Energy generated by HERO Property Assessed Clean Energy financing for solar is enough to close a coal-fired power plant for a year

SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Renovate America's HERO Program has now financed nearly 19,000 residential solar power installations in California, which are projected to generate 3.5 billion kWh of clean electricity during their useful lifetime. This is enough energy to close one coal-fired power plant for a year.

A public-private partnership with local communities, HERO has provided financing for 18,917 residential solar projects in more than 400 communities across California.

HERO Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing enables homeowners to make energy- and water-efficiency improvements and install solar power panels and pay for them over time through their property tax bill. The renovations and installations completed to date are projected to lower homeowners' utility bills by nearly $2.8 billion over the useful lifetime of the products and systems.

"HERO has been a key player in greatly expanding access to solar power for California homeowners," said Ellen Qualls, Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs at Renovate America, the company that administers the HERO Program. "The program is helping the clean energy economy take hold in California, and is a model that can work for homeowners across the nation."

Clean energy makes up a significant percentage of California's job market. HERO-financed solar installations and other energy-efficiency projects increase demand for local contractor services and are estimated to have spurred the creation of more than 13,700 jobs to date.

HERO gives local contractors an important tool for growing their businesses and reaching more customers with energy-saving technologies. HERO's innovative technology platform makes the process of helping homeowners fast and straightforward. HERO only partners with contractors who abide by the program's stringent consumer protections, which are the strongest in the home improvement industry. Once a contractor has been vetted and approved by HERO, they gain additional distinction in their community as a reputable business, committed to consumer protection.

The HERO Program has provided a total of $1.62 billion in financing for energy and water efficiency projects in 77,740 homes in California to date. The program is now expanding into Missouri and Florida. For more information about the program, please visit www.HeroProgram.com. Or come by booth #7725 at the Intersolar North America exhibition in San Francisco at the Moscone Center, running through Thursday, July 14.