A Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) is a source of money from which loans can be made. It has become a useful mechanism for financing energy efficiency projects in cities, counties, and states, as well as at institutions like university campuses. The RLF is called “revolving” because the money that is initially lent out is ultimately repaid and reused for new projects, thereby recirculating the original capital. This case study describes a revolving loan fund program in San Antonio that provides funds for ongoing energy efficiency investments in municipal buildings.
This resource is part of the City Energy Project Resource Library. Launched in 2019, the library is the culmination of 6+ years of work on the ground in 20 U.S. cities to reduce energy use in large buildings. The City Energy Project is a joint project of IMT and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). For more information, visit www.cityenergyproject.org.