Energy Improvement Finance

Results achieved in prior matters are not meant to be a guarantee of success as the facts and legal circumstances vary from matter to matter.

Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. attorneys have significant experience in the planning and financing of energy improvement projects, including solar projects and energy savings plans.

We assist in the evaluation of the several financing alternatives by which public entities can achieve energy savings through the installation of solar panels, such as bonding, lease purchase financing, and power purchase agreements. Each of these options has distinct financial, regulatory, and legal implications which must be thoroughly analyzed in order to fashion the best overall structure. We have extensive experience in the analysis and execution of each alternative.

In addition, our Public Finance team is well versed in the provisions of the law that allow public bodies to issue energy savings obligations, whether a lease or bonds, to finance, on a performance contract basis, energy conservation measures. We have structured financial transactions that optimize the financial benefits of these “Energy Savings Plans.” The relatively new law that permits such financings is quite complicated and requires strict compliance with very technical and complex preparation, analysis, selection and financing processes.

Representative Transactions

Our team has been instrumental in structuring solar projects that have saved school districts hundreds of millions of dollars in energy costs through the installation of solar panels. In 2017, we guided the Middletown Board of Education through performance financing that will fund installation of solar panels on 17 of its school facilities, saving the school district an estimated $6 million in energy costs over the next 15 years.

ESIP/Energy Projects

  • Somerset Hills Regional School District ESIP
  • Phillipsburg Board of Education ESIP
  • Flemington Raritan Board of Education ESIP
  • Roxbury Board of Education DIY ESIP
  • Vernon Board of Education ESIP
  • Cherry Hill Board of Education: Energy Project Lease Financing I
  • Cherry Hill Board of Education: Energy Project Lease Financing II
  • High Point Board of Education ESIP
  • Great Meadows Board of Education ESIP
  • Hillsborough Board of Education ESIP
  • Hackettstown Board of Education ESIP
  • Parsippany-Troy Hills ESIP
  • Greenwich Board of Education ESIP
  • East Amwell Board of Education ESIP
  • Lopatcong Board of Education ESIP
  • Middlesex Board of Education ESIP
  • New Brunswick Board of Education
  • Fort Lee Board of Education
  • Middlesex County Utilities Authority CoGen PPA for wastewater treatment
  • Old Bridge Board of Education ESIP
  • Northern Highlands Regional High School District ESIP
  • Maywood Board of Education ESIP
  • Middletown Board of Education ESIP (DIY)
  • Oradell Board of Education ESIP
  • Denville Board of Education
  • Rochelle Park Board of Education ESIP
  • Saddle Brook Board of Education ESIP
  • West Morris Regional School District ESIP
  • Freehold Township ESIP
  • Hudson County ESIP

Solar Projects/Financings

  • Bergen County Improvement Authority Pooled Solar CREB financing
  • Bergen County Improvement Authority/Upper Saddle River Board of Education Solar CREB financing
  • Bergen County Improvement Authority
  • Toms River Board of Education Solar CREB financing
  • Greenwich Board of Education Solar PPA
  • Middlesex County College, 2.8 mw PPA
  • Middlesex County Correctional Facility, 7.8 mw PPA
  • Middletown Board of Education Solar PPA
  • New Brunswick Parking Authority 4 parking deck, 2 mw PPA
  • Northern Highlands Regional High School District PPA
  • Old Bridge Board of Education Solar PPA
  • Saddle Brook Board of Education Solar Power PPA