Agreement creates the largest residential solar fund to date
(San Francisco) -- Pacific Energy Capital II, LLC, a non-utility subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), and SunRun Inc., the nation's leading provider of home solar
financing, today announced a $100 million tax equity project financing agreement to fund
SunRun's installation of more than 3,500 new home solar installations across the nation. The
investment, principally funded by PG&E Corporation shareholders through Pacific Energy
Capital, creates the largest residential solar financing vehicle established to date. Under the
agreement, Pacific Energy Capital will provide financing for the rooftop energy systems and
both parties will receive payments from SunRun customers. SunRun will manage the projects.
SunRun offers home solar power without high upfront costs through power purchase
agreements (PPAs) and solar leases. Through SunRun's popular solar plans, homeowners pay
as little as $0 upfront to get solar panels installed, followed by a low, monthly payment to
have solar energy at home. SunRun provides complete solar maintenance, monitoring, repairs,
insurance and money-back performance guarantee for all its customers, making it simple and
affordable for homeowners to switch their home to clean solar electricity.
"As a company in a region where distributed solar is becoming increasingly important,
we are focused on continuing to take advantage of smart, strategic opportunities that enable us
to acquire an in-depth understanding of this market and these technologies," said Brian Steel,
Senior Director of Corporate Strategy and Development at PG&E Corporation. "Our
investment with SunRun reflects this ongoing effort. Additionally, it allows us to continue
supporting the advance of renewable energy, which is a priority for our company, utility
customers and policymakers."
The solar systems funded under the agreement are expected to be installed in 2010 and
2011 in at least five states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New
Jersey. SunRun currently serves more than 4,000 customers in these five states, and is
growing 500% year-over-year. SunRun now partners with 15 leading solar integrators that are
located across the country and that collectively employ more than 2,500 solar workers.
"PG&E Corporation is a proven leader developing and embracing renewable energy"
said Edward Fenster, SunRun's CEO. "We are very excited to partner with PG&E
Corporation on this agreement which will make solar affordable to more homeowners across
the nation."
This agreement follows the recent announcement that T.J. Glauthier, the former
Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy, joined SunRun as an Advisor in May. It also
follows on the heels of the December 2009 announcement that SunRun had raised another
project finance fund with U.S. Bancorp.
About PG&E Corporation
PG&E Corporation is an energy-based holding company headquartered in San
Francisco. It is the parent company of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, one of the largest
electric utilities in the United States. Pacific Energy Capital II, LLC, is a non-utility
subsidiary of PG&E Corporation that makes investments in areas of strategic relevance to the
holding company. Today's announcement is the second tax equity financing announced by
PG&E Corporation.
About SunRun Inc.
SunRun's mission is to make affordable home solar available to every home in the
country. With SunRun, homeowners get solar panels installed for as low as $0 upfront and
simply pay a low monthly rate for solar electricity. SunRun's solar financing products are
developed to meet the needs of homeowners who want clean solar electricity without having
to pay high upfront costs or to become an expert on solar technology. SunRun has partnered
with PG&E Corporation and U.S. Bancorp for project financing and is backed by leading
venture capital firms Accel Partners and Foundation Capital. Additional information about
SunRun is available at http://www.sunrunhome.com.