Silver Lake Kraftwerk to invest US$100 million in SolarCity

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The US$100 million investment stands as quadruple the size of Silver Lake Kraftwerk’s original investment in SolarCity in 2012. Image: SolarCity

Leading US installer SolarCity is raising US$113 million through a bond sale to technology investor, Silver Lake Kraftwerk, the company's chairman, Elon Musk, and CEO Lyndon Rive.

Under the sale of convertible bonds, Silver Lake Kraftwerk has agreed to invest US$100 million, Musk US$10 million and Rive US$3 million.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The investment by Silver Lake Kraftwerk stands as almost quadruple the size of its initial investment in SolarCity in February 2012.

Josh Raffaelli, managing director at Silver Lake Kraftwerk, said: “We believe that SolarCity is a highly attractive long-term investment opportunity. We think the company's unparalleled access to solar-specific tax equity, asset-backed security and debt clearly differentiates it from providers that are funding projects constantly via equity markets. Furthermore, we firmly believe that SolarCity's near term focus on cost reduction and cash flow breakeven is absolutely the right strategy—the company is already the leader in both commercial and residential solar.

“Its technology and brand advantage coupled with its cost structure and low cost of capital position it to continue to grow in 2017 even if the federal investment tax credit steps down. Distributed solar generation is an enormous opportunity and we believe there is no other company better positioned to take advantage of it.”

Rive added: “Solar overtook natural gas and coal as the largest source of new energy in the U.S. in the first half of 2015, representing 40% of new capacity. Demand for SolarCity's services has never been greater than it is today, and the global addressable market in front of us is massive. “Silver Lake Kraftwerk knows the company and category well and we're excited to work with them again.”

Read Next

September 26, 2025
The New South Wales (NSW) government has committed AU$28 million (US$18.3 million) to establish a new Renewables Manufacturing Hub in Blacktown, Western Sydney, Australia.
September 19, 2025
Australia has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 62-70% below 2005 levels by 2035, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday (18 September).
September 11, 2025
The EBRD has launched a new programme to improve access to green financing and support energy investments such as renewable power projects.
August 28, 2025
Venture capital firm Pacific Channel has launched Fund V, which targets 10GW of solar, wind, and energy storage in New Zealand.
Premium
August 1, 2025
Sustained private investment into UK solar is starting to produce results, at least with regard to the role of solar power in its energy mix.
August 1, 2025
Dutch pension fund APG has agreed to provide Octopus Australia with AU$1 billion to support its solar, wind, and BESS portfolio.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK