PACE Equity has been recognized with the 2025 Finance Innovation Award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Initiative. The award highlights the groundbreaking CIRRUS C-PACE financing solution—a first-of-its-kind program that lowers the cost of capital for commercial building projects that meet low-emissions goals. This program exemplifies how private capital can accelerate the transition to low-emissions buildings at scale.
The Finance Innovation Award honors a Financial Ally who delivers transformative decarbonization financing solutions that exceed conventional market practices. PACE Equity’s CIRRUS program stands out for its ability to drive substantial climate impact through private capital.
Built on the C-PACE financing model, the CIRRUS program incentivizes developers to improve energy efficiency, and incorporate renewable energy and low-emissions materials. It offers flexible compliance paths, includes engineering support at no extra cost, and has already demonstrated measurable financial savings and emissions reductions. Buildings pursuing certifications such as LEED, Green Globes, Passive House, Phius, GBI Journey to Net Zero, and others automatically qualify for the reduced capital rates.
Key Impacts of the CIRRUS C-PACE Program:
- $70,000 average projected annual savings in energy and operations costs per development
- 120,000 metric tons of projected lifetime carbon emissions reductions across financed projects
