Finance Accelerator Solar + Storage; FASST) Consultant

Final date to receive applications: Open until role is filled.

Location: Remote

GSC is launching the Finance Accelerator for Solar + Storage (FASST) program to unlock capital for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage (BESS) in emerging markets. FASST addresses a core structural barrier to scaling utility-scale solar PV and co-located storage in emerging markets: the cost and complexity of project finance. The project will deliver practical finance tools, strengthen local ecosystems through national associations, and support real project pipelines in addition to deliver training in 4 regions for local governments on how to use the toolbox.

The consultant role will be to develop a comprehensive, open-access Solar + Storage Finance Toolbox. This suite of resources will provide standardised template documents to improve the quality, bankability, and risk profile of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage (BESS) projects in emerging markets.

The Global Solar Council (GSC) is the voice of the world’s solar energy industry on the global stage, a non-profit body based in London and representing national, regional and international associations as well as leading solar sector corporations.

The GSC aims to enable solar energy to deliver on the promise of clean and distributed power, economic development and energy access.

The consultant shall implement the following activities:

• Create Solar + Battery project finance related templates.

• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for solar + storage.
• Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract.
• Operations and Maintenance (O&M) agreement
• Battery lease and storage-specific service agreement

• Risk scoring model / Risk assessment framework
• Risk management and mitigation framework

• Comprehensive due diligence checklist (covering technical, financial and legal aspects)

• Guidance notes on financing short-duration and LDES
• Analysis of emerging long-duration storage finance structures and specific risk mitigation considerations.
• Capacity building Workshops:
• Deliver training on how to use the toolbox during 4 workshops that GSC will organise in 4 regions. Each event will mix training sessions and roundtable discussions, covering topics such as using the templates tools, structuring project finance, and aligning regulatory frameworks. GSC will organise the workshops and. Additionally, will cover travel and accommodation costs of the consultant.
• Engage with international stakeholders like IRENA, International Solar Finance Group (ISLG), and the Long Duration Energy Storage Council, and others to align on similar products and incorporate technical inputs.
• Incorporate all feedback and comments from GSC secretariat and members.

• September – November 2026 – Drafting of initial templates and documentation
• December 2026 – May 2027 – Presentation and refinement of the toolbox based on feedback from the 3 convenings
• June – August 2027 – Finalisation, online publication of the complete toolbox and monitoring of pilot project progress
• September 2027
  - Global convening in New York Climate Week (NYCW 2027) to share results; publish policy brief and final reports

The successful consultant (individual or consulting firm) should demonstrate the following qualifications and experience:

• A postgraduate degree (master's or higher) in Finance, Economics, Law, Energy Policy, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years demonstrated experience in utility-scale renewable energy project finance, with a strong focus on solar PV, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and…