I'm jumping into the renewable energy space with this new financial model. It is specifically for wind farms / wind turbines. The revenue and expense assumptions presented new dynamic logical configurations to get a applicable financial feasibility study spreadsheet tool. These businesses are capital intensive and require precise planning in order to understand all the various unit economics / potential returns.
Choose between Power Purchase Agreements and/or Wholesaling for monetization of energy.
Optional revenue streams for Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), Government Subsidies and one other ancillary income source.
Arbitrarily large/small turbine count per deployment.
Includes an integrated 3 statement model.
Includes a DCF Analysis, IRR, ROI, and option for joint venture.
Up to 5 construction loans (one per deployment tranche) with PIK option.
Up to 2 general operating loans.
Key Visualizations (includes a bonus view that was not in the video for capacity analysis)
UPDATE: I added an option for the interest-only loan to either accrue or not accrue.
For Each Deployment Tranche, Define the Following Assumptions:
Start Month #
Number of Turbines Deployed
Construction Period Length
Land Costs (or if leasing land zero out)
Cost per Turbine (price per turbine based on megawatt capacity)
Construction Costs (includes things like site prep, transportation/logistics, insurance, permitting/legal, project management, electrical infrastructure.
Percentage of total construction costs financed.
Option for i/o or regular loan for each tranche with loan terms adjustable for each.
Revenue Assumptions per Tranche:
Pick revenue method (power purchase agreement (PPA) or wholesale)
For PPA, define monthly contract value and annual escalation rate.
For Wholesale:
Define capacity factor per month (month 1 - 12) for seasonality.
Define price per MW/h and expected change over time.
Define annual degradation to account for wear and tear.
Define max monthly production hours.
Revenue is based on the total turbine count x average MW capacity x capacity factor x price. Degradation is also accounted for and applied to the capacity attained.
Direct Cost Assumptions:
A schedule is available so that you can define the expected monthly cost once each turbine tranche is active.
There is a cost per MW/h transmitted that applies to the total MW/h production per month.
There is a cost per turbine that applies to all turbines.
Other general assumptions include fixed corporate overheads and staffing. Each have 100s of input slots to account for both small or large organizations. Additionally, I've included an option for an exit value, taxes, joint venture / cap table, and other one-time startup costs.
Annual DCF Analysis (includes project and a view for each joint venture party)
KPI Visualizations
Some Reasons to Get Into the Wind Farm Business
Starting a wind farm can offer several financial advantages, reflecting the growing emphasis on renewable energy sources worldwide. Here are some of the key financial pros of investing in wind energy:
1. Stable Revenue Streams
Wind farms can generate stable and predictable revenue streams, especially with long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in place. These contracts lock in the price at which electricity will be sold, often for periods of 20 years or more, providing long-term financial predictability.
2. Government Incentives and Subsidies
Many governments around the world offer incentives to promote renewable energy. These can include tax credits, feed-in tariffs, grants, and low-interest loans, all of which improve the economic feasibility of wind farm projects. For instance, the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) in the United States significantly reduce the tax burden on wind energy projects.
3. Lower Operational and Maintenance Costs
Once constructed, wind farms tend to have relatively low operational and maintenance costs compared to conventional power plants. The absence of fuel costs for wind farms means that they are less exposed to the volatility of fuel prices, further stabilizing their operational costs.
4. Environmental Credits and Certifications
Wind farms can generate additional revenue through the sale of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or carbon credits. These certificates can be sold to individuals or companies looking to offset their carbon footprint or meet renewable energy targets, providing an extra income stream.
5. Energy Independence and Security
Investing in wind energy contributes to energy independence and security by diversifying the energy supply. This can be particularly financially beneficial for countries or regions looking to reduce their reliance on imported fuels, thereby mitigating the risk of fluctuating energy prices and enhancing national security.
6. Rapid Technological Advancements
The wind energy sector has seen rapid technological advancements, leading to more efficient and powerful turbines. This increases the energy output per turbine, improving the overall economic viability of new wind farm projects.
7. Market Demand for Green Energy
There is a growing market demand for green, renewable energy from both consumers and corporations, many of whom are willing to pay a premium for sustainably generated electricity. This trend can provide wind farms with a competitive advantage in the energy market.
8. Asset Appreciation
Wind farms can be valuable long-term assets. As demand for renewable energy increases and as more regions impose carbon pricing or restrictions on fossil fuels, the value of renewable energy assets is likely to increase.
9. Social and Regulatory Support
The social and regulatory push for clean energy can translate into financial benefits for wind farm operators. This includes preferential regulatory treatment, faster permitting processes, and community support for renewable projects.