Cape & Vineyard Solar Loan

To be eligible for the loan, the property where the project is to be completed must be located within the Compact’s service territory on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard* and meet the following requirements:

1. Applicants must own the home where the project is being completed and the home must be a year-round, primary residence. Proof of year-round residency may be requested. Homes held in trust are no eligible for this loan.
2. Applicants are required to be sufficiently weatherized to proceed with this loan. This requirement can be satisfied through one of the options below. Applications will not be considered complete until this requirement is satisfied.
   1. 1. Home was built in 2000 or later
      2. Home has completed a Home Energy Assessment (HEA) and all recommended air sealing and insulation upgrades since 2013.
         • Applicant must provide the HEA date and a copy of the certificate of completion or the Home Energy Assessment report indicating less than $1000 of weatherization upgrades.
      3. Applicant has signed up for a future Assessment.
         • Application will be held until all recommended weatherization work is complete
3. Applicants must be determined to be creditworthy by the Compact’s loan servicer, Cape Cod 5
4. Applicants must meet any other requirements as determined by the Compact
   • Homes in historic districts must provide proof of approval for the installation for the application to be deemed complete.

*Loan funds are limited, and priority will be given to year-round, primary residence, homeowners. New construction homes must be built and occupied to be eligible. 

1. Before beginning the application, customers must:
   1. Enter into a solar installation contract with their chosen solar installer*
      1. A list of solar installers can be found on the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center website
      2. Customers should not issue any payments directly. Loans are issued as two-party checks that are signed over by the customer to the contractor. Loan payments cannot be made directly to a customer.
   2. Ensure that they meet all requirements including weatherization as set forth in the Customer Terms and Conditions.
   3. No work should be started prior to loan approval by Cape Light Compact, Self Reliance, and Cape Cod 5. Starting work prior to approval of the loan will disqualify a customer. Financing work that has already been completed is not an eligible use of this loan.
2. Once the customer has received a solar project proposal from their installer, they should fill out the online application located at the button above. A paper application can be provided upon request.
   1. The following required documents must be uploaded to submit a complete application:
      1. APPENDIX A (to be completed by the solar installer)
      2. Proof of weatherization (see application for full details)
      3. A full scope of work from the solar installer including pricing
         • Items that are not eligible for financing under this loan (roof repair, tree removal, batteries) must be itemized separately
      4. Customers whose properties are located in historic districts or have received historic designation must provide proof of approval of the installation from the district or other applicable government authority.
      5. Signed Customer Terms and Conditions
   2. After submission, the customer may be contacted by a representative from the Compact for additional information
3. The Compact will complete an initial review of the application. Once the Compact has reviewed the application, it will be sent to Self Reliance for a technical review of the proposal. The customers or installers may be contacted for additional information.
4. If the applicant meets the requirements, they will receive a letter notifying them of their approval and be provided information on next steps. This may take several weeks from the date of application.
5. The customer has 10 business days from the date on the letter to submit the bank loan application to Cape Cod 5. If the Cape Cod 5 loan application is not received within 10 business days of the date on the authorization letter, the customer’s application will be deemed to be withdrawn and the solar project authorization will be automatically canceled.
6. Loan funds will be dispersed in two payments. First upon approval of the loan, and the second once the solar array is installed and has received permission to operate by Eversource. Customers will need to provide a copy of the Eversource permission to operate (PTO) for the final payment to be issued. Payment is in the form of two-party checks that the customer signs over to the contractor. Direct customer payments are not allowed.

* The Compact does not recommend, endorse, supervise or manage any solar installers, and has no liability for any acts or omissions of the Customer’s solar installer. Customers should not proceed with installation until the loan has been approved and the initial funding disbursed to the installer. Systems already installed or in the process of being installed are not eligible.