FAQs
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Browse common questions, find contact info, or get answers about online banking — it’s all here for you in one place.
General
Credit unions are democratically owned, not-for-profit financial cooperatives that serve an identified community (rather than the general public). The people and organizations within the identified community are eligible to become “members” or “member-owners” of the credit union. Credit unions are designed to leverage the financial strength of their members in order to provide financial services to one another without the need to make a profit from these transactions. As a member-owner of a credit union, you have the ability to take out loans, make deposits, run for the board of directors, and cast a vote in elections (on a one-vote-per-member basis).
When a credit union is federally chartered, like Clean Energy Credit Union, it is technically a 501(c)(1) tax-exempt organization that’s regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and receives deposit insurance from the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF)
While credit unions are similar to banks, there are also many important differences. To learn more about how credit unions differ from banks, see this FAQ on the subject.
Additional Resources
- National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)
- Credit Union National Association (CUNA)
- National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU)
- Mountain West Credit Union Association (MWCUA)
- World Council of Credit Unions
By joining, you’ll gain access to outstanding clean energy loans and investment opportunities. Every dollar deposited in Clean Energy Credit Union earns interest while being used to help you and/or other members finance a clean energy product or service. Our unique clean energy loan terms are among the best available in the market.
In addition, you’ll help us achieve Clean Energy Credit Union’s vision of a world where everyone can participate in the clean energy movement. We help manifest this vision by serving the following important marketplace needs:
- Providing excellent loan terms for solar electric systems, electric vehicles, home energy efficiency improvements, and other clean energy products and services;
- Offering federally insured opportunities to invest in clean energy that are less risky than other clean energy investment products available on the market today; and
- Providing these services as a not-for-profit, cooperative financial institution (not a megabank) that will remain dedicated to its mission over the long term.
By reducing the cost of financing, Clean Energy Credit Union reduces the price associated with using clean energy, thereby making it more accessible to a broader population than it otherwise would be. By offering federally insured (i.e. low-risk) investment opportunities with low minimum thresholds, regular people – not just big financiers – are able to leverage their dollars to support clean energy, thereby increasing the volume of funds available to help finance the clean energy movement.
Ultimately, our goal is to make it easier for everyone to use and to invest in clean energy in order to help protect our environment and improve our economy.
In order to offer competitive interest rates, Clean Energy Credit Union emphasizes a lean business model. It operates solely online and via mobile devices, and has no brick-and-mortar branch offices. It offers phone and online support to assist members with questions, and it streamlines member communications by corresponding electronically (also thereby saving any paper associated with hard-copy account statements). All of these measures contribute to an efficient and cost-effective operation, thus keeping overhead as low as possible. Savings in overhead are then passed through to members in the form of better interest rates.
First, see if you’re already eligible to join Clean Energy Credit Union by being a part of our “field of membership,” which currently includes:
- A member of one of the following organizations:
- African-American Credit Union Coalition
- American Solar Energy Society
- Association of Energy Service Professionals
- Colorado Renewable Energy Society
- Denver Electric Vehicle Council
- Electric Auto Association
- Engineers for a Sustainable World
- EVHybridNoire
- Georgia Solar Energy Association
- Green America
- GreenHome Institute
- Illinois Solar Energy Association
- Midwest Renewable Energy Association
- Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
- Polar Bear Sustainable Energy Co-op
- RENEW Wisconsin
- Renewable Energy Owners Coalition of America
- Solar United Neighbors
- Texas Solar Energy Society
- Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy
- An employee or volunteer of one of the following organizations:
- A member of the immediate family or household of someone who is eligible via one of the above options or of someone who is already a member of Clean Energy Credit Union
If you’re not already eligible to join Clean Energy Credit Union, you can consider joining one of the above organizations. On your membership application, you can request that Clean Energy Credit Union sign you up for a membership with the Solar United Neighbors free of charge or request that Clean Energy Credit Union sign you up for a one-year membership with the- American Solar Energy Society and deduct the associated $10 membership fee from your opening account balance. Click here to learn more about the field of membership partner organizations listed above.
