By Rachel Mountain
For commercial property owners with triple net leases (NNN), recouping the costs of a capital energy improvement can be a barrier to making sustainable investments. Typically, these improvements lower the tenants’ utility bills in NNN leases, so the owner is not financially incentivized to invest. This is known as the “split incentive.”
There are two common ways to overcome the split incentive with solar as well as four financial incentives that benefit commercial property owners directly. These solutions provide financial motivation for both owners and tenants to carry out capital energy improvement projects that may have otherwise been overlooked.
Why are Capital Energy Improvements Important?
Tenant demand, municipal requirements like Energize Denver, and a desire for differentiation in the market are all driving investments in building efficiency. For cities, addressing the carbon impact of commercial properties is a necessity for meeting increasingly aggressive climate goals.
Fortunately, market research shows that green buildings are good for business. Tenants are choosing energy-efficient buildings because they reduce operating expenses (OpEx), attract employees and customers, and offer marketing benefits. Owners also benefit from these improvements because they increase property value, differentiate the property, and attract and retain quality tenants.
Can I Benefit from Solar on my Triple Net Lease Properties?
Yes. Ownership groups can earn an attractive return by investing in onsite solar for their commercial properties. There are four direct financial benefits to commercial solar investment. Roughly half the original investment is recouped via two tax benefits: the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and 60% bonus depreciation. The majority of these tax benefits are monetized in the first year of operation. Additionally, Xcel Energy offers production-based renewable energy credit (REC) payments for 20 years, which increases net operating income (NOI). Finally, utility savings provide OpEx reduction, which is a good segue into the next section on overcoming the split incentive.
How do I Solve the Split Incentive?
There are two common strategies that bring value from reduced utility bills to both tenants and owners: Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing (C-PACE) and “green lease” language.
C-PACE covers up to 100% of project costs at fixed interest rates with terms up to 25 years. This non-recourse financing is secured by the property and repaid via a special assessment on property taxes and is therefore transferable upon sale.
In a C-PACE-financed commercial solar investment, the building owner realizes the tax benefits, as well as utility REC income. The NNN lease tenant is responsible for C-PACE payments since property taxes are usually passed through, and the loan can be structured such that their OpEx reduction from solar will exceed those payments. The result is positive cash flow for both the owner and tenant.
The second solution, green leases, lays a foundation for the owner to recoup a portion of the utility savings from solar, in addition to the tax benefits and REC income. Similar to existing cost-recovery clauses, green lease language details a path for landlords to be compensated for the utility savings that their asset provides to the tenant. A New York City-commissioned report suggests that tenants pay owners 80% of modeled savings.
These two solutions provide financial motivation for both owners and tenants to implement capital energy improvement projects, like commercial solar installations, that have historically been overlooked. Combined with our collective need to reduce the carbon emissions of our commercial building stock, now is a prudent time for commercial property owners to invest in solar.
A Look at the Numbers
An average 30,000-square-foot roof will fit a 200-kilowatt (kW) solar system. A 50% financed C-PACE deal with a 25-year term allows the building owner to recoup their entire investment plus an additional $13,000 by the end of year one and increases NOI by an average of $10,000 per year through utility REC income. The NNN tenant is responsible for annual C-PACE payments totaling $19,000 but realizes average annual utility savings of $31,000.
This same system, unlevered and facilitated with the green lease model, allows the tenant to retain 20% annual utility savings for $0 out of pocket, while the owner achieves an 11% IRR and increases the property value by $400,000.
Choosing the Right Partner
An experienced commercial solar developer will work closely with your team to design, install, and maintain an effective system that meets your and your tenants’ needs. Choosing a partner who also knows how to navigate C-PACE financing and can advise on green lease language will ensure you earn a compelling return on investment for your project.
Rachel Mountain is a co-owner and commercial solar project developer at Namaste Solar. Namaste Solar’s purpose is to transform energy and business. The company’s non-commissioned solar developers will help you understand your project potential, and they’ll be the first to tell you if onsite solar doesn’t make sense for your property. Check out their extensive commercial experience and see how they measure up.
