Increased incentives for green energy projects, promising climate change legislation, solar industry consolidation, increased IPOs for renewable energy companies, and new supply and manufacturing trends—these were the key themes at a recent panel discussion hosted by Shearman & Sterling's Sustainable Development Group in the firm's New York office.

Titled “Forecasting the Renewable Energy Sector in 2010 and Beyond,” the event was well attended by business and industry leaders and featured a distinguished panel that included John Carson, Senior Vice President/Project Finance, Noble Environmental Power; Kerri Fox, Head of Structured and Project Finance North America, BBVA; Bill Lyons, Venture Partner, City Light Capital; Martin Mobley, Vice President, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated; and Shearman & Sterling partner Patricia Hammes, leader of the firm's Sustainable Development Group. The panel was moderated by Shearman & Sterling partner Robert Freedman.

"There has been quite a bit of activity in the renewable energy sector, but there have also been evolving challenges," Shearman & Sterling's Hammes said.

Added Shearman & Sterling’s Freedman, "This event, part of our ongoing series, brought a 360 degree view of the opportunities and challenges the sector is expected to face in 2010."

Shearman & Sterling's Sustainable Development Group brings together multidisciplinary resources from across the firm, including from project development and finance, property, environmental, asset management, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, tax and litigation, and leverages its global experience across a wide array of renewable resources, carbon markets, alternative energy funds and domestic and international environmental compliance.