Financing Your Solar Project

We work with various banks, lending institutions and other financing companies to find you the best method for financing your system.

Solar Financing Options

• Leases
• Loans
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)

Each financing options has its benefits and we do not follow a ‘one-size, fits all’ method of financing.  We educate our clients on what financing options they have available to them and how the can earn the highest return on the dollars spent.

Solar Leasing

We work with banks and other financing institutions to finance your system.  Two common forms of leases are:

• Operating Leases (True Tax Lease)
• Capital Leases

Operating Leases

An operating lease is also known as a True Tax Lease where the Lessor effectively owns the system and the lessee simple makes a monthly payment.  The lessee gets all SRECs and electricity savings for the term of the lease and the lessor gets all the tax benefits including depreciation.  This method is of leasing is popular for those that cannot use the accelerated depreciation benefits.  One of the key benefits to this method occurs at the end of the term where the lessee can simply return the system to the bank, purchase the system or renew the lease.

For a lease to be qualified as a true lease by the Internal Revenue Service, all of the following FASB conditions must be met:

• Transfer of ownership prior to the maturity of the lease is not allowed;
• There can be no bargain purchase option;
• The remaining economic life for the asset at the end of the lease must be at least one
  year or 20% of the originally estimated life; and
• The lessor has to maintain at least 20% of the asset’s value throughout the term of the
  lease.

Capital Leases

A capital lease is basically a loan by a bank where the lessee buys the system at the end of the lease term for $1.  All tax benefits, SRECs and electricity savings accrue to the lessee.  Because the lessor does not get the tax benefits, capital leases usually have a higher monthly payment than operating leases.

Leasing Summary

The majority of our clients opt for an operating lease.  The primary reasons are:

• With 100% Financing, there are no out-of-pocket costs or down payments.
• The Federal solar tax credit and accelerated depreciation are fully monitzed and result in a lower the lease payment.
• Since lease payments are treated as an operating expense, your overall taxes will be lower.
• Leasing acts as an alternative source of funds and preserves other credit lines for use in running your business.

Solar Loans

Although a majority of systems are financed through leases, a combination of equity and debt can also be used to finance the system.  Most financing institutions require a contribution of 20% equity – but this is largely dependent on your company’s financial health.

Power Purchase Agreements

Under a power purchase agreement, an investor will buy and own the system and will sell you all power generated from the system.  The key benefit is that you do not have to worry about financing the project (although you must qualify for financing by the inveestor) and all you are obligated to do is pay for the power generated.  Monitoring and maintenance are the responsibility of the system owner.

The basic structure of PPA is:

• Typical Initial Power Price: ~$0.07/kWh – $0.14/kWh
• Typical Annual Escalator: 2-4%
• Typical Term: 15 – 20 tear term options

Early Purchase Options

The Host shall have the option to purchase the facility from the Provider on the 7th, 10th, 15th and 20th anniversaries of the COD, at the greater of the Facility’s fair market value at the time of purchase or a scheduled value, which shall be set prior to signing of the PPA.

End of Term Options

At the end of the PPA Term, the Host shall have the options of entering into a new PPA, purchasing the Facility at the greater of its fair market value or scheduled purchase value, or having the Provider remove the Facility and restore the site to its initial functional condition.

	Loan	Opperating Lease	Capital Lease	PPA
Upfront Payment
Electric Savings
SREC Income
Accelerated Depreciation
Tax Grant
Environmental Benefits