Part of the City’s five-year goal to cut energy usage by 30 percent, the Palm Desert Energy Independence Program offers residents affordable financing for major energy-saving home improvements, such as high-efficiency air conditioners, dual-pane windows and solar panels. Long term payback of the improvements is linked to the owner’s property taxes.

Since its launch in August 2008, the Energy Independence Program has made $5 million in loans, funded with $2.5 million each from the city’s general fund and Redevelopment Agency.

February 2, 2010    The City of Palm Desert has announced the upcoming release of $6 million in new funding for its popular Energy Independence Program. Half of the new funds will be dedicated to loans for energy efficiency improvements with the other half reserved for loans for solar projects. The funding will be available to Palm Desert property owners who submit a completed loan application beginning Monday, February 8.

The City’s Office of Energy Management, 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, will accept applications from Palm Desert property owners on a first-come, first-served basis. Property owners can apply in person by appointment only. Applications submitted by contractors on behalf of property owners will be accepted by appointment with a limit of one application per company each day.

Applications will be reviewed by Office of Energy Management staff, with written notification of approval provided to customers when their application is officially complete. Staff will schedule appointments with customers whose applications are complete to review and discuss the loan documents and processing. If an application is deemed incomplete, notification will be sent to the property owner that they must resubmit.  Resubmissions will be accepted while funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The program makes these energy saving measures more affordable by allowing the City to loan money to residents and businesses at competitive interest rates without the credit checks or appraisals associated with home equity and other types of personal loans. Borrowers can repay the loans over time as part of their property taxes. If the property is sold, the improvements and the outstanding loan balance can be transferred to the new owner.

To contact the Office of Energy Management, please call (760) 837-0287 or click here.