Program Overview

ENV 635b: Renewable Energy Project Finance

Course Description

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 are provided with approximately 400 pages of actual project documents used for a U.S. wind 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 the creation of financial statements. Lectures also provide an introduction to risk management, energy market dynamics, alternative contractual structures, financial structuring, and the core engineering and risks inherent in the most common renewable energy technologies.

Course Details

• Credits: 3
• Spring 2026: Tu,Th, 9:00-10:20, Burke Aud
• Application Required:
• This course is primarily online but may include 4-6 in-person sessions, pending the instructor’s availability to travel. While cross-listed at the School of Management, it follows the YSE academic calendar. Admission requires an application.

Faculty

• Daniel Gross

Additional Information

• The course is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in renewable energy project finance, using real-world project documents and case studies.
• The course covers a range of topics, including financial modeling, risk management, energy market dynamics, and the core engineering and risks inherent in renewable energy technologies.