"The DOE loanprogram provides an important financing 'bridge' at a time when the U.S. private debt markets have little to no experience financing first of their kind utility-scale solar projects, " First Solar Chief Executive Rob Gillette said in an email.
It would also probably have to sell the project at a lower price than under its deal with Exelon, because the loan-guarantee program may be abandoned and that would increase the financing costs, said Mr. Ries.