FICCI Solar Energy Task Force Report on Financing Solar Energy

FICCI Solar Energy Task Force Report on
Financing Solar Energy
By
FICCI Solar Financing Subgroup
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
Environment, Climate Change, Renewable Energy
Federation House, 1 Tansen Marg, New Delhi 110001
T: +91-11-23738760 – 70
F: +91-11-23320714
E: renewables@ficci.com
W: www.ficci.com
Industry’s Voice for Policy Change

By
FICCI Solar Financing Subgroup

Disclaimer
This paper is a result of work done by the members of the FICCI Solar Financing Subgroup under the FICCI Solar
Energy Task Force with feedback from other members of the Task Force and industry stakeholders. This paper
expresses the views of the industry on availability of finance for solar energy sector. No part of this publication
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing
from FICCI. FICCI will not accept any liability for loss arising from any use of this document or its content or
otherwise arising in connection herewith.
©All Rights are reserved.

Table of Contents
Foreword
1. Background - Solar Financing in India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Assumptions from National Solar Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3. Debt Finance - Domestic Fund & ECB Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
A. Base Case Scenario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
B. Best Case Scenario. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
C. Off-Grid Scenario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
D. Summary of Financing Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4. Financing Challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5. Steps to Address Financing Challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
A. Making Renewable Energy as an Independent Sector within
the Banking / RBI guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
B. Increasing Liquidity through Various Measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
C. Lowering Cost of Borrowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
D. Steps to Improve Performance of State Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
6. Summary of Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
7. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
8. About the FICCI Solar Energy Task Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
9. Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
10. Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

FOREWORD
Financing will be an important pillar for the success of solar energy in India and needs to be
addressed with a sense of urgency to enable the objectives of the National Solar Mission to be
achieved. The FICCI Solar Energy Task Force has therefore embraced this pillar with high priority and
has accordingly set up a Solar Financing Subgroup to deliberate and recommend solutions for
channelling cost effective finance to this sector of national importance.
This Report on Financing Solar Energy provides policy recommendations to enable low cost financing
and greater accessibility to finance for Solar Energy projects in India. The paper also highlights the
barriers to financing for solar energy projects, the financing needs of the sector based on base case
and best case scenarios, and the solutions to channel cost effective finance to the sector.
FICCI believes that the success of the National Solar Mission will largely depend on the availability of
low cost finance for the solar sector. This report reflects the views of players in the solar value chain
and is a result of the collaborative work of the FICCI Solar Energy Task Force after intensive discussions
and deliberations. I hope this Report will be useful for policymakers to evolve appropriate financing
mechanisms and help shape policy in this direction. I am sure the Report will also be a valuable insight
to stakeholders of the solar energy sector in India.
Dr. A Didar Singh
Secretary General
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

1
1. Background - Solar Financing in India
Solar Energy occupies a critical place in India's power strategy due to its scalability, easy
deployability and availability of abundant sunshine. With declining costs and availability
of free fuel resource, Solar Energy can enhance India's energy security, mitigate carbon
emissions and also improve economic well-being. India through the Jawaharlal Nehru
National Solar Mission (JNNSM) and through various state government initiatives has
embarked on a program to support the growth of the industry through large grid-
connected and decentralized projects and by providing support for local manufacturing.
However, some challenges need to be addressed. Solar energy projects today require
large upfront investment and due to its higher prevailing costs have reasonably long
payback periods. Despite favourable policies and support being provided by the Central
Government and the State Governments, lenders are reluctant to provide financing for
solar power projects. Lenders are wary about off-taker risk with regard to a number of
states given their financial health. Additionally, banks in India face structural challenges
due to their sectoral exposure limits. Financing of solar projects falls within the power
sector which also includes large thermal coal or gas based power plants. The large
amount of credit extended to the fossil fuel based power sector has caused banks to
reach their respective exposure limits thus limiting their appetite for solar and renewable
energy projects.
Given these challenges, the sector needs additional policy and structural reforms and
assistance from the Government to empower the lending community to finance solar
energy projects. This paper includes critical analysis of these challenges and attempts to
put forward few suggestions after gathering inputs from various stakeholders.

