Updated: July 15, 2025 · Focus: Dallas Commercial Solar
Quick take
C-PACE in Dallas turns commercial solar from a capital-intensive project into a near-zero upfront cost deployment by wrapping the financing into property assessments with long terms and off-balance-sheet treatment. When paired with a PPA, businesses can get immediate clean energy savings while deferring payment and preserving cash. This guide explains mechanics, eligibility, a tactical action plan, and illustrative savings.
1. What C-PACE Is & Why It Matters in Dallas
C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) is a public-private financing mechanism available in Dallas that allows commercial property owners to fund solar (and other efficiency upgrades) with no upfront capital. Repayment is added as a line item to the property tax bill, spread over 10–25 years, and is tied to the property—not the owner, improving transferability and alignment with long-term value creation.
Because C-PACE covers 100% of eligible hard and soft costs, and often includes installation, design, and permitting, the business can deploy a solar system with zero CapEx. When combined with a PPA, the energy is paid for via the PPA while the underlying asset is financed through C-PACE—preserving cash and maximizing immediate savings.
2. Mechanics & Primary Benefits
Zero Upfront Cost
C-PACE covers design, equipment, installation, and soft costs. You don’t pay until it’s repaid over time via property tax assessments.
Long-Term, Fixed Financing
Terms typically 15–25 years, locking in a predictable payment that is often lower than utility expense growth—creating immediate positive cash flow when paired with a PPA.
Off-Balance-Sheet & Transferable
The obligation stays with the property, making sale or recapitalization cleaner; lenders and buyers see a financed asset improving NOI.
Synergy with PPA
Energy produced is sold under a PPA below utility rate; C-PACE funds the asset. You get clean kWh savings immediately while amortizing the underlying system separately.
3. Tactical Action Plan for Dallas Owners
1. Site & Ownership Review
Confirm property is in Dallas C-PACE territory, obtain current ownership and tax assessment info, and collect daytime load or utility data for solar sizing.
2. Engage USSE + C-PACE Provider
USSE designs the solar system; connect with an approved local C-PACE administrator to structure the financing and prepare the assessment application.
3. Finalize PPA & Alignment
Lock the PPA that purchases the output below utility rates. Ensure the cash flow model layers the C-PACE repayment and energy savings to show immediate benefit.
4. Close C-PACE & Begin Construction
Complete the C-PACE assessment closing, start installation, and activate the PPA once production begins. Monitor performance to ensure projected savings.
4. Illustrative Dallas Solar + C-PACE Economics
Scenario: 200 kW commercial rooftop in Dallas with blended utility cost of 13¢/kWh. C-PACE finances the $680,000 system over 20 years with annual assessment equivalent to ~6.5¢/kWh (levelized), while the PPA sells the energy at 10.5¢/kWh. Net immediate saving is ~2.5¢/kWh before inflation hedge, generating positive cash flow from day one and preserving working capital.
Actual savings depend on load profile, term structure, and system output; USSE models using your real interval or bill data.
5. FAQ & Gotchas
A: It adds an assessment line item separate from standard property tax; structure is transparent and usually offset by energy savings and improved net operating income.
A: The C-PACE obligation stays with the property, making transfer straightforward if disclosed; buyers often value the financed, income-generating solar asset.
A: Yes. C-PACE funds the asset, the PPA captures energy savings, and federal/state incentives can still apply depending on ownership structure and program rules.
Deploy Dallas Solar with No Upfront Capital
We’ll model your site, structure the C-PACE financing, and layer in a PPA so you get clean energy savings day one while deferring cost over decades.
*Illustrative. Final terms depend on C-PACE administrator approval, property specifics, and energy production.