Renewable Energy

• Represented Chanel in the development, tax equity financing for its first investment in a renewable energy transaction, funding approximately $80 million in Sunrun solar and solar plus battery storage projects on low income multi-family housing.
• Represented Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (REG) in an agreement with Hunt & Sons, Inc. to supply REG Ultra Clean® renewable motor fuel in California. The transaction covers investment, development and supply of renewable diesel fuelling service centres across Northern and Central California. REG Ultra Clean is one of the lowest carbon intensity liquid transportation fuels on the market. REG is North America's largest producer of biodiesel and an industry-leading producer of renewable diesel.

Solar

We advise solar technology companies on the most complex utility scale and distributed solar projects, resolving the development, finance, tax and regulatory issues. We have worked on many of the largest and most significant solar projects in the world and have closed several high-profile projects, including:

• Represented the owner of a 50 percent interest in 8Minute Solar Energy, the largest independent developer of solar electric power generating facilities across the U.S., in connection with its acquisition of the remaining equity interests in that entity.
• Advised an electric power corporation in connection with a $333 million term loan and $28 million letter of credit facility financing for a 288 MW North Carolina solar portfolio consisting of 24 operating projects, an IJ Global Project Finance Solar Deal of the Year.
• Advised KDC Solar, LLC, as owner and developer, in a “partnership flip” tax equity financing of three separate ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) generating projects totaling generation in excess of 32 MW DC.
• Advised one of the world’s largest solar energy project company on its entry into Japan and on numerous projects utilizing the Japanese Feed-in Tariff investment incentives.
• Advised the largest solar developer in Europe in all aspects of financing, development, joint ventures and long-term operation of solar photovoltaic projects in Europe, India and the United States.
• Represented one of the world’s largest investors in renewable power on negotiation and enforcement of EPC and construction contracts as well as claim resolution for renewable energy generation and transmission projects in New England, Texas and California.
• Advised one of the largest insurance providers in the United States as equity investor in connection with the equity and debt financing of the Nellis Air Force Base Solar Power Project, the largest solar photovoltaic power project in the United States.

Wind

We have advised on some of the most influential developments in the global wind energy sector. We counsel on all aspects of wind energy development and finance, including tax structuring, project finance and mergers and acquisitions. Our work in wind includes large-scale farms as well as projects to develop and deliver power generated offshore. We truly partner with our clients to guide them in this ever-changing industry.

• Advised a Japanese trading company in connection with the Atlantic Wind Connection, a multibillion-dollar project to build an underwater transmission line along 350 miles of the Atlantic Seaboard.
• Represented a global investment management firm on $400 million in equity investments on behalf of its clients into the Grande Prairie Wind project, a 400 MW wind farm in Holt County, Nebraska — the largest wind energy project in the state’s history - owned by BHE Renewables.
• Represented America’s largest wind power generator in the securitization of PPA revenues from six wind farms in California, Texas and Pennsylvania. We assisted the developer with the original financing of this portfolio in 2008.
• Represented the nation's leading wind energy developer in a precedent-setting offshore wind project in New York, including creation of a comprehensive federal regulatory strategy.

Energy Storage

We are a leader in energy storage and combined renewable plus storage systems, advising on matters involving technologies ranging from lithium-ion batteries to pumped hydro to flywheels. We represent energy storage clients in tax equity and financing transactions. Among our recent representations are:

• Represented Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems on its transaction to construct three first-of-its-kind utility scale energy storage battery projects in Texas. Working with Powin Energy and Key Capture Energy, MHPS will build three utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries totaling 200 MW.
• Advised the independent power developer as finance and tax counsel on the bidding, contract negotiation, tax structuring, development, and financing of the 185 MW/565 MWh Kapolei Energy Storage project, one of the largest battery storage projects in the world.
• Represented the term lender in connection with a behind-the-meter 8.6 MW solar-plus-storage project installed on various Hawaiian college campuses.
• Represented a wholesale energy supplier in connection with the acquisition of the Eagle Crest Energy Company, which is developing a 1.3 GW pumped hydro energy storage project located in Southern California.
• Advised a municipal utility district on an $800 million, 400 MW pumped water storage facility storing power generated by the utility’s wind turbines and solar panels.

Biomass, Geothermal, Hydro and Other Sources

We’ve been at the forefront of projects and transactions that span the renewable energy sector, including biomass, geothermal and hydro. We have represented project developers, sponsors, financial institutions and investment funds in the finance and development projects. Our experience includes:

• Represented a multinational energy corporation in connection with its $99 million tax equity investment in a geothermal plant, a 49.9 MW project located in the Salton Sea geothermal resource area in Southern California, and selling power under a long-term power purchase agreement to the Salt River Project.
• Advised an international energy company on the corporate structuring and financing of its waste-to-energy business utilizing fast pyrolysis system, a high-temperature, zero-oxygen chamber to thermo-chemically convert waste into more elemental components.
• Counseled a state power authority in the development and licensing of a $5 billion hydroelectric project in Alaska.

Clean Energy Technology

We advise owners, investors and innovators for the development of technologies and serving renewable energy and power supplies. Our recent experience includes:

• Advised early-stage companies that later became industry leaders in providing software platforms and user interfaces needed for large-scale distributed energy resource management.
• Advised Japanese multinational holding conglomerate on a significant investment in a Canadian lithium company, in a transformational market transaction.
• Advised two venture capital firms in their $10 million Series B investment in a developer of materials for battery usage.
• Advised a manufacturer and distributor of micro-fuel refinery products in a breach of contract claim involving the design and production of the company’s system, a portable fuel station designed to enable consumers to turn waste into ethanol fuel.
• Advised a manufacturer and service power source provider in connection with the acquisition of a U.S.-based leader in intelligent energy storage technology and solutions.

• The 2020 edition of U.S. News & World Report ranked 89 of our practices #1 in their category, including Energy, Construction, Environmental, Tax, M&A, Securitization and Structured Finance, Corporate, Banking & Finance, IT and Commercial Litigation.
• Pillsbury lawyers received 168 rankings in the 2020 edition of Best Lawyers in America.
• Pillsbury has received more than a dozen “Deal of the Year” awards for energy and project finance transactions since 2002, including projects in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.
• The Legal 500 has ranked our Project Finance practice among the top in the United States since 2014.
• Chambers and Partners Global has ranked Pillsbury among the top firms for Project Finance since 2015.
• Chambers USA ranked Pillsbury as a leader in 29 practice areas across the country, with 83 Pillsbury lawyers earning 92 individual recognitions including rankings in the categories of Construction, Energy, Environment and International Trade.
• The Legal 500 Asia Pacific listed Pillsbury as a leader in Tokyo in the Projects & Energy category and Real Estate and Construction.
• Chambers Asia Pacific ranks Pillsbury’s Asset Finance, Construction and Projects & Energy practices among the Asia-Pacific’s finest.