Here are some tips to pre-qualify your house for solar:

How old is your roof?

If your roof is older than 10 years, check for signs that it is reaching its age limit (missing shingles, missing nails). If your roof looks like it needs replacement in a couple of years, you may want to re-roof before putting up panels.

What directions do your roofs face?

Ideally, solar is installed on a south facing roof for maximum output. Panels are still highly productive on east and/or west facing roofs. Roof angle is not critically important. Anywhere between 10 and 45 degrees will allow great production in California.

Are there trees nearby that shade your roof?

Trees located to the east, south or west of your home might create shade depending on distance from your home, tree height, time of year and time of day. A tech Construction representatives have the tools to tell you how much sun your roof will get and how much electricity your solar panels will generate.

Frequently Asked Questions on PACE

From CCSE website.

What is property assessed clean energy financing? (PACE)

Property assessed clean energy, or PACE, financing allows property owners to fund energy efficiency, water efficiency and renewable energy projects with little or no up-front costs. With PACE, residential and commercial property owners living within a participating district can finance up to 100% of their project and pay it back over time as a voluntary property tax assessment through their existing property tax bill.

Why use PACE financing?

First, by offering up to 100% financing on qualifying improvements, PACE can eliminate the need to pay out of pocket for your project. Second, depending upon the type of improvements installed, repayment may be amortized for a period of up to 20 years, keeping your monthly payments low enough that your utility savings may exceed your payment, creating a net positive cash flow. Third, the interest may be tax deductible. Finally, because PACE ties the loan to the property and not an individual, the loan may transfer upon sale or refinancing of the property. In other words, you may not need to be concerned about recouping the cost of your improvements if you decide to sell the property before the loan is repaid.

Who can take advantage of PACE?

PACE financing is only available to property owners in certain cities or counties that have adopted a program. In general, PACE programs offer competitive financing terms to property owners with at least

some equity in their home or business and have not been delinquent on their property tax or mortgage payments. For further details concerning property eligibility (residential, commercial and municipal) and financing terms, contact the individual PACE provider in your area.

Which property types can access PACE?

PACE financing can be used for residential, commercial or municipal properties, depending on what has been authorized by the local jurisdiction. Publicly owned or non-profit property owners should contact the local commercial PACE provider in your area.

Which cities and counties have PACE programs?

Click on the map to see which cities and counties have authorized PACE. (County PACE programs are available only to unincorporated parts of the county.) Many jurisdictions are working to bring PACE to their area, so be sure to check back for updates.

What products and improvements can be financed with PACE?

Eligible products that can be financed with PACE may vary by individual PACE providers and administrators. In general, most products that can be permanently affixed to a property and reduce on-site electric, gas or water consumption will be considered eligible. Some examples include attic insulation; heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacements; solar photovoltaic and thermal systems; and low-flow toilets.

What is the history of PACE in California?

In California, the first commercial and residential PACE programs were established in 2008.

The residential programs soon encountered a significant hurdle. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) was concerned that residential PACE assessments had a lien status superior to that of existing mortgages underwritten by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This meant that, in the event of a default, any outstanding PACE assessments (though not the entire amount financed) would be paid off before other liens such as first deeds of trust.

In 2010, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac stated that they would no longer purchase mortgage loans secured by properties with outstanding PACE loans. This effectively stopped residential PACE programs, with the exception of a few pilot programs.

Since 2010, a number of developments have facilitated a resurgence of residential PACE programs in California – including the passage of state legislation (SB 555), the implementation of legal instruments to address FHFA concerns and disclose the consequence a PACE lien can have on an existing mortgage, and the establishment of a PACE loss reserve program. Many cities and counties now have PACE programs for all three sectors (residential, commercial and municipal).