Financing Options for Solar Energy Projects: Considerations for Different Types of Loans Changes are constantly taking place in the field of energy, as there are a number of factors that have a direct impact on it. However, not all of them contribute to development. Some, on the contrary, endanger the ability to provide the required level of electricity generation. In particular, the gradual depletion of fossil fuel reserves can lead to such consequences. That is why the focus of attention shifted to alternative sources. One of them is renewable solar energy, an eco friendly business practice reserves of which do not run out.
This fact became the reason for the active development of this energy sector. This is confirmed by the SEIA data , in which it is said that the average annual growth rate of solar energy has been maintained at the level of 24% since 2000. At present, every buyer receives favorable conditions for purchasing solar systems and contributing to maintaining the trend. This can be done not only by regular purchases but also by other methods. In the article, we talk about them in more detail.
Personal Loans in a Financial Institution Before contacting solar companies , you can inquire about crediting opportunities at the bank where you are served. For those who have a certain level of income, as well as a credit history without problems, such institutions offer various loans for solar panels. They allow you to receive both small (approximately 1500-2000 dollars) and significant amounts (from hundreds of dollars). The size depends on various factors, so it is worth clarifying exactly how much cash the bank can issue. An important feature is the absence of a collateral condition.
The size of the loan rate can be affected by:
● Existing debts
● Current income
● Credit rating
Among the main advantages of personal loans for solar energy, you can highlight the possibility of receiving net savings faster, a simple process (the processing takes about 1-2 days), and the absence of the need for collateral. This method of financing solar panels also has its drawbacks. One of them is the high rate. However, in some cases, banking institutions can reduce them. These are customers with excellent or good credit. Another important aspect is the lack of public rebates and benefits provided for solar energy.
Building Improvement and Refinancing Loans Several such offers are available in the US. Each of them provides certain conditions for the provision of funds under the mortgage program (new or refinanced). Any of these solar financing options requires a mandatory focus on improving or repairing a residential building. These funds cannot be used for overly luxurious changes, but are suitable for installing energy-saving technologies.
One of the advantages of this method of financing is a longer period of payments. It can be even 30 years, which allows you to gradually repay the funds. In addition, it is worth highlighting lower interest rates (compared to personal loans), as well as lower requirements for a credit rating. However, in the presence of a lower assessment, such institutions can set a higher amount of the first payment. The disadvantage of this type of solar project finance is the condition of mandatory insurance.
Contracts for the Use of Solar Energy If lending and mortgage financing options are not considered for some reason, then you can look into solar leases, as well as contracts that provide for the provision of clean electricity on terms of purchase and sale. The main features of such methods are the absence of large initial investments and the absence of obligations to carry out technical maintenance of structures.
The lease involves the provision by the supplier of a certain amount of electricity that it produces on its solar systems. Payment for it is made considering the price per kWh. That is, the client pays for the amount he used for his home. A solar power purchase agreement provides for the installation of the systems, but ownership remains with the supplier. In this case, the payment for use is fixed and is paid every month in the amount established by the contract.
Among the main advantages of using one of the specified methods of financing solar projects are savings on electricity bills, the use of a sustainable and clean source, the absence of large costs for the transition to green technologies, as well as maintenance directly by the service provider. The main drawback is the lack of ownership of the installations. This causes some difficulties when selling a house, as it is necessary to indicate the existence of obligations to solar organizations.<div class=”sources”>………………..</div>
This is an important factor since lease or purchase-use contracts are concluded for a long period (approximately 25 years). If the new owner does not agree to the arrangement, then the supplier may impose a significant cancellation fee. Given these features, lease-purchase financing is best for homeowners on a tight budget who want to power their homes with clean, sustainable electricity for a long time.
Loans With Collateral Financial organizations can also provide money loans with the condition that they are secured by real estate. An additional requirement is the presence of a sufficient amount of capital. By submitting all the necessary documents to such an institution, you can receive an amount equal to a certain percentage of the cost of housing. The organization must deduct the amount of current debt.
That is, the amount to borrow is formed from the difference between the value of the house and the amount that the borrower must return to the financial institution. The main advantages include:
Lower average rates (compared to other credit options) The possibility of using benefits The second aspect is very important, as it helps to get additional savings of money and facilitates the return of the loan. This is a tax credit, the amount of which is 30%. Another advantage is the long term that is provided for returning the borrowed funds. It can be more than 10 years.
Final Thought Solar energy is a valuable resource that allows homeowners to live an eco-friendly lifestyle as well as adhere to the principles of sustainable development. This is the reason for the active transition to technology. However, it is not always possible to allocate the full amount for the purchase of such structures. It is for such situations that there are additional options for financing solar energy. These include secured loans, personal lines of credit, home improvement and refinancing loans, and contracts involving the lease or purchase of solar energy.
