Solar and Energy Loan Fund

What Solar and Energy Loan Fund does

Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) founded in 2010 and headquartered in Fort Pierce. It provides unsecured personal loans — typically $3,000 to $50,000 at fixed rates of 5–12% over 3–10 years — to homeowners who cannot access traditional bank financing, with a deliberate focus on low-to-moderate income households, seniors, disabled individuals, veterans, and women heads of household. Approximately 70–74% of borrowers are LMI, and SELF has cumulatively originated over $60 million in loans across 4,342 homes while maintaining a portfolio default rate below 2.5%.

The product portfolio spans general-purpose SELF Loans, HALO accessibility loans, KIVA crowdfunded loans (via KIVA.org), Solar PV loans, Wind Resilience/Storm Protection loans, and Sewer and Water loans, supported by a client loan portal, a contractor access portal, and the CanopyClimate web-based green home improvement planning tool launched in 2025. Revenue is generated through interest income, origination fees (2.0–2.5%), and project management fees (2.75–3.99%), with the loan portfolio funded by a 42-investor base across six categories, CDFI Fund awards, municipal program allocations (e.g., $300K from Hillsborough County), and impact/philanthropic capital. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer applications with a community-led model — municipal partnerships, a pre-screened contractor referral network, KIVA crowdfunding, and field offices in Fort Pierce, Tampa, and St. Petersburg — operating across nine southeastern and southwestern U.S. states.

Name

Solar and Energy Loan Fund

Legal name

Solar and Energy Loan Fund of St. Lucie County Inc.

Website

https://solarenergyloanfund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Solar and Energy Loan Fund is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and certified CDFI that provides unsecured home improvement loans — for solar, storm resilience, accessibility, and energy efficiency — to low-to-moderate-income, senior, veteran, and credit-impaired homeowners across nine U.S. states, funded by impact investors and CDFI capital.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Personal Lending

NAICS

Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)

SIC

Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro primary industry

Energy Efficiency & Green Retrofit Financing (FSALAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD), Project Finance & Capital Structuring (Debt/Tax Equity/Project Bonds) (EUAMAAAD)

Keywords

• Home improvement loans
• Solar financing
• CDFI lending
• Energy efficiency loans
• Community development lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Pierce

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Loans: SELF generates revenue primarily through interest charged on unsecured personal loans for home improvements. Loan products include SELF Loans (5-12% APR), Solar PV Loans (8.25-8.75%), Sewer and Water Loans (5-10.50%), Wind Resilience Loans (5-10.50%), HALO Loans (5-10.5% APR), and KIVA Loans (5% APR). Origination fees of 2-2.5% and project management fees of 2.75-3.99% also apply depending on the product.
2. Investment Capital: SELF seeks low-cost, flexible capital from philanthropic, public, private, and impact investors to fund loan programs. The organization works to raise grant and loan capital from the CDFI Fund and foundations. SELF currently has 42 investors in 6 categories. Following Hurricane Ian, SELF requested capital from investors for 'recover' and 'rebuild' loans with flexible terms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides unsecured personal loans to homeowners for sustainable property improvements, including solar PV systems, energy efficiency upgrades, storm resilience measures, water/sewer improvements, and disability accessibility modifications. The organization underwrites based on ability to repay rather than credit score, pre-screens contractors, manages projects from quote review through completion verification, and disburses payments to contractors only after homeowner satisfaction. SELF also operates the free CanopyClimate web tool for green home improvement planning and partners with KIVA.org to crowdfund loans for underserved borrowers.

