I'm starting a new thread because I didn't want to revive one that's been inactive for a long time. I've asked this question before and have not seen an answer.
I own some solar bonds from Solar City. I get 5% on ten-year bonds. The bonds are non-negotiable, so they are illiquid, but 5% is a very good return, and I don't need liquidity in this investment, and it supports something I believe in: sustainable, renewable energy. Forget perpetual-motion machines, bogus "water-for-gas" schemes, or the Bedini engine scam: Solar panels, once installed, provide free energy. Okay, so I decided I'd buy some more solar bonds, but it's been ages since they've issued any more. The web site just says they're still working on it.
(Yes, I'm aware of the risk. It's a small company, the bonds are unsecured and illiquid. But it's a risk I'm willing to take with a small part of my portfolio. And I'm optimistic about the company and the industry, and it's a case of putting a little of my money where my mouth is.)
Does anybody know why there are no new solar bonds? Did they find other financing? Did they raise so much money from the last issue that they don't need any more yet? Have they quit their original business model of installing solar panels at no cost to the homeowner and charging for the electricity? Do they not have enough new customers to require any additional capital? Have they been so successful that they're now self-sustaining and don't need to issue more bonds? Is Tesla now providing all the capital they need to install the systems? Or since the merger are the solar bonds being issued elsewhere and I just don't know where to look for them?
I own some solar bonds from Solar City. I get 5% on ten-year bonds. The bonds are non-negotiable, so they are illiquid, but 5% is a very good return, and I don't need liquidity in this investment, and it supports something I believe in: sustainable, renewable energy. Forget perpetual-motion machines, bogus "water-for-gas" schemes, or the Bedini engine scam: Solar panels, once installed, provide free energy. Okay, so I decided I'd buy some more solar bonds, but it's been ages since they've issued any more. The web site just says they're still working on it.
(Yes, I'm aware of the risk. It's a small company, the bonds are unsecured and illiquid. But it's a risk I'm willing to take with a small part of my portfolio. And I'm optimistic about the company and the industry, and it's a case of putting a little of my money where my mouth is.)
Does anybody know why there are no new solar bonds? Did they find other financing? Did they raise so much money from the last issue that they don't need any more yet? Have they quit their original business model of installing solar panels at no cost to the homeowner and charging for the electricity? Do they not have enough new customers to require any additional capital? Have they been so successful that they're now self-sustaining and don't need to issue more bonds? Is Tesla now providing all the capital they need to install the systems? Or since the merger are the solar bonds being issued elsewhere and I just don't know where to look for them?