2
2. Assumptions from National Solar Mission
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) targets 20,000 MW or more by
2022 leading to conditions of grid-competitive solar power. Interim JNNSM targets are
1,100 MW by 2013 and reaching 4,000 MW to 10,000 MW by 2017 through the
mandatory use of the renewable purchase obligation (RPO) by utilities and backed with a
preferential tariff.
Phase -1 (2010-13) Phase-2 (2013-17) Phase-3 (2017-22)
1 Solar thermal collectors 7 million m² 15 million m² 20 million m²
2 Off grid solar applications 200 MW 1,000 MW 2,000 MW
3
Grid power, including roof
top and small plants
1,100 MW 4,000 - 10,000 MW 20,000 MW
Target
Application SegmentS.No.
Source: MNRE, 2013
3. Debt Finance - Domestic Fund & ECB Requirement
For calculating fund requirement for debt, we have assumed 2 cases for grid projects viz.
base case (6.7 GW by 2017 and 20 GW by 2022) and best case (9.5 GW by 2017 and 40
GW by 2022). The debt equity ratio assumed is 30:70. We have considered the potential
for External Commercial Borrowings (Ecbs) starting at 60% and gradually decreasing to
30% by 2022 as domestic manufacturing increases and simultaneously import percentage
decreases.

3
Assumptions for base case include:
1
1. 1,441 MW of grid connected solar projects as on Mar 09, 2013 as per MNRE data
2
2. Discount rate of 9% is used
3
3. Capacity addition for 2014 is obtained by fulfilling 65% target of the RPO gap for FY13-14
4. 20 GW capacity requirement is obtained by considering 60% fulfillment of RPO
4
requirement in FY22
5. Capacity addition is expected to follow a growing trend from Year 2015
5
6. Capex is assumed to be decreasing by 5% each year till INR 6 Cr in FY20
A. Base Case Scenario
Debt Fund & ECB Requirements
Base Case (6.7 GW by 2017, 20 GW by 2022)
Figures in Rs. Crores
JNNSM
Phase 1 JNNSM Phase 2 JNNSM Phase 3
FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22
CAPEX(Rs.Cr/MW) 10 8 7.6 7.2 6.9 6.5 6.2 6 6 6
Capacity Added in MW 950 1,050 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,900 2,200 2,600 3,000 3,600
Total Capex 9,500 8,400 9,120 10,108 10,974 12,380 13,619 15,600 18,000 21,600
Equity (30%) 2,850 2,520 2,736 3,032 3,292 3,714 4,086 4,680 5,400 6,480
Total Debt Requirement 6,650 5,880 6,384 7,076 7,682 8,666 9,533 10,920 12,600 15,120
ECB% 60% 60% 56% 52% 48% 44% 40% 36% 32% 30%
ECB Requirement 3,990 3,528 3,575 3,679 3,687 3,813 3,813 3,931 4,032 4,536
1
State-wise installed capacity data compiled on the basis of information obtained from IREDA, NVVN, State Agencies and
Project Developers by MNRE
2
Market Information
3
Solar RPO compliance status, MNRE, 2013
4
Based on the National Electricity Plan for Generation, January 2012; Data from MNRE, 2013
5
The Rising Sun-2. KPMG, 2012

4
B. Best Case Scenario
Assumptions for best case include:
1. Capacity addition in 2014 is obtained by fulfilling 70% target of the RPO gap for
3 2
FY13-14 . 10% additional capacity is considered for sustainability and energy security
2. 34 GW capacity requirement is obtained by considering 100% fulfillment of RPO
4
requirement in FY22 . 20% additional capacity is considered on the base of 34 MW for
2
sustainability and energy security totaling up to 40 MW
3. Capacity addition is expected to grow at an increasing trend from Year 2015
4. Capex is assumed to be reducing at 7% year-on-year from CERC 2012-13 specified
5
baseline till INR 6 Cr in FY18
Best Case (9.5 GW by 2017, 40 GW by 2022)
JNNSM
CAPEX(Rs.Cr/MW) 10.0 8.0 7.4 6.9 6.4 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
Capacity Added in MW 950 1,350 1,700 2,200 2,800 3,500 4,400 5,600 7,300 9,700
Total Capex 9,500 10,800 12,648 15,222 18,018 21,000 26,400 33,600 43,800 58,200
Equity (30%) 2,850 3,240 3,794 4,567 5,405 6,300 7,920 10,080 13,140 17,460
Total Debt Requirement 6,650 7,560 8,854 10,656 12,612 14,700 18,480 23,520 30,660 40,740
ECB% 60% 60% 56% 52% 48% 44% 40% 36% 32% 30%
ECB Requirement 3,990 4,536 4,958 5,541 6,054 6,468 7,392 8,467 9,811 12,222
2
Market Information
3
Solar RPO compliance status, MNRE, 2013
4
Based on the National Electricity Plan for Generation, January 2012; Data from MNRE, 2013
5
The Rising Sun-2. KPMG, 2012

