Climate First Bank Surpasses 10,000 Residential Solar Installations
News related to:Climate First Bank · 2 min read
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., October 14, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Climate First Bank has surpassed a significant milestone in its mission to combat the climate crisis by financing over 10,000 residential solar installations. This achievement, which equates to an estimated 328 gigawatt-hours (GW hours) of renewable power annually across 44 states, underscores the bank's commitment to clean energy financing.
Founded in June 2021 as the world's first FDIC-insured digital community bank dedicated to addressing the climate crisis, Climate First Bank has rapidly grown to become the fastest-growing new bank in America since 2009. The bank's Residential Solar Program, designed to help customers protect themselves from rising utility costs and grid reliability concerns, offers affordable fixed-rate loan options. According to the bank, residential solar remains a strong market as homeowners seek affordable, predictable utility bills. Businesses are also increasingly investing in solar and battery storage systems to save money and gain greater energy independence.
Ken LaRoe, the founder of Climate First Bank, emphasized that many pundits had predicted the death of climate finance, but the bank's success proves otherwise. He further noted that electricity rates could rise 15% to 40% over the next five years and double by 2050, highlighting the need for sustainable energy solutions.
Climate First Bank's sister fintech company, OneEthos, has developed point-of-sale technology that helps customers obtain financing approval quickly and connects them with nearly 700 approved installers across the country. This streamlined process makes it easier for customers to access the financing they need for solar installations.
In addition to residential solar, Climate First Bank has experienced increased commercial financing activity for clean energy infrastructure. The bank recently financed $72 million in battery energy storage projects, providing 45 megawatts (MW) of power and storing up to 180 megawatt-hours (MWH) of electricity across Virginia and Texas. These battery systems are critical in driving energy efficiencies, enabling communities to store excess wind and solar power to dispatch when the grid needs it, providing resilience to communities when the grid is under strain, and taking polluting generation off the grid.
Marcio deOliveria, CEO of OneEthos, highlighted the importance of distributed energy resources, such as residential solar and battery storage, in meeting America's energy needs.
Climate First Bank's commitment to sustainability is evident in its operations. Since opening its doors in June 2021, the bank has been operationally net-zero and is a Certified B Corp and 1 percent for the Planet member. The bank offers a comprehensive portfolio of traditional banking products powered by technology to meet the expectations of today's consumers. It places a special emphasis on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and businesses committed to sustainability, providing dedicated loan options for solar photovoltaic (PV), energy retrofits, and infrastructure to help combat the climate crisis.
Through its innovative financing solutions and commitment to clean energy, Climate First Bank is well-positioned to support the infrastructure investment needed to address increasing power demand and expand grid capacity.