Cost of capital: 2018 outlook
The tax equity market managed to function all year in 2017 despite uncertainty about what the US tax code would say.
Reading the current market
A panel of company CEOs and investors talked at the annual Infocast “projects & money” conference in New Orleans in January.
New technologies and old issues under PURPA
After nearly 40 years with wide-ranging effects on the US electric utility industry, the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act — called “PURPA” — has resurfaced.
Renewable energy policy issues in play
Changes in government policy can have a big effect on the renewable energy market in the United States.
ERCOT: shrinking reserve margin
Texas is the only organized electricity market in the United States where there is growing demand for electricity.
Energy storage in Latin America and the Caribbean
Latin America is in the midst of a dramatic energy transformation.
Tax equity primer for back-levered lenders
Back-levered loans remain a core financing tool in the US renewable energy market.
Environmental update
The US Environmental Protection Agency sent interim guidance to its regional offices in late January to fill in details of its plan to let states lead on enforcement of federal environmental laws.
US solar tariffs
Solar panel prices are expected to remain high in the first half of 2018, but may ease after that.
Orphan extenders
Various energy tax incentives were extended by Congress as part of a two-year budget deal in early February.
DOE and coal
Coal plant retirements may be delayed by the US Department of Energy.
PPAs and developer fees
Two closely-watched lawsuits are moving forward.
H-S-R thresholds
H-S-R filing thresholds will go up at the end of February.
The solar construction-start rules
The solar construction-start rules are “actively being worked on,” according to Hannah Hawkins, the lawyer for energy tax issues in the office of tax policy at the US Treasury.
Corporate PPAs
What should one make of the dip in number of new power purchase agreements signed in 2016 to sell electricity directly to large corporate buyers?
CFIUS and China
CFIUS is becoming a major roadblock for acquisitions by Chinese companies.
Aircraft non-payment insurance
Aircraft non-payment insurance is being used in some aircraft financings.
Rooftop solar
US residential rooftop solar installations fell for the first three straight quarters in 2017 as some of the major players adjusted their business models to make upfront cash more of a priority than rapid growt
US wind data
New wind farm construction dipped in 2017, but should pick up again in 2018.
Offshore wind
US offshore wind is gearing up quickly.
Oklahoma
An Oklahoma bill that would cap tax credits for generating wind electricity and, at the same time, impose a tax on such electricity fell short of the number of votes needed to pass.
Maine
Maine imposed a moratorium on new wind farm construction.
Community choice aggregators
Community choice aggregators and rooftop solar took about 25% of the retail load away from investor-owned utilities in California in 2017.
US partnership audits
New partnership audit rules take effect in 2018.
Incurred costs
Incurred costs under the 5% test for starting construction may have to be reduced by any credit or discount the developer is given against a future turbine or other equipment order, depending on the facts.
Transfer pricing and foreign tax credits
Transfer pricing issues led to being whipsawed on foreign tax credits.
Pledges of Delaware LLC interests
Pledges of interests in Delaware limited liability companies are being mishandled in some transactions.
CO2 allowances and REITs
CO2 allowances that forestry companies receive for preserving trees are not “real property” for REIT purposes, the IRS said.
Minor memos
The Solar Energy Industries Association estimates that the solar tariffs sought by US solar panel manufacturer Suniva would cost the...