Noesis, the tech-enabled lending marketplace for financing energy-saving commercial building improvements, worked together with Enviro-Lite Solutions, a leading Texas-based LED lighting company, to get approval on a significant municipality project. The two companies partnered to help Donna, TX migrate its outdated lighting infrastructure to more energy-efficient LEDs, which is expected to generate US $140,000 in savings in the first year.  

Experienced in selling to municipalities, Enviro-Lite understood the challenges in securing city council approval on measures with energy efficiency (EE) upgrades. EE projects are typically opportunistic and not focused on fixing broken equipment, so winning city approval can be difficult despite the cost and energy savings.  

Noesis logo. (Noesis/LEDinside)

“We evaluated many opportunities to improve our infrastructure and our community by providing more energy efficient lighting throughout the city,” said Sonia Gallegos, mayor pro-tem, Donna, TX.  “The City ultimately approved the project because Enviro-Lite and Noesis took the time to understand our specific financial needs and developed a lighting solution that best suited our city.”

Noesis provided Enviro-Lite with a proposal that included three features that were important in securing this project with the Donna City Council.

1. Long-term municipal lease with attractive rate that is cash flow positive
2. Noesis’ Performance Rebate that provides cash back if the first year savings fall short
3. Coordinated presentation and pre-approved financing – combined project with financing decided with one vote, not two

As a further benefit, Enviro-Lite worked with the local utility, AEP, to secure a $47,000 rebate for the project, allowing the city to include an additional $50,000 in lighting without adding to the total project cost. These additional fixtures will be installed in parks and other areas that are currently without lighting.

 “City and municipal projects vary greatly from most commercial projects and a one-size fits all approach simply does not work when seeking approval for these types of upgrades,” said Scott Harmon, chief executive officer of Noesis. “Noesis worked alongside Enviro-Lite to create a tailored proposal that included a detailed business case justifying the City’s investment combined with pre-approved financing.”