In this recording, Christopher Lord, Managing Director of CapIron, Inc. and an instructor with HeatSpring, LLC, interviews Andre Zaffuto, a lending officer focused on solar and other renewable energy opportunities for Bridge Bank. Lord talks with Zaffuto about bank lending in today's solar climate. 

Key takeaways: 
1. Leverage on solar projects can greatly enhance the ability of sponsors to stretch their capital and do more with finite resources.
2. It’s a good year for solar lending - rates are expected to stay low
3. There’s a wider acceptance of solar as an asset class and an understanding of its risk (all based on years of operating data)
4. Senate Democrats are already trying to pass an ITC extension, but the outcome is far from clear. In the absence of such an extension now or before the end of 2016, Zaffuto speculates that lenders will try to fill the void in the capital stack with an increase in lending, but that would also entail lenders to take on more risk
5. Factors that make a solar project attractive: major contracts executed or in very late stage drafting, including: PPA and or SREC contracts, interconnection agreements, EPC contracts and, of course, a ground lease. Permits should also be in place or ready to issue. A strong balance sheet. An investment grade rating is always a big plus, but not necessarily a requirement.
6. Sponsors should look at a lender’s execution ability, including their speed to funding, and their experience/technical knowledge of solar. These items all have a direct impact on the due diligence process and closing or transaction costs.

Bank Lending in Today's Solar Climate with Chris Lord & Andre Zaffuto

On HeatSpring's 12th Anniversary, co-founder Duncan Miller talks about why they built the company and what he's most proud of.

HeatSpring's 12th Anniversary: Co-Founder Duncan Miller on Why HeatSpring Exists

"Megawatt Design" was an ambitious new course for solar designers created by Ryan Mayfield and SolarPro Magazine in 2014. Today the content is more relevant than ever and Ryan, Randy Batchelor, and Jennifer Alfsen have been working hard to revamp everything based on what they've learned teaching the course over the past five years.

Here the group discusses the reason the course exists and whom it's for.

Bigger Projects, Faster Design, Better ROI - Why "Megawatt Design" Exists and Who it's For

HeatSpring works with the smartest experts in technical industries to teach tangible, valuable skills online. 



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