5
Assumptions for off-grid include:
1. Capex is assumed to be reducing at 15% each year till INR 7 Cr in 2018
2. Off-grid subsidy is not considered for analysis
3. ECB % will decrease from 60% to 30% due to indigenous manufacturing in the entire value
chain
4. Debt funding for grid connected solar projects at 70% and for off-grid at 60% from
financial institutions
C. Off-Grid Scenario
Base Case (0.8 GW by 2017, 3 GW by 2022)
JNNSM
CAPEX(Rs.Cr/MW) 14 12.5 10.6 9 7.7 7 7 7 7 7
Capacity Added in MW 100 100 130 160 200 260 330 420 530 670
Total Investment Required 1400 1250 1381 1445 1535 1820 2310 2940 3710 4690
Total Debt Requirement (@60%) 840 750 829 867 921 1092 1386 1764 2226 2814
D. Summary of Financing Requirements
Base case: The total debt fund requirement would be around INR 21,674 Cr on a present
value basis for additional 5.3 GW by 2017 and INR 52,249 Cr on a present value basis for
additional 18.6 GW by 2022. The ECB requirement would be INR 11,699 Cr by 2017 and
INR 22,714 Cr by 2022. The domestic fund requirement would be INR 9,975 Cr by 2017
and INR 29,536 Cr by 2022.

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Best case: The total debt fund requirement would be around INR 31,551 Cr on a present
value basis for additional 8 GW by 2017 and INR 99,135 Cr on a present value basis for
additional 38.6 GW by 2022. The ECB requirement would be INR 19,346 Cr by 2017 and
INR 47,617 Cr by 2022. The domestic fund requirement would be INR 12,204 Cr by 2017
and INR 51,518 Cr by 2022.
Off-grid case: The Debt fund requirement would be around INR 2,708 Cr on a present
value basis for additional 0.6 GW by 2017 and INR 7622 Cr on a present value basis for
additional 2.8 GW by 2022. ECB case would not be feasible in case of off-grid projects.
Debt percentage is taken at 60% of the investment required. We have assumed off-grid
would reach around 3 GW by 2022.
Base Case Off-Grid caseBest Case
FY17 FY22 FY17 FY22 FY17 FY22
NPV of Debt Requirement 21,674 52,249 31,551 99,135 2,708 7,622
NPV of ECB Requirement 11,699 22,714 19,346 47,617 NA NA
Domestic Fund requirement (NPV) 9,975 29,536 12,204 51,518 2,708 7,622

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4. Financing Challenges
Despite favourable policies and support being provided by the Central and State
Governments, solar power financing faces the following major challenges:
1. Power Sector Exposure Limit: Most banks have already reached their exposure limits
in power sector set by them in pursuance of the RBI guidelines. In addition, there is
continual asset liability mismatch due to the long term nature of the solar power plant
projects. These factors cause tightness in liquidity and borrowing costs.
2. Lack of Payment Security / SEB Health: Though the Centre has provided Gross
Budgetary Support of INR 486 Cr towards payment security mechanism under JNNSM
giving some comfort to the lenders, deteriorating financial health of the state utilities
makes the lenders uncomfortable in financing state sponsored solar power projects.
As a result lenders tend to place solar projects in high risk categories and that
increases cost of borrowing.
3. Smaller Size Projects: To enhance participation by more bidders/developers, solar
projects are fragmented into small capacities as compared to traditional power plants
and therefore, lenders are reluctant to finance small transactions. Even if finance is
available, transaction costs are higher.
4. Technology: Solar is relatively new to India. Banks/Development Finance Institutions
(DFIs) are still reluctant to invest in technologies that have not been followed closely.
Given the perceived technology risk, project finance in solar is yet to take off on a
substantial scale.