After confirming your eligibility, you would then open a “share account” (i.e. savings account) with a $5 minimum deposit which would serve as your ownership share in Clean Energy Credit Union. Once someone becomes a member of the Credit Union, they are a member for life. Click here to join Clean Energy Credit Union.
In case it helps, here’s some background on what a credit union “field of membership” is: although credit unions provide similar services as banks, they are different from banks in many ways. For example, a credit union is a not-for-profit, financial services cooperative that exists solely to serve its members and to fulfill its mission, whereas a bank exists to maximize financial returns for its stockholders. Another difference is that a bank can serve the general public whereas a credit union can only serve its “field of membership,” which is defined by regulators as the people and entities that are legally eligible to join the credit union. Ultimately, a credit union’s field of membership is comprised of one or more groups of people and entities that all have something in common that binds them together in some way. Many credit unions have a field of membership that includes people who work for a certain employer, or who live in a certain geographic area, or who are members of the same professional association or religious organization.
ASES serves as the 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor for Clean Energy Credit Union and also as our founding “field of membership” organization. Click here to learn more about our field of membership.
Established in 1954, ASES is one of the nation’s leading associations of solar advocates and professionals and is the U.S. section of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES). Its mission is to “to enable a 100% renewable energy society.” In addition to publishing Solar Today Magazine, ASES organizes a national conference and a national solar home tour each year. ASES has regional chapters in 41 states throughout the U.S., seven student chapters, and nine technical divisions for shared technical research among solar professionals and academics. For more information, visit ases.org
First, please consider joining the Credit Union and making a deposit via a checking account, savings account, money market account, CD, and/or IRA. Your money will only be used to provide clean energy loans to other members, and we need all of the deposits we can get in order to continue meeting our ever-growing loan demand. Your deposits will be federally insured (up to $250k per person or organization), promote clean energy, and protect the environment. You’ll also be able to easily transfer funds between your accounts in Clean Energy Credit Union and your other financial institution via a free ACH transfer on your computer or mobile device. Learn more about ACH transfers. Join Clean Energy Credit Union.
Second, please consider applying for a loan for a clean energy product or service. Learn more about our loan products.
Lastly, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support the Credit Union’s growth via our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). Learn more about ASES. While Clean Energy Credit Union is a self-sustaining 501(c)(1) organization, with the help of donations, our credit union will expand its operations, positive impact, and clean energy lending faster than otherwise. Since credit unions can’t have stockholders, we therefore can’t raise money in that way. So, credit unions can only fund themselves with either donations or retained earnings (i.e. profit). Furthermore, due to federal regulations, credit unions must maintain a certain amount of capital reserves at all times. The end result of this regulation is that for every $1 in donations our credit unions receive, it allows us to accept $14 of federally insured member deposits and then lend out the combined $15 for clean energy loans. Your donation would therefore be leveraged by 14-to-1 to help us fulfill our mission, and your donation essentially becomes part of a revolving loan fund whereby we can reuse it to make clean energy loans again and again in perpetuity. Make a donation.
Donations can be made in one of the following two ways:
1. By entering your credit card or PayPal information on our donation page (enter “Clean Energy Credit Union” in the comments/memo section); or
2. By mailing a check with “Clean Energy Credit Union” in the memo line, payable to:
American Solar Energy Society
2525 Arapahoe Ave, Ste E4-253
Boulder, CO 80302
By donating to the Credit Union via the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), which is our 501(c)(3) “fiscal sponsor,” your donations can be tax-deductible. Upon receiving donations of $250 or more, ASES will provide a receipt for your records. To learn more about ASES, click here.
While Clean Energy Credit Union is a self-sustaining 501(c)(1) organization, with the help of donations, our credit union will expand its operations, positive impact, and clean energy lending faster than otherwise. Since credit unions can’t have stockholders, we therefore can’t raise money in that way. So, credit unions can only fund themselves with either donations or retained earnings (i.e. profit). Furthermore, due to federal regulations, credit unions must maintain a certain amount of capital reserves at all times. The end result of this regulation is that for every $1 in donations our credit unions receive, it allows us to accept $14 of federally insured member deposits and then lend out the combined $15 for clean energy loans. Your donation would therefore be leveraged by 14-to-1 to help us fulfill our mission, and your donation essentially becomes part of a revolving loan fund whereby we can reuse it to make clean energy loans again and again in perpetuity.
