The Green Energy Loan Fund (GELF)
The Green Energy Loan Fund (GELF) supports Pennsylvania building owners, developers, and commercial tenants with financing for energy efficiency improvements that lower costs and benefit communities.
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Due Dates: Not specified
Funding Amounts: GELF capital typically priced at 3.5%–4.5%, blended with other capital at a higher borrower rate; terms up to seven years
Summary: Low-interest loan financing supports energy conservation and efficiency improvements in Pennsylvania buildings.
Key Information: Projects must meet energy-performance targets and demonstrate meaningful community benefits; single-family homes are ineligible.
Description
The Green Energy Loan Fund (GELF) is a revolving loan fund managed by Reinvestment Fund on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program. It finances energy efficiency retrofits, conservation measures, and high-performance building energy systems throughout Pennsylvania.
Supported work ranges from individual equipment replacements to comprehensive retrofits, gut rehabilitation, new construction, and building additions. On-site renewable energy and combined heat-and-power systems can be financed only within larger building energy efficiency projects. The program seeks to lower operating costs, improve building comfort and reliability, and support long-term community development. Projects must demonstrate benefits such as stronger essential services, housing affordability, quality job creation or retention, or neighborhood resilience.
