Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) Loan Program
Solar PV and Battery Storage for Allison and Ben
What CCEF
Financed
Solar PV and Battery Storage
“I would absolutely recommend RENU. Many homeowners in our community also live off-grid and have to find reliable ways to generate electricity, but some households still rely heavily on generators—I'm always trying to find alternative ways to make it work.”
– Allison
About the Project
Location: Durango, CO
Measure(s) Financed: Solar PV and Battery Storage
The Story
Just outside of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Allison and her husband Ben live in a 900-square-foot home powered entirely by the sun. Like many homeowners in rural parts of Colorado, their property is fully off-grid—meaning there’s no utility company supplying electricity or water to their home. Instead, they get their own water and rely on a solar energy system to power their electricity needs.
Living off-grid requires a thoughtful approach to energy. Every appliance, device, and upgrade has to fit within the capacity of their solar energy system. When Allison and Ben purchased an electric vehicle, they quickly realized their existing Solar PV system didn’t have enough capacity to keep up. Charging an EV would require a significant amount of electricity, nearly as much as their entire household uses.
To support the additional demand, the couple partnered with SolarSet, a CCEF-authorized contractor that specializes in pre-assembled off-grid solar solutions. Through SolarSet, Allison learned about the Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) Loan Program. Sponsored by CCEF in partnership with Colorado-based lenders, the program provides low-cost, long-term financing up to $75,000 per borrower to help homeowners across Colorado invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades. Allison was immediately drawn to the convenience of the loan enrollment and approval process.
“The whole process was pretty darn smooth. SolarSet did most of the paperwork, so I didn’t have to do a whole lot,” said Allison
Once the couple was approved, SolarSet was able to recommend a solution tailored to their needs: a pre-assembled turnkey solar PV unit and backup battery dedicated to charging their EV. The major home energy upgrade has made a meaningful difference in their day-to-day routine. Before installing the new unit, they often had to drive into town to charge their EV—now, their system is able to supply nearly all the electricity needed to charge their vehicle without drawing power from their home system. For Allison and Ben, the environmental benefits are just as important as the convenience, which is what made RENU the right choice.
“I would absolutely recommend RENU. Many homeowners in our community also live off-grid and have to find reliable ways to generate electricity, but some households still rely heavily on generators—I'm always trying to find alternative ways to make it work,” she said
Looking for an accessible, statewide financing program for your next home energy project? Click here to learn more about the Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) Loan and check out the current list of eligible measures.