Yes. All donations to Clean Energy Credit Union can be made via the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), which is our 501(c)(3) “fiscal sponsor.” This means that our credit union is a project that ASES supports and which is aligned with its charitable purpose as a 501(c)(3). So, any donation to ASES can be designated to support Clean Energy Credit Union project and 98-99% of your donation will be transferred within the same month. Why only 98%-99%? This is because ASES keeps an administrative fee, which goes towards the staff and infrastructure required to support the Credit Union, which equals 1%-2% (depending on the volume of donations that they process on our behalf). A 1%-2% administrative fee is a very good rate when it comes to 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorships, and we are grateful to ASES for all of their support, encouragement, and assistance in pursuing our shared missions. Click here to learn more about ASES.
Yes, you can “invest” in Clean Energy Credit Union by either making a checking, savings, or money market account deposit or by purchasing a “clean energy CD.” Any such deposits or CDs are insured by the federal government up to $250k per person or per organization. The Credit Union does not have “owners” or “investors” in the same way that a for-profit bank would. Instead, the Credit Union is democratically owned by all of its members. Members then elect the Credit Union’s volunteer Board of Directors on a one-vote-per-member basis and earn “dividends” or interest on their deposits.
In addition, the federal government requires that all banks and credit unions be capitalized with $1 in “net worth” or “net assets” for every $14 that they can accept in federally insured deposits. As 501(c)(1) not-for-profit organizations, federally chartered credit unions like ours can only build their net worth or net assets in two ways: (1) via retained earnings (i.e. profit); and (2) via donations from supporters. Making a donation to a credit union is very similar to making a donation to a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In the first few years, we intend to raise over $5M in donations and accept $50M in deposits. Click here if you’d like to make a donation.
The routing number (or ABA number) is: 107089940. Please use this for receiving ACH transfers from your accounts at other financial institutions or to set up direct deposit. If you are wiring funds, please refer to our wire instructions for details.
See our fee schedule.
We strongly discourage paper account statements for two reasons: (1) protecting the environment is an important part of our mission, so wherever possible we try to reduce the use of paper as well as the need for shipping and transportation; and (2) Clean Energy Credit Union emphasizes a lean business model so that we can pass through the savings to our members in the form of better interest rates.
That being said, if you absolutely must have paper account statements, you can still sign up for them at the cost of $7 per statement.
Members have a new way to participate in the clean energy movement via a values-aligned financial institution which they democratically own.
Homeowners are better able to afford clean energy via friendlier loan terms and a lower cost of capital.
Investors have access to low-risk, federally-insured, interest-bearing, impact investment opportunities that directly support clean energy and the environment.
The Environment benefits from more clean energy and less pollution.
The Economy benefits from more market share for the “clean energy” and “cooperative” economies.
Clean Energy Credit Union represents a unique combination of the following:
- It’s a federally chartered credit union that:
- Is a tax-exempt 501(c)(1);
- Is democratically owned and governed by its members;
- Has no stockholders;
- Offers federally insured deposits
- It’s the only credit union that’s focused solely on clean energy lending and environmental stewardship:
- This focus is – and always will be – part of our mission and organizational DNA;
- Every dollar deposited earns interest while being used to help you and/or other members finance a clean energy product or service via clean energy loan terms that are among the best available in the market;
- We specialize in having clean energy market expertise and an ability to adapt to ongoing market dynamics;
- It’s one of the few Online/Mobile only financial institutions with:
- No brick-and-mortar branch offices;
- Lean operations and low overhead costs;
- Operational savings that are passed through to members in the form of better interest rates and terms.
