Description
The California Energy Commission’s K‑12 Energy Efficiency Program (KTEP) provides zero‑interest, revolving loans to eligible public school districts, charter schools, county offices of education, and state special schools to finance a wide range of energy‑efficiency and renewable‑energy retrofits. Applicants must first complete a DOE‑mandated ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit; the loan amount is limited to the lesser of $3 million, total project cost (net of incentives), or the calculated energy‑cost savings over the equipment’s effective useful life (capped at 15 years). Funding is contingent on U.S. DOE availability and is disbursed on a reimbursement basis with a 10 % retention until final project close‑out. The program requires compliance with CEQA, NEPA, Build America/Buy America, and Davis‑Bacon prevailing‑wage rules.
• Eligible measures include high‑efficiency lighting, HVAC, building‑envelope upgrades, solar PV, battery storage, EV charging for public‑fleet use, and other demand‑management technologies.
• No minimum loan size; loan term up to 15 years, repayment based on verified energy‑cost savings.
• Applicants must submit a detailed package (loan application, energy‑measure summary, governing‑body resolution, CEQA/NEPA worksheets, DOE audit, utility data, and for charter schools, additional charter‑school documentation).