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SOLAR ENERGY LOAN FUND
PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMERS
The Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) provides financing (SELF Financing) for the
installation of energy efficiency improvements, and renewable energy sources that are
permanently fixed to real property (Improvements) in St Lucie County. Property owners will
repay SELF Financing through an assessment levied on their property which is payable in annual
installments on property tax bills. By participating in SELF, property owners are making a
financial investment; this decision should be made based on both the efficiency and the cost
effectiveness of the improvements.
A.Project Evaluation
1.An energy audit or survey must be performed. Conducting an energy audit will help
property owners assess their energy efficiency, and consider renewable energy
opportunities.
2.Using information from the energy audit/survey, recommendations will be provided
regarding the Improvements which will provide the most savings to the owner in
comparison to the investment made. Called the Savings to Investment Ratio (SIR), this
information will be used to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, the cost of the
Improvements will result in savings for the property owners.
3.Based on the recommendations from the energy audit/survey and the SIR, the property
owner will obtain a proposal(s) for all work which is required to be performed by a
licensed contractor. The proposal should also identify any rebates that can be obtained as
a result of the Improvements. For Improvements that the owner is allowed to install, only
the cost of the material and equipment can be included.
B.Program Application
1.Once an Application is complete, it will be processed on first-come, first-served basis.
2.The property owner visits the SELF website ( ) or the SELF
office to complete an SELF application form (the “Application). The SELF staff can also
provide an Application by mail, e-mail or fax upon request.
3.The property owner must submit the Application together with its required documents.
4.At least 30 days in advance of the financing, the property owner must notify all mortgage
holders/loan servicers of the intent to enter into an agreement with SELF.
C.Application Review
1.SELF staff verifies that all application information is accurate and all required documents
have been provided. Although information on income and debt is submitted, it is not the
primary factor in determining approval of the application.
2.SELF staff verifies the proposed Improvements, energy audit/survey, cost proposal and
related information meet the required standards of SELF.
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3.Within 30 business days of receipt of an application, SELF Staff notifies the property
owner if the application is incomplete, approved, denied or requires additional approval.
D.Permit
1.After receiving notice of Application approval, the property owner (or contractor) must
obtain a permit from the local building official. Final inspection by the permitting
jurisdiction will be required to ensure that the Improvements were completed. SELF also
reserves the right to inspect the Improvements prior to payment.
2.A valid permit is required before SELF can execute an Assessment Agreement and
reserve SELF Financing for a project.
E.Assessment Agreement
1.All property owners of record must sign the Assessment Agreement and have their
signature(s) notarized. Funds are not reserved for the property owner’s approved project
until the Assessment Agreements have been submitted and approved by SELF.
2.SELF records the Assessment Agreement on the Property in the office of the Clerk of the
Court. If funds are disbursed to property owners before the first business day in July, the
assessment will appear on the next tax bill. For disbursements after that date, the
assessment will not appear on the tax bill until the following tax year, but the interest will
accrue on the outstanding amount.
F.Installation of Improvements
1.Property owner enters into a contractual arrangement directly with a contractor for
Improvements. All work is subject to the appropriate jurisdiction’s (county, city)
permitting and inspections and all other applicable federal state and local laws and
regulations. SELF also reserves the right to inspect the Improvements prior to
disbursement of payment.
2.All work must be completed, including the final inspection, within ninety (90) days of
execution of the Assessment Agreement. The property owner and Executive Director
may agree to an extension of this completion date for good cause.
G.Progress Payments/Multiple Disbursements
1.The property owner may request in writing that SELF make a progress payment to the
contractor prior to the completion of the work. Progress payments will be subject to a
$150 onsite inspection fee per disbursement and interest will accrue on the entire
assessment amount at the time of the first disbursement.
2.The following conditions must also have been met before disbursement is made:
a.At least 75 percent of the required materials have been delivered to the property and
have been reasonably secured as confirmed by an onsite inspection. SELF Staff has
the discretion to make its own determination with respect to whether this condition
has been satisfied.
b.The requested progress payment does not exceed 50 percent of the maximum
assessment amount.
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H.Final Inspections & Disbursement of SELF Financing.
1.After Improvements are completed, the Property owner must contact the local
permitting agency for a final inspection and final permit. The Property owner notifies
SELF that all work has been completed and submits final documentation: final permit;
invoices showing all costs (less rebate amounts).
2.Payment will be made within fourteen (14) days of receipt of all acceptable
documentation. The amount disbursed will be lesser of:
a.The maximum assessment amount provided in the Assessment Agreement.
b.The actual costs.
3.Interest accrues as of the date of disbursement.
I.Follow-Up
The property owner will agree to provide SELF access to utility bills for 12 months prior to
and 18 months following issuance of the final inspection of the Improvements. The purpose
of this information is for SELF to track and document the actual energy savings from the
Improvements.
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