CAPEX

Capital Expenditure

Strategic Capital Investment for long term benefits.

What is a CAPEX

 

The CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) or EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) model in the solar power plant business refers to the approach where a company or investor finances the upfront costs of purchasing and installing the solar power system. Under this model, the company bears the capital investment for the solar infrastructure, including design, procurement of materials, and construction. The EPC contractor manages the entire project, delivering a fully functional solar power plant. This model often provides full ownership of the system and its energy output, enabling long-term cost savings.

FeaturesProsCons
Full Ownership Complete control over the system and its operations.Requires significant upfront investment.
Upfront Capital InvestmentDirect investment leads to long-term savings in energy costs.High initial expenditure may strain financial resources.
Long-term SavingsReduced energy costs once the system is operational.Savings are realized only after recovering the initial investment.
Increased Energy IndependenceLess reliance on external energy suppliers, greater control over usage.Financial risk if the system underperforms or needs change.
Eligibility for IncentivesAccess to government subsidies, tax credits, or renewable energy incentives.Incentives may vary or change based on regional policies.
Maintenance and OperationFull control over maintenance and performance optimization.Ongoing maintenance costs and responsibilities.

Sole Captive Plant

Fully owned. Single consumer Solar power plant

What is a Sole Captive Plant?

A Sole Captive Solar Power Plant refers to a solar power plant that is dedicated to supplying power exclusively to a single organization or entity, without sharing its output with others. These power plants are and built to meet the energy needs of one specific user, typically a business, factory, or institution. It enables full control over the energy production and consumption, offering long-term cost savings and sustainability benefits.

The Sole Captive Solar Power Plant offers substantial benefits in terms of energy autonomy, cost savings, and sustainability but requires a significant upfront investment and full responsibility for its operation and maintenance.

FeatureProsCons
Exclusive Power SupplyProvides energy solely for the organization's own use, ensuring stable and consistent energy supply.No opportunity to sell excess energy back to the grid or share it with others.
Full Control over EnergyThe organization has complete control over the energy generation, usage, and maintenance.High initial investment and ongoing responsibility for maintenance and operation.
Energy IndependenceReduces reliance on grid power, ensuring self-sufficiency and protection against price fluctuations.Financial risk if energy demand decreases or system underperforms.
Long-term Cost SavingsSignificant savings on energy bills in the long run after initial setup costs.Requires a large upfront capital investment for installation.
Sustainability and CSRHelps achieve sustainability goals and reduces the organization's carbon footprint.The system's performance is dependent on weather conditions and geographical location.
Incentives and RebatesEligible for renewable energy incentives, tax credits, and government subsidies.Incentives may vary by region and could change over time, affecting financial forecasts.

 

Captive Plant

  • A captive plant is one where the consuming company fully funds and owns the solar power generation plant and fully consumes generated energy.
  • It makes the upfront capital expense to procure the assets and expenses for erection and commissioning.
  • The corporation enjoys tax benefits, carbon credits apart from energy at a lower cost than the ESCOMs.
  • In this case, Arka Grids executes the role of an EPC company.

Solar Captive Plants Sustainable Energy, Stronger Future

Cost Savings

One of the most significant advantages of a captive solar power plant is the potential for substantial cost savings. By generating electricity on-site, businesses can reduce or eliminate their reliance on expensive grid power.

Energy Independence

Captive solar power plants provide energy independence, shielding businesses from the volatility of energy prices and supply disruptions. This stability is crucial for industries where uninterrupted power supply is vital for operations.

Environmental Impact

By investing in a captive solar power plant, businesses can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Solar energy is a clean, renewable resource that produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation.

Created by Tomas Knoppfrom the Noun Project

Long-Term Investment

Ensures predictable energy costs over the plant's lifetime, offering financial predictability. High return on investment (ROI) with minimal maintenance costs.

Cost Savings

One of the most significant advantages of a captive solar power plant is the potential for substantial cost savings. By generating electricity on-site, businesses can reduce or eliminate their reliance on expensive grid power.

Energy Independence

Captive solar power plants provide energy independence, shielding businesses from the volatility of energy prices and supply disruptions. This stability is crucial for industries where uninterrupted power supply is vital for operations.

Environmental Impact

By investing in a captive solar power plant, businesses can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Solar energy is a clean, renewable resource that produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation.

Long-Term Investment

Ensures predictable energy costs over the plant's lifetime, offering financial predictability. High return on investment (ROI) with minimal maintenance costs.



How does the Captive Plant works?

Group Captive Plant

Shared Solar Power, Shared Savings, Shared Sustainability Responsibility

What is a Group Captive Plant?

A Group Captive Solar Power Plant is a solar power pant where the energy generated is shared by multiple consumers, typically within a specific group such as businesses, industrial parks, or communities. Each participant in the group consumes a portion of the electricity generated, but the powerplant is owned and operated by a single entity or consortium. This model allows businesses to benefit from renewable energy without the need for individual installations, while also enabling cost-sharing among the participants.

