Communities, universities, and other non-profit entities seeking to reduce electricity costs, reduce their carbon footprint, or make productive use of closed landfills are sponsoring renewable power projects. For-profit businesses also look for opportunities to achieve similar goals.

In such cases, the sponsor may have little experience either with developing a renewable power project directly or fashioning agreements with a private developer. For entities wanting to invest directly in projects, raising financing can be complicated by budget constraints and the inability to use tax incentives geared for privately owned projects. Financing sources for public and cooperative projects as well as public-private hybrid ownership structures are available, but specialized and not always available. Similarly, state- level capital and performance rebates, net metering pricing, and sales of RECs can improve project economics, but only if well structured.

Birch Tree Capital is familiar with crafting financing plans to meld public sector interest with private financing to achieve shared goals. We have advised towns, states, and developers on financing in support for community renewable power projects.

Birch Tree Capital can assist public and non-profit entities interested in promoting or undertaking clean power projects in several respects:

• Advise on current financing market conditions.
• Craft appropriate ownership and financing plans for community and non-profit projects to achieve community goals and financing needs.
• Identify and approach suitable equity, debt, and grant financing sources for public sector investment projects.
• Coordinate project due diligence reviews by equity investors & lenders.
• Negotiate financing term sheets and full financing documentation.