Financing Energy Efficiency Projects in Small Towns and Rural Communities

Energy Efficiency Projects face several financial impediments, including:

Information financial institutions often lack a full understanding of energy efficiency technologies which are almost always investments with long repayment terms;

Commercial Lenders are risk averse to this type of credit exposure while investment funds have a greater appetite for risk but focus on large volume transactions, hence

Energy Efficiency projects that would benefit small towns and rural communities require specific and unique knowledge, expertise and funding sources.

Solutions

Energy Audits provide the necessary information on current consumption patterns and establish baselines for future demand and consumption with IT-based monitoring and controlling systems whose software gathers and elaborates data coming from smart meters.

ESCos are energy and water service/savings companies that provide design, implementation and financing of energy/water saving projects via retrofits, conservation, infrastructure outsourcing, power generation and supply, as well as risk management as they share in the risk borne by the project beneficiary as the funding source buys energy savings receivables resulting from the project.

Project Tasks include: identification and evaluation of energy-saving opportunities; developing engineering designs and specifications; project management from design to installation to monitoring; energy supply at the best costs; funding; staff training and ongoing maintenance services; guarantees that savings cover project costs; understanding and applying of energy standards, laws and incentives.

Energy Performance Contracts contain risk allocation, cash flow segregation, financial instruments and controls with the appropriate management information systems.

Economies of Scale and larger volume finance transactions are achieved by linking with similar size and type projects in other small towns and rural communities. 

Energy Codes Compliance

Tools to Boost Employment Reduce Pollution and Increase Energy Independence

Energy Codes are an affordable and effective mechanism for increasing the long-term efficiency of buildings. The concept entails a minimum level of cost-effective and energy-efficient technologies to reduce utility bills for consumers and businesses.

Definitions building energy codes are managed at the state and local levels and are defined as the minimum energy efficiency requirements for new or renovated buildings. Standards cover building envelope - walls, roofs, windows, lighting, water heating, and space conditioning. They are intended to ensure sound design and construction practices.

Connect with Tema for Energy Water and Waste Solutions

Tema is implementing projects in selected small towns, main streets and historic districts around the United States that focus on tourism, energy efficiency and water conservation in museums, breweries, vineyards/wineries, hotels and other accommodation venues visited by our travel clients.

Participating Local Businesses are provided with a no cost proposal to implement energy savings and water conservation measures.

No Cost Solutions for Your Small Business

Benefits building operations consume 38 percent of total U.S. energy spending. Code applications lead to energy independence and reduced emissions of harmful pollutants. 

Every Dollar Spent Yields $6 in Energy Savings

Compliance most jurisdictions lack the necessary training and enforcement resources to ensure compliance. Full compliance with energy codes would produce significant annual and cumulative energy savings. The average American household spends $2,150 each year on home energy bills. Meeting the energy standards in building codes typically cut costs by 15 percent or more.

Tasks high levels of code compliance can be achieved by:

o   maintaining existing budgets for building departments

o   supporting strict and uniform enforcement of building energy codes

o   applying training tools in building departments and by design professionals

o   communicating the value of codes and standards to the public and to local utilities.