Summary
This order from the United States District Court for the District of Vermont denies Plaintiff Barton Solar’s motion for a mandatory injunction compelling Defendant RBI Solar to perform emergency repairs on a solar array. The court determined that the alleged damages, including repair costs and lost revenue, were quantifiable financial losses that could be adequately compensated through monetary damages at trial. Because Plaintiff failed to make the strong showing of irreparable harm required for a mandatory injunction, the court denied the motion without reaching the merits of the underlying claims.
Topics
Practice areas
Questions Presented
- Whether the plaintiff demonstrated a strong showing of irreparable harm sufficient for a mandatory injunction
- Whether the plaintiff satisfied the heightened likelihood‑of‑success standard for a mandatory injunction
Holdings
- The court denied the plaintiff's request for a mandatory injunction because the plaintiff failed to establish a strong showing of irreparable harm.
Key quotations
“A preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy never awarded as of right.” (at 1)
Factual background
Barton Solar, LLC owns a solar generation facility in Barton, Vermont. In 2014 Barton contracted with Ohio‑based RBI Solar to design and install a racking system. After installation, frost heave caused upward movement of embedded posts, damaging the array. Barton alleges RBI’s design failed to account for frost heave and seeks emergency repairs or certification that the array is structurally sound.
Procedural history
Plaintiff filed a motion for a mandatory injunction to compel emergency repairs to the solar array. Defendant opposed. The motion and a related partial summary judgment motion were stayed pending settlement. After settlement talks failed, the court held a hearing on Jan. 6, 2025, and issued this order denying the injunction.