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Case Studies

Solar Business Plan with PPA Feasibility and Custom Funding Model

JTB Consulting
Solar Business Plan with PPA Feasibility and Custom Funding Model
Categories Energy

Business Type

Solar PV Developer with PPA Focus

Location

South Africa

Funding Received

R250 million

Solar Business Plan project in Northern Cape with feasibility study, and financial modelling for PPA funding
Stage of Business
Pre-Startup Planning
Business Plan Writing, Business Valuation, Financial Projections and Financial Modelling, Investor Pitch Decks, Market Research and Analysis, Feasibility Studies
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Overview

Complete Solar Business Plan and Feasibility Study for a PPA-Backed Project in the Northern Cape.

The client — a private clean energy developer in the Northern Cape — approached JTB Consulting to support the rollout of a utility-scale solar PV power plant under a confirmed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). With a funding target of R250 million, the project required a world-class solar business plan, compelling enough to attract both international and local investors.

JTB was engaged to deliver a turnkey solution that combined a solar feasibility study, investor pitch deck, custom financial modelling, and market research — all carefully aligned with the project’s PPA structure, long-term tariff forecasts, and financial close requirements. The client’s vision was not just to access funding, but to prove the bankability and strategic relevance of the solar project in South Africa’s evolving energy landscape.

The purpose of the engagement was to create a funding-ready solar business plan supported by a 30-year financial model for solar startup financing and a full solar feasibility study tailored to the requirements of DFIs, banks, and equity partners.

With the project located in a high-radiation zone and backed by a PPA with a commercial buyer, the client needed documents that would demonstrate project viability, pricing competitiveness, and long-term sustainability — especially given the utility-scale nature of the investment.

JTB also had to ensure the solution would be suitable for renewable energy feasibility studies in Africa, especially those being submitted under South Africa’s REIPPPP or private sector tenders. The resulting deliverables — including a strategic solar market research report and a visually engaging solar investor pitch deck — positioned the client for multiple funding avenues.

The client approached JTB Consulting with an ambitious yet strategic goal: to raise R250 million in funding for a utility-scale solar PV project under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a national energy buyer. Their primary objective was to develop a fully compliant, investor-ready documentation suite — centred around a solar business plan, supported by a solar feasibility study, and articulated through a powerful solar investor pitch deck.

To meet this goal, the client needed to:

  • Secure investment through a professionally developed PPA solar business plan with strong financial and operational fundamentals

  • Demonstrate long-term sustainability using a 30-year solar financial model tailored for startup project financing and PPA-driven cash flow modelling

  • Produce a persuasive investor pitch deck for use with DFIs, family offices, commercial banks, and renewable energy funds

  • Validate market and pricing assumptions through a detailed solar feasibility study and customised solar market research on the renewable energy sector in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa

While the opportunity was promising, several critical challenges stood in the way of achieving funding readiness:

  • A lack of reliable, investor-approved benchmarks for solar energy feasibility in Africa, especially for emerging-market projects in the Northern Cape.

  • The need to present a fully integrated utility-scale solar business plan, incorporating technical, legal, environmental, and financial perspectives — each compliant with international investment standards.

  • Aggressive timelines from funders and project sponsors, requiring a compressed delivery schedule for all documents — from financial model to business plan and investor materials.

To overcome these barriers and position the project for investment, JTB designed and delivered a turnkey strategy-to-funding solution, comprising:

  1. A detailed, bankable solar business plan incorporating PPA pricing models, inflation-adjusted revenue forecasts, grid connection strategy, and O&M cost structuring.
  2. A robust 30-year custom solar financial model, developed in Excel, with full integration of debt/equity scenarios, IRR analysis, DSCR tracking, and long-term capex planning.
  3. A region-specific solar feasibility study, grounded in actual irradiance, land acquisition, and permitting data for the Northern Cape.
  4. Market research that mapped competitor projects, grid demand forecasts, and national energy policy alignment — feeding into a compelling solar market research report.
  5. A high-impact solar investor pitch deck, visually articulating project value, team credentials, return profiles, and alignment with investor mandates.

JTB’s support enabled the client to submit a fully investor-compliant funding pack to three potential capital partners — including a South African infrastructure fund, a European DFI, and a family office specialising in renewable energy. Notable outcomes included:

  • Positive response from two funders during pre-screening due diligence.

  • Strong interest expressed in the utility-scale solar business plan, particularly the clarity of the 30-year solar financial model.

  • The client secured a Letter of Interest from a development fund, advancing to the next phase of project appraisal.

  • All documents were delivered ahead of the funder deadline, demonstrating JTB’s reliability under pressure.

This case proves that success in the solar sector is not just about irradiance and engineering — it’s about packaging the opportunity for investors. By combining a solar business plan, detailed feasibility, clear market research, and a custom financial model, JTB positioned the client as a credible, funding-ready developer.

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Established in 2006, we have successfully written hundreds of bankable and world-class Business Plans for clients across 25 countries. As South Africa’s Leading Business Plan Company, we are confident that we would be able to assist you too. Kindly note that we also offer “Investor Pitch Decks”, “Excel-based Financial Models”, and “Proposal/Tender Writing Services” in addition to our Custom Business Plan Writing Service. Please visit our Services page for more information.

We look forward to being of service to you. Please feel free to contact our Founder, Dr Thommie Burger, on +27 79 300 8984 should you have any questions. He is also available via email and LinkedIn.

JTB – Your Business Planning Partner.
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Financial Models
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