Choosing the method of paying for a commercial solar installation is often more difficult than selecting the solar panels. Businesses considering the commercial solar financing options find that the payment structure defines who pays for the project, who owns the asset, who maintains it, and how the project impacts the balance sheet for the life of the installation. There are three primary ways of financing a commercial solar installation: Capital Expenditure (Capex), Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO), and Lease. The options differ in the allocation of cash flows and risks between the buyer and the financier.
The Capex Financing Model
Under the Capex model, a business buys a solar system outright by paying for its installation and connects it to the grid. The Capex model is the most straightforward financing option, with the highest upfront cost.
The business that owns the solar PV system enjoys all the revenue from the electricity generated and any available subsidies, tax incentives, and accelerated depreciation. On the flip side, the company shouldering the Capex bears all the risks and operational costs, unless it enters into an operations and maintenance agreement. Some key points about the Capex model are:
- The payback period for a Capex project usually takes between four and six years.
- The business has complete control over the system.
- Depreciation becomes an advantage since the system is considered a fixed asset.
The Capex makes the most sense for businesses with readily available cash or those that can take a term loan at a competitive rate and will occupy the premises for a long time.
The RESCO Financing Model
A RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) financing option is an alternative where the RESCO developer buys, installs, and maintains the PV system. The RESCO financier finances, owns, and operates the system on the client’s roof or land. The RESCO developer charges the client a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) for the electricity generated by the PV system at a lower rate than the local utility.
The RESCO removes the need for an upfront cost to finance the system. The RESCO model passes all the operational risks and liabilities to the RESCO financier. The main disadvantage of a RESCO lies in the PPA, where the client pays a higher rate than they would with the Capex model for a guaranteed electricity supply. On the plus side, the RESCO contracts tend to last between 15 and 25 years, which is an extended period. Some key points about the RESCO model are:
- The PPA charges are lower than the local utility tariff.
- The term usually lasts for 15-25 years and spans the lifespan of the PV system.
- The client avoids depreciation of the PV system since it does not appear in the balance sheet.
Although the RESCO contracts are highly favorable to the client, the client ends up paying more for electricity over the lifespan of the contract than they would have with a Capex system, since the RESCO financier charges a mark-up for the electricity.
The Lease Financing Model
The lease financing option for commercial solar falls midway between the Capex and the RESCO financing options. A leasing company installs the system on the ground or on the roof of the business’s premises and leases the system to the client. Unlike the RESCO, where the client buys electricity at a lower rate, a leasing company charges the client a rental fee for the use of the system, regardless of the electricity output.
One of the main advantages of a lease is that a business can enjoy predictable monthly costs and expenses. The lease contract may allow the client to buy the system at the end of the lease term. Similar to the RESCO, the lessor bears most of the risks, although the risk is not entirely transferred to the lessor since the lessee buys the electricity at a fixed-rate lease. Most lease agreements provide for service and maintenance costs, but the specific terms should be scrutinized before signing the lease agreement.
Some key points about the lease financing option are:
- It provides predictable, standardized monthly payments.
- The lease term is typically shorter than a RESCO contract, although it depends on the agreement.
- It allows the client to purchase the system at the end of the lease period.
Under the lease option, the client can finance the system through the operating expenditure (Opex) budget instead of the Capex.
Businesses in India considering adopting commercial solar energy systems work with established companies to identify the best financing option based on the load profile and the roof or land size. In the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector, Infrax Renewable reviews the needs of a business, including the projected load, the roof size, and the best financing option for the business. Infrax Renewable has more information on the commercial solar financing options.
Comparison of Risk and Cash Flow Visual
The risk and cash flow of the three structures are inversely proportional and correlated by their middle value. The Capex requires the biggest cash investment with the highest potential rewards upon system payback. RESCO mitigates almost all the risk and cost for the client, however, the savings are limited. The Lease financing option has an acceptable risk and reward level, which is lower than Capex and RESCO.
The businesses that expect to stay at the location for a long time and have available funds to invest prefer the Capex structure. If the company does not intend to stay at the premises for an extended period, or it is unable to predict its business plan for the next several years, a conservative financing option should be considered. The four listed factors are essential in determining which financing structure would be more appropriate for a specific business considering the Commercial Solar Financing Options. The size of the facility, whether it has its roof or it is a ground-mounted, the amount of electricity consumed, and the available tax incentives dictate the most reasonable financing structure.
Conclusion: Selection of the Most Appropriate Investment Option
There is no correct or wrong option regarding the Commercial Solar Financing Options, as every structure has its benefits and drawbacks. Everything depends on the company’s financial situation, risk tolerance, and the time the business will stay at a particular location. For example, if the manufacturing facility operates machinery on a round-the-clock basis and has a long-term lease agreement, it is better to choose the Capex option. When the office space is leased, it is wiser to consider the RESCO or Lease structure.
The main idea of the three options is to reduce the dependence on the grid and optimize expenditures on electricity. It is necessary to consult with an energy auditor to get an objective view of the situation and clarify all the details before making a final decision. Thus, a careful examination of the current electricity needs and the ability to provide the required power supply is vital. The analysis of these two factors will provide a clear picture of the investment’s effectiveness and whether its implementation is worth it in a particular setting.
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