Commercial and Residential Alternative Energy Systems

Rural Energy for America Program Guaranteed Loan Program (REAP)

The REAP Guaranteed Loan Program encourages the commercial financing of renewable energy (bioenergy, geothermal, hydrogen, solar, and wind) and energy efficiency projects. Under the program, project developers will work with local lenders, who in turn can apply to USDA Rural Development for a loan guarantee up to 85 percent of the loan amount. Businesses on the Big Island qualify for these loans.

Guaranteed Loan Specifications

Loans Limits:

• Loans up to 50% of the project’s cost

• Maximum of $25 million, minimum of $5,000

Maximum percentage of guarantee (applies to whole loan):

• 85% for loan of $600,000 or less

• 80% for loans greater than $600,000 but $5 million or less

• 70% for loans greater than $5 million up to $25 million

Fees and Interest Rates

• Lender’s customary interest rate, fixed or variable, negotiated by lender and business

• Lender’s customary fees, negotiated by lender and business

• One-time guarantee fee equal to 1% of guaranteed amount

• Annual renewal fee

Benefits to Businesses

Benefits include higher loan amounts, stronger loan applications, lower interest rates and longer repayment terms that can assist businesses that may not qualify for conventional lender financing.

Benefits to Lenders

Lender benefits include expanding lender’s loan portfolio, allowing lenders to make loans above loan limits, protecting guaranteed portion of loan against loss by the Federal Government, existing secondary market for REAP guarantees, helping to satisfy Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requirements, and allowing lenders to use their own forms, loan documents, and security instruments.

Eligibility: Borrowers, Lenders, Location

New definition being determined. Borrowers must be an agricultural producer or rural small business. Agricultural producers must gain 50% or more of their gross income from their agricultural operations. An entity is considered a small business in accordance with the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) small business size standards NAICS code. (http://www.sba.gov/size/index.html). Most lenders are eligible, including national and state-chartered banks, Farm Credit System banks and savings and loan associations. Other lenders may be eligible if approved by USDA.

Eligible Project Costs

Eligible project costs include: 1) Post-application purchase and installation of equipment, 2)Post-application construction or improvements, 3) Energy audits or assessments, 4) Permit or license fees, 5) Professional service fees, 6) Feasibility studies and technical reports, 7) Business plans, 8) Retrofitting, 9) Construction of a new energy efficient facility only when the facility is used for the same purpose, is approximately the same size, and based on the energy audit will provide more energy savings than improving an existing facility, 10) Working capital, 11) Land acquisition.

How to Apply

To apply for funding for the Guaranteed Loan Program, please contact Tim O'Connell, USDA Rural Development, in Hilo at 808-933-8313 or tim.oconnell@hi.usda.gov.

The USDA site is here: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/9006loan.htm