Commercial Solar Purchase

A capital purchase of solar electric equipment represents a viable approach for companies with cash or access to financing, and who can use the tax credits thrown-off by system ownership. In short, it offers the chance of good IRR, albeit with substantial involvement and SREC risk, especially in NJ. Massachusetts systems are less risky due to the state mandated $300 SREC pricing floor.

Bank financing can be notoriously difficult to obtain.  Banks that "lend for solar" look to the underlying real estate assets for collateral and want to be first on the loan, viewing the solar revenue stream as inconsequential.  Also, most banks won't lend until a system is installed, requiring the owner to obtain a bridge loan from a private source at double digit rates.  A financial cash flow analysis is beneficial to gain perspective on how a financed purchase will pencil out. It's for this reason, and others, that solar PPA's are attractive. (See link above for our page on Solar PPA's).

Buying a solar photovoltaic system requires many considerations including financing, installation, maintenance, and monitoring.  Nonetheless, the revenue stream from sale of SRECs, savings on electric power, and tax incentives, render an attractive picture for the committed investor.

 

 

Commercial solar PV system
positioned at azimuth tilt is
optimally efficient, but yields
less net power than flat mounted
because panels must be separated
to avoid shading each other, and
therefore consuming space.  Are
micro-inverters the answer?