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Renewables Solar urges Buncombe County to adopt CPACE resolution to spur commercial clean‑energy projects

5590749 · August 16, 2025

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Summary

A solar company owner urged the county to opt into a state-administered CPACE financing program; county staff said the next step would be a boilerplate opt‑in resolution once state rollout guidance is finalized.

A solar company owner told Buncombe County meeting attendees that Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) financing could accelerate commercial solar and multifamily clean‑energy projects in North Carolina, and urged county consideration of a future opt‑in resolution.

Nick Welsh, an owner of Renewables Solar and Electric, said he has worked on commercial solar projects in several states for 15 years and described CPACE as “a program that I’ve seen really be a driver for commercial solar development in other states.” Welsh said he and several potential clients were monitoring the program’s rollout in North Carolina and would be prepared to develop projects quickly if the county opted in.

County staff present described CPACE as a state‑administered program that requires jurisdictions to adopt a local resolution to opt in. Staff said the county’s role would be limited under the model resolution and that most program administration and financing arrangements would be handled at the state level. The presentation referenced an early CPACE project in Gaston County, where CPACE financing reportedly was used to refinance an original construction loan on a multifamily property.

Staff recommended returning with a draft resolution at an upcoming meeting once the state’s rollout guidance — including roles for local governments and any financial partners — was clearer. No formal resolution or vote was taken at this meeting.

Ending — next step: County staff asked to check back with potential implementers before the next meeting and to present a draft boilerplate resolution and any recommended implementing language when state guidance is available.