--- title: Breiter Planet Capital | California description: California | Breiter Planet Capital is the investment management arm of Breiter Planet Properties which is our parent company. We focus on investments into solar, real estate, and acquisitions of complementary companies. --- [![vast.png](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo_transparent_background-2.png?width=3400&height=1556&name=logo_transparent_background-2.png "vast.png")](http://breiterplanet.com) - [HOME](https://www.breiterplanet.com/) - COMPANY - [HOW WE HELP OUR CLIENTS](https://www.breiterplanet.com/#HowWeHelpOurClients) - [ABOUT US](https://www.breiterplanet.com/#AboutUs) - [OUR BACKGROUND](https://www.breiterplanet.com/#OurBackground) - [LEADERSHIP TEAM](https://www.breiterplanet.com/#LeadershipTeam) - [CONTACT US](https://www.breiterplanet.com/#ContactUs) - [CAREERS](https://www.breiterplanet.com/careers) - SOLUTIONS - [LAND LEASE](https://www.breiterplanet.com/#LandLease) - [ROOF LEASE](https://www.breiterplanet.com/#RoofLease) - [COMMUNITY SOLAR SUBSCRIPTION](https://www.breiterplanet.com/#CommunitySolarSubscription) - [SOLAR AS A SERVICE](https://www.breiterplanet.com/#SolarAsAService) - [BREITER PLANET HOME](https://www.breiterplanet.com/#BreiterPlanetHome) - [COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS](https://www.breiterplanet.com/#CommunityBasedPrograms) - [Solar Equipment Distribution](https://distribution.breiterplanet.com) - [BLOG](https://blog.breiterplanet.com) - [CONSTRUCTION](https://www.breiterplanet.com/unitedstates) - [CAPITAL](https://www.breiterplanet.com/capital) - [SHOP](https://shop.breiterplanet.com/) # Breiter Planet Capital ## [Fitch rates 550 MW First Solar-installed Topaz project notes at ‘C’ despite superb performance](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/fitch-rates-550-mw-first-solar-installed-topaz-project-notes-at-c-despite-superb-performance) May 14, 2020 9:30:00 AM / by [Eric Wesoff, pv magazine](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/author/eric-wesoff-pv-magazine) posted in [Solar Development](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/topic/solar-development), [Solar Finance](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/topic/solar-finance), [California](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/topic/california), [United States](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/topic/united-states), [Utility-Scale PV](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/topic/utility-scale-pv), [Installations](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/topic/installations), [Utility Scale Markets](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/topic/utility-scale-markets), [Renewables](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/topic/renewables), [Clean Energy](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/topic/clean-energy), [Green Finance](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/topic/green-finance), [Solar assets](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/topic/solar-assets) [0 Comments](https://blog.breiterplanet.com/capital/fitch-rates-550-mw-first-solar-installed-topaz-project-notes-at-c-despite-superb-performance#comments-listing) ![](https://l0dl1j3lc42iebd82042pgl2-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/04/Screenshot-2020-04-23-19.45.45.png) Topaz Solar Project, San Luis Obispo California *image: NASA* [Fitch Ratings](https://www.fitchratings.com/research/infrastructure-project-finance/fitch-affirms-topaz-solar-farms-llc-senior-notes-at-c-22-04-2020) has given Topaz Solar Farms, LLC’s $1.1 billion ($857.4 million outstanding) senior secured notes a “C” rating. The Fitch Ratings [glossary](https://info.creditriskmonitor.com/Help/FitchGlossary.asp#LT-C) defines a “C” rating as “exceptionally high levels of credit risk” meaning “default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill.” The credit rating of the Topaz project has been at “C” for more than year — because of the looming liability of having a bankrupt offtaker, PG&E — although the utility could emerge from chapter 11 in June of this year, pending a decision from the California Public Utility Commission. In the meantime, the ratings document affords some insight into mega-project performance. **History of Topaz** In 2014, the 550 MW Topaz Solar project achieved full commercial operation and, for a while, was the largest solar plant on-line in the world. PG&E purchases the electricity from the Topaz project under a 25-year fixed price power purchase agreement. First Solar installed more than nine million thin-film cadmium-telluride solar panels at a fixed tilt of 25-degrees across 9.5 square miles of disturbed farmland in San Luis Obispo County on California’s Carrizo Plain. Construction of the MidAmerican Solar-owned project began in 2011. First Solar continues to operate and maintain the plant. Followers of ancient history will recall that this project was originated by OptiSolar in the aughts and that some of the Topaz real estate was once intended for an Ausra CSP solar power plant. **Project performance details** According to the ratings document, Topaz’s “very stable” operational performance “has exceeded the base case forecasts for over four years of commercial operating history and exhibits healthy financial metrics, with modest leverage and strengthening debt service coverage ratios.” According to the Fitch document, in 2019: - Actual output from Topaz was 103% of the P50 forecast and above Fitch’s base case. - Availability was steady at 99% (compared to Fitch’s base case estimate of 97%). - Energy lost due to maintenance and soiling did not impact operations significantly. - PG&E-directed curtailment was ~11,600 MWh in 2019 — less than 1% of generation. - Topaz is not undergoing adverse impacts to operations or staffing due to the coronavirus. Fitch’s base case utilizes the P50 electric generation estimate, 97% availability, 0.9% annual panel degradation, a 2% energy output reduction, and a 2% inflation assumption. **Financial performance details** The Topaz plant had strong performance in 2019. - The plant posted $199.2 million in revenue in 2019, down 10% from 2018 due to lower insolation and other factors, according to unaudited financial data. - Cash flow available for debt service decreased from $210.4 million in 2018 to $178.5 million in 2019. - PG&E has been current on all PPA payments with Topaz since filing for bankruptcy protection in January 2019. Fitch admits that the “metrics are consistent with a strong investment grade profile” but the project rating “reflects Topaz’s exposure to a bankrupt utility counterparty” for all of its revenue under a long-term PPA. **Upgrading the rating?** The rating of this project will get a boost if and when PG&E emerges from bankruptcy. The Topaz PPA represents a significant portion of PG&E’s contracted capacity and is expected to be included under the reorganization plan. The CPUC will vote on the proposed bankruptcy decision on May 21. PG&E will have access to a $21 billion wildfire insurance fund if it emerges from bankruptcy by June 30.   Schedule a call with us to learn more about how we finance and develop solar projects around the globe. [![SCHEDULE A CALL WITH US](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4287976/17866f77-d8e8-4f34-af4f-9d8fda2e6256.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4287976/17866f77-d8e8-4f34-af4f-9d8fda2e6256)   This article originally appeared on [pv-magazine-usa.com](http://pv-magazine-usa.com/), and has been republished with permission by pv magazine ([www.pv-magazine.com](http://www.pv-magazine.com/) and [www.pv-magazine-usa.com](http://www.pv-magazine-usa.com/)). 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Our work includes solar PV installations, battery storage and backup power systems, EV charging infrastructure, and broader electrical and building upgrades such as service upgrades, roofing integration, and energy-efficient retrofits. We operate as a developer-led builder, bringing a practical, field-driven approach to every project with a focus on long-term performance, code compliance, and system reliability. 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