.CounterpointeSRE.com for more information.

Is the Program limited to soft story retrofits ?

The  Program is not limited to the soft story portion of your building. All other PACE eligible improvements such as energy efficiency improvements, fire code retrofits and ADU accessory dwelling units may be included in the financing.

Visit www. CounterpointeSRE.com for more information on the seismic program.

Does the Program cover non structural aspects of the seismic retrofit ?

The Program will finance 100% of the seismic retrofit project and all related work,  not just the structural steel or other hardening measure but all related work for the design. For example, if an electrical  panel must be moved in order to properly locate a steel beam, the entire cost of the electrical work and new materials would be covered.

Can the Program finance my condo seismic retrofit ?

The Program can be used to finance owner association seismic and energy retrofits. Owners of seismic units may submit individual applications and minimum assessment requirement may be fulfilled by aggregating applications from the building. For energy or other common area retrofits, please have a representative of the owner's association contact the program for more information. 

I filled out the ESIP application. Will i need to fill out another for the CounterpointeSRE Program ?

The Program will need some additional information to determine eligibility. The online application is a contact form that allows our representatives to contact you to provide more information about PACE financing and the CounterpointeSRE program.  

What is the interest rate for the program ?

The interest rates for the Program are competitive and fixed rates that  fluctuate with market conditions. Please contact Program for more information.

Flood - Wind Mitigation
Why is the AllianceNRG Program different than other property construction loans ?

Unlike other construction loans, the AllianceNRG Program finances up to 100% of the risk mitigation retrofit including development and soft costs, the cost of the product installations and other approved ancillary costs. The AllianceNRG Program offers low-fixed interest rates and  financing  terms up to 30 years for Flood and Wind Mitigation Retrofits. Repayments are made through your property taxes and in case the property is sold, the remaining assessment can be passed to the new property owner.

What Kind of Wind mitigation products does AllianceNRG Program finance ?

Alliance NRG can provide 100% financing on all types of wind resistance improvements, including, but not limited to:

  • Strengthening the roof deck attachment;
  • Installing storm shutters; or
  • Reinforcing roof-to-wall connections.
Municipalities
What Are the Benefits of the AllianceNRG Program to Local Governments ?

The AllianceNRG Program was formed by local governments for local governments with the special purpose to provide long-term financing for structural improvements that encourage renewable generation, energy efficiency and disaster resilience (wind, flood and seismic resiliency upgrades are available in certain areas or pending legislation). The AllianceNRG Program is an independent funding source, and any municipality may subscribe by resolution or ordinance to make this financing opportunity available for its community.

Is the AllianceNRG Program Statewide or just Local ?
The AllianceNRG Program provides the strength and financial stability of a statewide statutory program, yet supports home rule by allowing each municipality to decide whether to invite the Program in to provide PACE financing.
 
* As a local government, the The AllianceNRG Program removes both the administrative burden and liability from participating municipalities. Plus, its activities are fully transparent, subject to public records and government-in-the-sunshine requirements.
 
* Municipalities can legally and prudently opt in to the  AllianceNRG Program without an RFP, allowing job creation to begin immediately.
Why Should a Local Governments Opt-In to the AllianceNRG Program?
The AllianceNRG Program was formed for local governments with the special purpose to provide long-term financing for structural improvements that encourage renewable generation, energy efficiency and disaster resilience (seismic, flood and wind in certain areas pending legislation). The AllianceNRG Program is an independent funding source and any local government may subscribe by ordinance or resolution to make this financing opportunity available for its community.
How Does The AllianceNRG Program Provide Jobs or Economic Growth ?
The PACE program has the potential to stimulate significant local economic activity and put contractors back to work. PACE creates more work for contractors. Those contractors who participate in PACE across the country have realized increases in their sales and have often expanded their workforce to handle the extra demand for their services. PACE will also increase revenues for local building departments issuing building permits.
 
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) estimates that 17 direct jobs are created for every $1 million financed by the AllianceNRG Program as well as creates two indirect jobs (see http://aceee.org/fact-sheet/deeper-methonology). This will directly affect the building trades across the state, putting many skilled unemployed and underemployed contractors back to work.
How Does The AllianceNRG Program Help Property Owners?
AllianceNRG Program gives Property Owners access to long-term financing for up to 100% of all costs associated with energy efficiency, renewable generation and disaster resilience (wind, flood and seismic in certain areas). Payments for these improvements can be structured to generate positive cash flow to the Property Owner because the cost savings derived from them exceeds the amount of the  assessment payment. Property Owners may also achieve savings by reducing insurance premiums for disaster resilience improvements (available only in certain areas or pending changes in current legislation).
What Are The Costs To a Local Government?
All costs of administration are carefully borne by present (and future) program users not the local government general funds. The benefits of the program require no staff time from any subscribing local government for implementation. Special districts are not required nor are the costs associated with setting up a district. The subscribing local governments may assist in promoting the program to generate economic stimulus and jobs creation to meet their local needs but it is not required.
What Is The Subscription Process ?
Local Governments can legally and opt into the AllianceNRG Program through the sponsoring statewide Joint Powers authority or local improvement authority without an RFP, allowing job creation to begin immediately.
Is The AllianceNRG Program Available Statewide?
Uniformity and scalability found in the AllianceNRG Program approach will serve to make this program more widely available and attractive to property owners and employ more contractors using the careful eligibility guidelines laid out by the State Legislature.
Submit question