While credit unions have some similarities to banks, there are also lots of important differences. This table helps to compare and contrast between the two models:
BANK | CREDIT UNION (CU) |
---|---|
Can serve the general public | Can only serve its members who must be drawn from a specific, identified community (aka its “field of membership”) |
Can sell stock and accept equity investments | Cannot sell stock or accept equity investments |
Owned by its stockholders in proportion to stock ownership | Democratically owned and controlled by its members on a one-member-one-vote basis |
Primarily exists to maximize financial returns for its stockholders | Primarily exists to serve its members |
Earnings (via declared dividends) are paid only to stockholders | Earnings are paid back to members via higher savings rates and lower loan rates |
Must pay taxes | Is tax exempt; does not pay taxes |
Deposits are federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250k per customer | Deposits are federally insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) up to $250k per member |
Board members are paid | Board members are volunteers and cannot be paid |
Accounts
See our current rates and terms.
There are numerous ways you can deposit funds into your account including:
- Mobile Deposit via our app
- External Transfer via app or online banking
- Shared branches
- Coinstar Kiosks
- Mail a check
- Wire Transfer
See further details in our Fund Your Account Guide.
Because we are a federally chartered credit union, all deposits will be federally insured up to the allowable limits (e.g. up to $250k per person or per organization). This makes opening a deposit account or buying a “clean energy CD” far less risky than any other kind of investment in the clean energy sector. Furthermore, with low minimum investment thresholds, regular people—not just big financiers—will be able to leverage their dollars to support clean energy through safe, sound investments.
All deposits in Clean Energy Credit Union are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). According to Wikipedia: “[The NCUSIF] is administered by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) for the purpose of providing deposit insurance to protect deposits of credit union members at insured institutions in the United States. It was created in 1970 shortly after the creation of the NCUA as an independent regulator of credit unions. The NCUSIF is funded completely by participating credit unions, and no taxpayer dollars have ever been used to bail out a credit union. The NCUSIF is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.”
Yes, you can add a joint owner to your credit union accounts. Joint ownership allows multiple individuals to share access and responsibilities for the account.
If you are an existing member, you can add a joint owner by completing the form in online banking located within the self service menu.
If you are planning to apply to become a member, you will be asked if you’d like to add a joint owner on the membership application.
An ACH transfer refers to any electronic movement of money between different financial institutions that goes through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, one of the biggest U.S. payment systems that has been around for almost 40 years. ACH transfers are commonly used for online bill pay, direct deposit, and transferring funds between financial institutions. For example, PayPal and Venmo, both use the ACH network. ACH transfers are more convenient and less expensive than wire transfers, which typically incur fees from both the sending and receiving financial institutions.
At Clean Energy Credit Union, ACH transfers are free for members. They are also typically free for at other financial institutions. However, it can take 1-3 days for transferred funds to be received and available for withdrawal.
Savings accounts require a $5 minimum balance to maintain the account (and to maintain your membership in the Credit Union). Checking accounts require a $25 minimum deposit to open the account, but no ongoing minimum monthly balance is required. Money market accounts require a $500 minimum balance to maintain the account.
Clean Energy Credit Union is currently planning to offer the following products and services in the coming years:
- Home equity lines of credit (2025)
- Loans to businesses, non-profits, and other organizations (2025)
- Mortgages for net-zero energy or energy efficient homes (2025)
Please sign up for our newsletter or like us on Facebook to receive periodic updates.
Interest payments are made on a monthly basis and are automatically deposited into your Clean Energy Credit Union savings account.
Yes, you can set up automatic bill payment from your checking account. To do so, log into online banking and select “Bill Pay” from the main menu. Follow the steps to enroll and set up payments.
If you only have a savings account, money market account, or Clean Energy CD, account statements are sent out at the beginning of each quarter. If you also have a checking account, any loan activity, or a CD that is maturing, statements will be sent out at the beginning of each month.
Yes, you can either click on the “Chat” bottom at the top and bottom of each page on our website, or you can call us at 720-479-7900.
$1,000
Early withdrawal penalties may apply to certificates of deposits. See Truth In Savings for details.
Deposits made after 2:00PM MST / 4:00PM EST will be posted on next business day when deposited through the mobile app.
Mobile Deposit daily limit is $5,000.00 per day. If you need this increased, please reach out to our member service team for assistance.
Sometimes the size of an electronic transfer or mobile check deposit will exceed our standard limits. To request an increase to your transfer or deposit limits, contact us at info@cleanenergycu.org or 720.479.7900.
