M&A Associate Job Chicago area,Illinois USA,Finance & Banking

Lead financial analysis, modeling, and valuation:
Conduct advanced financial modeling and valuation for solar and storage projects using Excel, including scenario and sensitivity analysis. Ensure model accuracy while supporting project valuation, return analysis, and profitability assessment.
Prepare internal and external materials for project stakeholders, including investment committee memos, market summaries, transaction updates, pipeline materials, and other presentations or reports.
Support portfolio acquisitions:
Coordinate diligence, prepare project proposals and investment materials, and contribute to commercial negotiations with developers, partners, stakeholders, and customers.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams:
Work closely with engineering, finance, legal, and construction teams on project acquisition proposals.
Identify and evaluate solar and storage project acquisition and origination opportunities:
Research and analyze potential projects, inbound opportunities, developer relationships, and market opportunities based on technical, financial, regulatory, and commercial considerations.
Conduct commercial diligence:
Review project-level inputs and risks, including interconnection, site control, permitting, offtake and subscriber assumptions, bill credits, renewable energy credits, EPC pricing, operating assumptions, and development milestones.
Perform market analysis:
Analyze community solar and energy storage market trends, policies, incentives, and regulatory frameworks to identify market opportunities and potential risks.
Stay updated on industry developments:
Stay abreast of industry trends, changes, and market dynamics related to community solar and distributed energy to provide valuable insights and recommendations.
Policy and rate research: assist in researching state and local policies, utility tariffs, program rules, and other various assignments. Lead research of wholesale energy and capacity prices, community solar bill credit rates, retail rates, and renewable energy credit fundamentals and forecasting.
Monitor, track, and report market updates through industry periodicals, interconnection queues, and program capacity lists.
Leverage AI-enabled analytical tools, including Microsoft Copilot, to enhance financial modeling workflows, automate repetitive analyses, improve model quality control, and identify process efficiencies across acquisition, diligence, and valuation activities.

Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or quantitative field with prior renewable energy experience or significant relevant coursework.
2-4 years of experience in renewable energy, investment banking, project finance, M&A, project development, project acquisitions, asset valuation, and/or project modeling focused on the U.S. renewable energy market.
Strong understanding of project finance concepts, including tax and debt structures, return metrics such as IRR, NPV, DSCR, and CAFD, and community solar policies, bill credit structures, and distributed energy market fundamentals.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Experience with financial modeling for solar and storage assets, including discounted cash flow and sensitivity analysis.
Advanced Excel skills required;
PowerPoint proficiency preferred.
Practical experience using AI productivity tools, including Microsoft Copilot and/or Claude, to improve research, analysis, drafting, summarization, and workflow efficiency.
Comfortable working in a remote environment
Unrestricted authorization to work in the U.S.

Compensation - $,000

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