pv magazine: How would you describe the current attitude in the investment community around Teslas planned acquisition of SolarCity?
Raj Prabhu: I dont see a lot of investors celebrating the deal; there is still a lot of skepticism on how all this will work out in the end. Tesla is now a sustainable energy company with multiple offerings: solar+storage, EVs, and solar panel and battery manufacturing. It will take some time to see results from the anticipated synergies. For now, investors will have to buy into the Musk brand and hope it all works out.
pv magazine: How have circumstances, both around this acquisition and in the larger market, changed since the acquisition was first announced?
Prabhu: It has not been that long since the acquisition was first announced, but SolarCity just reduced its 2016 guidance by 10 percent as the first half bookings were slower than anticipated. Solar installations in the U.S. are slower than many expected. In fact, Mercom was one of the few firms with a conservative forecast after the ITC extension as we did not see the U.S. market hitting the aggressive 15-16 GW projections that others were making. Net metering is still an issue for rooftop players; solar public companies are still having a rough time in the stock markets; financing models are evolving and so is competition.
pv magazine: Tesla and SolarCity are both putting this to a vote of shareholders, with Elon Musk, the Rive brothers and other key executives recusing themselves. Do you think that if the vote goes forward, this will be enough to ensure investor confidence?
Prabhu: It looks like Elon Musk is sold on this acquisition and it is likely to go through. Its unlikely they would have announced the deal without making sure they have the shareholder backing to approve the transaction, and I dont anticipate a SunEdison-type investor revolt. Technically there is a 45 day go-shop period for SolarCity to find another buyer, but I would be shocked if any other company makes a bid.
pv magazine: Any other observations?
Prabhu: SolarCity was the first public vehicle for investors to get into residential solar. Now investors that are specifically interested in the residential solar model are currently left with Sunrun and Vivint Solar.
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This interview was conducted by pv magazine Americas Editor Christian Roselund, and was first published on the pv magazine USA website.
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