Financing Receivables

Financing receivables include financing energy efficiency and renewable energy project loans, receivables and direct financing leases.

Unless otherwise noted, we generally have the ability and intent to hold our financing receivables for the foreseeable future and thus they are classified as held for investment. Our ability and intent to hold certain financing receivables may change from time to time depending on a number of factors, including economic, liquidity and capital conditions. The carrying value of financing receivables held for investment represents the present value of the note, lease or other payments, net of any unearned fee income, which is recognized as income over the term of the note or lease using the effective interest method. Financing receivables that are held for investment are carried, unless deemed impaired, at cost, net of any unamortized acquisition premiums or discounts and include origination and acquisition costs, as applicable. Financing receivables that we intend to sell in the short-term are classified as held-for-sale and are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value on our balance sheet. The net purchases and proceeds from these sales of our held-for-sale financing receivables are recorded as an operating activity in our statement of cash flows based on our intent at the time of purchase. We may secure nonrecourse debt with the proceeds from our financing receivables.

We evaluate our financing receivables for potential delinquency or impairment on at least a quarterly basis and more frequently when economic or other conditions warrant such an evaluation. When a financing receivable becomes 90 days or more past due, and if we otherwise do not expect the debtor to be able to service all of its debt or other obligations, we will generally consider the financing receivable delinquent or impaired and place the financing receivable on non-accrual status and cease recognizing income from that financing receivable until the borrower has demonstrated the ability and intent to pay contractual amounts due. If a financing receivable’s status significantly improves regarding the debtor’s ability to service the debt or other obligations, we will remove it from non-accrual status.

A financing receivable is also considered impaired as of the date when, based on current information and events, it is determined that it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contracted terms. Many of our financing receivables are secured by energy efficiency and renewable energy infrastructure projects. Accordingly, we regularly evaluate the extent and impact of any credit deterioration associated with the performance and value of the underlying project, as well as the financial and operating capability of the borrower, its sponsors or the obligor as well as any guarantors. We consider a number of qualitative and quantitative factors in our assessment, including, as appropriate, a project’s operating results, loan-to-value ratios and any cash reserves, the ability of expected cash from operations to cover the cash flow requirements currently and into the future, key terms of the transaction, the ability of the borrower to refinance the transaction, other credit support from the sponsor or guarantor and the project’s collateral value. In addition, we consider the overall economic environment, the sustainable infrastructure sector, the effect of local, industry, and broader economic factors, the impact of any variation in weather and the historical and anticipated trends in interest rates, defaults and loss severities for similar transactions.

If a financing receivable is considered to be impaired, we record an allowance to reduce the carrying value of the financing receivable to the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the financing receivable’s contractual effective rate or the amount realizable from other contractual terms such as the currently estimated fair market value of the collateral less estimated selling costs, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. We charge off financing receivables against the allowance when we determine the unpaid principal balance is uncollectible, net of recovered amounts.

Real Estate

Real estate reflects land or other real estate held on our balance sheet. Real estate intangibles reflect the value of associated lease intangibles, net of any amortization. In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the fair value of the real estate acquired in a business combination with in-place leases is allocated to (i) the acquired tangible assets, consisting of land or other real property such as buildings, and (ii) the identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases and the value of other acquired intangible assets, based in each case on their fair values.

The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired leased property is determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, and the “as-if-vacant” value is then allocated to land, building and tenant improvements, if any, based on the determination of the fair values of these assets. The as-if-vacant fair value of a property is determined by management based on an appraisal of the property by a qualified appraiser.

In allocating the fair value of the identified intangible assets and liabilities of an acquired property, above-market and below-market in-place lease values are recorded as intangible assets based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases, and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease, including renewal periods likely of being exercised by the lessee. The capitalized above-market lease values are amortized as a reduction of rental income and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an increase to rental income. We also record, as appropriate, an intangible asset for in-place leases. The value of the leases in place at the time of the transaction is equal to the potential revenue (rent and expenses) lost if the leases were not in place (during downtime) and that would be incurred to obtain the lease. The amortization is calculated over the initial term unless management believes that it is likely that the tenant would exercise the renewal option, whereby we would amortize the value attributable to the renewal over the renewal period. If a lease were to be terminated, all unamortized amounts relating to that lease would be written off.

We record the purchases of real estate, other than in a business combination (i.e. real estate with no in-places leases), as asset acquisitions that are recorded at cost, including acquisition and closing costs.

Our real estate is generally leased to tenants on a net lease basis, whereby the tenant is responsible for all operating expenses relating to the property, generally including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs and capital expenditures. Scheduled rental revenue typically varies during the lease term and thus rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis, unless there is considerable risk as to collectability, so as to produce a constant periodic rent over the term of the lease. Accrued rental income is the aggregate difference between the scheduled rents which vary during the lease term and the income recognized on a straight-line basis and is recorded in other assets. Rental expenses (if any) are charged to operations as incurred.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include short-term government securities, certificates of deposit and money market funds, all of which had an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. These securities are carried at their purchase price, which approximates fair value.

Variable Interest Entities and Equity Method Investments in Affiliates

We account for our investment in entities that are considered voting or variable interest entities under ASC 810. We perform an ongoing assessment to determine the primary beneficiary of each entity as required by ASC 810. We have established various special purpose entities or securitization trusts for the purpose of securitizing certain financing receivables or other debt investments which are not consolidated in our financial statements as described in Securitization of Receivables above.

Substantially all of the activities of the special purpose entities that are formed for the purpose of holding our financing receivables and investments on our balance sheet are closely associated with our activities. Based on our assessment, we determined that we have power over and receive the benefits of these special purpose entities; hence, we are the primary beneficiary and should consolidate these entities under the provisions of ASC 810.

