Ask HN: Would you buy Solar Bonds?

1 pointsaharonovich10y ago2 comments

Solar Bonds[1], bonds issued by Solarcity, pay 2%-5% and can be purchased online, look very compelling. On the other hand they are super leveraged and have no asset backing them, they are truly naked and finance the most dangerous trench of the Solarcity business. [1]: https://solarbonds.solarcity.com/

2 comments

greenyoda10y ago

"On the other hand they are super leveraged and have no asset backing them, they are truly naked and finance the most dangerous trench of the Solarcity business."

Why does getting a 2-5% yield for what you admit is a very risky investment seem compelling to you?

According to Bloomberg, investment grade corporate bonds (a safe investment) are currently yielding 3.52%, and high yield bonds are currently yielding 5.97%.[1]

You can buy an ETF (ticker: JNK) that has a diversified portfolio of high yield bonds that yields 5.84%.[2]

By failing to list such investment alternatives on its web site, solarcity.com is making their bonds look like a deceptively good investment. Sure, it's easy to beat high yield CD rates, but CDs have no capital risk (bank accounts are FDIC insured).

[1] http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/rates-bonds/corporate-bonds...

[2] http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=jnk&ql=1

aharonovichOP10y ago

I agree, but counting issues (type 424B5) in Solarcity's SEC filings[1] I see >$150m in solar bonds, and that's excluding the $90 mio from SpaceX. I try to understand who is buying them and why, given all the good reasons you've just mentioned.

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