Currently, you can use PayPal, Venmo, and other services that leverage Plaid account connection to perform person-to-person transfers. More options will be available in the future.
Please note when using a service that connects via microdeposits, you should use your checking account MICR number as the account number. This number can be found on your checks or in online banking by clicking on your checking account and then selecting the “Account Details” dropdown located above your account transactions.
Currently, we do not offer “Bill Pay” for business accounts. As the number of business accounts we service continues to grow we continuously work on adding additional features and hope to have this available at some point in the future.
Rewards Checking
You can open an account by applying online here. There is a $25 opening deposit required, but no ongoing minimum monthly balance required after that. In order to open a checking account, you must also open a savings account.
Debit card transactions are defined as a point of sale or online purchase using the debit card linked to your checking account.
Direct deposits include deposits made by the member’s employer issuing payroll or a federal or state government agency paying benefits, etc. Direct deposits do not include deposits to an account that are made by an individual using online or mobile banking or an Internet payment provider such as PayPal or Venmo.
In online banking or on our mobile app, get started by selecting “Add Card Alerts or Blocks” under the Card Controls tab in online banking. Choose “Set Declines and Alerts” next to the card you’d like to set alerts for. From there, choose which type of transaction you’d like to modify the settings for. You can set declines and alerts based on merchant type, location, and spend limits.
You may order checks by completing the “Personal Check Order Form” located in online banking under the self-service menu. If you have questions, please reach out to our member service team via phone, chat, or email.
Check details: A standard check order is 80 checks and costs approximately $22 – the exact cost is dependent on your location due to shipping fees and state taxes.
No. In an effort to be as environmentally friendly as possible, we do not automatically issue checks to account holders. You may order checks by completing the “Personal Check Order Form” under the “Self-Service” menu in online banking.
Check details: A standard check order is 80 checks and costs approximately $22 – the exact cost is dependent on your location due to shipping fees and state taxes.
Clean Energy Loans
A solar PV combo loan is actually two separate loans that, when combined, provide homeowners with an
optimized, no-money-down finance strategy for their solar PV system installation. Here’s how the two parts
work.
PART 1 OF 2: Short-Term Balloon Loan for 12 or 18 Months
You may be eligible for a federal income tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of your solar PV system installation
(NOTE: please consult your tax advisor). The intention of this short-term balloon loan is to float the amount of this
30% tax credit until after your next annual tax filing. As a result, the principal and interest from this short-term
loan MUST be repaid in full within 12 or 18 months of your solar PV system installation. Significant penalties apply
for late repayment (17.99% interest over your full loan term). As such, this loan is best fit for homeowners
who are able to use the full 30% tax credit to pay off their loan on time. This short-term loan can be prepaid at any
time without penalty and homeowners are encouraged to schedule a one-time, automatic balloon payment on or
before their loan maturity date.
PART 2 OF 2: Long-Term Loan for 12, 15, or 20 Years
The remaining 70% of the cost of your solar PV system installation is covered in the form of a long-term loan
subject to a fixed interest rate and payable in identical monthly installments of principal and interest for a
period of either 12, 15, or 20 years. This long-term loan can be prepaid at any time without penalty, and
homeowners are encouraged to schedule automatic monthly payments.
See an example here.
Click here to see a list of eligible products.
See rates and terms for our clean energy loans.
No. Instead, all “do it yourself” (DIY), self-installed, or self-managed solar projects are only eligible to be financed by an Unsecured Green Home Improvement Loan. For DIY solar projects, we consider the Borrower to be the General Contractor for the project. As such, loan proceeds will be disbursed directly to Borrower after the project is completed, and it is the Borrower’s responsibility to pay any subcontractors, labor providers, and/or equipment suppliers directly. Please contact us for more details about DIY solar projects.
Up to 45% of a solar PV loan proceeds can be used to finance non-solar PV, “mission-aligned project scope” items such as:
- Batteries
- Electric Vehicle Chargers
- Roofs – Roofing requests must be reviewed by Clean Energy CU prior to approval. A list of rated materials can be found at this website: https://coolroofs.org/directory/roof.
