On April 16, 2008, the City of Sonoma’s Community Development Agency (CDA) approved a new loan program to provide financial assistance to businesses that wish to install energy efficiency upgrades, including but not limited to photo voltaic installations for electricity generation (solar power).
To promote this program, the City is working with PG&E and its energy efficiency partners including the Small Business Energy Alliance (SBEA), an energy services firm that subsidizes lighting retrofits and air conditioning tune-ups for small businesses throughout Northern California. The program is an expansion of the CDA’s existing commercial rehabilitation loan program to include energy efficiency and solar energy projects. Its goal is to accelerate the rate of implementation of major energy efficiency measures and alternative energy sources, and assist with the reduction of utility costs for commercial buildings.
Commercial properties in the City’s redevelopment project area will be able to apply for funding assistance to effect energy efficiency upgrades, including but not limited to energy efficient windows and insulation, installation of energy efficient heating and ventilation systems, and installation of photo voltaic systems for solar energy generation. Equipment that does not qualify as fixtures (e.g. commercial appliances, computers, etc.) would not be eligible for the program.
Eligible upgrades must result in a reduction in ongoing utility costs and reduce electrical, natural gas, and/or other energy usage. Priority will be given to applicants who provide a certain contribution to their proposed energy efficiency and/or solar project (e.g. 50% match). Loan amounts may be up to $50,000. Further specific program details are still being formulated.
For information regarding the new CDA energy efficiency upgrade and solar loan program, contact Laurie Decker, Economic Development Program Manager, at (707) 327-7338 or Linda Kelly, City Manager, at (707) 933-2215.
