Clean Fund is creating one of the largest opportunities to drive clean energy progress in the commercial real estate sector.
By Real Leaders
The commercial real estate sector stands as a colossal opportunity for driving clean energy progress, offering avenues for innovation and investment that can reshape the landscape of sustainability.
At the forefront of this movement is John Kinney, the founder and managing partner of Clean Fund, who has spearheaded a groundbreaking solution known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing. This innovative approach is designed to catalyze clean energy investments in commercial real estate on a large scale.
The essence of PACE lies in its ability to empower property owners to finance energy-efficient upgrades through an unconventional means: increased property taxes rather than traditional debt. This unique financing model not only provides property owners with access to capital at lower rates but also serves to enhance the value of their assets. Moreover, for lenders, PACE opens up a new frontier in the form of a “clean energy line of credit,” enabling financial institutions to integrate sustainable practices into their real estate lending portfolios. By embracing PACE, these institutions can expand the pool of available capital for energy-efficient upgrades while simultaneously bolstering their environmental performance and bottom line.
Kinney’s vision is straightforward yet profound: by collectively overcoming the financial barriers that impede the adoption of cleaner building practices, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future.
As interest rates climb, the appeal of PACE financing grows even stronger compared to conventional options, positioning it as an increasingly attractive choice for property owners seeking to undertake environmentally responsible upgrades. Drawing parallels to how homeowners finance solar panels or other energy-efficient improvements, Kinney elucidates how commercial property owners can seamlessly incorporate PACE financing into their financial obligations, with repayments structured as a new line item on their annual property tax bill.
While PACE legislation has been successfully enacted in 35 states, its adoption rates vary across local jurisdictions. Nevertheless, Kinney points out that the recent uptick in interest rates has spurred greater utilization of PACE financing, as its long-term nature becomes comparatively more cost-effective. Additionally, insurance companies are playing a pivotal role by investing in PACE bonds on the secondary market, thereby mitigating their long-term liabilities and further bolstering the viability of clean energy initiatives.
In essence, Kinney’s approach transcends mere financial transactions; it represents a concerted effort to dismantle the barriers obstructing the widespread adoption of clean energy solutions.
By making PACE financing accessible and lucrative for all stakeholders involved, he aims to inspire the kind of innovation necessary to confront climate change with the urgency and magnitude it demands. Indeed, achieving meaningful environmental progress hinges on aligning ecological imperatives with economic interests, and it is pioneering leaders like Kinney who continue to drive the transformation of traditional industries toward a more sustainable future.