8
5. Lack of On-Ground Insolation Data: Solar Radiation is a raw material for solar
power and any error in solar resource estimation adds uncertainty to the future
returns. On ground solar insolation data is sketchy and a database needs to be
developed for different locations to give comfort to the lenders. Hence, lack of
insolation data results in lenders insisting on (P90 - P95) levels for energy production
and revenues.
6. High Sensitivity to Variable Interest Rates and Impact on Financial Viability:
Variable interest rate impacts the cost of the project to a significant extent as all the
investment is upfront and projects are debt funded.
7. Evacuation Arrangements: Evacuation of power produced is not possible in case the
grid is unavailable or if the evacuation infrastructure is insufficient. Developers need to
be compensated by the discom by way of a deemed generation clause in the Power
Purchase Agreement. Lenders typically look for a deemed generation clause and if it
not there, then this results in a higher interest rate.
In view of the above challenges, developers of solar power projects are finding it difficult
to get their projects funded.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is addressing points 3-5 with
knowledge sharing of demonstrated technologies, installing monitoring stations on their
own as well as through all developers of the National Solar Mission and building scale into
the assignment of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). However points 1-2 remain a
critical challenge for the banking policymakers and some suggestive steps towards
addressing these challenges are described below.

9
5. Steps to Address Financing Challenges
We summarize below the steps that could be considered to increase the flow of funds to
the solar energy sector:
Renewable energy should be considered as a separate sector for measuring sectoral
exposure limits by banks. Actual exposure to the power sector varies in banks from
7.5% to 9% of the total gross credit but banks have already reached their respective
exposure limits based on their commitments. Removal of renewable energy sector
from specific caps for power sector will channel funds to renewable energy projects.
Separate caps may be stipulated for each renewable category such as solar and
wind.
a) Background
The Indian economy has been growing at a rate of 7.5% over the past 10 years.
The power sector has also been growing at a similar rate to contribute to the
growth of our economy. The installed power capacity in India has grown from
97,884 MW in March 2000 to 2,23,625 MW in April, 2013 (Central Electricity
Authority, 2013). About 68% of the installed generation capacity is from fossil
fuels. The contribution of renewable energy sources (other than Hydro) to the
total installed power capacity as on April 2013 is only 27,541 MW (12.3%). Under
the 12th Plan (2012-2017), it is envisaged to add generation capacity of 75,000 -
100,000 MW, which itself requires huge outlay of funds for the Power Sector.
A. Making Renewable Energy as an Independent Sector within the
Banking / RBI guidelines

10
b) Bank Credit for Power Sector
The growth of Credit (i.e. outstanding) in Power Sector has increased from
INR 2,77,576 Cr in April, 2011 to INR 4,35,268 Cr in April, 2013 (credit growth by
over 57% in two years) whereas the credit for overall Infrastructure sector has
increased by 42% during same period (i.e. INR 5,34,340 Cr in April, 2011 to INR
7,59,481 Cr in April, 2013). During this period the non-food credit has increased
only by 33% only (i.e. INR 3,682,918 Cr to INR 4,888,435 Cr).
Source: Sectoral Deployment data from Reserve Bank of India, 2013
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
LakhCrore
LakhCrore
Apr.22,
2011
Mar.23,
2012
Apr.20,
2012
Mar.22,
2013
Apr.19
2013
Gross Outstanding credit - R.H.S Power Infra

11
Considering the importance of Power Sector, it is evident that its credit growth is
higher than overall Infrastructure credit growth. This has resulted in an enhanced
power sector portfolio with Banks. Furthermore, the power sector needs to grow
to achieve the planned growth. It is estimated that an investment outlay of USD
320 billion is needed for the electricity sector (approximately INR 14.5 Lakh Cr at
an average debt funding requirement of INR 2 Lakh Cr per year) in the 12th Five
Year Plan (2012-2017).
The funds available for power sector will be inadequate to support such
expansion.
c) Financing Renewable Energy Project under Power Sector exposure limit
As per the prevalent banking practice, advances to renewable energy sector are
also accounted in power sector exposure limits. Taking this into consideration,
there may not be enough headroom for accommodating renewable energy
sector under power sector exposure ceiling norms, which will affect the debt
funding of renewable energy sector. Thus this necessitates a paradigm shift of
Banks' treatment of renewable energy sector as separate from conventional
power sector and having separate exposure ceiling norms.
d) Renewable Energy can be considered as a Separate Sector because of the
following:
i. Government Policy Initiatives for Renewable Energy
The governments, both at the Central and State levels, have been providing
strong fillip for harnessing renewable energy potential in India. The total grid
interactive renewable energy power during the period 2013-17 as projected