Product overview

Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and certified CDFI that offers a suite of unsecured personal loan products for home improvements focused on energy efficiency, solar energy, storm resilience, and accessibility. The core product portfolio includes the SELF Loan (general home efficiency improvements up to $25,000), HALO Loan (seniors and disabled homeowners up to $25,000), KIVA Loan (crowdfunded loans via KIVA.org for women, veterans, and low-income homeowners up to $15,000), Solar PV Loans ($5,000-$50,000+ for solar systems), Storm Protection/Wind-Mitigation Loans (up to $25,000 for hurricane protection), Sewer and Water Loans ($3,000-$25,000 for plumbing improvements), plus SAGE Homes (developer financing) and Martin County Septic to Sewer loans. Additionally, SELF provides a free CanopyClimate web tool for personalized green home improvement planning. Supporting infrastructure includes a Client Portal for borrowers to manage loans and make payments, and a Contractor Access Portal for project document submission. SELF operates across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Texas, Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arizona.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HALO Loans: Home Adaptation Loan Options program for seniors and disabled homeowners providing low-cost financing for disability products and home adaptations such as wheelchair ramps and walk-in showers.
• SAGE Homes

Products and services

• SELF Loan Unsecured personal loan for home energy efficiency and conservation improvements, with loan amounts up to $25,000, interest rates of 5-12% fixed, 3-7 year terms, 2.5% origination fee (1.25% military discount), and 2.75-2.99% project management fee. Targeted at homeowners who cannot qualify for traditional bank financing.
• HALO Loan (Home Adaptation Loan Options) Special financing program for senior or disabled homeowners, offering loans up to $25,000 at 5-10.5% APR with 5-7 year terms. Funds disability products and home adaptations including wheelchair ramps, stair lifts, walk-in tubs/showers, doorway widening, and assistive technologies.
• KIVA Loan Crowdfunded loan for women, veterans, military families and low-income homeowners with distressed credit. Loans up to $15,000 at 5% fixed interest, 3-5 year terms, with borrower profiles posted on KIVA.org for 30-day fundraising campaigns.
• Solar PV Loans Unsecured personal loans for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar water heaters, solar pool heaters, and related renewable energy upgrades. Loan amounts $5,000 to $50,000+, 8.25-8.75% fixed APR, 7-year terms, 2.00% origination fee (0.75% military discount), 0% project management fee. Technologies vetted by Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC).
• Wind Resilience / Storm Protection Loans Unsecured personal loans for storm protection including impact windows, doors, hurricane shutters, garage doors, FORTIFIED roofs, and roof replacement. Loan amounts up to $25,000, 5-10.5% fixed APR, 3-7 year terms, 2.5% origination fee (1.25% military discount), 3.99% project management fee. Often helps borrowers qualify for or reduce homeowners insurance.
• Sewer and Water Loans Unsecured personal loans for sewer and water improvements including septic-to-sewer conversions, sewer lateral line replacements, plumbing repairs, and water heaters. Loan amounts $3,000-$25,000, 5-10.50% fixed APR, 3-5 year terms, 2.5% origination fee, 2.75% project management fee.
• SAGE Homes Financing Developer loans providing financing for multifamily and non-profit housing development projects.
• Martin County Septic to Sewer Loan Specialty loan program for Martin County, Florida residents financing septic-to-sewer conversions and related water/sewer improvements under a county partnership.
• CanopyClimate Free web-based planning tool that provides personalized recommendations for reducing household carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency, and making homes more resilient. Connects users to affordable financing options including SELF and vetted local professionals. Includes real-time performance dashboards for local partners monitoring emissions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average 27-29% savings on energy bills through efficiency upgrades
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• City of Tarpon SpringsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership providing sustainable community lending programs to help address environmental, economic, and social challenges in the city.
• City of Lake Worth BeachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership providing sustainable community lending programs to help address environmental, economic, and social challenges in the city.
• Miami-Dade CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partnership for sustainable community lending programs.
• Orange County Government FloridaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partnership for sustainable community lending programs.
• City of OrlandominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership providing sustainable community lending programs to help address environmental, economic, and social challenges in the city.
• Hillsborough County FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty partnership with $300,000 three-year allocation to support SELF lending programs for county residents. SELF granted 52 loans to Hillsborough County homeowners in 2018. Includes 72 approved local contractors.
• Martin County FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty partnership for sustainable community lending programs including septic to sewer loan program.
• City of St. PetersburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity partnership providing sustainable community lending programs to help address environmental, economic, and social challenges. SELF prioritized the St. Pete region due to progressive local leadership on climate change, resilience and financial inclusion.
• St. Lucie CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome county of SELF headquarters. Partnership for sustainable community lending programs and PACE financing.
• KIVA.orgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSELF is an approved field partner with KIVA.org. Borrower profiles are posted on the worldwide crowdfunding platform for 30-day fundraising campaigns. Since 2005, KIVA has crowdfunded over $575 million in microloans to over 1.3 million entrepreneurs with a 98% repayment rate.
• Aeris InsightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSELF reports to Aeris on a regular basis and encourages investors to view key financial CDFI indicators through the Aeris platform. Aeris provides online tools for impact and financial data collection and analysis.
• FL SUN (Solar Cooperative)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSELF partners with FL SUN for solar co-op projects. Multiple solar co-op projects in service areas provide local demand for sustainable building practices.
• CanopyClimatecoreTechnology or IntegrationCanopyClimate is a free web-based tool developed to help homeowners plan green home improvements. It provides personalized recommendations and connects users to affordable financing options including SELF.
• St. Lucie County PACE ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Property Assessed Clean Energy financing programs for solar energy systems and wind hazard mitigation.
• Florida Solar Energy Industries AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association for solar energy companies in Florida.
• Better BuildingsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerU.S. Department of Energy initiative supporting energy efficiency improvements.
• Florida Alliance for Renewable EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState alliance promoting renewable energy development.
• Orlando Utilities CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal utility partnership for clean energy programs.
• U.S. Green Building CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization promoting sustainable building practices.
• American Institute of Architects Treasure CoastminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association supporting architectural and building standards.
• Green VeteransminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting green initiatives for veterans.
• FAASTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting accessibility and assistive technology.
• UpSpringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Coastal Enterprises Inc (CEI): A nonprofit CDFI providing loans for clean energy, housing, and small business; similarly focuses on LMI borrowers and partners with contractors and municipalities. CEI is the closest structural analog to SELF in the CDFI nonprofit space.
• Florida Community Loan Fund: Florida-based CDFI that finances affordable housing and community facilities serving low-income communities. Direct regional peer operating in SELF's core geography with overlapping community-development mission.
• Self-Help Federal Credit Union: Mission-driven CDFI lender offering homeownership, energy improvement, and small business loans to underbanked borrowers. Comparable product structure (green/energy loans to LMI) and credit-inclusion focus.
• Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF): National nonprofit CDFI that finances community development including housing and energy efficiency. Comparable mission, capital deployment model, and target borrower segment to SELF.