  • Group Captive Power purchase mechanism is the one in which a person or group or persons set up a power plant for purchase of power from that plant for their own consumption.
  • Under this model, the group of buyers consumes a minimum of 51% of the generated power and owns at least 26% of the plant.
  • Current events demonstrate how captive solar projects are becoming more and more popular in India. One of the top providers of renewable energy, Avaada, has raised Rs 315 crore to finance a captive solar project in Karnataka.
  •  With a 100 MW capacity, the project will help industrial consumers in the state lower their energy expenses and carbon footprint by supplying sustainable energy.

 
A Group Captive Solar Power Plant offers several advantages such as lower initial investments, shared savings, and scalability. However, it requires careful coordination, legal agreements, and shared responsibilities among multiple participants to ensure smooth operation and benefits.
FeatureProsCons
Shared Energy SupplyAllows multiple entities to share the electricity generated, reducing costs for each participant.Coordination and agreements among participants can be complex.
Lower Initial InvestmentReduced upfront costs compared to individual solar installations due to cost-sharing.Some participants may contribute less to the system's overall maintenance costs.
ScalabilityCan be scaled to accommodate more consumers as the group expands.Need for legal and contractual arrangements to manage increasing participants.
Energy Cost SavingsCollective energy consumption lowers individual costs significantly.Savings might be less than those from a sole captive system due to sharing of energy.
Eligibility for IncentivesThe group may qualify for renewable energy incentives and subsidies.Incentives and rebates might be distributed among all participants, reducing individual benefits.
Flexibility in OwnershipDifferent ownership models are possible, such as co-ownership or leasing.Conflicts may arise regarding ownership rights and profit-sharing among participants.

Group Captive Plant

 

Rules of Engagement

 

A group captive plant is one where a group of consuming companies set up a plant for collective consumption of the generated energy. Such projects are executed by Arka Grids by setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in which the Arka Grids and the energy consuming companies participate:

  • The companies need to hold at least 26% equity and consume at least 51% of the generated energy. The corporation enjoys tax benefits, carbon credits apart from energy at a lower cost than the ESCOMs.
  • Arka Grids is a majority stakeholder (74%) in the SPV.

Comparision of Sole and Group Captive Power plants

FeatureSole Captive Solar Power PlantGroup Captive Solar Power Plant
OwnershipOwned and operated by a single entity (e.g., a business or institution).Owned and operated by a consortium or group of multiple participants.
Energy ConsumptionThe energy generated is used exclusively by the single entity.The energy generated is shared among multiple participants.
Initial InvestmentHigh initial capital investment for the sole entity.Lower initial investment per participant, as costs are shared.
Cost SavingsSignificant savings on energy bills for the sole user after installation.Collective savings are spread across the group, reducing individual costs.
Energy IndependenceProvides full energy independence for the entity.Reduces dependence on the grid, but participants share energy production.
Legal and Contractual ComplexityRelatively simple, as the system is used by only one party.More complex due to the need for agreements and coordination among multiple participants.
Maintenance and OperationFull responsibility for maintenance and operations lies with the single entity.Maintenance responsibilities are shared, reducing individual burden.
Risk and ResponsibilityAll financial and operational risks are borne by one entity.Risks and responsibilities are shared among the group, reducing individual liability.
ScalabilityLimited to the energy needs of a single user, though expansion is possible.Highly scalable; can accommodate more participants as the group grows.
Incentives and RebatesEntire incentive or rebate benefits go to the single entity.Incentives and rebates are shared among all participants, reducing individual benefits.
Flexibility in OwnershipFull control and decision-making power for the single entity.Ownership and decision-making are distributed across the group, which may require coordination.

while the Sole Captive Solar Power Plant provides more control and energy independence to a single entity, the Group Captive Solar Power Plant offers shared costs and responsibilities, making it an attractive option for multiple entities looking to benefit from solar energy without bearing the full financial burden.

Harnessing the Power of the Sun Together for Sustainable Growth and Energy Independence

Flexibility and Scalability

Tailored Capacity Solar plants can be scaled to meet the collective needs of all members.Shared Investment The initial investment and maintenance costs are shared across participants, lowering financial burden.

Government Incentives

Tax Benefits Leverage accelerated depreciation and other financial incentives available for renewable energy projects.Subsidies Eligible for state or federal subsidies to reduce installation costs.

Reliable and Stable Power Supply

Consistent Power Solar energy provides a reliable and predictable power source for all members of the group.Backup Energy Some systems include battery storage, enhancing energy reliability.

Boosts Corporate Image

Sustainable Reputation Participating in a solar group captive plant boosts the image of companies as environmentally responsible.Attracts Eco-Conscious Consumers Customers appreciate businesses that support green energy initiatives.

Flexibility and Scalability

Tailored Capacity Solar plants can be scaled to meet the collective needs of all members.Shared Investment The initial investment and maintenance costs are shared across participants, lowering financial burden.

Government Incentives

Tax Benefits Leverage accelerated depreciation and other financial incentives available for renewable energy projects.Subsidies Eligible for state or federal subsidies to reduce installation costs.


Reliable and Stable Power Supply

Consistent Power Solar energy provides a reliable and predictable power source for all members of the group.Backup Energy Some systems include battery storage, enhancing energy reliability.

Boosts Corporate Image

Sustainable Reputation Participating in a solar group captive plant boosts the image of companies as environmentally responsible.Attracts Eco-Conscious Consumers Customers appreciate businesses that support green energy initiatives.