Can cell tower, solar or EV charging firms get SBA loans?
Short answer
It depends on the role. A business that only leases land for a tower, solar panels, billboard or wind turbine is ineligible, but the operator is eligible. EV charging stations run as passive stand-alone assets are ineligible (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. A, Ch. 1, Para. E.3).
The operator can qualify. The landowner leasing out the site cannot. SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. A, Ch. 1, Para. E.3 draws that line for cell phone towers, solar panels, billboards and wind turbines.
Land lessors
A business that leases land for the installation of these assets is not eligible. It sits within the passive business rule in 13 CFR § 120.110(c).
Operators
The business operating the cell tower, solar panel, billboard or wind turbine is eligible, if it meets every other requirement.
EV charging
EV-charging stations and businesses structured as a stand-alone asset operated on a passive basis are not eligible. The SOP does not define how much activity takes a charging business out of that category. A gas station or convenience store that adds chargers is a different kind of business, so ask your lender how it reads the rule.
Energy projects on 504 loans
504 loans have a separate public policy goal for energy projects. One category is renewable sources generating more than 15% of the energy used at the project facility. The energy must be used by the applicant at that facility (Sec. C, Ch. 1, Para. A).
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