Third-Party PV Financing Resources

MTC and DOER encourage applicants to explore various options for financing their PV project.  One such option is known as Third-Party Financing.  With Third-Party Financing, the PV system is owned and operated by an entity that is separate from the building owner or the PV installer.  The Third-Party Financing entity has sufficient financial capital to pay for the entire installation and to maintain and operate the system over its lifetime.  In return, the building owner, or “host” site, signs a long term contract agreeing to purchase all the power produced by the PV system.

Third-Party Financing is a way to install a large PV array with little or no up-front capital expense from the building owner or “host” site. This type of financing may be most applicable to entities such as non-profits or public buildings.  The Third-Party PV Owner can utilize the substantial tax incentives available for PV projects, along with rebates and other incentives, plus the sale of the electricity from the PV array to finance the PV project.

Below are some sample or template materials that are being provided for educational or instructional purposes to assist municipalities and other non-taxable entities who are considering Third-Party PV Financing.

Sample Third-Party PV Financing Documents
Legal Pathway Analysis (7_2008) doc  
Energy Management Services Contract (7_2008) doc  
Model Solar RFP or RFQ (7_2008) doc
     
Other Resources
Legal Pathway for Third Party Ownership of Municipal PV Systems:RFP/Q and EMSC Templates
pdf  
A Workshop for Public Entities & Non-Profits
July 15, 2008
pdf  
DOER Public Bidding
July 15, 2008
pdf  
Highlights from the 2008 Green Communities Act
July 15, 2008
pdf  
DOER Steps to Energy Management Services pdf  
DOER Guidelines for Renewables on Public Buildings

pdf

 

Disclaimer: These documents are intended to provide non-taxable entities that are considering the purchase and installation of solar energy equipment using a third-party financing model with a general understanding of possible legal and financial implications of such a purchase and installation.  Those entities interested in learning more about the legal  and financial implications of the purchase and installation of solar energy equipment are urged to consult their own legal, tax, and financial experts.  The information contained in the attached documents should not be relied on by anyone for any purposes.   Furthermore, the information contained in these materials does not necessarily reflect the views of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and reference to any specific method does not constitute an implied or expressed recommendation or endorsement of it.  Neither the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative nor the Commonwealth of Massachusetts make any warranties or representations, expressed or implied, as to the usefulness, completeness, or accuracy of any processes, methods or other information contained, described, disclosed, or referred to in these materials. Finally, neither the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative nor the Commonwealth of Massachusetts makes any representation that the use of any product, apparatus, process, method, or other information will not infringe privately owned property rights and assumes no liability of any kind or nature for any loss, injury, or damage directly or indirectly resulting from, or occurring in connection with, the use of information contained, described, disclosed, or referred to in these third-party PV financing materials.