Building Montanans’ Energy Resiliency

Clearwater’s interest in clean energy and energy efficiency measures began in 2018 with a goal to use energy more wisely and reduce energy costs within our owned buildings. We began to invest in rooftop solar panels and prioritize energy efficiency improvements. As we navigated these improvements to our own buildings, two things became clear.

First, it can be confusing to understand solar and energy efficiency options and how to prioritize the improvements. And second, as our members saw us making improvements, they sought our assistance in pursuing their own energy efficiency goals. That’s when our long-term clean energy strategy began to take shape.

Funding Energy Efficiency Improvements

Montana temperatures can fluctuate wildly with very cold winters and hot summers. Nearly 80% of Montana’s housing is single family homes built before 1980 when stricter energy efficiency measures began making their way into building codes. That older housing stock performs less well in harsh weather conditions, and many Montana families must keep their homes colder in the winter and warmer in the summer to deal with rising energy costs.

As Clearwater navigated the expense of purchasing solar panels for its own buildings, we realized installation costs and roof improvements to support them could add up quickly. Although we knew those investments would pay off over time, we realized the initial investment could prevent many Montana families from making similar improvements to their homes.

“That how our Energy Efficiency Loan came to be,” said Bill St John, Executive Vice President of Growth, “It was about responding to our members’ needs and helping them to finance improvements to seal and insulate their homes, replace old windows, and upgrade heating and cooling systems. All things that can improve the comfort and energy performance of their home.”

Soon after, Clearwater also introduced a Solar Loan, which helps people finance all facets of solar panel installation, including buying the panels, making roof improvements to support the panels, upgrading electrical wiring, and adding battery storage. With one loan, members can finance everything they need to build their own energy resiliency.

“Clearwater does more than just offer financing though,” said Jess Dahlen, Clearwater’s Clean Energy Lending Manager, “Once financing is approved, we offer advice on how to compare bids and even double-check contractor agreements to ensure our members are getting a good deal.”

Clearwater members valued that advice so much that it led to the development of a new energy efficiency advisory service, scheduled for launch in September 2025. This new service is designed to provide Montanans with expert, comprehensive guidance on implementing energy-saving home improvements that help make their homes more efficient and comfortable year-round.

“We’ve learned a great deal during our own energy efficiency journey,” said St. John, “Now, we want to share our expertise with more Montanans and from start to finish connect them with the right tools and financing to achieve their energy efficiency goals.”

Today, about 3% of Clearwater’s membership has either a Solar or Energy Efficiency Loan. By 2030, we project it to be closer to 8-10%. In 2024 alone, Clearwater reached over 1,200 households and small businesses with $38 million of clean energy financing.

Clearwater intends to stay at the forefront of building a clean energy economy and doing all it can to help Montanans improve the energy performance of the homes or businesses.

“One member, one home, one business at a time, we’re committed to doing what it takes to help Montanans improve their energy performance, “said St. John, “By doing so, we believe it contributes to Montana’s long-term energy resiliency and helps to protect our state’s natural resources for generations to come.”

All rates subject to change. All loans are subject to approval. Equal housing lender. NMLS #447584.