Clean Energy Credit Union was built on a foundational idea: everyone should have access to affordable financing for clean energy projects and a place where their money can actively make a difference. From its inception, the credit union was designed to align everyday banking with climate action, ensuring that members are not only able to finance clean energy improvements, but can also trust that their deposits are advancing the same mission.

As a federally chartered, member owned cooperative, Clean Energy Credit Union uses member deposits to directly fund clean energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide. Unlike traditional financial institutions, where deposits are often deployed without transparency or alignment with member values, deposits at Clean Energy Credit Union are intentionally leveraged to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy. This model allows members, many of whom are deeply motivated by climate and community outcomes, to participate in climate solutions whether they are borrowing, saving, or simply choosing where to bank.

Grounded in this mission, Clean Energy Credit Union promotes the adoption of clean energy technologies and energy efficient practices through responsible, purpose built lending. Serving members in all 50 states, the credit union focuses exclusively on financial products that reduce carbon emissions, improve household resilience and lower long term energy costs

Clean Energy For All: Expanding Access and Advancing Equity

Clean Energy For All was created in recognition that conventional clean energy financing has often excluded households with lower incomes and communities historically underserved by the financial system. The program levels the playing field by offering interest rate discounts and ensuring borrowers are not penalized with higher rates solely due to low credit scores, expanding access to affordable clean energy financing for those who have faced systemic barriers.

Clean Energy For All uses mission aligned underwriting and targeted loan offerings that emphasize fairness and affordability, supported by partnerships that help align financing with available rebates and incentives. By easing upfront cost barriers and improving loan accessibility, the program helps ensure the benefits of clean energy are not limited to households with wealth or pristine credit profiles.

Through this approach, Clean Energy Credit Union demonstrates how responsible, values driven financial institutions can expand access to clean energy while maintaining strong consumer protections and long‑term sustainability.

Green Home Improvement Loans: Building Healthier, More Resilient Homes

At the core of Clean Energy Credit Union’s work is the Green Home Improvement Loan program, which provides affordable financing for a wide range of clean energy, electrification and efficiency upgrades. These loans support solar PV, battery storage, high‑efficiency heat pumps, insulation and air sealing, energy efficient windows and doors, and other improvements that reduce fossil fuel dependence while increasing home comfort, safety and durability.

These investments are not only environmental, they are deeply connected to health, affordability, and stability. For many households, especially those facing high energy burdens, energy efficiency and electrification upgrades can provide immediate financial relief while delivering lasting benefits. By pairing competitive rates with flexible terms, the credit union helps members lower monthly utility costs while improving indoor air quality and resilience in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

In Virginia, Martin and Sonica Arora worked with Clean Energy Credit Union to install solar panels on their house.

“I looked at several options to finance our solar photovoltaic system and decided to go with Clean Energy Credit Union because they were clear and transparent from the start, and it only made sense to prioritize banking with a sustainable financial institution,” Martin said.

In New York, Harris Edelman replaced all the fossil‑fuel infrastructure in his house, including an oil‑fired boiler and tank, with air‑source heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicles.

Instead of upgrading to newer versions of outdated technology, Edelman saw an opportunity to replace the system entirely and do it the cleaner way.

“Today, our home, which was built in the 1970s, no longer burns fossil fuels. We don’t use propane or diesel. It’s all electric, powered by solar and backed up by batteries. These aren’t abstract benefits — they’re real, everyday improvements to how we live,” Edelman said.

And the benefits go beyond the environmental impact, he noted.

“I feel better knowing our choices matter. We generate much of our own energy, so when the power goes out, we’re not stressed. We’re less dependent on unstable fossil fuel markets, and our energy infrastructure is more resilient,” he explained. “Everything I looked at came down to the same question: Why would I replace an aging fossil fuel system in my home with a newer version of the same technology when there are new and innovative technologies to consider that are both sustainable and efficient?”

Every home improvement project carries lessons with it, and Edelman noted that it’s important for homeowners to plan for decommissioning and disposing of old fossil fuel systems like oil tanks and boilers.

But one thing that made the whole process easier was working with Clean Energy Credit Union. “I didn’t have to convince them that clean energy was a good idea — they already believed in it. They were enthusiastic, encouraging and genuinely excited to help. That kind of support matters when you’re taking on home projects,” Edelman said.

“If enough people choose more environmentally friendly solutions for their homes we will make a difference.”

A Partner in Systemic Change

Clean Energy Credit Union views philanthropy as a catalyst for innovation and scale. Support from mission aligned partners such as The Kresge Foundation enables the credit union to pilot new approaches, expand equity focused lending, and strengthen partnerships that connect climate solutions with community resilience.

Together, these efforts demonstrate that ethical, inclusive finance can be a powerful driver of climate action ensuring the clean energy transition is not only rapid, but accessible for the communities it serves.