ENV 635b () / 2023-2024

Renewable Energy Project Finance

Credits: 3 Spring 2024: Tu,Th, 9:00-10:20, Online

The course is intended to be a practicum, exposing students to real-world tools of the trade as well as the theory underlying them. In place of a textbook, students will read approximately 400 pages of legal contracts and engineering reports from a U.S. renewable energy project. Through weekly homework assignments, students develop the skills necessary to construct a detailed financial model, largely comparable to what would be used by an investment firm, project developer, or independent power producer. Modeling skills include sizing debt capacity, sensitivity analysis, stochastic forecasting, taxes, and 3-way financial statements. Lectures introduce energy market dynamics, financial structuring, equipment engineering, risk management, and alternative contractual frameworks. Lecture will be on Zoom, except for live sessions in Burke Auditorium on January 16, January 18, and a few additional dates later in the semester. Class follows the YSE academic calendar and commences one week prior to SOM’s spring term. Admission is by application, including a one-paragraph statement of interest which should be uploaded to https://forms.gle/w7dgk7twppcBym447 no later than November 30.

While cross-listed at the School of Management, it will follow the YSE Academic Calendar.