EXHIBIT 10.12
COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT
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BORROWER: ASTROPOWER, INC. LENDER: ARTISANS' BANK
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THIS COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO BETWEEN ASTROPOWER, INC.
(REFERRED TO BELOW AS "GRANTOR"); AND ARTISANS' BANK (REFERRED TO BELOW AS
"LENDER"). FOR VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, GRANTOR GRANTS TO LENDER A SECURITY
INTEREST IN THE COLLATERAL TO SECURE THE INDEBTEDNESS AND AGREES THAT LENDER
SHALL HAVE THE RIGHTS STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE COLLATERAL,
IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER RIGHTS WHICH LENDER MAY HAVE BY LAW.
DEFINITIONS. The following words shall have the following meanings when used in
this Agreement. Terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the
meanings attributed to such terms in the Uniform Commercial Code. All references
to dollar amounts shall mean amounts in lawful money of the United States of
America.
AGREEMENT. The word "Agreement" means this Commercial Security Agreement,
as this Commercial Security Agreement may be amended or modified from time
to time, together with all exhibits and schedules attached to this
Commercial Security Agreement from time to time.
COLLATERAL. The word "Collateral" means the following described property of
Grantor, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, whether now existing or
hereafter arising, and wherever located:
ALL EQUIPMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED
PROPERTY: SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT DESCRIBED MORE FULLY ON THE ATTACHED SCHEDULE
"A"
In addition, the word "Collateral" includes all the following, whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, whether now existing or hereafter arising. and
wherever located:
(a) All attachments, accessions, accessories, tools, parts, supplies,
increases, and additions to and all replacements of and substitutions for
any property described above.
(b) All products and produce of any of the property described in this
Collateral section.
(c) All accounts, general intangibles, instruments, rents, monies,
payments, and all other rights, arising out of a sale, lease, or other
disposition of any of the property described in this Collateral
section.
(d) All proceeds (including insurance proceeds) from the sale,
destruction, loss, or other disposition of any of the property described
in this Collateral section.
(e) All records and data relating to any OF the property described in this
Collateral section, whether in the form OF a writing, photograph,
microfilm, microfiche, or electronic media, together with all of Grantor's
right, title, and interest in and to all computer software required to
utilize, create, maintain, and process any such records or data on
electronic media.
EVENT OF DEFAULT. The words "Event of Default" mean and include without
limitation any of the Events of Default set forth below in the section
titled "Events of Default."
GRANTOR. The word "Grantor" means AstroPower, Inc., its successors and
assigns
GUARANTOR. The word "Guarantor" means and includes without limitation each
and all OF the guarantors, sureties, and accommodation parties in connection
with the Indebtedness.
INDEBTEDNESS. The word "Indebtedness" means the indebtedness evidenced by
the Note, including all principal and interest, together with all other
indebtedness and costs and expenses for which Grantor is responsible under
this Agreement or under any of the Related Documents.
LENDER. The word "Lender" means Artisans' Bank, its successors and assigns.
NOTE. The word "Note" means the note or credit agreement dated January 10,
1997, in the principal amount of $750,000.00 from AstroPower, Inc. to
Lender, together with all renewals of, extensions of, modifications of,
refinancing of, consolidations of and substitutions for the note or credit
agreement.
RELATED DOCUMENTS. The words "Related Documents" mean and include without
limitation all promissory notes, credit agreements, loan agreements,
environmental agreements, guaranties, security agreements, mortgages, deeds
of trust, and all other instruments, agreements and documents, whether now
or hereafter existing, executed in connection with the Indebtedness.
RIGHT OF SETOFF. Grantor hereby grants Lender a contractual possessory security
interest in and hereby assigns, conveys, delivers, pledges, and transfers all of
Grantor's right, title and interest in and to Grantor's accounts with Lender
(whether checking,
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savings, or some other account), including all accounts held jointly with
someone else and all accounts Grantor may open in the future, excluding,
however, all ▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇ accounts, and all trust accounts for which the grant
of a security interest would be prohibited by law. Grantor authorizes Lender, to
the extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all Indebtedness
against any and all such accounts, and, at Lender's option, to administratively
freeze all such accounts to allow Lender to protect Lender's charge and setoff
rights provided in this paragraph.
