attorney who specializes in solar law in tennessee

by Otilia Keeling 7 min read

Why hire a solar energy attorney?

Dean Mead’s solar energy attorneys counsel clients on preparing sites for photovoltaic plants and entering into leases with landowners and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with the utility companies. We have developed relationships with major players in the solar industry and are familiar with intermediaries used by utilities in negotiations.

Is solar power in Tennessee a good idea?

Terms Used In Tennessee Code > Title 66 > Chapter 9 > Part 2 - Solar Access Law of 1979. Lands: includes lands, tenements and hereditaments, and all rights thereto and interests therein, equitable as well as legal.See Tennessee Code 1-3-105; Property: includes both personal and real property.See Tennessee Code 1-3-105; Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected …

Does Tennessee have a solar tax credit for homeowners?

2010 Tennessee Code Title 66 - Property Chapter 9 - Easements and Restrictive Covenants Part 2 - Solar Access Law of 1979. 66-9-201 - Short title. 66-9-202 - Legislative Findings and Declarations. 66-9-203 - “Solar energy system” defined. ... Lawyers - Get Listed Now!

What kind of lawyer do I need for my non-working solar panels?

At SMITH ∙ ROSE ∙ FINLEY our Texas attorneys negotiate solar leases for landowners. Call today. Our law firm has the experience you need to achieve maximum results in the various areas of solar energy law. Our team of experienced attorneys at Smith Rose Finley are well-versed regarding solar and wind energy leases. We approach solar, wind and other energy leases from …

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Are solar panels legal in Tennessee?

Rooftop solar Federal law requires net metering upon request, but Tennessee is one of only four states without established policy, meaning that it needs to be negotiated with the utility. A more practical approach is to assume net metering by each utility.

Is solar good in Tennessee?

Tennessee is a good place to go solar, though not due to much effort from state legislators. The state gets a strong amount of sun throughout the year, and solar module prices continue to fall.

Can you sue a solar company in Texas?

You may be eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit. Even if you have obtained repairs for your solar power system, you may still be entitled to compensation if you were not reimbursed for the shortfall in energy production by your solar power system prior to the repairs.

Is power home solar legitimate?

Is POWERHOME SOLAR legit? Yes, POWERHOME SOLAR is a legitimate company that has grown to over 2,200 employees and more than 30,000 customers across 15 states.

What is solar energy?

Capturing the sun’s rays and converting them into a steady revenue stream requires the right piece of property. Dean Mead’s Solar Energy Team understands the specific issues that determine a property’s viability for a solar energy project, including the size of the property, its proximity to transmission lines and substations, wetlands requirements, environmental concerns, endangered species protections and land-use regulations.

What happened to Florida's solar panels in 2016?

The 2016 defeat of Florida’s Amendment 1 has increased competition for building solar panel arrays. A push to take advantage of federal tax credits before the window closes also has made development of solar plants a hot area for investment.

Is Florida a solar power state?

Always known for abundant sunshine, Florida now has become a favorable climate for growth of the solar energy industry. Economic opportunities for rural parcels larger than 400 acres and the attractiveness of a zero-emissions energy source have fueled interest in the development of solar photovoltaic power stations across the Sunshine State. Florida’s largest power company has accelerated multi-million dollar plans to build more solar energy plants, which would triple the utility’s total solar energy-generating capacity.

Why do we need solar panels on our roof?

This is commonly used in other solar-friendly states. It’s needed because, when you add panels to your roof, your home goes up in value. After all, your house now has 25 years at least of energy savings built into it. However, it does seem a bit unfair that this increase in value should count towards your property tax.

Is Tennessee a solar power state?

Look to the sun, and Tennessee is state that should be well down the road of harnessing its solar power potential. After all, this is the state that spent 50 years taming its rivers to make cheap, clean electricity. Solar power should be a cinch. But solar PV isn’t just a cheaper, cleaner, high-tech complement to dams and hydro power.

Can utilities help the planet without RPS?

Oh, and the planet gets saved. Without an RPS, utilities are much less likely to help with solar or wind power for their customers. That said, some of the more forward-looking power companies will lay out a few goodies for those wanting to do good for the planet. Even here in Tennessee (see Rebates below).

Does TVA have solar power?

They’ve helped make solar-powered homes a reality for many here.

Is solar PV a good alternative to hydroelectric?

But solar PV isn’t just a cheaper, cleaner, high-tech complement to dams and hydro power. It also spells out energy independence for the homeowner. And self-generated electricity means less business for the utilities.

Does Tennessee have a solar tax credit?

Tennessee tax credit. Tennessee doesn’t currently have a tax credit for homeowners switching to solar. That’s not so surprising.We don’t actually have state income tax, after all! So the only tax credit you can claim is the ITC that the federal government offers.

What happens if solar is valued less than lease terms?

If the buyer values solar any less than the lease terms, then lawyers need to get involved, according to other threads. So for the owner and future seller, getting advice of a lawyer years before that, before the lease is actually signed, may be prudent.

How long do you have to stay in a solar lease before you get a lease?

The buyout is typically expensive in the first 6 years, so you want to be reasonably confident you are staying put for the first 6 years before you get a lease. Bottom line is a solar lease requires a certain level of trust between you and the lessor.

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Client and Industry Challenges

  • Concerns about energy security, availability and costs have resulted in an increased focus on renewable and alternative energy sources. While consumer demand and government incentives have provided ample opportunity for development and growth in the renewable energy sector, increased scrutiny and regulation also give rise to unique and often comple...
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Clients We Serve

  • Our clients include lenders, tax credit investors, independent power producers, developers, power offtakers, construction contractors, entrepreneurs, venture capital and private equity firms, and strategic investors that concentrate in this industry. For our clients, we provide a comprehensive range of legal services tailored to suit the scope of their business and legal needs. We represen…
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Why Clients Select Us

  • Breadth and Depth of Experience: Our firm's numerous practice groups work together to provide interdisciplinary representation to our clients in the renewable energy industry, and our attorneys have a diverse array of practice focuses applicable to emerging and established renewable energy companies. Additionally, our network of offices and professionals are ideally located in many of …
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Experience

  • Our renewable energy attorney practice extends to and beyond the following areas: Project Finance We have represented numerous parties in financing renewable energy projects. This includes representing lenders with respect to making nonrecourse loans to project level entities secured by equipment and revenue streams. We have also represented developers and indepen…
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Representative Transactions

  • Project Finance 1. Represented lender in connection with $25 million line of credit to solar developer to finance residential solar leases in Arizona and California. 2. Represented regional bank in its tax equity investment (using sale-leaseback model) in numerous residential solar leases and equipment. 3. Represented solar developer in its development and financing of 20 M…
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