Career Change from Tax Equity to what?

I work at a large bank in a group primarily focused on Tax Equity and renewable energy financing. The One Big Beautiful Big will result in a phase down of tax credits for renewable energy projects over the next few years.

While it looks like my group still has some runway to complete deals at least for the next 4 years, I want to think about what direction I can take my career in since I don't think Tax Equity will exist as it does now in the 2030s. 

I think moving to project finance would be easiest but not what I am most interested in. Maybe infrastructure private equity or another power/utilities group? I already have my MBA if that means anything. Looking for some guidance on what could be next for me, I am in NYC.

Cheers.

8 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some potential career paths you could consider transitioning into from Tax Equity and renewable energy financing:

  1. Infrastructure Private Equity (Infra PE):

    • Many renewable energy professionals transition into infrastructure PE. This space often overlaps with renewables, and your experience with tax equity and project finance would be highly relevant. Firms like Capital Dynamics, ArcLight Capital, and GIP are examples of players in this space. Additionally, megafunds like Blackstone and Carlyle have renewables carve-outs or mandates to increase exposure to renewables.
  2. Energy/Infrastructure-Focused Investment Banking (IB):

    • Groups at banks like JPM, BAML, and GS are prominent in project finance and tax equity. Transitioning to an IB role in these groups could leverage your existing expertise while broadening your exposure to M&A and capital raising for energy and infrastructure projects.
  3. Finance Arms of Active Developers:

    • Developers like Invenergy, EDF, Acciona, Algonquin, and NextEra have finance arms that are deeply involved in renewable energy projects. These roles would allow you to stay close to the renewable energy space while diversifying your skill set.
  4. Broader Infrastructure Finance:

    • Your tax equity experience has likely given you a strong foundation in structured finance. This could open doors to broader infrastructure finance roles, which are directly relevant to power generation and other infrastructure sectors.
  5. Sustainability and Energy Transition Funds:

    • With the growing focus on ESG and energy transition, funds focused on areas like hydrogen, carbon capture, battery storage, and alternative fuels are expanding. These roles could align with your renewable energy background while positioning you in a high-growth area.
  6. Renewables-Focused Asset Management or YieldCos:

    • Consider roles at YieldCos or asset management firms that focus on renewable energy portfolios. Examples include Brookfield (which acquired Terraform) or NextEra Energy Partners.
  7. Corporate Strategy or M&A at Power/Utility Companies:

    • Power companies and utilities are increasingly investing in renewables to expand their green portfolios. Your expertise could be valuable in corporate strategy or M&A roles within these organizations.
  8. Broader Energy or Infrastructure Consulting:

    • If you're open to consulting, firms that specialize in energy and infrastructure could be a good fit. Your technical knowledge of tax equity and renewable financing would be a strong asset.

Given your MBA and NYC location, you’re well-positioned to explore these opportunities. If you’re leaning toward a specific path, networking with professionals in that space and leveraging your existing connections in renewables could help you make a smooth transition.

Sources: Thoughts on Power and Renewables IB, Renewable Energy PE Overview, Renewable Energy PE Overview, Renewable Energy, Private Equity vs Megafund Credit

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

Energy Infra Transition PE is your best bet. Too risky to be with players like AQN, or any Renewable Energy (RE) player that has heavy exposure to US / Canada (is less diversified) as I'm assuming given the regulatory uncertainty their primary focus would be on asset recycling or arranging financing to do more greenfield projects. Hence less end-to-end M&A exposure. If you love all things energy, I'd recommend going to tier 1 PF player where you would be exposed to multiple subsectors outside of RE. If not Energy, your best bet is to move to RE PE shop and then do an internal switch from RE PE to Generalist PE

 

A move to ET PE is going to be very hard (not infra). You can also do infra PE but I can't imagine why an infra fund would choose a person with tax equity experience over someone at a developer (who would have much better experience). I did see a few tax equity folks jump over to PE recently though which I found to be suprising. Feel free to DM me if you would like. 

 

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