Alternative Financing for Renewable Energy Projects: Evaluating Options, Structuring the Deal

Renewable energy development is increasingly attractive because demand has made it the fastest-growing energy sector. One hurdle is structuring financing arrangements because investment in the emerging industry remains risky.

Also, finding the right financial structure for renewable energy projects is complex. Alternative arrangements provide better overall economics and attract additional investors in some circumstances because traditional structures don’t always work well in this sector.

As the need for capital increases, new products are emerging, and existing products are evolving to meet the significant growth. Counsel to companies and investors must understand the markets and tools available to use the financing trends to their advantage.

Listen as our authoritative panel of energy attorneys examines alternative financing structures for renewable energy projects, reviews the benefits and disadvantages of the various financing methods, and discusses current financing trends. The panel will provide guidance on how to utilize alternative financing structures.

1. Financeability of the renewable energy project—critical issues
   1. Regulatory scheme
   2. Permitting and land use
   3. Risk
   4. Revenue
   5. Potential litigation
2. Alternative financial structures
   1. Debt marketing
   2. Tax equity financing
   3. Leveraged partnership flip structure
   4. Leasing
   5. Tax-exempt financing
   6. Corporate financing 144 bond offerings
3. Best practices for financing renewable energy using alternative structures

The panel will review these and other critical questions:

• What are the primary issues in evaluating the alternative financing options available for a renewable energy project?
• What alternative financial structures are available? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these structures?
• What are the likely sources of capital for renewable energy project developers?