If you have read some of our previous articles, perhaps you are familiarised with how a solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) works: The supplier installs the photovoltaic system at zero upfront cost, and the client agrees to purchase Electricity from the system for a specified term. The deal is attractive for the client because the PPA electricity price is much lower than the electricity tariff, and the system provider is responsible for maintenance and component replacements.

A Solar Ppa is a win-win business relationship, where both technology providers and clients get benefits that are not available otherwise. Consider that network costs represent half of the power bill for some Australian electricity consumers, which means you can end up paying up to 50% less with a solar PPA.

What Happens When a Client Purchases a Solar Power System Normally?

Homeowners and businesses who pay for a solar PV system upfront get some extra savings in the long run, since they don’t have to cover the operating costs of a solar PPA provider. However, there are also significant challenges to overcome:

• The client is responsible for maintenance, which can be especially challenging if this is their first time managing a photovoltaic array. Although the client can always hire technicians with experience in the solar industry, this comes with the risk of employee rotation – they could eventually take a job in another company.
• The client is responsible for filing warranty claims if any PV system component fails. Also consider that some components like inverters and batteries have a shorter service life than solar panels, and their replacements must be scheduled in advance.

Owning a solar power system also involves assuming the upfront cost. Even if the client has the funds to spare, there is an opportunity cost – these funds could be invested elsewhere.

What Happens When Providers Sell Electricity in the Wholesale Market?

For solar power developers, selling electricity through solar PPAs can often be more attractive than participating in the wholesale market. Consider that government regulations can change the market outlook at any time, and kilowatt-hours must be sold in a variable-price spot market. In other words, it is impossible for solar power developers to predict their income with certainty.

In a solar PPA, on the other hand, electricity prices are agreed with the client upfront and a contract is signed. The client gets a stable kWh price, and can rely less on network operators and their hefty electricity tariffs. On the other hand, the PPA provider gets a guaranteed sales price for electricity produced. In short, a solar PPA removes the middleman from electricity sales and both parties involved get better conditions.

Thanks to the guaranteed and stable income, the solar PPA business is attractive not only for suppliers, but also for financiers. An example of this is Warren Buffett: he is possibly the most successful investor in the world, characterised by staying away from technology sectors, but he has invested massive sums of capital in solar power.

The post Why a Solar PPA is a Win-Win Business appeared first on Solar Bay.