- Heat Pumps
- SPAN/Smart Panel
- Other Eligible Products – See our list of Eligible Products for all qualifying items.
Included in this 45% limit, up to $4,000 can be use for other “ancillary costs” if they are necessary for the effective installation and operation of the solar PV system. These can be items such as:
- Main service panel upgrade
- Minor roof repairs – such as roof vent rerouting, rafter upgrades, ect.
- Tree trimming
- For any other items you may have questions on, please reach out to dealers@cleanenergycu.org
For project scope that may exceed the 45% limit, or for batteries-only projects (e.g. adding batteries to a previously installed solar PV system), these may be financed via a green home improvement loan (which would be separate from the solar PV system loan). Please see the graphic below which helps illustrate the 45% limit versus the $4,000 limit.
Example: If you’re utilizing a $50,000 solar PV loan, that means up to $22,500 (45%) can be used for other qualifying items. The $4,000 ancillary costs would be a part of the $22,500 “Scope Flexibility” allowance.
What documentation does the credit union need to approve the “mission-aligned project scope” and/or the “ancillary costs?”
- The borrower’s purchase/installation contract should include an itemized list of costs for the solar PV work scope versus all other work scopes, equipment, etc. It should include sufficient descriptions (e.g. Equipment manufacturer and model, description of each task/service, etc.) and be self-explanatory in complying with the requirements described above.
There are a number of ways you can make payments or pay off your short-term loan. The key when paying towards this loan is that we need to make the payment in-house once you get the funds into your savings account. The reason is that this loan is a balloon loan, so it is looking for a payment from you ONLY on the due date and not before. We can circumvent this in-house once you take one of the following steps to make the funds available.
- Mobile Deposit via our app: You can deposit a check via the mobile deposit feature within our app and note in the memo section “short-term loan payment”. There is a $5,000 limit on these deposits, if you’d like to deposit more please reach out and we can increase the limit for you.
- Bill Pay: You Can make a payment by using bill pay from a different financial institution, just be sure to indicate you want the funds applied to your short-term loan and we will apply upon receiving payment.
- External Transfer: You can transfer funds to your savings through external transfer via online banking (the funds would be deposited into your savings account and can be moved per your request via email, phone, or chat)
- Phone: A telephone payment/payoff for you with a $10.00 processing fee
- Mail in payment: Mail check to Clean Energy Credit Union, P.O. Box 4233, Englewood CO 80155. Please do not mail cash.
- Shared Branch: Visit one of our shared branch locations in your area to make a deposit in person. Use this link to find one in your area.
- For solar electric system loans, geothermal system loans, and secured green home improvement loans, Clean Energy Credit Union files a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) form called a “UCC-1 filing” at both the State and County level in order to give public notice that you have entered into a security agreement with Clean Energy Credit Union that specifies your project equipment as the collateral for your loan.
- If your mortgage provider were to ever need to foreclose on your home, or if you tried to sell the home without first repaying your loan, then the UCC-1 filing would show up in a title search in the public records. It would notify other parties that the project equipment is not a part of the residence or “real property” (instead, it is removable personal property) and that it is being used as collateral for your loan.
- The UCC-1 filing includes your name, address, a description of the collateral (which is an itemized list of your project equipment), as well as the words, “THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT DOES NOT CREATE A SECURITY INTEREST IN THE DEBTOR’S REAL PROPERTY TO BE RECORDED IN THE LAND RECORDS.”
- So, the UCC-1 filing is technically not a lien on your real property (i.e. your residence or real estate), nor is it technically a “fixture filing.” However, it is filed via a similar process as a fixture filing so that it can be found more easily as a public record.
- Clean Energy Credit Union will remove the UCC-1 filing after your loan is fully paid off.
- Clean Energy Credit Union can assist with subordinating or temporarily suspending the UCC-1 filing if you refinance your mortgage in the future and your mortgage provider requires it.
- Technically, since Clean Energy Credit Union’s UCC-1 filing is only on the personal property that’s represented by your solar electric system equipment, there shouldn’t be any conflict with the mortgage lender’s lien on your residence (i.e. your real property), but many mortgage lenders still require a subordination agreement. Fortunately, the process for providing one is relatively simple and straight-forward.