12
by MNRE is approximately 18,000 MW requiring an investment in excess of
INR 1,20,000Cr. Some of the significant policy initiatives towards achieving the
projected capacities of renewable energy sector include:
Renewable Purchase Obligation of a minimum of 5% on all distribution
utilities
Trading of Renewable Energy Certificates (REC)
10 year tax holiday in a block of 15 years for renewable energy projects
Generation based incentive for grid connected wind energy projects
Accelerated depreciation benefits for wind energy projects
Launching of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) for
development of solar power projects
Gross Budgetary support of INR 486 Cr to MNRE as payment security
scheme to enable financial closure of projects under JNNSM
These steps have resulted in creation of a favourable business environment for the
development of the renewable energy sector. As a result, the total installed capacity
from renewable sources has increased from approximately 2,000 MW in March, 2000
to 27,541 MW in April, 2013.
ii. Priority in Procurement for Renewable Source of Energy
A Distribution Licensee is required to meet Renewable Power Obligations
for which it has to procure renewable energy, the payment towards power
procurement is treated as an operating expense and it is a higher priority
expense item. Therefore, procurement of renewable energy becomes a
priority item for obligated licensees.
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iii. Conservation of Fossil fuels and Altering India's Energy Mix
As per Planning Commission estimates, 1,00,000 MW of power
generating capacity is expected to be added in the 12th Five Year Plan, of
which 18,280 MW (18%) will be from renewable energy sources. Thus,
there is a clear thrust on building the renewable energy capacities in the
12th Five Year Plan. Debt funding of renewable energy projects by Banks
will be a major step towards this direction. This will also help in
conserving the limited coal reserves of the country.
iv. To promote "Green Banking Policy" of Banks
Financing of the renewable energy projects will help banks to reduce their
carbon footprint (from the thermal power projects being financed by the
banks) and hence will promote "green banking".
a) Solar Energy Fund
Though Centre has given support to provide Gross Budgetary Support of INR 486
Cr towards payment security mechanism under JNNSM giving some comfort to
the lender, deteriorating financial health of the state utilities with losses touching
almost INR 82,000 Cr make the lenders uncomfortable in financing state
sponsored solar power projects. As a result lenders tend to place solar projects in
high risk categories and that increases the cost of borrowing.
Therefore, creation of a larger and dedicated fund that supports any default by
state utilities will go a long way in mitigating perceived risk of default. This could
be done through budgetary allocation from the National Clean Energy Fund
B. Increasing Liquidity through Various Measures

14
(NCEF). This could be designed along the lines of the U.S. Loan Guarantee program
to enable mitigation of initial risks associated with solar energy growth with an aim
to accelerate grid parity. This fund could achieve the following:
1. Provide backstop or credit enhancement for solar projects coming under the
National Solar Mission (NSM)
2. Meet the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) requirements of upcoming bids
b) Solar Bonds
Solar bonds would strengthen loan market by creating higher liquidity and
mitigating risk. It would allow banks to access long tenor of dedicated funds for the
sector. For a bond market, a minimum rating of BBB level is required. To get
suitable bond rating, government backing of bonds (structured obligations)
through sovereign funds is important. Please see Appendix including SunPower
Solar bond and CRISIL municipal bond rating parameters. Power Finance
Corporation (PFC) along with Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency
(IREDA) can create bonds and fund projects. The Government could also
underwrite payment with regards to electricity delivered by developers either
through issue of GOI bonds or through creation of special funds specifically
designed to minimize the risk. Additionally, Solar bonds could be made tax-free to
mobilize bond market.
c) Securitisation
Refinancing of loans or Take-out financing would mitigate Asset Liability mismatch
of banks and specialized Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in solar lending.
DFIs / Banks / NBFCs should be allowed to use sovereign rating to borrow long
term funds in domestic /international markets through issuance of bonds. If

