Funding Solar Projects: Capital Solutions from Concept to Operation
Solar development is capital-hungry but capital-friendly—once risk is packaged correctly. Sponsors who match funding type to project stage lock in lower costs and faster closings. Below we outline standard financing tracks for development, construction
and operating
phases, then explain how Financely delivers a full‐scope service stack.
Stage-by-Stage Funding Matrix
| Project Stage |
Main Risks |
Typical Capital Sources |
Indicative Pricing |
Early Development (site control, interconnect studies) |
Permitting, resource, offtake |
Developer equity, seed funds, bridge loans |
IRR 18–30 % or warrants |
Late Development (PPA executed, EPC bids in) |
Final permits, financial close |
Bridge loans, mezzanine notes, small tax-equity bridge |
10–16 % all-in |
| Construction |
EPC cost overrun, schedule |
Senior construction loan, letter-of-credit lines, sponsor equity |
SOFR + 175–275 bp |
| Mechanical Completion / COD |
Punch-list, performance |
Tax equity, back-levered term loan |
Leveraged IRR 6–9 % (after ITC) |
| Operational Portfolio |
Merchant tail, refinance risk |
Bond take-out, green securitisation, hold-co revolver |
4–7 % fixed or SOFR + 140–200 bp |
Choosing the Right Instrument
Developer Equity & Bridge Loans:
Expensive but nimble—ideal for studies, option payments and security deposits.
Construction Debt:
Drawn against EPC milestones; usually requires letters of credit to cover module supply and grid bonds.
Tax Equity:
Monetises the Investment Tax Credit and accelerated depreciation in the United States—20-40 % of total capital stack.
Back-Leverage Term Loan:
Senior debt behind tax equity, amortising on contracted cash flow.
Bond Refinance:
Portfolio-level green bonds free up sponsor equity for the next pipeline tranche.
Financely’s End-to-End Support
- Capital Strategy:
We model multiple debt-equity paths, stress-test DSCR and negotiate covenant packages.
- Bank & Fund Syndication:
Direct access to commercial banks, infrastructure funds and tax-equity investors.
- Letter-of-Credit Facilities:
Bid, performance and interconnect LC lines sized to EPC contract triggers.
- Power-Price Hedging:
Fixed-for-floating swaps or collars to stabilise merchant exposure.
- Refinance & Exit:
Securitisation or sale once the project ramps, maximising sponsor return.
Developing or acquiring a solar asset? Send your financial model and permit status; our team will map the optimal capital stack and approach qualified lenders and tax-equity partners.
Submit Your Solar Deal
Pricing ranges reflect Q2 2025 market levels for North American and OECD projects <200 MW. Actual terms depend on credit profile, offtake structure, equipment supply chain and policy incentives. Financely Group arranges financing through regulated partners and does not provide tax advice; sponsors should consult independent counsel.