SOLAR ENERGY

Tapping into a Growing Clean Energy Market

The solar industry has seen a boom in recent years, resulting from increased government incentives, lower equipment costs and the environmental imperatives caused by climate change. Solar project development is a complex endeavor involving consideration of regulatory, zoning, tax and environmental laws, regulations and issues. Partnering with a law firm that has vast experience helping businesses secure financing and navigate the development, funding, construction and operational risks of solar power transactions is a must. Our cross-functional team of expert attorneys and government relations professionals has the depth of experience in the solar industry to successfully guide clients through all aspects of solar project development.

Assisting Clients Through a Wide Range of Solar Energy Matters

Buchanan’s energy lawyers have years of experience advising clients on solar energy projects from the planning and financing stages to actual development, including real estate site control, environmental, land use and zoning, construction and other permitting, interconnection and related regulatory matters, and everything in between.

• Transactions & Project Financings – We help businesses embarking on solar energy projects throughout the lifecycle of a deal from project development and installation contracts to real estate agreements and financing. Our expert advisors help you structure transactions for maximum success from the beginning.  Our energy finance attorneys have represented all key stakeholders in all aspects of solar project development and know how to protect the financial and other interests of any party to these transactions.
• Tax Incentives, Credits and Strategy – Our tax attorneys have significant experience assisting solar clients in navigating the unique issues related to renewable energy including tax credits, carbon offset programs, tax equity financing and applicable solar alternative energy credits. We’ve led more than a dozen solar tax equity transactions for projects in Hawaii, New Jersey, California and Tennessee, to name a few.
• Real Estate, Land Use and Zoning – We have an in-depth knowledge of the location challenges that can impact solar projects and work with clients to review and evaluate compliance with state law real estate, lease, interconnection and zoning issues. Our attorneys have experience gaining zoning and land development approvals and permits everywhere from large cities to small townships.
• Public Utility and Grid Interconnection – A key component of any solar energy project, the complexities of the public utility landscape and electrical grid interconnection are two pieces of this puzzle on which our team has spent years building expertise. We’ve helped solar clients establish contracts for net metering, interconnection and energy resale while ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations.
• Government Relations – Buchanan’s attorneys and bench of government relations professionals have successfully worked with several municipalities to adopt solar legislation and have worked with local and state governance to adopt solar zoning amendments that encourage development. Our government relations team brings specific expertise in renewable energy and connections with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and state regulators alike.
• Litigation – Buchanan’s renewables team has spent countless hours in front of state and federal judges and are ready to fight for your interests. Our energy litigators have represented solar clients in legal challenges regarding construction permits, grid-scale solar power projects and have assisted with environmental appeals.

Our Solar Experience

Buchanan’s renewable energy team has assisted businesses embarking on solar projects as well as solar manufacturers in a range of matters from installation agreements and contracting to zoning and interconnection. We helped obtain zoning and land development approvals for a solar facility on 320 acres of land and for a project spanning three townships. In Maryland, our team helped obtain community solar microgrid status and has done similar investigations for potential microgrids in Florida and North Carolina. Buchanan’s attorneys also have experience leading solar tax equity transactions and alternative energy credits across states including Pennsylvania, West Virginia and beyond.