This intensive course gives participants a practical, end-to-end understanding of how solar PV projects create value and secure funding across different market segments. It starts with solar technology fundamentals — modules and cells, balance-of-system components, resource assessment and energy yield modelling — so participants can link technical choices to production and cost outcomes.
The course then explores utility-scale, commercial/industrial and off-grid business models, covering tenders, merchant solar, self-consumption, net-metering, leases, community power and pay-as-you-go solutions for energy access.
Building on this, delegates are introduced to project finance structures for solar, learning how to interpret cash-flow waterfalls, calculate DSCR and other coverage ratios, and understand how reserve accounts, covenants and credit-enhancement instruments impact debt capacity and equity returns through case-based group work.
Programme Content
Key Topics
01
Solar PV Economics & Technology
PV modules and cells: silicon, thin film, multijunction technologies
Balance of system: inverters, tracking, plant design and losses
Resource assessment and energy yield: irradiation, p50/p90
Watt-peak, cell efficiency, performance ratio and STC
Group work modelling a generic PV plant across locations
02
Solar PV Business Models
Utility-scale: tenders, merchant solar and trading
Grid integration and storage: curtailment and smart grids
Off-grid: PAYG models, mobile payment and consumer finance
Case work on 100MW utility and 100kW commercial PV plants
03
Risk Management & Bankability
Risk phases: development, construction, start-up and O&M
EPC turn-key contracts, liquidated damages and force majeure
Warranties, insurances, guarantees and hedging instruments
Multilateral banks and export credit agencies
RE project screening checklists and due diligence
04
Solar Finance & Financial Structuring
Cash-flow waterfalls and calculation of CFADS, DSCR, LLCR, PLCR
Reserve accounts, cash sweeps, cash traps and dividend blockers
Sensitivity analysis: energy yield, CAPEX/OPEX and PPA terms
Optimising debt:equity ratio, NPV and cash-flow payback
Case work reviewing sample contracts and risk-management policies
Learning Outcomes
What You Will Learn
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
01Understand key technical and economic drivers of solar PV projects, including module and inverter choices, system design, resource characteristics and energy yield
02Compare and evaluate major solar business models (utility-scale, C&I and off-grid), and understand how technology and financial innovation are enabling new approaches
03Learn core solar project finance concepts, including lender ratios, cash-flow waterfalls, DSCR/LLCR/PLCR, reserve accounts and their effect on debt capacity and equity returns
04Recognise and manage key risks in solar project finance — technology performance, resource uncertainty, policy changes, curtailment and payment/FX risks — using contracts and insurance
05Gain hands-on experience reviewing solar financial models and testing sensitivities around energy yield, CAPEX/OPEX and PPA structures to optimise project bankability and returns
Dates & Pricing
Sessions & Fees
Available as virtual sessions (MS Teams / Zoom) and classroom. Contact us for additional classroom dates worldwide.
Dates
Time Zone
Format
Fee
23–25 Nov 2026
Central European — 9 AM–5 PM
Virtual
£1,600
Classroom Sessions
Various cities — contact us
Classroom
£2,200
Target Audience
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for professionals across the solar value chain who wish to understand solar economics, financing and business models in depth.
Project Developers & Sponsors
Structuring and financing solar power projects
OEM, EPC & O&M Providers
Manufacturers, contractors and service providers in solar
IPPs, Utilities & Grid Operators
Scaling solar within existing power portfolios
Investors & Lenders
Private equity, institutional investors and commercial/DFI banks
Legal, Technical & Insurance Advisors
Professionals advising on solar transactions
Government & Corporate Teams
Regulators, procurement managers and energy transition teams
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the course cover? +
The course covers solar PV technology and costs, business models from utility-scale to off-grid, project finance structuring, risk identification and allocation, financial modelling using a real solar model, and global case studies.
What are the 2026 session dates? +
Virtual sessions: 23–24 November 2026 (Central European time, 9 AM–5 PM). Classroom sessions available on request.
What is the course fee? +
Virtual sessions are £1,800 per delegate. Classroom sessions are £2,900 per delegate. UK-based sessions are subject to 20% VAT.
Does the course include a financial model? +
Yes. Delegates use a spreadsheet-based solar project finance model during the course and receive access to a shared cloud folder with background reports, tools and templates in electronic format.
Can this course be delivered in-house? +
Yes. All London Petro Academy courses are available as fully customisable in-house programmes delivered at your premises or any location worldwide. Contact j.rogus@londonpetroacademy.co.uk for a tailored proposal.
All London Petro Academy courses are available as fully customised in-house programmes delivered at your premises, virtually, or at any location worldwide.
