Fresh Funds for a Green Energy Start-up

Tioga Energy recently was profiled in NYT's Green Inc. blog -- they just recently received Series B funding of $20 M.

I'm just starting to realize the nuances of the solar energy value chain. Tioga Energy helps homeowners install solar systems at no up-front capital cost.

"Tioga designs, finances, installs and maintains solar photovoltaic systems for companies, institutions and municipalities. Its customers pay nothing for the systems. In exchange, Tioga gets to use their property to install solar PV systems and a contract to sell them the electricity produced for a set cost over a long period, typically 15 or 20 years."

"Tioga doesn’t actually install the cells itself. Rather, it works with small contractors for that purpose. Its expertise is creating pools of cash from banks like Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley that can reap the tax credits and provide Tioga with stable, long-term financing for the projects."

There are several other players in the solar financing landscape. Similar financing approaches for residental solar systems are being taken by SunRun, SolarCity, SunEdison, and SunPower. All of these companies are taking advantage of a 30% federal investment tax credit on solar installations.