15
sectoral allocation for power projects has exceeded the bank's cap, the bank can
have their loans refinanced through RBI and/or other banks. Further, securitisation
of solar loan portfolio would allow banks to reduce risk and invest in new projects.
Insurance companies, pension funds should be allowed to purchase solar loan
portfolios from banks. Government sponsor agencies could refine, purchase and
repackage loans originated by banks/NBFCs for sale with suitable credit
enhancement to domestic insurance companies and pension funds. A large
project loan could be broken into small pieces to be bought by insurance
companies, individuals, banks, pension funds and so forth. This should be backed
by Default Guarantee Fund to provide securitised instruments an investment grade
character and can be subscribed to even by highly (credit) risk-averse lenders. A
good size (critical mass) of solar projects with a lender will enable this mechanism.
d) Construction Loans
Construction loans should be allowed for a 3 year period or longer instead of
current 1 year. This would help Engineering, Procurement & Construction
(EPC)/Service Providers to receive payment from developers on deferred payment
basis over 5 to 10 years.
e) Making Solar a Priority Sector
Current policy for inclusion under priority sectors is based on sectors that impact:
Large section of the population
The weaker sections
Employment intensive sectors such as agriculture, tiny and small enterprises
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Given the social and environmental impact of solar projects, it is recommended that
RBI may include loans for solar projects under the priority sector similar to the case of
education and housing sector. Inclusion of renewable energy projects in the priority
sector will give a boost to both on-grid and off-grid applications.
a) Reducing or eliminating the tax on interest
Conducive taxation policies would enable lenders/sponsors to enhance returns on
investments e.g. interest income received by Financial Institutions (FI)/lenders on
loan portfolio/ bonds could be made tax exempt. Making interest income non-
taxable will enable lowering of coupon rate on such bonds and also attract
investors. Renewable Energy or Solar Bonds can function as a viable and attractive
vehicle available to investors with tax appetite. These bonds would be appealing
given their green attributes.
b) Increasing Access to External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) Funding
Availability of cheap and abundant foreign capital through avenues such as ECBs,
Supplier Credit, Participation of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), EPC
players, multilateral agencies (IFC, ADB, JBIC, OPIC, EXIM etc.) can raise funds. ECB
norms should be further relaxed for Solar projects. Currently, ECBs are not allowed
to pay-off existing rupee term loans which could be relaxed. This would help in
lowering the cost of borrowing and channelize long-term and low cost funds into
infrastructure projects that require long-term and large capital investments.
Availability of external capital can help bridge the gap for total debt required for
funding solar sector.
C. Lowering Cost of Borrowing

17
c) Reducing Hedging Costs
Hedging costs can be significant and in the range of 3.5 - 5%. These add to the
interest rate associated with the ECB funding. Suitable steps taken in the direction
of reducing hedging cost will have a direct impact on the financial viability of
upcoming solar projects.
Power utilities in the country face aggregate transmission and commercial losses of
around 30% due to unmetered and unaccounted use - the highest in the world. In the
past, the financial health of many SEBs has mainly deteriorated due to insufficient cost
recovery, inadequate tariffs and high operating costs.
Power Distribution Reform was identified as the key area to bring about the efficiency
and improve financial health of the power sector. Consequent to the Ministry of
Power taking various initiatives in the past, some of the states restructured their SEBs
to achieve financial viability and improve operational efficiency and hence the
position was stabilized. In the recent past, there have been some cases of default in
payment by distribution companies. According to the Shunglu Committee Report,
SEB cumulative losses for the five years ending FY10 amounted to INR 82,000 Cr and
losses after subsidy stood at INR 27,000 Cr. The reasons are well-known - low tariffs
due to political compulsions, high distribution losses and delayed payment of
subsidies by governments - all have led to a sharp deterioration in the health of SEBs.
The committee has suggested steps to bring them down to INR 22,100 Cr by FY17.
D. Steps to Improve Performance of State Utilities

