Climate First Bank solar loans may not be paired with another loan, financing product, or third-party financing arrangement to complete the same project. Each Climate First Bank solar loan must fully and independently finance the approved scope of work.
This policy applies to all installers, borrowers, and project types.
What does “loan pairing” mean?
Loan pairing occurs when a Climate First Bank solar loan is combined with any additional financing to cover part of the same project, including but not limited to:
A second personal or business loan
A contractor-provided financing product
A credit card, line of credit, or BNPL product
A third-party solar loan or financing platform
Any financing used to cover remaining balances, adders, or upgrades related to the same project
What is NOT allowed
Climate First Bank does not support solar loans that are paired with:
Another solar or home improvement loan
Installer-arranged secondary financing
Split financing structures (e.g., one loan for solar, another for adders)
Financing used to offset down payments, deferred balances, or uncovered costs
Any structure designed to lower the apparent price per watt (PPW) by shifting costs to another loan
If a project requires more financing than what is approved under the Climate First Bank solar loan, the project must be restructured or re-priced, not supplemented with additional debt.
Why this policy exists
This policy is in place to ensure:
Transparent pricing and accurate project costs
Fair lending compliance and consistent underwriting
Consumer protection by avoiding layered or undisclosed debt
Program integrity, including accurate PPW review and funding decisions
Paired financing can obscure true project costs, introduce repayment risk, and create compliance concerns.
How this affects funding and review
During funding and contract review, Climate First Bank and OneEthos may request clarification or documentation to confirm that:
The Climate First Bank loan covers the entire approved project scope
No secondary financing is being used
The contract reflects a single, clear purchase transaction
If loan pairing is identified:
Funding may be paused or denied
Contract revisions may be required
The installer account may be subject to additional review or restrictions
Installer and customer responsibility
Installers are responsible for:
Structuring projects so the Climate First Bank loan fully finances the work
Disclosing all financing arrangements accurately
Ensuring contracts do not reference or rely on additional loans
Customers should not be instructed or encouraged to obtain separate financing to complete a Climate First Bank–financed project.
Key takeaway
Climate First Bank solar loans must stand alone.
They may not be paired with another loan or financing product under any circumstances.
If there are questions about project eligibility, pricing, or scope, please contact Installer Support before submitting the project for funding.