A second Property Assessed Clean Energy program, by which a landowner can finance renewable energy generation such as solar panels and repay the loans through assessments paid when property taxes are due, is now available to Benicia and Vallejo residents, Alex Porteshawver, Benicia Climate Action Plan coordinator, said last week.

Renewable Funding, the administrator of CaliforniaFIRST, the largest PACE program, was the first to let property owners install energy and water usage improvements in homes and businesses and pay the amount back as a line item on their property tax bill.

Since California started the program, 31 other states have approved legislation to authorize PACE programs.

HERO PACE is the new player in Benicia and Vallejo, and Porteshawver said the program could help save both water an energy.

So far, $5.6 million in project applications already have been approved in other Solano County cities, she said.

Under HERO, a Benicia property owner can pay for solar panels and their installation; whole-home heating and cooling systems; energy-saving windows, doors and roofing; and insulation. Participants can repay the assessment in five years, or take 10, 15 or 20 years to pay off the balance, Porteshawver said.

“There’s a million products to choose from,” she said.

More than 50 product lines are listed with HERO, from high-efficiency toilets, faucets and showerheads to drip irrigation, rainwater catchment and graywater systems, and artificial turf and drought-tolerant landscaping.

Unlike some programs, HERO doesn’t charge for early repayment, Porteshawver told the Community Sustainability Commission on Nov. 13.

The interest on the balance is tax-deductible, Porteshawver said, and some homeowners would see immediate savings on utility bills.

“HERO will help Benicia and Vallejo save water and energy and enable local homeowners to make immediate efficiency improvements to their homes,” said Liza Gray, HERO community development manager.

“Based on our experience in other communities, we also expect HERO to create local jobs by increasing demand for construction services.”

Vacaville and Solano County launched HERO earlier this year, Porteshawver said. Dixon has adopted the HERO program and expects to launch it by spring 2015.

Porteshawver said city inspectors who deal with area contractors will provide cards informing them about HERO, and she expects the program to increase local jobs by providing more work opportunities for area contractors.

Severn Williams, HERO public relations director, credited the program with creating more than 3,000 jobs in California since its launch in December 2011.

The program has been adopted by 206 communities in California, and has funded more than 20,000 residential projects for a combined $375 million in financing, Williams said.

“Taking part in the HERO program is 100-percent voluntary for both jurisdictions and property owners,” Williams said. “The program is cost neutral to participating local governments.”

It’s proving a popular financing option, Williams said, citing a survey that indicated 95 percent — 1,900 of 2,000 participants — said they would recommend HERO’s finance method.

HERO has received the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, the Urban Land Institute Best of the Best Award, and the Southern California Association of Governments President’s Award for Excellence.

Those interested may visit the program’s website, www.HEROProgram.com, or call 855-HERO-411 (855-437-6411).