Siemens introduces solar power purchase program

Organizations will be able to access solar power without major capital investment.

By Source: Siemens March 23, 2011

Siemens Industry, Inc. introduced its Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) program from the building technologies division in collaboration with Siemens Financial Services. The program allows customers to bring "clean" solar energy projects on their properties without making an initial capital investment in solar equipment.

“Demand for solar power is on the rise, but for many of our customers, the initial capital investment requirements were just too high,” said Andreas Schierenbeck, president of the building technologies division. “With Siemens Solar PPA program both the financial and technical barriers associated with implementing solar energy are mitigated. We take on the risk, while our customers reap the rewards of clean energy and lower utility bills.”

A solar PPA can be advantageous for public sector entities, because schools and other government agencies are tax-exempt and cannot take advantage of available federal tax incentives for solar energy projects. This program makes buying solar energy in the public sector more accessible and cost-effective. Siemens owns the solar equipment and builds the project on the customer’s property. Customers work exclusively with the company for the project’s entire lifecycle: from financing, design, construction, and implementation, through ongoing maintenance. Solar power purchased in this way can reduce energy costs in addition to helping meet sustainability, clean energy, and environmental goals.

Customers that take advantage of Siemens Solar PPA eliminate the third-party financing and contractual agreements that are often requirements of other companies’ PPA structures.