Energy Project Finance

Our approach

Successful financing of large-scale energy infrastructure projects requires careful coordination of resources, talent and access to information and capital resources.

Our internationally recognized project finance attorneys have closed finance transactions for projects small and large, many exceeding $15 billion. Aggressive and efficient as needed, we use strategic planning, creative thinking and practical advice to fulfill project finance requirements effectively and spot future capital opportunities.

We anticipate shifting business and regulatory landscapes, resolving issues creatively to propel projects forward. We address the risks and ensure our client’s projects are ultimately financeable.

As the nation’s preeminent firm in structuring and closing investments in tax credit transactions, we help developers, national syndicators, lenders and investors to structure renewable energy tax credits into project financing—ranging from solar to wind and biomass.

We advise a variety of clients in connection with energy tax credits, grants and loan guarantees from the Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture and multiple state programs. Adept in capital market transactions, lease transactions, sale-leaseback structures and equity fund formation, we also handle transactions involving debt from more traditional project finance lenders.

We work with

Buyers and sellers
Debt issuers
Energy marketers and other energy enterprises
Independent power producers
Large corporations
Large financial institutions
Lenders and borrowers
Municipalities
Private equity funds
Project developers and participants
Sponsors and equity and tax equity investors

Media Clips

Solar Power Access: A Matter of Justice

Washington Lawyer | March 01, 2020

This in-depth profile of New Partners Community Solar features Nixon Peabody’s role in the project and quotes Washington, DC, Community Development Finance senior counsel Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens.

Can DC meet its ambitious solar energy goals?

Washington City Paper | February 24, 2020

This article quotes Washington, DC, Community Development Finance partner Jeff Lesk discussing the social impact of NP Community Solar, which was the first project to join Washington’s community solar program and has expanded to several commercial rooftops throughout the district.

Deals & Dealmakers: Ugly buildings offer greatest rewards, says Brookfield’s Ric Clark

Real Estate Weekly | February 19, 2020

This article mentions Nixon Peabody in connection with New Partners Community Solar’s collaboration with Brookfield Properties to install solar panels on downtown rooftops in Washington, DC, and convert the energy generated into utility bill credits for low-income families.

Could ‘beautiful clean coal’ be the next big thing in tax equity?

Power Finance & Risk | July 03, 2019

This story features New York City Project Finance and Public Finance partner Ellen Friedman discussing the view within the tax equity community about alternative investment structures for tax credits resulting from carbon capture activity.

D.C. CRE leaders on the lending environment, architecture trends, PropTech and more

Bisnow | September 30, 2018

Washington DC Office Managing Partner Colette Dafoe and Community Development Finance partner Jeff Lesk are mentioned in this story about the DCSolar project, which began on Nixon Peabody’s rooftop and has expanded throughout the District.

IREC announces 2018 3iAward recipients at Intersolar

Solar Power World | July 10, 2018

Washington DC partner Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens, both of the Community Development Finance Group, are mentioned in this story after NPSolar was named Community/Shared Renewables Project of the Year by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

How a DC law firm installed solar panels to help low-income people save on utilities

Washington Post | May 10, 2018

Nixon Peabody’s pro bono solar panel project is featured in this article. Washington DC tax credit finance and syndication partner Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens are quoted throughout this feature which highlights how this first-of-its-kind project benefits low-income residents in the DC community.

Engie sparks off-grid light-bulb

Project Finance International | October 31, 2017

In an article on the expansion of off-grid solar power companies in Africa, Nixon Peabody is mentioned for advising PEG Africa in its $13.5M multi-currency syndicated loan.

Solar company PEG Africa secures $13.5m funding

Disrupt Africa | October 26, 2017

This article mentions Nixon Peabody for advising West African solar company PEG Africa on a multi-currency syndicated loan to develop solar energy and reliable electricity in the region.

SEIA releases new model PPA for C&I sector

Solar Industry Mag | August 30, 2017

Nixon Peabody is mentioned as one of the firms that contributed to the creation of the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) newly released model contract to encourage solar power development in the commercial and industrial sectors.

Nixon Peabody brings back the sun in DC

The National Law Journal | August 26, 2017

This article features the Washington, DC office’s solar program and mentions partners Jeff Lesk and Herb Stevens, who manage grants for the firm’s nonprofit New Partners Community Solar Corp.

What do I need to know about repowering a facility?

Novogradac & Company | August 03, 2017

Boston Tax Credit Finance & Syndication partner Forrest Milder authored this column about what to consider when using renewable energy tax credits when renovating a facility.

The current: What is ‘back leverage’ and what do I need to know about it?

Novogradac & Company | May 08, 2017

Boston tax credit finance and syndication partner Forrest Milder authored this column about the increasing use of back leverage in renewable energy tax credit projects and its implications.

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Ideas