ConserFund Loan Program
Administered by South Carolina Energy Office
This program does not apply to homeowners—ConserFund is limited to state agencies, local governments, public colleges and universities, school districts, and private nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)). If your organization qualifies, you can borrow $25,000 to $500,000 per fiscal year at a fixed rate currently set at 1.5% to fund energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy systems, or electric vehicle conversions that reduce long-term operating costs.
ConserFund serves institutional and government clients seeking to finance comprehensive energy projects—municipalities, schools, nonprofits, and state agencies. Your customers can finance up to 100% of eligible project costs for retrofits or new renewable/recovery systems, with work must commencing after loan closing and documented energy savings projections required upfront. Payment terms differ by borrower type: government entities defer first payment one year after construction completion (paid annually thereafter), while 501(c)(3) organizations begin quarterly payments the first quarter after completion.
ConserFund is a revolving loan fund administered by the South Carolina Energy Office providing capital to five eligible sectors (state agencies, local governments, public higher education, K–12 school districts, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits) for energy efficiency retrofits and qualifying renewable/recovery systems in new construction. Loan size ranges from $25,000 to $500,000 per fiscal year with interest fixed below Wall Street Journal prime (currently 1.5%, reviewed annually June 30). Priority goes to projects with fast energy payback; all applicants must document projected energy savings before work begins and demonstrate long-term cost reductions. Repayment schedules vary: government borrowers pay annually starting one year post-completion; nonprofit borrowers pay quarterly starting the quarter after completion.
Program details
- Program ID
- 1307
- Last updated
- 7/7/2025
Eligibility
- Sectors
- local government nonprofit schools state government institutional
- Technologies
- solar photovoltaics biomass geothermal heat pumps combined heat & power lighting lighting controls/sensors chillers furnaces boilers heat pumps air conditioners heat recovery programmable thermostats energy mgmt. systems/building controls caulking/weather-stripping duct/air sealing building insulation windows doors roofs custom/others pending approval passenger electric vehicles
Program summary
The South Carolina Energy Office offers the ConserFund Loan Program to fund energy efficiency improvements in state agencies, local governments, public colleges and universities, school districts and private non-profit organizations. The ConserFund Loan Program will fund a variety of efficiency improvements, but priority is given to projects that have a fast energy savings payback. Generally, ConserFund loans are to be used on retrofits of existing buildings. However, ConserFund may be used to finance energy recovery systems, ground source heat pumps, biomass, solar, and other renewable energy systems in new construction facilities.
Organizations may finance one or multiple projects, covering up to 100% of eligible project costs, from $25,000 to $500,000. Implementation of the energy efficiency improvement must begin within six months of the loan closing and the proposed energy improvement must have long-term cost reductions to qualify.
To start the financing process, download a form from the program website or contact the South Carolina Energy Office.
Contact & resources
- Contact email
- rcampana@ors.sc.gov
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
