Clean Technology & Renewable Energy

An unprecedented combination of factors — renewed focus on energy independence and security, environmental and climate change concerns, and present and threatened shortages of water and other critical resources around the globe — are combining to present a unique set of opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs in the clean technology and renewable energy fields.

“Clean technology” is a broad description for a number of loosely related endeavors ranging from community-based renewable energy projects to the development of disruptive innovations in energy technology that can be manufactured and deployed worldwide and that will revolutionize the way we generate, transfer and use energy.

Our attorneys play a leading role in the growing clean tech field in New England and beyond. We have advised clients in numerous industry areas, including:

• Solar PV and wind project development and financing
• Biofuels, biodiesel and other alternative fuels
• Wind energy technology
• Solar thermal technology
• Hydrogen and fuel-cell enabled power and heat devices
• Smart grid communication technology
• Grid-level compressed-air storage technology
• Energy efficiency technology
• Microturbine-based energy storage
• Silicon technology
• Microbial fuel cells.

Our clean tech practice combines the skills of lawyers from across our business law practice areas to provide our clients with an integrated set of services to grow their ventures. Services we provide to our clean tech and renewable energy clients, include:

• Early-stage and venture capital funding: We represent early-stage energy technology companies in obtaining angel and VC funding.
• Intellectual Property: Our intellectual property attorneys advise clients on securing and protecting their rights
  in their inventions and other intellectual property assets, including by means of patent filings and copyright and trademark registrations, as well as negotiating and executing licensing, strategic partnering and other transactions regarding these assets.
• Debt Financing: We represent borrowers and lenders in connection with asset-based and cash flow secured debt facilities.
• Government Funding: Our clients have successfully obtained funding from state and federal funders, including the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the federal ARPA-E program.
• Tax: We advise clients on domestic and international tax and tax planning matters.
  

Our attorneys have also played a leading role in the formation of area renewable energy industry organizations and trade councils.

To discuss your company's clean tech and renewable energy legal needs and how our experienced attorneys might meet them more efficiently and responsively, please contact Gerard P. O'Connor.