18
More concerted action is required to be taken to incentivize/disincentivize the
distribution entities to improve their operational and financial performance. Some of
the suggestions could be as under:-
Linking of benefits to state utilities under various schemes of the Government
(such as Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) and Accelerated Power
Development and Reform Programme (APDRP) are grant funded schemes) with
the commitment, action and outcome on distribution reform.
Unallocated power from Central Generating Stations (approximately 8,000 MW)
could be used as a tool if the state utilities are not able to improve their
performance and financials. Adoption of standardized rating model not only
focuses on performance and on the ability to sustain the performance but also
incentivizes the relative improvement in performance and at the same time
disincentivizes the deterioration in performance.
Unending extension to the states for reorganization of SEBs which have yet to be
unbundled should no longer be resorted to further.
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6. Summary of Recommendations
The policy framework put forth by the MNRE through the National Solar Mission has
accelerated the growth of the solar industry in India. However, there are some initial
challenges seen in financing of solar projects in India originating primarily from the cap in
the bank's sectoral exposure limits, risk perception around off-takers (SEBs) and lack of
technology and on-ground demonstration data. While the MNRE is taking active steps to
address the technology and on-ground risk perceptions through knowledge
management and sharing, there is need for structural changes to banking guidelines to
allow flow of funds to the renewable energy sector.
The FICCI Solar Energy Task Force (SETF) which includes various stakeholders from the
solar industry recommends the following suggestions to address these challenges and
collaboratively work for the success of the solar industry in India.
These recommendations include:
1. Making Renewable Energy as an independent sector (separate from Power Sector) as
many banks have reached their sectoral exposure limits.
2. Improving Liquidity through a solar energy fund, solar bonds, refinancing by
pension/insurance funds, longer duration construction loans and making solar a
priority sector.
3. Lowering the Cost of Debt by eliminating the tax on interest received by banks and
relaxing ECB norms.
4. Addressing performance of state utilities and improving their fiscal health.
The FICCI Solar Financing Subgroup sees addressing these challenges as imperative
for the growth of Solar Energy in the country and would like to suggest a
collaborative approach among various stakeholders including the Ministry of New
and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Ministry of Power (MOP), Reserve Bank of India (RBI),
the financing community and the industry.

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7. References
1. Data for benchmark cost for off-grid and decentralized solar under JNNSM obtained
from Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (2013).
2. Data obtained from IREDA, NVNN, State Agencies and Project Developers (2013).
3. Data provided by CEA base data, NVNN, State Agencies & Project developers.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (2013). Expected Solar RPO requirement and
compliance 2013-14. Accessed on 03/06/2013:
http://www.mnre.gov.in/information/solar-rpo/.
4. KPMG (2012). Energy and Natural Resources. The Rising Sun. Grid parity gets closer.
A point of view on the Solar Energy Sector in India.
5. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (2013). Current Trends/Status in Solar
Powered Market. Workshop on "Challenges and Issues in Solar RPO
Compliance/RECs". AF-Mercados EMI. Accessed on 22/03/2013:
http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/presentations-
challenges_and_issues_in_solar_RPO_compliance_19122012/Session-
1%20_Current%20Trends%20in%20Solar%20Power%20Market.pdf
6. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (2013). Solar RPO Compliance status.
Accessed on 03/06/2013: http://www.mnre.gov.in/information/solar-rpo/
7. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (2013). State-wise solar installed capacity
break-up. Accessed on 03/06/2013: http://www.mnre.gov.in/information/solar-rpo/.
8. Reserve Bank of India (2013). Sectoral Deployment data. Accessed on 03/06/2013:
http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/Data_Sectoral_Deployment.aspx