As described in Note 1, we made equity investments in various wind projects. We share in the cash flows and tax attributes according to a negotiated schedule. Wind projects are typically owned in partnerships structures (using limited liability corporations, or LLCs taxed as partnerships) where we, along with other large institutional investors, if any, receive a stated preferred return consisting of a priority distribution of the project’s cash flows, and in some cases, tax attributes. Once this preferred return is achieved, the partnership “flips” and the wind energy company which operates the project, receives the a larger portion of the cash flows through its interest in the holding company and we, along with the other institutional investors, will have an on-going residual interest.

The limited liability entities with JPMorgan (which own the interest in the holding companies that own certain of the wind projects) are jointly controlled with each member owning 50% of the voting stock. Based on our assessment, we have determined that these entities are voting interest entities and we have the ability to exercise influence over their operating and financial policies and as such we therefore account for such investments using the equity method. JPMorgan has certain rights to withdraw from the partnership in the future in which case we would be obligated to buy their interest at the fair market value at the time of withdraw.

We own directly, or indirectly as partners with JPMorgan, interests in various limited liability holding companies that own wind projects. Each of the holding companies is partially owned and operated by a wind energy company. Based on our assessment, we have determined that each of the holding companies (including the acquired ownership interest in the Creston Ridge Management, LLC and Buckeye Wind Energy Class B Holdings LLC) is a variable interest entity and that we have the ability to exercise influence over operating and financial policies of the holding companies, but we are not the primary beneficiary as we do not have the power to direct the most important decisions related to the most significant activities of the investment. Thus we do not consolidate the limited liability entities or the holding companies, but account for them using the equity method of accounting as described below. Our maximum exposure to loss associated with these entities is limited to our investment.

Under the equity method of accounting, the carrying value of our equity method investments is determined based on amounts we invested, adjusted for the equity in earnings or losses of investee allocated based on the limited liability entity agreement, less distributions received. Because the limited liability entity and holding company agreements contain preferences with regard to cash flows from operations, capital events and liquidation, we reflect our share of profits and losses by determining the difference between our “claim on the investee’s book value” at the end and the beginning of the period. This claim is calculated as the amount we would receive (or be obligated to pay) if the investee were to liquidate all of its assets at recorded amounts determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and distribute the resulting cash to creditors and investors in accordance with their respective priorities. This method is commonly referred to as the hypothetical liquidation at book value method or (“HLBV”). Intra-company gains and losses are eliminated for an amount equal to our interest and are reflected in the share in loss from equity method investment in affiliate in the consolidated statements of operations. Cash distributions received from our equity method investments are classified as operating cash flows to the extent of cumulative HLBV earnings. Any additional cash flows are deemed to be returns of the investment and are classified as investing cash flows. We have elected to recognize earnings from these investments one quarter in arrears to allow for the receipt of financial information.

We evaluate the realization of our investment accounted for using the equity method if circumstances indicate that our investment is OTTI. OTTI impairment occurs when the estimated fair value of an investment is below the carrying value and the difference is determined to not be recoverable. This evaluation requires significant judgment regarding, but not limited to, the severity and duration of the impairment; the ability and intent to hold the securities until recovery; financial condition, liquidity, and near-term prospects of the issuer; specific events; and other factors. Based on an evaluation of our equity method investments, we determined that no impairment had occurred for 2015 or 2014. We did not have any equity method investments as of December 31, 2013.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We may utilize derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swaps, to manage, or hedge, our interest rate risk exposures associated with new debt issuances, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on variable rate debt, and to optimize the mix of our fixed and floating-rate debt. In addition, we may use forward-starting interest rate swap contracts to manage a portion of our interest rate exposure for anticipated refinancing of our long-term debts. Our objective is to manage the impact of interest rates on the results of operations and cash flows and the market value of our debt.

We use interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges to manage our interest rate exposures associated with new debt issuances and to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on variable rate debt. We attempt to use derivative instruments that are considered highly effective in reducing our exposure to the interest rate risk that they are designated to hedge. This effectiveness is essential in order to qualify for hedge accounting. Instruments that meet these hedging criteria are formally designated as hedges at the inception of the derivative contract. Derivatives are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of associated deferred income tax effects, in our Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in fair value of the ineffective portions of these hedges are recognized in Other, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, changes in fair value are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period that the change occurs. We assess, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items. We do not hold derivatives for trading purposes.

Interest rate swap contracts contain a credit risk that counterparties may be unable to fulfill the terms of the agreement. We attempt to minimize that risk by evaluating the creditworthiness of its counterparties, who are limited to major banks and financial institutions, and do not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.

Equity-Based Compensation

At the time of completion of our IPO, we adopted our 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”), which provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, shares of restricted common stock, phantom shares, dividend equivalent rights, long-term incentive-plan units (“LTIP units”) and other restricted limited partnership units issued by our Operating Partnership and other equity-based awards. From time to time, we may award unvested restricted stock as compensation to members of our senior management team, our independent directors, employees, advisors, consultants and other personnel under our 2013 Plan.

We record compensation expense for stock awards in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. We record compensation expense for unvested shares that vest solely based on service conditions on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based upon the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant, adjusted for forfeitures. For awards where the vesting is contingent upon achievement of certain performance targets, compensation expense is recorded over the requisite service period (which includes the performance period) based on our estimate of the achievement of the various performance targets, adjusted for forfeitures. Our share price at the date of grant and actual performance results at the end of the performance period determine the fair value and the number of shares that will ultimately be awarded. The award earned is generally between 0% and 150% of the initial target, depending on the extent to which the performance target are met. If minimum performance targets are not attained, no awards will be made.

Segment Reporting

We provide and arrange debt and equity financing for sustainable infrastructure projects and report all of our activities as one business segment.