DBRS Morningstar Confirms Rating on CLEAN 2018-1

DBRS, Inc. (DBRS Morningstar) confirmed the AAA (sf) rating on the Class A Notes issued by CLEAN 2018-1.

The confirmation is based on the following analytical considerations:

-- The transaction assumptions consider DBRS Morningstar’s baseline macroeconomic scenarios for rated sovereign economies, available in its commentary “Baseline Macroeconomic Scenarios For Rated Sovereigns,” published on September 8, 2021. These baseline macroeconomic scenarios replace DBRS Morningstar’s moderate and adverse Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic scenarios, which were first published in April 2020. The baseline macroeconomic scenarios reflect DBRS Morningstar’s view that, although the coronavirus remains a risk to the outlook, uncertainty around the macroeconomic effects of the pandemic has gradually receded. Current median forecasts considered in the baseline macroeconomic scenarios incorporate some risks associated with further outbreaks, but remain fairly positive on recovery prospects given expectations of continued fiscal and monetary policy support. The policy response to the coronavirus may nonetheless bring other risks to the forefront in the coming months and years.

-- Credit enhancement is in the form of overcollateralization, a liquidity reserve, and excess spread. Credit enhancement levels are sufficient to support the DBRS Morningstar-expected default and loss severity assumptions under various stress scenarios.

-- The value of the commercial properties that secure the underlying Assessments relative to the outstanding balance of the Assessments and the priority of the Assessments being senior to a first-lien mortgage.

-- The capabilities of CleanFund Commercial PACE Capital, Inc. (CleanFund or the Company) with regard to origination and underwriting. DBRS Morningstar performed an operational review of CleanFund and considers the Company to be an acceptable originator of property assessed clean energy (PACE) Assessments.

-- Review of legal considerations specific to PACE.

ESG CONSIDERATIONS
A description of how DBRS Morningstar considers ESG factors within the DBRS Morningstar analytical framework can be found in the DBRS Morningstar Criteria: Approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance Risk Factors in Credit Ratings at https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/373262.

Notes:
The principal methodology is DBRS Morningstar Master U.S. ABS Surveillance (May 26, 2021), which can be found on dbrsmorningstar.com under Methodologies & Criteria.

The DBRS Morningstar Sovereign group releases baseline macroeconomic scenarios for rated sovereigns. DBRS Morningstar analysis considered impacts consistent with the baseline scenarios as set forth in the following report: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/384482.

The rated entity or its related entities did not participate in the rating process for this rating action. DBRS Morningstar had access to the accounts and other relevant internal documents of the rated entity or its related entities in connection with this rating action.

Please see the related appendix for additional information regarding the sensitivity of assumptions used in the rating process.

For more information on this credit or on this industry, visit www.dbrsmorningstar.com or contact us at [email protected].

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