Project developers
Join the Small Business Financing (SBF) program and gain access to attractive financing for your customers. SBF can help you move more projects across the finish line!
To many small businesses, “energy efficiency” means replacing light bulbs. That’s a great start, but many businesses can benefit from deeper energy retrofits. This is where project developers can step in.
Some project developer roles include:
- Help customers develop an energy saving plan and scope of work that meets their needs, whether simple or complex
- Perform an optional energy assessment to identify the most cost-effective projects
- Help the customer identify, apply for, review and assess financing options
- Ensure the project meets SBF program requirements and any utility rebate or incentive requirements, if the customer or contractor is applying for rebates
- Provide data and certifications to the SBF program
Project developers are not required to have a CSLB license. If they do, they can also play the role of an SBF contractor.
In short, an SBF project developer works as a guide, coordinating all the pieces of a project to make sure the process is efficient for the small business.
Utility implementers are natural project developers
Because any measure that qualifies for an investor-owned utility (IOU) rebate or incentive program also qualifies as eligible for financing under the SBF program, utility implementers are a natural fit as project developers.
Who can enroll as a project developer?
An SBF project developer could be . . .
- An energy consultant
- A nonprofit
- A utility implementer
- A local government
- An engineering firm
- An equipment distributor
- Any other individual or organization who meets the eligibility requirements and wants to help small businesses increase their energy efficiency