Verrill's Energy Group counsels clients throughout New England on a range of solar projects. Our lawyers prepare, review, and negotiate power purchase agreements as well as construction, installation, and materials contracts. We also provide tax and business advice on issues related to solar development. We have experience with residential and utility-scale projects and have a skilled team that works in this expanding and innovative industry.

Verrill has broad experience assisting solar companies with all aspects of distributed solar projects in Maine, including:

  • Advising solar companies on the distributed generation procurement process to be held by the Maine Public Utilities Commission in Summer 2020
  • Advising solar companies on the utility interconnection process
  • Advising solar companies on compliance with Maine’s net energy billing rules and standard contracts
  • Assisting solar companies with state and local permitting
  • Advising solar companies on project finance and commercial contracts
  • Drafting solar lease options, leases, easements, licenses, and other real estate documents
  • Drafting power purchase agreements and net energy bill credit agreements

The following are examples of solar matters handled by our Energy Group:

  • Pittsfield Solar Project - Represented Cianbro Development Corp. subsidiary Pittsfield Solar, LLC, in successfully obtaining regulatory approvals for a 9.9-megawatt ground-mounted solar array to be located on 54 acres in Pittsfield, Maine. At the time the project went into service in 2017, it was the largest solar project in the state.
  • Madison Solar Project - Advised Madison Electric Works, a publicly owned electric utility that sought to add more solar-generated electricity to become a 4.8 MW solar energy farm that, at the time, was more than double the size of the next largest solar project in the state.
  • Net Metering - Advised a Massachusetts property management company regarding long-term virtual net metering contracts.
  • Bowdoin Solar Project - Represented Bowdoin College in securing municipal approvals to install an underground electric distribution line to serve the college's new 1.2 MW, 4,500-panel solar generating project which, at the time, was the largest solar development in the state. Also advised on the project's real estate issues.
  • Solar PPA Negotiation - Represented North Haven Sustainable Housing in negotiating a solar power purchase agreement with Maine's largest solar installation company.
  • Falmouth Solar Project - Advised Moody's Collision Center on its investment in a substantial solar development at Maine Audubon in Falmouth. Provided counsel on the power purchase agreement between Moody's and Maine Audubon, as well as on various agreements and warranties underlying the installation of the facilities. Also advised with respect to tax and real estate matters.
  • Acquisition of Massachusetts Solar Projects - Represented First Wind in its acquisition of several solar projects in Massachusetts.
  • Brunswick Solar Project - Represented Diversified Communications in the acquisition of a $2.5 million solar array in Brunswick, Maine. The array, which was developed by ReVision Energy and went online in January 2018, provides power to more than 100 businesses at Brunswick Landing. Advised Diversified Communications on federal debt financing, solar investment tax credits, renewable energy credits, electric power sales, EPC contracting, and regulatory, real estate, and corporate matters.

Firm Highlights

Matter

Elections and Constitutional Law: Successfully Challenged Certification of Initiative Petition

In a victory for consumers and the ride-hailing public, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently barred the Secretary of State from placing on the November ballot initiative petitions proposed by companies such as Uber...

News

Verrill's Norman Belanger and Betts Gorsky Featured in Mainebiz Article

Publication/Podcast

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say…Gorelick v. Star Markets: A Study in Indemnity

Indemnity clauses in contracts are a valuable tool for allocating risk among the contracting parties, most often risk attendant to personal injury and property damage, and their effect can be far-reaching. Despite their significance...

Publication/Podcast

Whole Foods Win Shows Workplace Rules Can Shield Cos.

Verrill attorney Liz Johnston was recently published in Law360 for her article “Whole Foods Win Shows Workplace Rules Can Shield Cos.” In the article, Johnston discusses the recent decision in Kinzer v. Whole Foods...

Event

Maine HR Convention: Workshop A: Out of Sight, Out of Mind-Legal Implications of Proximity Bias

Join Verrill's Tawny L. Alvarez at the 2023 Maine HR Convention where she will be presenting Workshop A:Out of Sight, Out of Mind-Legal Implications of Proximity Bias. Proximity bias can raise discrimination issues for...

News

David Lazarus Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Article Regarding Cryptocurrency Whistleblowing.

Event

Maine HR Convention: Workshop C: What Every Plan Sponsor Needs to Know-Your Fiduciary Duties in 2023

Join Verrill's Christopher S. Lockman at the 2023 Maine HR Convention where he will be presenting Workshop C: What Every Plan Sponsor Needs to Know-Your Fiduciary Duties in 2023 . This workshop will review...

Blog

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposes National Drinking Water Standard for Six PFAS Compounds

On March 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”). PFAS are a category of manufactured chemicals that...

Matter

Advised Fortune 500 Company on Group Health and Welfare Benefit Plans

We were engaged by a Fortune 500 manufacturing company to provide legal and compliance services regarding its group health and welfare benefit plans. During the course of our representation, we have advised the company...

Blog

HR Power Hour with Sabine Gedeon

Contact Verrill at (855) 307 0700