Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.

The attorneys in the Sills Cummis & Gross renewable energy practice represent property owners, solar developers and installers in connection with solar energy transactions throughout the country. The Firm has a broad client base in this area, including large publically held companies, private equity solar developers and installers. While the Firm works extensively in all areas of this practice, it has developed a particular specialization in dealing with the issues involved in developing and installing solar systems on shopping centers.

The Firm represents its clients in connection with the structuring, implementation and financing of renewable energy transactions, including the drafting and negotiation of EPC agreements, O&M agreements, power purchase and energy services agreements, site leases, master option agreements, REC contracts, loan agreements and related financing documents.

The Firm’s lawyers practicing in this area are all experienced transactional attorneys who also have the requisite knowledge of the applicable energy regulatory and incentive programs, avoiding the balkanization, pitfalls and high legal fees that often occur in this practice area. For example, a Sills Cummis & Gross power purchase or energy services agreement will not only address whether the energy buyer has to sign the interconnection agreement; but will also address SNDAs and each party’s responsibility for state sales taxes and local real property taxes.

The lead attorney on a Sills Cummis & Gross solar energy transaction will always be a seasoned transactional attorney, with a correspondingknowledge of the applicable federal and local renewable energy regulations and incentive programs. This lead attorney will also have the ability to call on hyper-specialists within the Firm when needed.

Representative Matters

• Representing a private equity solar developer in connection with the power purchase and license agreements to permit the installation of over two megawatts of photovoltaic systems on four shopping centers in New York City.
• Representing a pv system installer in connection with three EPC Agreements for the installation of over four megawatts of photovoltaic systems on three shopping centers in California.
• Representing a publicly traded retail REIT in structuring, implementing and financing the installation of photovoltaic systems totaling 4.2 megawatts on five of its shopping centers in two states. This representation included the preparation and negotiation of two EPC agreements, five site leases, two O&M agreements, 16 power purchase agreements and numerous financing and other ancilliary documents.
• Representing a publicly traded retail REIT in a transaction with a national solar developer for the purchase of electricity generated by and the installation of over 30 megawatts of photovoltaic systems in 35 states.
• Representing a national pension fund in connection with a 6.8 megawatt on-site photovoltaic system transaction where the fund is a Host and one of several energy buyers. This transaction included the negotiation and drafting of a site lease and several power purchase agreements.
• Representing a national pension fund in connection with a 4 megawatt, 25 site, three state photovoltaic system transaction where the fund is the Host and energy purchaser at each site. This transaction included the negotiation and drafting of multiple site leases, power purchase agreements, bills of sale and SNDAs.
• Representing a national pension fund in connection with a 1.2 megawatt on-site photovoltaic system transaction.
• Representing a Manhattan based private equity solar developer in connection with a 600 kilowatt, six school transaction. This transaction included the negotiation and drafting of six energy services agreements, six site licenses and an EPC agreement.
• Representing a Princeton based private equity solar developer in connection with a 1.2 megawatt on-site photovoltaic system transaction. This transaction included the negotiation and drafting of an EPC agreement and the financing of the system.

Creating and maintaining a diverse workplace is of paramount importance to Sills Cummis & Gross. The Firm has always been an advocate of minority hiring practices and is involved in a number of minority hiring, retention and diversity initiatives. The Firm’s Diversity Committee and Women’s Group focus on initiatives to enhance the culture of Sills Cummis & Gross and the quality of service to the Firm’s clients. Sills Cummis & Gross also encourages its attorneys to actively participate in minority bar associations and local and national women’s groups. 

The Sills Cummis & Gross Diversity Committee provides an avenue to continue to promote diversity within the Firm as well as within the legal community at large. The Committee hosts events aimed at increasing the dialog on diversity and providing insights and advice from experienced diverse attorneys. The Committee also provides a mentor to each diverse attorney entering the Firm, in addition to the Firm’s other mentoring programs. The Firm’s minority hiring, retention and diversity initiatives include participation in the New Jersey Law Firm Group, the Rutgers Law School Minority Student Program, and the New Jersey Law and Education Empowerment Project. 

The Sills Cummis & Gross Women’s Group is dedicated to promoting the professional and personal growth of women attorneys. Recognizing that women face unique challenges, the Women’s Group provides a forum for meaningful discussion and learning. The Group seeks to provide mentoring for our women attorneys, positioning them to lead us into the future at our Firm and in our communities. The Group sponsors both internal programs as well as programs which includes attorneys from outside the Firm. The Firm is a supporter of the National Association of Women Lawyers and the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association.