Metered energy and billing
Define the meter, settlement period, auxiliary use, taxes, export, outages, curtailment and treatment of generation the host cannot consume.
RESCO / OPEX solar
Buy solar energy, not the equipment.
In a RESCO or OPEX structure, a developer finances, owns and operates the plant while the host buys generated electricity under a long-term PPA. Zero upfront project cost does not mean zero obligation: tariff, tenure, roof rights, generation commitments, payment security, termination and buyout terms must be assessed together.
Discuss your sitePlant ownership
Developer
Ownership, financing and asset operation remain with the project company during the PPA.
Host payment
Per generated unit
The buyer pays according to the metering and tariff mechanism defined in the PPA.
Main commitment
Long-term PPA
Roof access, credit, tenure, termination and change-in-law terms are material.
Tariff and savings
Project-specific
The rate depends on site, credit, equipment, generation profile, financing and contract allocation.
When a RESCO structure deserves consideration
The right structure depends on the facility's bills, interval load, roof or land, connection agreement, operating schedule, credit profile and current state rules. Sun Wave validates those inputs before presenting savings or generation estimates.
The facility has a stable roof tenure and predictable daytime consumption but prefers not to own the asset.
Capital is reserved for core operations and management values predictable energy procurement.
The host can support lender and developer due diligence, including roof rights and payment security.
The buyer understands that unused generation, export treatment and deemed generation affect economics.
A long-term operating relationship is acceptable and exit or buyout mechanics can be agreed upfront.
What the PPA and project documents must settle
Tariff mechanics
State the base tariff, escalation, taxes, indexation, minimum offtake, invoice timing, late-payment terms and any pass-through charges.
Roof and site rights
Confirm access, lease or licence rights, structural responsibility, waterproofing, relocation, building works and lender step-in rights.
Performance allocation
Define availability, generation methodology, exclusions, deemed generation, maintenance windows and remedies for underperformance.
Credit and security
Document payment security, assignment, lender requirements, insurance, change of control and the consequences of a host credit downgrade.
Exit and end of term
Set termination payments, early buyout, roof restoration, asset transfer, extension and decommissioning responsibilities.
How a credible RESCO transaction is developed
01
Screen the site and counterparty
Review bills, load, roof condition, property rights, business continuity, credit and the host's long-term occupation plan.
02
Model usable generation
Match hourly solar generation with on-site demand and explicitly value exports, curtailment, shutdowns and seasonal operating changes.
03
Agree the risk term sheet
Set tariff mechanics, tenure, payment security, performance, roof rights, change in law, termination and buyout before detailed drafting.
04
Complete technical and legal diligence
Finalize structural, electrical, metering, approval, insurance, financing and land-title or roof-right requirements.
05
Build, meter and operate
Commission against agreed tests, provide the host monitoring access, maintain the asset and reconcile monthly energy transparently.
Questions to resolve before comparing PPA tariffs
Figures shown in proposals should be project-specific and traceable to current bills, engineering outputs, equipment offers and controlling regulations. We do not publish guaranteed savings or tariffs without a defined site and contract.
How much solar generation can the facility consistently consume during operating hours?
Who carries the value loss during grid outages, host shutdowns or delayed metering?
What payment security and lender rights are required, and what do they cost?
How are tariff escalation, taxes and future regulatory charges handled?
What is the termination amount if the building is sold, leased differently or vacated?
Is a future buyout optional, and is the price formula defined rather than described vaguely?
Primary references
Frequently asked questions
What is RESCO solar?+
A RESCO project is financed and owned by a developer. The host provides the site and buys metered solar electricity under a PPA rather than purchasing the equipment.
Is RESCO really zero investment for the buyer?+
The developer generally funds the solar asset, but the host may still incur internal, structural, shutdown, metering or legal costs and accepts long-term payment and site obligations under the PPA.
How is the RESCO tariff decided?+
It reflects project cost, generation, credit, financing, equipment, O&M, roof risk, tenure, taxes and contractual risk. A tariff should not be quoted responsibly before the site and counterparty are screened.
What happens if the plant underperforms?+
The PPA must define the performance or availability methodology, exclusions, data source and remedy. A broad marketing guarantee without measurement and compensation terms is insufficient.
Can the host buy the plant later?+
Only if the PPA includes a buyout right or both parties agree later. The eligible dates and valuation formula should be written clearly before signing.
Build the decision from your real site data
Share the latest bills, load profile and site details. Sun Wave will identify the feasible structure, assumptions that need verification and the next engineering or commercial step.
Request a site assessment