yepnopemaybe

5 ms·

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Invest with This Kiva-Like Nonprofit and Build Global South Solar Projects(cleantechnica.com)
2 points by yepnopemaybe 3y ago|0 comments
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by yepnopemaybe 3y ago
We are somewhat different in how we are structured — for one your counterparty on Renewables.org will be solar developers who are likely more credit-worthy than the individual borrowers you lend to on Kiva.
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by yepnopemaybe 3y ago
Thanks Bill!
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by yepnopemaybe 3y ago
Renewables.org is an environmental non-profit, so the first order effect of what we do is prevent carbon emissions by helping to accelerate solar development in the Global South. Incidentally, there are great second order benefits to buildi
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by yepnopemaybe 3y ago
Hey, I am cofounder and CEO of Renewables.org — Lassor Feasley. Renewables.org works with a network of Global South solar developers who have a large pipeline of unfunded solar projects. Using a Kiva like interface, you can join our site an
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Kiva for Solar – Invest in solar in the Global South and get repaid(renewables.org)
21 points by yepnopemaybe 3y ago|8 comments
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by yepnopemaybe 3y ago
Invest in Global South solar instantly via the online solar investing non-profit Renewables.org
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
Solar panels are fairly simple and inexpensive to install, relative to other energy sources. Best of all, they can be scaled to on-site demand since there is not a large upfront cost. I would not say that is the problem we are solving. The
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
My plan is to keep things simple, to answer your other question. As little abstraction and structured securitization as possible. We want it to be as close to a one-for-one analogy for true direct equity ownership in an actual panel as we c
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
The exact legal and financial structuring is still in progress. We will likely use a structure similar to that used by Reg A+ crowdfunding platforms like Masterworks.io. In fact, I've been in regular contact with their GC to validate t
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
We are currently working with accredited investors, but we are working to launch a product for retail investors. Recent changes in crowdfunding regulation, Reg A+ in particular, make our lives a bit easier, and we have some very committed f
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
Great question. Often new solar facilities come with tax benefits (ITC and MACERS depreciation) that the power consumer is unable to monetize - this is particularly true of non-profits and other businesses with very low tax bills. So they s
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
Absolutely! That could be one of our next categories after solar. Depending on the facility, there could be on-site battery storage owned and operated by other non-Legends investors for the time being.
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
That's why it's 'no commitment', but I would not set exceptions at 7.3% if I did not expect the product to be at or near that number. Our accredited investors do better, but again, that's with tax equity.
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
It turns out its tough to get exposure to direct equity in renewable infrastructure, particularly as a retail investor. Do you mind if I put that in my business plan?
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
Great question! We've often contemplated the Vinovest.io model. Vinovest sells fine wine as an investment. Because you own the individual bottles and are entitled, for a fee, to have them sent to your door, they avoid most securities h
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
I have the resources to simply hire a bunch of people to do stuff, but it turns out the best people aren't going to drop on a dime and build your product for you before you have validation, knowledge, a story, and cogent plan. We are 5
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
Wow, those are all amazing questions. We are going to structure the investment so that your returns will be post tax-equity and post-depreciation. We would be opening up a can of worms if each retail investor's return were dependent on
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
Hard agree with all of that. Thank you for the support!
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
Aw, thanks! My background is in product design and I made it myself using WebFlow. Sadly, its one of the first things I've had to give up as other concerns within Legends have dominated my time. I still art direct it though, and design
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
lol, interesting way to think about it. I think about it as the opposite of securitization. We are designing a produce to have as few layers of abstraction, complexity, and bureaucracy as possible so that it feels like owning a real product
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
It would be pretty tough to get exposure to solar panel equity by any means - aside from providing a great experience, we actually will be pretty much the next closest thing to owning solar panels if you don't have a suburban home. We
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
I'd say we are 80% of the way there - every solar facility will have different traits and economics as an investment. We have the legal infrastructure and finance partners to make it happen pretty quick. As with any investment, we can&
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
We hope to operate a secondary market, may introduce some other form of periodic liquidity. Ideally yes, you will own a real individual panel. But we may settle on a different structure if necessary from a regulatory or tax perspective (its
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
We are more than just a website/hype machine... we've sold a few $100K worth of panels to accredited investors while we get our app and platform off the ground. We are only 5 months old, but plan on bringing on project finance exp
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
Both Texas and Maine would be unlikely candidates. Maine has some pretty stringent and arbitrary rules about behind-the-meter commercial power arrangements. Texas is possible with commercial facilities, but their regulatory framework is als
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
Happy to answer any questions. The fact is that financial return will depend on the risk profile - which we will depend on factors like a) Will the investor take on construction risk b) Will the facility be insured c) Who is the power custo
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
Totally, I've often thought about how I could contrast Legends Solar with different ESG and impact products offered by large financial institutions with one hand, while they finance oil and financially destructive activities. To do tha
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
I can't guarantee a secondary market quite yet, certainly not on launch, but it's something that will be a priority. I may find a way to build in liquidity short of a secondary market (our accredited investors have a 7 year term).
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by yepnopemaybe 4y ago
Show me where I can buy an operating solar panel if I don't have a suburban rooftop. Would make my life so much easier!

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