Marius Muller
When did you join Natural Power?
I joined Natural Power at the start of 2022.
What does your day typically consist of?
A typical day consists of meeting the needs of our clients by assisting them with the development or (re)financing of their solar projects. To do this, I carry out energy yield assessment of solar plants (ground-mounted, rooftop, floating, on agricultural land, etc.) to predict their performance and electricity production over the lifetime of the plant (over the next 25-30 years). These revenue predictions enable our clients to have their project financed and/or better assess the economic viability of their projects. In parallel, I am working on innovations and process improvements, as well as being involved in more commercial development activities.
What is the most interesting type of work you have done and why?
As part of due diligence, for the purchase or sale of solar/wind projects, we review all technical aspects of the projects and highlight any potential risks, which will be considered when deciding whether or not to invest in these projects. During these technical audits, we are responsible for reviewing all project contracts from engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), to operations and maintenance (O&M) and power purchase agreements, (PPA)), plant sizing, project equipment and guarantees, the financial model, and so on. We have recently supported one of our clients wishing to invest in a company with a portfolio of agrivoltaic projects (a rapidly developing technology in France). In this context, we had to assess the technical and economic elements of these projects, as well as the company's short/medium-term strategy. Our support enabled them to make a major investment decision, while the strategic focus made the project very interesting to work on.
What’s your advice to anyone looking to go into a similar role?
Don't hesitate! The renewable energy sector, and the solar industry in particular, has been growing rapidly for several years now, and looks set to continue doing so for many years to come. Within Natural Power, we work with a wide range of clients, from the local developer to international EPCs, through major investment funds. As an energy analyst, you can get quickly involved in a wide variety of projects, each with its own technical specificities and challenges. Finally, the technological innovations and evolution in the market make the job both challenging and rewarding.
What is your biggest achievement at work?
Receiving positive feedback from our clients on the work we have done for them and contributing to Natural Power's growth in solar energy in France and abroad.