Solar Energy Financing: High Demand to Fund Solar Panel Installations Gains New Credit Lines

According to data, there are solar energy financing lines that start at 0.89% per month and 12-year terms to pay off the loan

As of October 2021, Brazil reached the mark of 800,000 installed units of solar energy. Moreover, only this year, 450,000 new photovoltaic panels were installed to generate clean and sustainable energy in the country. With the increase in demand, there was also a greater interest in financing opportunities for acquiring this renewable energy, which is here to stay in the market.

According to Greener, a São Paulo-based company that researches the photovoltaic market, what has been driving solar energy in Brazil is financing. Of the most recent investments in photovoltaic installation, 54% were made through credit lines in capital institutions.

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Greener also reported that 74% of credit line contractors are micro and small solar energy consumers. “But it is necessary to evolve,” says Márcio Takata, executive director of the research company. “The lines need to be more familiar with reality so that more people, from all economic conditions, have access to the system.”

Due to the recurring increases in energy tariffs charged by utilities, businesspeople in the sector assure that the rates paid for financing to install solar energy are worth it.

The water crisis that plagued hydropower plants in 2021 caused electricity prices to rise by 24.97%, according to the latest IPCA-15 (Broad Consumer Price Index) from IBGE.

For Tiago Sarneski, from Entec Solar, a company that develops technology for solar energy generation, financing lasts on average five years. “After this period, the consumer no longer has either the adjustments of the electricity bill or the financing interest,” he says.

Banks That Provide Financing for Solar Energy

Santander

Banco Santander reported that the search to replace conventional energy from utilities with financing for the installation of solar energy grew 4x among individuals this year.

The institution offers installment plans of up to 96 months, rates starting at 0.89% per month, and a grace period of 120 days for the payment of the first installment. Moreover, it states that, due to the grace period, installments only start being paid after a reduction in the electricity bill, given that the interval is necessary for the project’s approval by utilities.

Banco do Brasil

With up to 100% of acquisition and installation financed, the installment plan can last up to 60 months, and the contractor has up to 180 days to pay the first installment. “The contracted amount varies between R$ 5,000 and R$ 100,000,” says Banco do Brasil. “The hiring is 100% digital and can be done through the bank’s app. The acquisition of materials and project assembly must occur with suppliers that have an agreement with BB—there are already over three thousand contracted partners.”

There is also the option of a consortium, without IOF and no enrollment fees, which saw a 50.97% increase in adherence in the first half of 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. Regarding values, BB explained that “The percentages of reserve fund and administration fee practiced by the consortium, considering groups in formation, start at 0.025% and 0.1% per month, respectively.”

Caixa Econômica Federal

The financing line from Caixa Econômica Federal for the installation of solar energy offers rates starting at 1.17%, with a payment term of 60 months and a 6-month grace period for the first installment. There are two credit modalities: without guarantees or with collateral of fixed income financial applications.

The bill 5829/19, which establishes the legal framework for microgeneration and distributed minigeneration, is considered by experts the main influence for the growth of the solar energy sector. It is estimated that this framework will generate, by 2050, R$ 173 billion with cost reductions for consumers.