How the State of California’s GoGreen Financing Program Works

Use the State of California’s energy financing program to make energy-efficient upgrades to existing appliances, equipment, or buildings at your home or business.

GoGreen Financing was created to help California residents and small business owners afford the kinds of energy upgrades that result in lower energy bills and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. For a lot of people, the phrase “energy upgrade” suggests rooftop solar panels and not much more. But in fact, a wide range of energy measures can be financed through GoGreen Financing.

Finance options for residential energy upgrades

Homeowners and renters can use GoGreen Home, GoGreen Financing’s residential program, to pay lower interest rates for upgraded HVACs (including heat pump packaged units, ducted and ductless heat pump mini-splits, and conventional gas furnace/electric AC units), heat pump water heaters, gas tank water heaters, cool roofs, insulation, efficient dual-pane windows, home EV chargers, solar panels with storage batteries and more. You can visit the GoGreen Home Explore Projects page to discover more eligible smart energy measures.

Lending options for commercial energy improvements

Small businesses, nonprofits and multifamily properties enjoy an even greater range of eligible energy efficiency improvements. Through GoGreen Business, they may finance heating and cooling equipment, water heaters, refrigeration, restaurant equipment, windows, manufacturing equipment, lighting, irrigation components, EV charging stations, solar and many other energy measures. If a certified energy professional says it will save energy, it can be financed through participating GoGreen lenders. Multifamily residential properties can replace in-unit measures such as appliances as well as common-area measures such as LED lighting, boilers and rooftops with heat-reflective coating.

Explore GoGreen Business eligible measures.

How does the GoGreen program work?

At its most basic, there are three steps to a GoGreen Financing project, no matter who the borrower is:

1. Decide what the energy project should look like. Often this is determined for a customer because equipment has broken or is obviously functioning inefficiently. Sometimes the goal of energy bill savings or the desire to use clean energy is driving the project, and you don’t know exactly what the options are or what the scope will ultimately be. In that case, you should skip to Step 2 and find a participating GoGreen Financing energy professional to help you scope the project.

2. Choose a participating GoGreen Financing contractor and get an estimate. To be eligible for financing, projects must be installed by a GoGreen Financing participating contractor. Fortunately, GoGreen Financing has hundreds of licensed contractors around California who are enrolled in the program and can complete your project. You can search the listings for GoGreen Home contractors or GoGreen Business contractors who serve your area and specialize in your selected upgrade.

If you need some advice first, try a GoGreen Home Whole Home Performance contractor or a GoGreen Business Project Developer to guide you through the process of making your home or business more energy-efficient.

3. Apply to one or more participating lenders. Once you’ve gotten an estimate on your project cost from a GoGreen Home or GoGreen Business contractor, it will be time to apply for the financing. Homeowners and renters looking to make home energy upgrades will find participating lenders on the GoGreen Home Lender page. A loan calculator at the top of the page can give you a ballpark idea of your monthly payment based on the amount and the term of the loan. Small business owners, nonprofits and multifamily property owners can find participating GoGreen Business lenders who offer the features that will benefit them most, including on-bill repayment, maintenance agreements and more. Several lenders offer an expedited process (no P&Ls or other financials required, with credit approval within hours) for projects up to $250,000.

Get started on our GoGreen Financing home page, or choose Residential or Business to find eligible projects, pre-screened contractors, or participating lenders.