Ep223: Investing in Decarbonization: Insights from an Experienced Investor
Sep 28, 2023
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Benoit Allehaut, chief investment officer at XCarbon Technologies, discusses investment trends in wind and solar, challenges in the supply chain and regulatory risks, positive aspects of the renewable energy market, and lessons learned and mistakes made in investing in decarbonization.
The wind and solar sectors have experienced challenges and a recent cooling down in valuations, but there is a long regulatory view on support for these projects.
Building renewable projects in America requires a vertically integrated supply chain to achieve true 'Made in America' status, but challenges exist in sourcing materials domestically.
Deep dives
Assessment of the wind and solar sectors in the US
After the Inflation Reduction Act, there was initial exuberance in the market, but it was accompanied by regulatory uncertainties, supply chain challenges, and labor issues. The renewable sector has experienced a mixed bag of pain and valuations, with a recent cooling down following the SPAC trend. Despite challenges, there is now a long regulatory view on support for wind and solar projects.
Supply chain difficulties and resolving challenges
The Biden administration's framework to incentivize building in America has created opportunities, but a vertically integrated supply chain is necessary for true 'Made in America' projects. Challenges exist in sourcing materials like polycrystalline silicon panels at scale, as China dominates certain manufacturing processes. Some companies are making strides towards domestic production, but many have to rely on buying from abroad.
Positive market forces and availablity of capital
The market for wind and solar projects is healthy and growing quickly, with corporate buyers recognizing the need to act now to secure lower prices and gain a competitive advantage. While availability of capital has been a constant, there has been a readjustment in valuations and a focus on discipline. The tax equity market, particularly in relation to new transferability rules, presents challenges for smaller developers who may not have access to partnership flips, resulting in discounts on credit sales and a divergence in the availability of cost-effective tax monetization.
Benoit Allehaut, chief investment officer at XCarbon Technologies, joins Todd Alexander for a discussion about investment trends in the wind and solar sectors, other areas of potential interest to investors, how changes in interest rates, construction costs and availability of capital are affectin the market, what decarbonization technologies are coming to market, and more.
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