What questions should you prepare for in a renewable energy finance interview?

What trends do you see in the renewable energy industry? Can you discuss recent developments or news related to renewable energy finance? How do government policies impact the renewable energy sector? What financial metrics are crucial in evaluating the profitability of a renewable energy project? How do you calculate the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE)? Can you explain the key assumptions you would use in a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis for a renewable energy project? How would you analyze the market potential for a new renewable energy project in a specific region? What market factors would you consider when deciding to invest in solar, wind, or other renewable technologies?

Here is a sample response: “I’m passionate about renewable energy as it’s key to a sustainable future. The sector is innovative, creating solutions like wind and solar power, and it’s about people and communities, stimulating economic growth and energy security. My studies in renewable energy and sustainability have equipped me with knowledge and skills I’m eager to apply. The dynamic nature of this industry excites me as it’s constantly evolving. I look forward to contributing to a cleaner, greener world.”

Any renewable energy finance professional should have good knowledge of the following within the local and global context: 1. Electricity market 2. Laws and regulations 3. Contracts like PPA, CfD, VPP, Aggregator 4. Incentives including FIT, net metering, carbon credits, tax credits 5. Project financing 6. Techno-economic feasibility 7. Financial modeling

Le marché de l’énergie est marqué par une forte volatilité des prix, liée à la demande, à l’offre, aux tensions géopolitiques et aux aléas climatiques. Le marché de l’énergie est également marqué par une transition énergétique, qui vise à réduire la dépendance aux énergies fossiles, à diversifier le mix énergétique et à limiter les émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Le marché de l’énergie est enfin marqué par une transformation numérique, qui permet d’optimiser la gestion des réseaux, de favoriser l’autoconsommation, de développer les services énergétiques et de renforcer la sécurité et la résilience du système électrique. Les technologies clés sont par exemple les réseaux intelligents, le stockage d’énergie, l’hydrogène vert.

Related to this trending issue, knowledge of the energy sector is necessary. It is also required to have recognition in the impact that energy has on the environment and climate. Because today's trend of the renewable energy industry is not determined only by the demand for energy, but also by the impact that resources have on the environment. For these reasons the trend in this type of industry is closely related to these factors. The principle is already known that the expectations are towards green energy, but the methods tried so far in renewable energy have different impacts on the environment, some of them not directly but rather indirectly such as the problem with the costs of recycling waste.

Les tendances et perspectives de l'industrie sont des sujets probables d'interrogation. Selon mon expérience j'ai déjà passer à une discussion en industrie à propos des développements récents dans le secteur des énergies renouvelables, des enjeux actuels et des opportunités émergentes. aussi le côté réglementaire et les stratégies.

Reflecting on past experiences where you demonstrated key competencies. Be ready to discuss situations where you analyzed complex financial data, managed challenging projects, influenced decision-making, resolved conflicts, adapted to regulatory changes, took calculated risks, prioritized under pressure, communicated complex information effectively, identified cost-saving opportunities, and stayed motivated in long-term projects.

Prepare to discuss where you see yourself in the sector short-term and long-term, your motivations for working in renewable energy finance, and strategies for staying updated with industry changes. Be ready to outline your immediate objectives for the role, how your skills and experience align with it, and what you expect to gain from the position and the company.

Selon mon expérience, il faut aussi faire une recherche approfondie sur l'entreprise (ses valeurs, ses projets ...), la compréhension des politiques gouvernementales liées aux énergies renouvelables et la préparation d'exemples concrets de vos réalisations passées dans ce domaine, il faut aussi prendre des notes durant l'entretien, montrer un esprit d'initiative et un envie d'apprentissage (vu que le secteur est toujours en évolution), de faire un suivi en montrant toujours une motivation sans faille.

The RE industry is driven deeply by policies and regulations, technology across the value chain, domestic and global geopolitical headwinds, and consumer behaviour. Depending on where your role is based and who your interview is with, the nature of the finance function within the RE industry may vary. Its critical that a candidate keeps abreast of facts, data points, trends, and opinions in the aforementioned categories in order to ace the interview. Its well beyond domain expertise or knowledge of financial metrics or a P&L that will get one by.

I would recommend a separate category of questions focusing on the local laws and regulations that govern or affect the renewable energy. Both the competition and innovation phase the renewable energy is currently going through and the nature of renewable energy means the local laws and regulations can affect renewable energy projects significantly - positively or negatively - to the extent of a make or break situation, that can make a project feasible or impossible. Any organization whether government, regulator, utility, developer, supplier or customer would seek candidates who have good knowledge and experience in the local laws and regulations.

J'ajoute qu'il est également important de prendre en compte votre capacité à communiquer clairement et efficacement (la communication est une clé de sucées) ainsi que votre aptitude à démontrer votre adaptabilité (vers les différents projets avec leurs défis) et votre passion pour la durabilité (énergie saine et durable). Soyez prêt à illustrer votre compréhension du marché financier lié aux énergies renouvelables (une étude technico-économique afin de trouver un TRI optimal) et à démontrer comment vous pouvez contribuer de manière significative à un projet ou à une entreprise dans ce secteur.