Shariff Barakat

What do you focus on?

I focus on representing clients involved in the acquisition, development and financing of renewable energy power generation projects, with a particular focus on tax equity financing. I handle due diligence review, drafting and negotiating primary transaction documents and providing tax advice and opinions, as well as overall project management. My experience spans billions of dollars in closed and funded investments supporting gigawatts of renewable energy, including large and small utility-scale solar and wind projects, large and small residential solar portfolios, community solar projects, C&I solar projects, geothermal projects and biomass projects.

Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, I worked at a large consulting firm where I provided tax advice and opinions, financial modeling services and valuation services in connection with renewable energy projects. I also provided tax advice and opinions on a number of large M&A and tax-advantaged leasing transactions.

What do you see on the horizon?

Energy storage will continue to mature and play a growing role in energy reliability and security. It will be exciting to see how the power generation, transmission and distributions markets evolve alongside the energy storage industry and to develop innovative financing structures to integrate energy storage into the existing energy infrastructure.

Presentations

• “Begun Construction–Lessons Learned and Looking Forward,” Novogradac 2020 Financing Renewable Energy Tax Credits Fall Virtual Conference, November 5–6, 2020 (Panelist)
• “The Role of Debt in the Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) Capital Stack,” Nixon Peabody webinar, September 17, 2020
• “Renewable Energy Appraisals and Cost Segregation,” EUCI Virtual Symposium, November 18 & 19, 2020
• “Innovative Insurance Solutions for 45Q Carbon Capture Projects,” Nixon Peabody webinar, July 21, 2020
• “After COVID-19: What is Investor and Lender Appetite Like Now?,” Solar and Storage Finance webinar, June 2, 2020