Solar energy development

Overview

Solar energy is rapidly gaining momentum, becoming an exciting and viable alternative as the cost gap between solar and fossil fuels shrinks. This provides a tremendous opportunity for businesses and municipalities to become leaders in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. Not only does solar power promise long-term cost savings, it plays a pivotal role in a broader sustainability strategy that can reduce your carbon footprint and enhance financial stability.

The revamped Investment Tax Credit is making solar energy development even more economically appealing than ever. At McDonald Hopkins, we bring together a powerhouse of attorneys and practice groups specializing in tax equity, energy development, real estate, and government relations. This unique blend of expertise means we’re perfectly positioned to guide clients from project conception to completion.

Our attorneys have successfully navigated solar projects across the United States, leveraging our established experience and broad network to help clients identify exciting growth opportunities and secure the financing necessary to make your solar energy project a success.

Investment Tax Credit

The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a game-changer for renewable energy investment. The ITC offers a federal tax credit ranging from 30% to 60% of your project costs.

In solar energy projects, private investors – like banks or publicly traded companies – oftentimes make equity investments in project entities, capturing the valuable incentive the ITC provides. New ITC rules have introduced greater flexibility to access the ITC, opening up even more avenues to access this valuable incentive.

Landfill Solar

Landfill solar projects provide an innovative solution for municipalities to transform capped landfills into sources of renewable energy in the face of strict regulations placed on the use of these lands. At McDonald Hopkins, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this movement, supporting landfill solar development across the United States.

In the world of solar energy, we see significant opportunity. With favorable federal tax laws, lower construction and material costs, and rising electricity costs, solar energy has emerged as arguably the most attractive renewable energy source for your business. Our team is equipped to expertly structure and manage all of the capital tiers involved in a solar project, ensuring a seamless process from start to finish.

Tax incentives play a vital role in financing, and our team is ready to help you syndicate and structure these incentives alongside the debt and equity necessary for the overall financing.
 
Other Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is rapidly transforming the landscape for businesses and the economy. Our attorneys are experts in solar projects, but we also bring a wealth of experience in wind, hydro, ocean and landfill gas energy.

We collaborate with developers, engineering firms, contractors, and financing sources – both debt and equity – to provide you with a comprehensive, turnkey approach to accomplish your sustainability goals. We go beyond just standard legal services; we elevate your sustainable energy projects with a full suite of management services, including:

• Analyzing project feasibility
• Selecting consultants and contractors
• Developing budgets
• Securing financing
• Establishing project schedules
• Coordinating construction and completion

Our firm was one of the first to address the monetization of carbon credits for advanced energy projects, and we continue to counsel clients on carbon reduction strategies.