Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Solar PV Leases available for 6 million EU homes

This looks like an interesting business model for entrepreneurs and venture capitalist.

If the growth and prices of solar panels are in check, and the government have a clear long term policy on RE development, leasing one's roof for installation of solar PV may be viable. Look at what EU did in that part of the world:


Solar leasing for home with no upfront costs, anyone? Image credit: MSS Powertech


Joint effort by different craft specialists

European municipal utility network Trianel GmbH and Conergy launched a partnership that enables municipal utilities in the Trianel network to offer solar leasing for homes with no upfront costs. Under the terms of the agreement, Conergy will design, install and maintain solar installations tailored for each customer.

Trianel is a network bringing together municipal electric utilities that develops new business models to support their independence and competitiveness. Its 100-plus shareholders supply a combined 6 million homes in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland. 

“Services such as Trianel’s ‘EnergieDach’ follow a trend that will boost solar installations in the residential segment.” - Anke Johannes, CEO at Conergy Deutschland GmbH

Trianel’s “EnergieDach” service enables municipal utilities to install residential PV systems at no cost to homeowners. The utility undertakes the initial investment, set up, and operational management of the system. 

The customer, as system operator and leaseholder, uses the electricity generated for their own consumption. Tests in Heidelberg, Germany demonstrated that customers should save as much as €9,000 (US $13,000) over the 25-year term of the lease, with the option to buy additional electricity at preferential rates.


The Green Mechanics' two cents

The quota for the individual Solar PV installation - also called rooftop solar PV in Malaysia - is available for a longer period of time compared the non-individual (utility scale) quota. This is partly due to the apparent lack of awareness on the benefits, particularly in Sabah. It is understood that individual quota in Peninsula Malaysia is snapped up as soon as they become available.

When we have ran out of quota under the FiT system, and as prices of solar PV components become more competitive, we could perhaps give solar PV leasing a go.


Reference: REW Magazine | Mar/Apr 2015 Issue 18

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