Project Finance Senior Associate Position Type: Full Time Location: Arlington VA US Solar is seeking a Project Finance Senior Associate who will support and drive the financings of a pipeline of community solar and small-scale utility solar projects. The finance group is responsible for interfacing with external tax equity and debt investors active in solar and storage financing. The position will support in these activities, including, but not limited to, investor outreach materials, detailed financial analysis of financing options, and negotiating/managing transaction closings with investors. The position also requires the individual to work collaboratively with our internal project development and operations teams in our Minneapolis office. This position includes state policy/program analysis of new markets and the financial analysis as well. This is a great opportunity for a highly-driven individual to enter a high-growth solar company with an entrepreneurial work environment. This position will interact with virtually all aspects of the business and will have an ability to contribute to broader strategic initiatives and decision making for the company. Key Responsibilities • Support all financing activity across the company • Evaluate potential project financing partners and the terms/economics • Support the transaction negotiation with tax equity/debt financing partners • Lead the due diligence and financing closing process with external providers • Provide financial planning and analysis support for the company • Assist the development team on early stage development opportunities • Evaluate M&A opportunities for the company • Prepare and maintain internal approval documentation and corporate finance trackers Core Proficiencies • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Excellent analytical skills with strong working knowledge of finance/business concepts • Self-motivated and driven to exceed expectations • Able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously • Detail-oriented with excellent organization • Completes work in a timely and professional manner • Effective working individually as well as with a team • Able to react quickly and problem-solve in quickly-changing environment • Experience working with both internal and external stakeholders Requirements • Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, engineering, or math related field preferred • Experience with project finance Excel models and financial statements a plus • 3-6 years work experience after undergraduate degree preferred • Experience in a similar role or utilizing a similar Core Proficiencies; Solar or renewables experience preferred • Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint • Knowledge of and passion for the solar marketplace, technology, and industry • Ability to interface with outside lawyers, consultants, engineers and other stakeholders required • Ability to travel when necessary About US Solar US Solar is a developer, owner, operator, and financier of solar and solar + storage projects, with a focus on emerging state markets, community solar programs, distributed generation and small-scale utility projects nationwide. US Solar is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe diverse teams and diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes and breakthrough thinking, which are differentiators in any business and fundamental to our long-term success.
See More Details >>Summary Summit Ridge Energy is seeking a Manager, Project Development tasked with supporting our growing development pipeline in the Midwest Region. The Manager will be focused primarily on de-risking ground-mounted solar projects through the successful completion of real estate, permitting, interconnection, program qualification, and other requirements to bring a project through to construction-ready status and ongoing support through construction for our distributed generation solar projects. About Us Summit Ridge Energy is the nation’s leading commercial solar power company. By merging financial innovation and unmatched execution, we deliver reliable, locally generated energy that reduces reliance on foreign energy and contributes to a more resilient and secure electric grid. Summit Ridge is driving a future where solar power generation strengthens local economies and ensures energy independence for businesses and communities across America. Role And Responsibilities Development roles: • Control full development path and track project status and nuances from lease signing through NTP (primarily initial focus IL market) • Accountable for cross-functional coordination to efficiently derisk profitable and financeable projects (own the full project story through the development cycle) • Work with Legal to order and review title • Work with engineering on interconnection filings and coordinate with utility and interconnection team to overcome interconnection constraints and drive favorable results for grid integration • Work with Business Development to determine commercial path, model projects, and optimize project margins • Work with engineering on structural review, designs, and system yield • Coordinate with engineering on in scope development, project specifications, and component selection to ensure best-in-class solar system design packages as projects progress to advanced stage design sets • Coordinate with preconstruction and procurement on project timing, EPC selection, materials for EPC bids, and long-lead procurement • Coordinate with project finance and corporate operations team on key deliverables for financial closings • Coordinate with accounting for timely payments and tracking of major future payments • Lead coordination with AHJ’s on discretionary permitting efforts or variances • Negotiate and execute key project contracts including site lease and easement agreements, interconnection agreements, PILOT agreements, etc. • Liase with landowners and community stakeholders through project development process to address concerns, streamline timelines, and minimize costs and eliminate binary risks • Lead interactions with program administrator or PSC commission towards qualifying projects into community solar programs (e.g. IL ABP, MD CSEGS) • Manage third-party contracts with SRE’s technical, environmental, and interconnection consultants in support of project development efforts • Monitor and evaluate clean energy trends and policies to communicate recommendations on strategic development to Summit Ridge leadership • Evaluate technical and economic feasibility of pipeline projects at various stages of development • Establish and foster key relationships with local permitting authorities, utilities, community members and other third-party solar developers Development Support Roles • Support on controlling and auditing data integrity (dates, margins) continuously for SRE’s constantly evolving portfolio • Train junior development and business development team members on the usage of Microsoft Office suite and Summit Ridge Energy’s Atlas platform • Devise, develop, and implement process improvement strategies to streamline Summit Ridge’s development cycle and data control • Liaise with FP&A ad hoc on financial projections and board meeting preparation Required Skills/Competencies • Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, engineering, or equivalent degree • 3-5 years of experience in the energy storage or small utility-scale or ground-mounted solar industry • Strong project management skills to manage multiple projects at one time, meet short deadlines • Experience consulting various GIS databases to identify site restrictions, terrain, flood plains, easements, etc. • Experience evaluating and mitigating real estate risks, such as securing lease agreements, obtaining required easements, clearing title policy restrictions (SNDAs, etc.) • Experience working in communities with planning boards and other agencies related to permitting, zoning and other community engagement • Familiarity with energy storage and solar technologies and related electrical equipment including vendors, products, technical specifications, utility, and commercial standards, and applicable codes • Ability to travel 25-30 percent of the time. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Summit Ridge Energy, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company. Occupational Health and Safety: Summit Ridge provides a workplace free from recognized hazards and complies with standards, rules, and regulations issued under the OSH Act. Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment as well as in the field when visiting potential development sites or active development projects. In the office, this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, printers, scanners, filing cabinets, and teleconferencing software. The employee would be expected to travel to project sites by air, car, or rail. In the field, the employee may encounter walking on uneven surfaces and some exposure to outdoor climates. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
See More Details >>Entering the solar trade in Arlington, DC, often begins with a Registered Apprenticeship Program, which combines hands-on experience with technical instruction, allowing individuals to earn while they learn. These apprenticeships typically last about four years and require a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of technical instruction annually. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the solar industry employed 279,447 workers nationwide as of December 2023, with a 5.9% increase from 2022. In Arlington, DC, the average weekly wage for solar professionals is approximately $860, with experienced workers often earning over $100,000 annually. Training programs and certifications from organizations like NABCEP are crucial for career advancement, offering pathways to stable and well-paying jobs in a rapidly growing sector.