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8. About the FICCI Solar Energy Task Force
FICCI Solar Energy Task Force was launched in March 2010, with the launch of
Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) to provide a platform for the solar
energy sector to deliberate on policy and regulatory issues and advance interests of
the sector at domestic and global platforms. The Task Force is represented by 32
members from the entire value chain of the solar industry including manufacturers,
project developers, system integrators, EPC companies, raw material suppliers as
well as the certification agencies. Mr V Saibaba, CEO, Lanco Solar is the current
Chairman, and Mr Vivek Chaturvedi, CMO, Moser Baer Solar is the Co-Chairman of
the FICCI Solar Energy Task Force.
The Task Force has six Subgroups: Subgroups on on Solar Financing, Securing
Supply Chain, Creating Sustainable Demand, Off-grid and Decentralized Solar
Applications, Solar Thermal, and Performance Standards, comprising solar industry
stakeholders and chaired by industry leaders.
The members of the FICCI Solar Energy Task Force include the following:
Abengoa Solar India
ACME Telepower Limited
Allied Glasses Pvt. Ltd
Alstom Power
Applied Materials India Pvt. Ltd.
AREVA India
Astonfield Renewable Resources Limited
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
DSM India Private Limited
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Emmvee Photovoltaic Power Pvt Ltd.
Grundfos Pumps India Pvt Ltd.
IL&FS Energy Development Company Ltd.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
Kiran Energy
Lanco Solar
Larsen & Toubro Limited
Maharishi Solar Technology (P) Ltd.
Mahindra Partners
Moser Baer Solar
NTPC Limited
OMC Power
Photon Energy Systems Ltd.
Solar Semiconductor Pvt. Ltd.
Solid Solar
Sunborne Energy
Suryachakra Power Corporation Limited
Tata Power Solar
Thermax Limited
Titan Energy Systems Ltd
TUV Rheinland
Underwriters Laboratories
Welspun Energy Limited
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9. Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the inputs provided for this Report by the members of the FICCI Solar
Energy Task Force. In particular, we would like to acknowledge the contributions to the
Report by the following:
Mr Ardeshir Contractor, Managing Director, Kiran Energy (Chair of FICCI Solar
Financing Subgroup),
Dr Vishwesh Palekar, Mahindra Partners (former Chair of FICCI Solar Financing
Subgroup)
Mr Anand Jain, Head-Business Development, Kiran Energy
Mr Siddhartha Bhargava, Manager-Business Development, Kiran Energy
Ms Rita Roy Choudhury, Senior Director and Head-Environment, Climate Change,
Renewable Energy, FICCI
Mr Nirbhay Srivastava, Assistant Director-Renewable Energy, FICCI
Mr Satish Kamat, Formerly with Mahindra Partners
Mr Sachin Jain, Formerly with Mahindra Partners
We would also like to acknowledge the inputs of senior officials from leading public and
private sector banks such as SBI, ICICI, IDBI, IDFC and SBI Caps in the initial phase of
development of this Report.
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10. Appendix
a) Solar Bonds
Launch Date - December 15, 2010
Banks - Societe Generale and BNP Paribas
Size - € 195.2 million
Developer - SunPower
Project Size - 44MW Montalto di Castro park, Italy; Project was already installed while
time of issuing bonds
Tenor - 18 years
Two Classes -
A1 bonds of € 97.6 million in fixed rate notes paying 5.715% and due in 2028 - are
guaranteed by Italian export credit agency SACE and sold to institutional investors
and rated Aa2 by Moody's
A2 bonds of € 97.6 million in fixed rate notes paying 4.839% and due in 2028 - all
purchased by the European Investment Bank and rated Baa3 from Moody's
Societe Generale also provided two 5-year VAT facilities worth € 22 million. The
SACE-wrapped A1 tranche, which is rated by Moody's the same as SACE, Aa2, is
priced at a fixed rate of 5.715%, equivalent to 445bp over 6-month Euribor
(assuming a Euribor rate of 1.26%).
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b) How Municipal Bonds are rated by CRISIL
CRISIL's Rating Criteria for Municipal Bonds
CRISIL's Rating Methodology involves an in-depth assessment of the following
factors:
o Legal and administrative framework
o Economic base of the service area
o Municipal finances
o Existing operations of the municipal body
o Managerial assessment
o Project specific issues
lProposed projects
lProject tenure and funding patterns
lDebt servicing requirements due to new projects
lExisting level of service & improvements envisaged
o Credit enhancement structure
lEscrow of specific tax revenues:
vEnsure non co-mingling of cash flows
vLevel of collateralisation
vReliability of source (e.g. octroi)
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o SG guarantee
lCredit quality of guarantor
lLegal validity
lConditional/unconditional
lIrrevocability
lTrustee's powers to invoke guarantee

FICCI Solar Energy Task Force Report on Financing Solar Energy

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