The Guide refers to crucial aspects that have to be taken into account on ST-ESCO contracts. Financial, contractual, legal, marketing, technical aspects will be included along with best practice examples and recommendations.

Some of the most important chapters of the guide are:

• Strategies that ST-ESCOs should adopt for market penetration.
• ST-ESCOs financial analysis principles/ mechanisms/schemes/ appropriate financial institutions, conditions and guarantees .
• Insurance schemes required.
• Equipment ownership and future purchase options offered to the end-user.
• Contractual principles and structure. Methodology for billing the solar yield.
• “Solar focused” audit procedure.
• Technical aspects such as description of solar technologies that are most suitable for ST-ESCOs plants, key-aspects of measurements techniques, guides for operation and maintenance, etc.
• Examine crucial aspects of measurement and verification procedures.
• Best-practice examples.
• Examples of failure. Analyses of traps to be avoided.
• Recommendations for ST-ESCOs accreditation and appropriate qualifications of ST-ESCOs personnel.
• Guidelines on quality certification/labels