Skip to main content

Contractors

Grow your business with PACE Wisconsin

Register as a PACE Contractor Find a Registered Contractor

Contractors and engineers that specialize in energy efficiency upgrades, water conservation projects, or renewable energy systems for commercial buildings can leverage the PACE Wisconsin program to gain new sales opportunities.

PACE Wisconsin is an innovative program that provides commercial property owners low-cost financing for up to 100 percent of the capital required to complete substantial energy improvement projects. This means new business opportunities for PACE Wisconsin contractors to implement large-scale, comprehensive upgrades—instead of patching up old equipment or installing temporary solutions. 

Why building owners participate in PACE Wisconsin:

  • Low-interest loans with payback terms of up to 20 years
  • Third-party review of technical and financial projections
  • Reduced energy and operating costs
  • Positive building cash flow
  • Improved property value

Contractors typically assist property owners with completing applications and obtaining proper approvals from PACE Wisconsin. Professional services firms including contractors, installers, engineers and Project Managers are encouraged to register with PACE Wisconsin to share their firm’s information with interested program participants including building owners, developers and PACE Lenders. Click here to register with PACE Wisconsin. Visit the Project Center for an overview of the development process and financing approval.

Eligible Projects

PACE Wisconsin is available to eligible commercial and industrial property owners in participating communities. The program supports the redevelopment of existing buildings, as well as new construction projects.

Please note that new construction projects require additional verification and documentation of energy savings above a baseline, as detailed in the Program Manual.

Eligible properties include, but are not limited to:

  • Agriculture
  • Hospitality
  • Hospitals
  • Industrial and manufacturing
  • Multifamily residential
  • Non-profit
  • Office Buildings and Retail
  • Warehouses

Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to:

  • Automated building controls
  • Boilers and chillers
  • Building envelope improvements
  • Efficient lighting systems
  • Heating and cooling system upgrades
  • Hot water heating systems
  • Pumps and motors
  • Renewable energy systems

Participating Counties

    Frequently Asked Questions

    PACE Project improvements must reduce energy or water usage, or generate renewable power for the property.

    Any contractor or project developer may work on a PACE Project, according to the requirements set forth in the Program Manual.

    Yes, PACE Projects can qualify and receive additional rebates and incentives from Focus on Energy and other sources. PACE borrowers are encouraged to obtain all applicable government, utility provider or manufacturer rebates, and other upfront cost reductions to reduce the total project cost for purposes of calculating the amount of the PACE loan.

    • Applicants must submit an Energy Assessment or Renewable Energy Feasibility Study for the PACE Project that evaluates the proposed improvements to be financed, and is consistent with the requirements in the Program Manual.
    • While not explicitly required by the PACE Statute, projects with PACE Financings less than $250,000 are recommended to achieve a Savings-to-Investment ratio greater than 1.0. PACE Lender underwriting requirements may require PACE Projects achieve a SIR greater than 1.0.
    • Applicants must submit an Energy Assessment that describes the energy, water and operational benefits that will accrue from the proposed improvements being financed with PACE Financing. The Energy Assessment must be consistent with the requirement in the Program Manual.
    • Combined, these benefits must achieve a Savings-To-Investment Ratio of 1.0 or greater.
    • Finally, these projected energy, water and operational benefits must be guaranteed by the project engineer or the contractor pursuant to a Savings Guarantee that is consistent with the requirements set forth in the Program Manual.

    Required for projects over $250,000, a written guarantee from the contractor, project engineer, or a third part must cover a minimum of three years. It must provide that the party shall pay the property owner any shortfall between the guaranteed cash flow and the actual cash flow savings derived from the PACE Project. Additional details can be found in the Project Manual.