The City of Edmonton is establishing a permanent clean energy retrofit loans program.

The newly established financing vehicle will replace pilot projects, such as a solar rebate program and a home energy retrofit accelerator, the Edmonton Journal reported. The city will provide up-front financing for upgrades to about 300 homes and 16 commercial buildings over four years, according to the Journal.

The funds will be used for such retrofits as increased insulation, heat pumps or rooftop solar panels. Home and business owners will repay the long-term loans through property tax accounts.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi hopes the city can expand the program and lighten the municipal financial burden with help from the provincial and federal governments, the Journal reported.

City council voted 11-2 in favour of the application to make the program permanent.