Zero-Investment Solar Projects: How to Earn Passive Income Through Rooftop Leasing?
Introduction
With Europe's energy transition and fluctuating electricity prices, photovoltaic (PV) systems have become an increasingly popular choice for renewable energy adoption. By the end of 2023, the total installed rooftop solar capacity in Europe exceeded 170 GW, with 68.8 GW?from residential rooftops and 104.8 GW?from industrial and commercial rooftops. This demonstrates that both residential and commercial PV systems have become preferred solutions for households and businesses looking to embrace sustainable energy.
However, many businesses still have large areas of unused rooftop space, while volatile electricity prices pose a significant challenge. At the same time, the high upfront investment?required for solar installations often discourages companies from taking action. So, is there a solution that allows businesses to enjoy the benefits of solar without any investment, while also monetizing idle rooftop space?
In this article, we introduce our solar rooftop leasing model, demonstrating how businesses can generate revenue by leasing their rooftops while contributing to the clean energy transition.
How Does Our Rooftop Leasing Model Work?
In Europe, industrial and commercial enterprises face increasing pressure from rising energy costs. High-energy-consuming industries such as manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics centers?are particularly affected by fluctuating electricity prices. Reducing energy expenses and optimizing operational costs have become essential challenges for businesses.
To address this issue, our rooftop leasing model?provides a zero-investment, low-risk?solution, enabling companies to lower operating costs?while securing stable, long-term revenue.
Many industrial and commercial businesses have over 3,000㎡ of unused rooftop space, which could be efficiently utilized for solar installations. However, due to high capital requirements and maintenance concerns, these rooftops often remain underutilized. With our leasing model, businesses can lease out their rooftops without any upfront investment, while we handle the investment, installation, and operation of the solar system. In return, businesses receive stable rental income or a share of the energy profits, with annual returns ranging from 5% to 10%.
Our partnerships are structured through long-term lease agreements, tailored to mutual agreements between both parties. During the lease period, we install and operate the solar system on the business’s rooftop, while the company earns fixed annual rent or energy revenue-sharing, providing a steady passive income stream?and reducing operational costs.
For example, one of our partners, an automobile factory in Milan, Italy, had 8,000㎡ of available rooftop space. Through our leasing model, we provided the company with €15,000 in annual rent, along with an additional 3% share of the energy profits, securing a stable long-term revenue stream?that enhanced overall financial performance.
This model not only increases asset value?but also helps businesses reduce their carbon footprint?by adopting renewable energy. It allows enterprises to enjoy long-term solar benefits without disrupting their existing operations, improving energy efficiency and market competitiveness.
For businesses seeking to reduce costs and generate passive income from unused assets, solar rooftop leasing?is an ideal sustainable energy solution. As European governments continue to introduce renewable energy incentives, companies adopting this model will benefit from more stable and substantial financial returns, while also accelerating their transition toward a greener and more efficient?future.
How to Participate in a Solar Rooftop Leasing Partnership?
For businesses, solar rooftop leasing not only provides stable long-term revenue but also optimizes energy structure and reduces operating costs. However, not all rooftops are suitable for solar development, and businesses need to meet certain conditions to proceed with the partnership.
If your company has been registered for at least 3 years, has no major legal disputes, and has had an average annual electricity expenditure of at least €50,000 in the past two years while also meeting the following conditions: clear rooftop ownership and a load-bearing capacity of ≥25kg/㎡, then it meets the basic criteria for cooperation. For rooftop load-bearing assessments, we offer free structural inspections. Businesses can provide relevant building plans, and we will conduct a free load-bearing capacity evaluation.
After confirming the partnership intent, we will conduct a detailed assessment based on business needs, utilizing drone mapping combined with energy consumption analysis, and generate a revenue estimation report within 72 hours. This report clearly presents the long-term returns under the solar leasing model, helping businesses understand overall operational benefits and ensuring informed decision-making.
During the government approval stage, we handle all necessary procedures, including grid connection permits, registrations, and local municipal approvals. The entire process requires no additional effort from the business to ensure compliance and smooth project progression.
The installation phase employs modular construction techniques, which are more efficient than traditional solar installation methods. A 100kWp solar system can be completed within 15 days, minimizing production downtime and ensuring business continuity.
Once the system is installed and operational, we provide a 12-year equipment warranty?and collaborate with leading insurance companies such as Allianz and Generali to offer performance insurance covering natural disasters and operational losses. Our automated monitoring platform runs 24/7, with a fault response time of no more than 4 hours. Additionally, the annual maintenance cost is less than 2% of the system’s energy revenue, ensuring stable and long-term benefits for businesses.
Conclusion
Amid fluctuating energy prices and increasing sustainability requirements in Europe, businesses that effectively utilize their idle rooftop space?can not only secure long-term rental income?but also reduce operational costs?and enhance market competitiveness. Our solar rooftop leasing model?provides a zero-investment, low-risk solution, helping businesses overcome high investment barriers and operational challenges?associated with solar installations.
Unlike traditional solar investment models,?rooftop leasing model eliminates the need for upfront capital investment, construction management, and equipment maintenance. Once a long-term lease agreement is signed, businesses can enjoy stable rental income or energy revenue sharing?throughout the lease period while avoiding the financial burden of rising energy costs.
The solar industry is experiencing rapid growth, with increasing government support for renewable energy initiatives. According to SolarPower Europe 2024, Europe’s total installed solar capacity is expected to reach 816 GW by 2030. The new EU rooftop solar standard, set to be implemented between 2026 and 2030, could drive an additional 150 to 200 GW of rooftop solar capacity?across the region. Combined with national renewable energy incentives, rooftop solar leasing is not only an effective way to reduce business costs?but also a strategic decision aligned with the future of energy transition.
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Reference：
Tianfeng Securities. (August 29, 2024). 2023 European Solar PV Market Analysis Report. Dongfang Fortune Securities. https://pdf.dfcfw.com/pdf/H3_AP202408291639558078_1.pdf
SolarPower Europe. (2024). EU Market Outlook for Solar Power 2024-2028. SolarPower Europe. ?https://www.solarpowereurope.org/insights/outlooks/eu-market-outlook-for-solar-power-2024-2028/detail
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Since 2008, Maysun Solar has been both an investor and manufacturer in the photovoltaic industry, providing zero-investment commercial and industrial rooftop solar solutions. With 17 years in the European market and 1.1 GW of installed capacity, we offer fully financed solar projects, allowing businesses to monetize rooftops and reduce energy costs with no upfront investment. Our advanced?IBC,?HJT?and?TOPCon?panels, and balcony solar stations, ensure high efficiency, durability, and long-term reliability. Maysun Solar handles all approvals, installation, and maintenance, ensuring a seamless, risk-free transition to solar energy while delivering stable returns.
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