Ygrene Awarded Premiere Certification from Clean PACE for Exceeding the PACE Industry's Customer Protection and Satisfactions Standards in Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ygrene, a national leader in resiliency and clean energy financing, announced yesterday that it has been named a "Clean PACE Certified Partner" by Clean PACE, a non-profit Florida organization created to independently review and assess Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) providers for consumer protections. This designation is the first of its kind, making Ygrene the premiere and only PACE provider to complete the Clean PACE audit for high standards in service quality, customer friendly processes and consumer satisfaction. 

PACE is a financing program that has enabled thousands of Florida's property owners to receive private financing for a wide range of home and building upgrades, including energy-efficient, wind resistant and renewable energy solutions. The program offers a long term, low fixed-rate financing option and is combined with a robust contractor compliance program that ensures residents get what they pay for.

Clean PACE was founded to ensure that consumers are adequately protected throughout the PACE financing process and that PACE providers comply with established industry standards and statutory requirements. The Clean PACE Certified Partner certification is earned by meeting or exceeding criteria in six audit categories: consumer finance protections, contractor audit controls, underwriting, marketing and advertising, governance and program capital. 

On July 12, the Clean PACE Board of Directors unanimously approved its audit report of Ygrene and voted to designate the company as its inaugural Clean PACE Certified Partner. This one-year designation ensures consumers' confidence that they will be treated fairly and with respect throughout the renovation process. Certified Partner designations are renewed annually through a follow-up audit.

"We are incredibly honored to have been accredited with the first-ever Clean PACE Certified Partner certification," said Ygrene's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Mike Lemyre. "At Ygrene, we strive to exceed industry standards to ensure that all of our customers receive the best possible financing option to repair and protect their most valuable assets. With support from Clean PACE and this certification, we look forward to seeing Ygrene and the entire PACE industry continue to expand in the Sunshine State."

"We are pleased to award the first Clean PACE Certified Partner designation to Ygrene," said Jeff Jones, Chairman of the Clean PACE Board of Directors and President- Elect of the Naples Area Board of Realtors. "In addition to meeting audit requirements, we found a culture of customer service and attention to detail that exceeded our expectations. Ygrene provides Floridians with an extremely valuable and reliable option for funding critical home improvements."

To learn more about the Clean PACE Certified Partner Program, visit cleanpace.org. To see a list of all the Florida communities Ygrene serves, visit ygrene.com/florida.

About Clean PACE, Inc.
Clean PACE, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed as a consumer watchdog group to independently review and assess Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs.  The Clean PACE mission is to provide PACE consumers and policy makers confidence that a Clean PACE certified partner has met high standards for customer friendly processes, high quality standards, and consumer satisfaction.

About Ygrene Energy Fund, Inc.
Ygrene is a national leader in residential and commercial energy efficiency and resiliency project financing. Founded in 2010, Ygrene's award-winning, privately funded Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program is revolutionizing the home improvement industry, making it easier for property owners to invest in their futures and a healthier environment. Ygrene is delivering greater choice for home and business owners by providing accessible and affordable financing for energy efficiency, renewables, water conservation, storm protection and seismic upgrades. Recognized as one of the fastest growing asset classes in the country, PACE has proven to be a successful tool for supporting public policy initiatives, all without the use of public tax dollars or credits. To date, Ygrene has provided over $1 billion of private capital to more than 69,000 property owners in over 500 communities, creating thousands of jobs and investing millions into local economies across the U.S. While PACE programs are enabled by state legislation and must be approved by local governments, Ygrene is not a government program. Learn more at ygrene.com.

SOURCE Ygrene