Sustainable Energy Fund Newsletter DEP's Small Business Advantage Grant Applications Now Being Accepted      As of July 24th, the Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for their Small Business Advantage Grant for 2020-21. This grant provides 50% matching grants, up to a maximum of $7,000 to enable Pennsylvania small businesses to purchase energy efficient or pollution prevention equipment, or adopt waste reduction processes. Pennsylvania-based businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees are eligible. Eligible applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis, and must save the small business a minimum of $500 and at least 25% annually in energy consumption or pollution prevention related expenses (Natural Resource Protection projects are exempt).      To check out the webinar, which discusses the guidelines for the 2020-21 in detail, or find more information about this grant, please click the button below to visit the website. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis.   Apply today

PA C-PACE Update: Summer 2020      While COVID-19 has presented many challenges to businesses in the spring and summer of 2020, the Pennsylvania C-PACE program has still seen a lot of great success. With county governments moving to virtual public meetings and/or socially distanced services, SEF staff conducted virtual outreach and education initiatives on C-PACE to county officials as they were available. This resulted in Bedford County and Centre County adopting C-PACE programs in June and July respectively, increasing the number of counties that have passed a C-PACE resolution to eleven. These counties are Allegheny, Bedford, Centre, Chester, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and Wayne Counties.   Continue Reading Featured Event: C-PACE for Brokers and Developers Why Have 2,400 Other Property Owners Used This Tool? Wednesday, September 23rd    |    1:00 - 2:00 PM          Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) was established in 2018 in Pennsylvania. Nationally, the program is active in 22 other states, where it has helped 2,400 property owners make significant capital improvements. This session will examine what makes C-PACE work and how $1.5 Billion was invested in just 8 years.  Join Maryrose Myrtetus from Philadelphia Energy Authority and representatives from PACE Nation as they discuss the following: National Data: PACE Nation The Basics:  Holly Edinger, SEF Philadelphia's First C-PACE Deal:  Maryrose Myrtetus, PEA Case studies from across the nation Register Today

Events Industry Forum on Energy Efficiency Starting September 10 Virtual Event Series        This four week virtual event series will showcase energy efficiency in Healthcare, Food Services, and Higher Education. Attendees can access all events in the four week series. Events will take place Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday starting at 11 am throughout the duration of the event.     To register for this event, pleaseclick here. Annual Update for Certified Energy Managers (CEM) Starts September 21 Virtual Training       This two-day program presented by AEE is designed to update CEMs on the most current energy-related trends, strategies, best practices, technologies, and regulations. This training costs $1,550 for non-members and $1,450 for members.     To register, please click here. LV Sustainability Summit Friday, September 25 8:00 - 10:30 AM Virtual Event       This year's theme is Protecting Your Business and Bottom Line from Climate Change. The event will discuss how tackling climate change can affect your business and how different sectors can adapt to address climate change.     Sustainable Energy Fund is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor for this event. To register, please click here. News Clean Energy Jobs Energize State, Report Says     The 2020 Pennsylvania Clean Energy Employment Report has been released, and Governor Tom Wolf is energized by it.     This "comes at an opportune time, as government and industry leaders look to strengthen Pennsylvania's workforce and economy in response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic," Wolf said Monday in a prepared statement. "This detailed analysis of data and trends in clean energy employment demonstrates the sector was a top job generator statewide and shows which industries were hiring and looking for trained workers."     Foremost among the findings, released Monday, is that the clean energy sector was responsible for adding 7,794 jobs from 2017 through 2019.     Click Here to read more. Philadelphia Daycare the First Solar Project to Use C-PACE in Pennsylvania     The Capers Company is borrowing $519,020 in C-PACE financing from Greenworks Lending to install a 212-kilowatt solar system. The project will generate 266,673 kWh in its first year, meeting nearly 100% of the building's electricity needs. By using solar energy, the building will reduce its carbon footprint by 6,900 metric tons of CO2e emissions.     Under the leadership of Councilmember Derek S. Green (At Large), Philadelphia City Council passed legislation enabling C-PACE in Philadelphia in June 2019.     Click Here to read more.

Get Funding for Your Project Sustainable Energy Fund wants to help finance your next energy project. We offer a range of funding programs to meet the needs of any organization including commercial loans, energy savings agreements and power purchase agreements. Find out which option works best for your business or organization on our financing page. Learn more about the Sustainable Energy Fund at thesef.org.