Attached files
Exhibit 8.1
August 5, 2010
Board of Directors
Entech Solar, Inc.
13301 Park Vista Boulevard, Suite 100
Forth Worth, Texas 76177
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended
We have acted as counsel to Entech Solar, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Entech), in connection with its distribution of rights to subscribe for new shares of Entech common stock (each a Right and collectively, the Rights) as described in a prospectus included as part of a registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission), as amended and supplemented through the date of this letter (the Registration Statement).
For purposes of rendering our opinion, we have reviewed the Registration Statement and such other documents and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate. In addition, we have assumed that the Rights will be distributed in the manner described in the Registration Statement and that the statements concerning the Rights offering in the Registration Statement are true, correct and complete as of the date hereof. We have also relied on factual representations made to us by Entech in a letter dated the date hereof. If either of these assumptions is untrue or if any Entech representation is untrue, incorrect or incomplete, our opinion may be adversely affected and may not be relied upon.
Our opinion is based on relevant provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service and judicial decisions, in each case in effect on the date of this letter. These authorities are subject to change at any time, in some circumstances with retroactive effect, and we can provide no assurance as to the effect that any change may have on our opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the limitations set forth in the Registration Statement, we confirm that the description under the heading Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement is our opinion as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of a receipt of the Rights and their exercise, sale or other disposition.
We express no opinion as to any United States federal income tax consequences of the Rights offering other than the opinion set forth above. We also express no opinion with respect to the tax consequences of the Rights offering under any state, local or non-U.S. tax law. Our opinion takes into account laws and interpretations of laws as of the date of this letter. We undertake no responsibility to advise you of changes in laws or interpretations of laws after that time.
An opinion of counsel is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts, and there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service or a court would not take a contrary position with respect to our opinion.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration Statement and to references to our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Bingham McCutchen LLP
BINGHAM McCUTCHEN LLP