Co-Founder · SurgePV
Akash Hirpara is Co-Founder of SurgePV and at Heaven Green Energy Limited, managing finances for a company with 1+ GW in delivered solar projects. With 12+ years in renewable energy finance and strategic planning, he has structured $100M+ in solar project financing and improved EBITDA margins from 12% to 18%. Akash is a Chartered Accountant (CA), holds an MBA in Finance from IIM Ahmedabad, and is certified as a CMA and FRM Level I. He is a speaker at financial summits on renewable energy investment and has been published in CFO Forum and the Economic Times. His writing focuses on solar project finance, ROI analysis, and incentive program optimisation.
Experience
12+ years in solar / renewable energy
Certifications
- Chartered Accountant (CA) · Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA) · Institute of Cost Accountants of India
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM Level I) · Global Association of Risk Professionals
Education
- MBA, Finance · Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
Speaking
- Renewable Energy Finance Summit
Featured In
- CFO Forum
- The Economic Times
Articles by Akash Hirpara
Solar Lease vs Buy 2026: ROI Calculator + Decision Tree
Buying solar saves $24,600 more than leasing over 25 years on an average 8 kW system. Use our ROI calculator and decision tree to pick the right option for your home in 2026.
PM Surya Ghar Subsidy Calculator: How to Compute Your Real Rooftop Solar Subsidy in India
Calculate PM Surya Ghar subsidy accurately: ₹78,000 max CFA, state stacking rules, and why generic calculators get the numbers wrong for Indian homeowners.
Solar Pricing Psychology: Anchoring, Framing & Decoy Effects
Solar pricing psychology helps installers close more deals. Learn anchoring, decoy effects, and loss-aversion framing backed by NREL and behavioral research.
Solar Financing Options: Complete Guide for 2026
Compare every solar financing option for 2026: cash, solar loans, leases, PPAs, PACE, and commercial structures. Includes post-ITC analysis and lender comparison.
Solar + Storage Financial Modeling: Revenue from Self-Consumption & Grid
How to model NPV, IRR, and payback for solar + battery projects. Self-consumption premiums, demand charge savings, and ITC 48E for commercial storage.
How to Price Solar Installations: Markup, Margin & Competitive Pricing
A complete guide to pricing solar installations covering cost-plus pricing, value-based pricing, regional benchmarks, and the math behind sustainable margins.
Electricity Prices by European Country: Impact on Solar ROI
EU residential electricity prices range from €0.10/kWh (Hungary) to €0.38/kWh (Germany). See how each country's rate drives solar payback periods, with worked examples for 11 markets.
Solar Customer Acquisition Cost: Benchmarks & How to Reduce It
Solar CAC hit $0.87/W in 2024 — more than module costs. Industry benchmarks by channel, LTV framework, and 8 strategies to cut acquisition costs.
Solar Installation Cost per kWp by European Country: 2026 Data
Country-by-country breakdown of solar installation costs per kWp across 20+ European markets — residential, commercial, and utility-scale pricing with cost drivers and ROI guidance.
Solar IRA Tax Credits in the US: Complete Guide for Installers (2026)
The 25D residential solar credit expired Dec 31, 2025. Section 48E commercial ITC remains at 30%—up to 70% with bonus adders. July 4, 2026 is the construction deadline.
Solar LCOE by Country: Levelized Cost Comparison 2026
Solar LCOE ranges from $33/MWh in China to $118/MWh in Japan. This data reference covers 2024 IRENA figures, key cost drivers, and country-by-country breakdowns.
Solar O&M Business Guide: How Installers Can Add Maintenance Revenue
Turn your installed base into recurring revenue. Learn how to price, structure, and sell solar O&M contracts in a market projected to reach $32.6 billion by 2034.
Solar Payback Period by Country: Average ROI Timelines for 2026
Solar payback period by country — global reference table covering 30+ markets, from 2.5 years in the UAE to 25+ years in Norway, with calculation methodology and ROI guidance.
Solar as a Service [2026]: A Complete Guide for Installers and Sales Teams
Solar as a service market hits $8.4B in 2024. With Section 25D expired, TPO is now the primary incentive path. This guide breaks down 7 models for installers.
Solar Financing Options Explained: Cash, Loan, Lease, PPA & Subscription
5 solar financing options compared for 2026: cash, loan, lease, PPA & community solar — with 25-year models, dealer fee math, and a rep decision framework.
Solar Installation Cost Breakdown: Where the Money Goes in 2026
NREL benchmarks show 60–65% of US residential solar cost is soft costs. A line-item breakdown of what installers can actually compress.
Solar Installer Profit Margins: What the Numbers Actually Look Like
US residential solar CAC hit $0.84/W in 2026. Here is the full cost stack, gross-to-net walkthrough, and three levers that separate 12% net margin from 3%.
NTP, PTO, and COD in Solar Projects Explained
NTP, PTO, and COD explained with timelines, prerequisites, and common delays. Covers residential to utility-scale.
Solar Business Profitability: Real Unit Economics
Solar installer margins run 15–20% net. Full P&L breakdown, startup costs, and break-even analysis.
NPV, IRR & Payback Period for Solar Projects
Solar financial analysis with worked examples. Residential IRR 10–20%, commercial 8–15%. Sensitivity tables included.
European Solar Incentives 2026: Country-by-Country Guide to Grants & Tax Credits
Compare solar grants, feed-in tariffs, net metering & tax credits across Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Netherlands, UK & Poland. Updated March 2026.
European Solar Tax Credits 2026
Complete 2026 guide to European solar tax credits: 0% VAT in 9+ countries, Germany 0% MwSt, Italy 50% deduction, France TVA 5.5%, Spain, Netherlands, UK.
REPowerEU Rooftop Solar 2026
REPowerEU mandates rooftop solar on all new public buildings by 2026 and commercial buildings by 2030.
Residential Solar Challenges Spain 2026
Spain has world-class sun but residential solar lags. Explore the real barriers—permits, grid limits, LPH votes.
Solar Business Regulations Italy 2026
Complete guide to Italian solar business regulations: FTV installer certification, GSE registration, grid connection, building permits, VAT rules.
Solar Incentives Italy Automation 2026
Automate Italy's GSE applications, Detrazione 50%, Scambio sul Posto & CER filings with solar design software. Cut incentive admin from weeks to hours in 2026.
Solar Procurement Challenges Europe 2026
European solar procurement in 2026: module prices, lead times by equipment category, anti-dumping risks, quality certifications.
Italy Solar ROI 2026: 5–8 Year Payback, 17–35% IRR by Region
Italy solar ROI 2026: 5–8 year payback, 17–35% IRR, €1,100–€1,500/kWp installed cost. Regional breakdown + 50% Ecobonus explained.
Italy Superbonus 2026: Latest News, Active Incentives & What Replaced the 110%
Italy Superbonus update May 2026: 110% is closed for new applicants. Active now — Ecobonus 50%, Conto Termico, Sicily FESR grants, and full ROI data.