- Clean Energy Credit Union charges a flat fee of around $100 (but please refer to our fee schedule for the current amount) to execute a notarized subordination agreement and can provide a one-page instruction document and a standard subordination agreement upon request.
Clean energy products, technologies, and services are those that utilize renewable energy, reduce energy consumption, improve energy efficiency, and/or improve energy consciousness while also reducing pollution, greenhouse gases, water usage, and/or toxic waste. Some examples of what is included in this definition are: electric vehicles, insulation, weatherproofing, net zero energy homes, geothermal heat pumps, and electric-assist bicycles.
Unlike typical loans, clean energy loans all reduce the cost of living for borrowers while also decreasing their environmental footprint!!
Additional Resources
We recommend checking the Database for State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE): dsireusa.org. We also recommend asking your clean energy contractor, vendor, or service provider as they can typically help you explore what incentives may be available in your area.
Yes, in order to become a Registered Dealer for our solar loans, they must go through a formal application, evaluation, and selection process. Our intention with this vetting process is to help improve the quality, longevity, and customer experience for our Members’ solar projects. That being said, Registered Dealers are independent contractors and are not affiliated with Clean Energy Credit Union. Clean Energy Credit Union does not endorse or make any representations or warranties with respect to the quality of work provided by Registered Dealers, and it is the responsibility of our Members and prospective Members to interview and select a solar dealer that meets their needs.
You can make payments to your long-term loan at any time by transferring money to your loan from your Clean Energy savings or checking account in online banking. For information on ways to fund your Clean Energy checking or savings account see our “Funding Your Account Guide”.
No. Solar PV equipment must be new to qualify for a solar loan.
Vehicle & Personal Loans
E-bikes are defined as any bicycle that includes an integrated electric motor, but also retains the ability to be pedaled by the rider. NOTE: Electrified two-wheelers without pedals would be considered electric motorcycles, which are eligible for our clean energy vehicle loans.
Services
Clean Energy Credit Union is currently offering checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, CDs, IRAs, debit cards, a residential solar electric system loan, a clean energy vehicle loan, a residential geothermal system loan, a green home improvement loan, an electric bicycle loan, and online/mobile banking services. In the future, we plan to offer credit cards, mortgages, home equity loans, and commercial loans. Click here to learn more about our Savings Products and Loan Products.
Yes, you can access your accounts from any computer or mobile device. You can search for the app, “Clean Energy Credit Union,” on your app store.
Our vendors and software for online/mobile banking functionality are among the best in the credit union industry, and they work with hundreds of credit unions throughout the U.S. In addition to providing us with secure software platform, they also host our servers and keep them secure. In addition, regardless of which vendors and software we use for our online/mobile banking activities, all deposits in Clean Energy Credit Union are federally insured up to $250k per person and per organization.
Depositing funds into your account is easy with our mobile deposit feature within the Clean Energy Mobile Banking App. If you haven’t already, download the app from the app store. Log in to the app. Tap the “Check Deposit” option at the bottom of the screen. Follow the instructions to take photos of the front and back of your endorsed check.
If you have a checking account and a debit card, you can make free ATM withdrawals from any of 32,000+ MoneyPass® shared ATM machines throughout the USA (and international travelers can use any of 2.1 million Cirrus ATM’s worldwide where fees may apply). You can download the MoneyPass® mobile app to locate the nearest network ATM. You can also use your debit card to get free cash back at the “point of sale” (e.g. when making a purchase at your local grocery store).
Registering for online banking is quick and easy. Visit our Online & Mobile Banking enrollment page to follow step-by-step instructions.
With Card Hub, you can set your notifications to text, email, or push directly from the app when you want to be alerted to transactions. You can also dictate how, when, and where your card can be used.
Features include:
- Turn cards on and off instantly online or through your mobile device
- Limit spending to reach your budget goals
- Restrict the types of purchases made
- Receive alerts over certain dollar amounts or on every transaction
- Easily add card to your digital wallet.
- Access card credentials without needing your physical card.
- Turn your card on/off.
- Track spending.
- Track subscriptions and reoccurring payments.
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