City of Milwaukee - Milwaukee Shines Solar Financing

Beginning July 28, 2011, the City of Milwaukee will be offering low-interest loans for solar energy under its Milwaukee Shines Solar Financing program. Loans are available to homeowners of 1-3 unit, owner-occupied homes in Milwaukee. Interest rate maximum is prime rate plus 2.5%, and as low as prime plus 1.5%. Loans are limited to $20,000 and 15 years. Eligible equipment includes solar electric systems of up to 6 kilowatts (kW) and solar hot water systems of up to 8 panels. Projects must be installed by a Focus on Energy Residential Ally installer. Installers can be found here. Eligible expenses include: All equipment, labor, permits, and interconnection fees. Also structural reinforcement and re-roofing expenses if part of the solar project. The Milwaukee Shines program is also offering a $1,000 cash-back reward to the first 20 participants in the loan program. Application information is available on the Milwaukee Shines web site.