Becoming a PACE Lender

PACE Wisconsin operates an "open market" PACE program whereby property owners have the flexibility to select their preferred PACE Lender for a PACE Project on their Eligible Property. The open market model gives property owners access to a range of private lenders who offer competitive rates and financing terms and conditions. 

Public funds are not anticipated to be made available for funding PACE Projects, though units of government are not prohibited from participating as PACE Lenders.  

Why participate in PACE Wisconsin?

• Offer an attractive new lending product to assist new and existing customers to fund needed commercial and industrial property building improvements.  
• Potential for a pipeline of quality, investor-ready energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation projects.
• Opportunity to fund retrofit investments that can lower operating costs, raise property value, and improve building services that attract and retain tenants.
• Consistent legal infrastructure, uniform program guidelines and standards, and cooperation with participating communities (Program Administrator offers a single point of contact).

PACE Wisconsin seeks interest from banks, credit unions, and other capital providers to become qualified to offer PACE Financing. Qualified PACE Lenders are banks or other lending and financial institutions which have received approval from the Program Administrator to provide financing for PACE Projects through PACE Wisconsin. 

To become a qualified PACE Lender:

1. Complete the Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) for consideration by the Program Administrator.
2. Upon approval by the Program Administrator, and execution of a Qualified PACE Lender Agreement, the lender will be considered a “Qualified PACE Lender.”
3. Qualified PACE Lenders may choose to be listed on PACE Wisconsin’s website.
4. Qualified PACE Lenders will receive information from the program regarding financing opportunities as well as pertinent developments related to PACE Wisconsin.

PACE Wisconsin basics for Qualified Lenders:

1. PACE Lender contact information will be available via the PACE Wisconsin program website and Project Center to link PACE Lenders, project developers, energy service companies, installers and contractors, energy auditors, engineering firms, utility companies, property owners, and others to develop and fund qualified PACE Projects.
2. Applicants notify PACE Wisconsin of their preferred PACE Lender through the Application process, which is housed within the Project Center.
3. No exclusivity will be provided to PACE Lenders, and the Applicants will retain the right to choose the type and provider of financing that works best for their business needs.
4. In the case that an Applicant applies to PACE Wisconsin without a pre-selected capital provider associated with the project, the Program Administrator may review pre-approved projects with qualified capital providers to determine funding interest.
5. Applicants may pre-select their preferred lenders prior to the lender submitting a response to the RFQ. Before the closing of the applicable PACE Financing, however, the lender must become a Qualified PACE Lender as outlined above.
6. PACE Lenders will receive periodic reports from the PACE Wisconsin Program Administrator about PACE Projects identified with a given PACE Lender.

​For more information, contact the Program Administrator at [email protected].