Emerging players

• Mosaic: Solar-focused residential financing platform offering home solar loans. Directly comparable to SELF's Solar PV Loan product but serves a broader credit range and has scaled national origination via digital channels.
• Dividend Finance: Fintech lender offering residential solar and home improvement financing through contractor networks. Directly parallel to SELF's contractor-referral distribution model in the solar PACE/loan category.
• Sunlight Financial: Specialty finance company that originates solar loans through a national dealer network. Overlaps with SELF's Solar PV Loan product in target customer (homeowner seeking rooftop PV) but operates for-profit at scale.

Regional players

• New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority: State-based CDFI offering energy efficiency, weatherization, and residential rehabilitation loans to LMI homeowners. Closely comparable to SELF's weatherization and home improvement loan programs, but limited to New Hampshire.

Others

• Opportunity Finance Network (OFN): National membership/financing intermediary supporting CDFIs; not a direct competitor but the institutional ecosystem in which SELF operates and accesses capacity capital and policy advocacy relevant to its business.
• Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA): Nonprofit coalition that helps states and stakeholders design clean energy finance programs (including green lending and on-bill programs). Indirect/adjacent to SELF's mission through program design and policy influence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/solarenergyloan
• Facebookfacebook.com/solarenergyloanfund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solar-energy-loan-fund

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solar and Energy Loan Fund