Wind Farm Financial Model (10 Year Financial Forecast)

This Wind Farm Financial Model Template has been built for use by any company founder or executive in the Wind Farm space, Investors or Analysts looking at researching Wind Farm businesses or Students looking to study how a Wind Farm Business operates and the key variables underpinning it. Featuring specific Wind Farm metrics you can track (# of Turbines on the Wind Farm, the Capacity of Each Turbine in MW, Total Wind Farm Capacity in MW, Capacity Factor % and Annual Energy Generation (MWh/year); and Revenue Metrics including Total Electricity Generated in kWh, Volume of Electricity Sold by Revenue Stream (Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs), Other), Pricing by Revenue Stream (PPA, FiT, Other) and Energy Sales by Revenue Stream (PPA, FiT, Other), Other Income (Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Production Tax Credit (PTC) and more), users will easily be able to navigate the model with all input fields highlighted in Blue font. These models are designed to be the perfect financial tool for business owners to use to make decisions for their company and also to provide to investors to give a snapshot of how the business is currently performing and what the forecasts look like.

Revenue Assumptions

Starts with basic model questions on start date of the model, tax rate assumption, project life of solar farm (years), project start date.

Revenue assumptions are the anticipated factors that drive a company’s income generation over a specific period. These assumptions form the basis for financial projections and are crucial for planning and decision-making. In our model we have included detailed inputs on Total Electricity Generated in kWh, Volume of Electricity Sold by Revenue Stream (Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs), Other), Pricing by Revenue Stream (PPA, FiT, Other) and Energy Sales by Revenue Stream (PPA, FiT, Other), Other Income (Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Production Tax Credit (PTC)).

Operating Expenses Assumptions

Operating expense assumptions are typically based on historical data, industry benchmarks, market trends, and management’s judgment. They are crucial for estimating the total cost of running the business and for determining profitability. Like revenue assumptions, it’s important to regularly review and adjust operating expense assumptions to reflect changes in the business environment and ensure the accuracy of financial forecasts. In our model we have included detailed inputs on Wind Farm Staff Costs (Executive Team (CEO), Operations Team (Site Manager, Operations Manager), Technical & Engineering Team (Solar Technician/Installer, Electrical Engineer, Maintenance Technician, Field Technician), Finance & Administration Team (Data Analyst, Accountant, Administrative Assistant) and Other Staff relevant to the operations (Environmental and Safety Specialist, Security Personnel, Other). We have also included Other Operational Expense items driven by the cost per MW per year as our opex driver. We have assumptions for opex items including Operations and Maintenance Costs, Insurance, Energy Management and Market Participation, Wind Farm Monitoring and Data Management, Spare Parts and Consumables, Transportation and Access Costs and Site Security and Compliance Costs. 

Funding and Other Assumptions

Capital expenditure (Capex) assumptions refer to the anticipated investments a company plans to make in long-term assets, such as property, plant, equipment, and technology, over a specific period. These assumptions are crucial for financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, as they impact the company’s cash flow, profitability, and growth prospects. We have included Initial cost assumptions for the main items likely to be on a company’s Capex sheet. Some of the items are driven by the cost per MW (where we have provided a cost assumption field) these include Turbine Supply and Installation Costs, Land Acquisition and Lease Costs, Grid Connection and Electrical Infrastructure Costs, Civil Works and Site Preparation, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Facilities & Permitting Costs, Insurance as assumption fields. There is also a Use Of Funds assumption list with corresponding bar chart included. 

We have also included Capital Structure Funding assumptions (i.e. 30% funded by Equity, 70% by Debt which you can modify) and assumptions on any further equity investments made and initial cash position.

Monthly Projections (10 year period)

We have broken down projections on a Month by Month basis when projecting Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement items. The monthly projections are provided over a 10 year time frame. This is particularly useful for businesses looking at month-on-month trends and insights in the business, which leads to better decision making and also better budgeting should there be a need to either raise more capital, pursue growth opportunities from excess capital or pay down interest bearing debt. Monthly projections also help a business ascertain what performance may be seasonal in nature when looking at growth projections on a month-over-previous-year’s-month basis.  

Annual Projections (10 year period)

The model has Annualized Financial Projections of Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement over a 10 year time frame. Annual projections provide an excellent overview of expected revenues, expenses, profits, cash flow, and other key financial metrics for the upcoming year. Annual projections are essential for strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, and performance evaluation for any company at any stage of their business cycle. 

Wind Farm Metrics & Ratios

Wind Farm specific metrics (Total Amount of Electricity Generated by the Wind Farm (kwH), Volume metrics for PPA, FiTs and Other Revenue, Pricing metrics for PPA, FiTs and Other Revenue and Revenue metrics for PPA, FiTs and Other Revenue), Profitability Metrics, Liquidity Ratios provided. 

Summary of Financial Statements (10 year period)

Summarized Financial Statements over a 10 year time frame helps for better snapshots of financial performance. Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement all provided. 

Charts

Wind Farm specific Charts available including Wind Farm Revenue by Revenue Stream, Cashflow Summary, Assets vs Liabilities and Profitability Analysis.

DCF Valuation

We have included a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Valuation model showing the Net Present Value (NPV) of the Business based on a series of growth rates and assumptions. Weighted Average Cost of Capital Assumptions also provided including Risk Free rate, Beta, Risk Premium and Equity Risk Premium. A DCF valuation is a method used to estimate the value of an investment, business, or asset by discounting its expected future cash flows to present value. It is based on the principle that the value of an investment is determined by the present value of its future cash flows. The DCF valuation technique is widely used in finance, investment analysis, and corporate finance for making investment decisions, determining the fair value of securities, and evaluating the worth of businesses.

Depreciation Schedule

Detailed Depreciation Schedule shows additions / disposals to the Fixed Asset Register of the business. Sections included for Land, Building, Equipment, Others. 

Debt Schedule

Debt schedule provided with interest rate assumptions and payback period assumptions included. 

Equity Schedule

Equity schedule provided with assumptions on all investments into the business by investors or owners.