What is it?

Technical assistance programs provide financial support for services or in-kind expertise to cover the cost of feasibility studies, permitting support, performance testing, etc.

How does it work?

Technical assistance programs help projects address high-risk early-stage development activities, successfully navigate key development activities, and generate data insights that boost lender confidence. 

Who could provide it?

Governments, quasi-government entities, academic institutions, and philanthropies via grants, funding, or direct technical expertise.

Who does provide it?

The DOE Voucher program, NENY’s Technical Assistance Program, and project-level assistance from Centers for Advanced Technology.

What is it?

A financial product allowing developers to lease, rather than own, a site for infrastructure supporting solar, battery storage, and/or EV fleet charging.

How does it work?

It provides developers with access to essential real estate and potentially existing infrastructure without bearing the upfront costs of ownership, allowing them to focus on project development instead of site acquisition. Site leases are sometimes bundled with interconnection costs, streamlining access to critical infrastructure under a single agreement.

Who could provide it?

Real estate investment trusts, infrastructure funds, and providers with long-term capital.

Who does provide it?

Greenbacker Real Estate, an arm of Greenbacker Capital Management, focuses on acquiring, electrifying, and leasing sites to developers for clean energy projects.

What is it? 

Flexible debt products such as a revolving line of credit, that provide pre-Notice-to-Proceed financing for high-cost deposits or expenses related to interconnection and permitting activities.

How does it work?

It helps developers manage the upfront costs of interconnection and permitting by offering a revolving line of credit that can be drawn, repaid, and redeployed across multiple projects – ensuring efficient cash flow management until construction financing is secured.

Who could provide it?

Green banks, private banks, infrastructure funds, and financial institutions with flexible debt financing.

Who is already doing it?

The NY Green Bank (NYGB) provides this financing through its interconnection revolving lines of credit, allowing borrowers to access funds across multiple projects without the need for separate loans.

What is it?

Short-term bridge loans that help projects secure financing to cover gaps until incentives, long-term funding, or key project milestones are secured.

How does it work?

Bridge loans provide immediate capital to developers, allowing them to continue project development while waiting for incentive payouts. 

Who could provide it?

Regional and national green banks, alternative lenders.

Who does provide it?

The New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation (NYCEEC) offers bridge loans to help cover short-term financing gaps.

What is it?

Debt facilities that are backed by mission-driven investors or government agencies that can provide concessionary capital to support community-focused projects.

How does it work?

These debt facilities lower borrowing costs and enhance creditworthiness for developers tackling early-stage expenses, attracting private investment and supporting the development of clean energy projects, particularly in disadvantaged communities. 

Who could provide it?

Green banks, community development financial institutions, commercial banks, and non-profit lenders can leverage dedicated debt facilities to scale clean energy investment.

Who does provide it?

The NY Green Bank (NYGB) provides concessionary capital through the Community Decarbonization Fund.

What is it?

Development Simple Agreement for Future Equity (D-SAFE) is a funding tool designed to ease financing for the development stage of projects. 

How does it work?

It offers flexibility by allowing repayment like a loan at the company's discretion or conversion to equity at the investor's choice. Although the funding is directed to the parent company, it can be allocated to specific projects. This reduces investment risk for financiers, who can convert the D-SAFE to equity if the project fails. 

Who could provide it?

Mission driven equity investors willing to take on higher risk positions.

Who does provide it?

Elemental Impact developed this product in partnership with law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in June 2024.