OBLIGATIONS OF GRANTOR. Grantor warrants and covenants to Lender as follows:
PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST. Grantor agrees to execute such financing
statements and to take whatever other actions are requested by Lender to
perfect and continue Lender's security interest in the Collateral. Upon
request of Lender, Grantor will deliver to Lender any and all of the
documents evidencing or constituting the Collateral, and Grantor will note
Lender's interest upon any and all chattel paper if not delivered to Lender
for possession by Lender. Grantor hereby appoints Lender as its irrevocable
attorney-in-fact for the purpose of executing any documents necessary to
perfect or to continue the security interest granted in this Agreement.
Lender may at any time, and without further authorization from Grantor, file
a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of any financing statement or
of this Agreement for use as a financing statement. Grantor will reimburse
Lender for all expenses for the perfection and the continuation of the
perfection of Lender's security interest in the Collateral. Grantor promptly
will notify Lender before any change in Grantor's name including any change
to the assumed business names of Grantor.
NO VIOLATION. The execution and delivery of this Agreement will not violate
any law or agreement governing Grantor or to which Grantor is a party, and
its certificate or articles of incorporation and bylaws do not prohibit any
term or condition of this Agreement.
ENFORCEABILITY OF COLLATERAL. To the extent the Collateral consists of
accounts, chattel paper, or general intangibles, the Collateral is
enforceable in accordance with its terms, is genuine, and complies with
applicable laws concerning form, content and manner of preparation and
execution, and all persons appearing to be obligated on the Collateral have
authority and capacity to contract and are in fact obligated as they appear
to be on the Collateral.
REMOVAL OF COLLATERAL. Grantor shall keep the Collateral (or, to the extent
the Collateral consists of intangible property such as accounts, the records
concerning the Collateral) at Grantor's address shown above, or at such
other locations as are acceptable to Lender. Except in the ordinary course
of its business, including the sales of inventory, Grantor shall not remove
the Collateral from its existing locations without the prior written consent
of Lender. To the extent that the Collateral consists of vehicles, or other
titled property, Grantor shall not take or permit any action which would
require application for certificates of title for the vehicles outside the
State of Delaware, without the prior written consent of Lender.
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING COLLATERAL. Except for inventory sold or accounts
collected in the ordinary course of Grantor's business, Grantor shall not
sell, offer to sell, or otherwise transfer or dispose of the Collateral.
Grantor shall not pledge, mortgage, encumber or otherwise permit the
Collateral to be subject to any lien, security interest, encumbrance, or
charge, other than the security interest provided for in this Agreement,
without the prior written consent of Lender. This includes security
interests even if junior in right to the security interests granted under
this Agreement. Unless waived by Lender, all proceeds from any disposition
of the Collateral (for whatever reason) shall be held in trust for Lender
and shall not be commingled with any other funds; provided however, this
requirement shall not constitute consent by Lender to any sale or other
disposition. Upon receipt, Grantor shall immediately deliver any such
proceeds to Lender.
TITLE. Grantor represents and warrants to Lender that it holds good and
marketable title to the Collateral, free and clear of all liens and
encumbrances except for the lien of this Agreement. No financing statement
covering any of the Collateral is on file in any public office other than
those which reflect the security interest created by this Agreement or to
which Lender has specifically consented. Grantor shall defend Lender's
rights in the Collateral against the claims and demands of all other
persons.
COLLATERAL SCHEDULES AND LOCATIONS. Insofar as the Collateral consists of
equipment, Grantor shall deliver to Lender, as often as Lender shall
require, such lists, descriptions, and designations of such Collateral as
Lender may require to identify the nature, extent, and location of such
Collateral. Such information shall be submitted for Grantor and each of its
subsidiaries or related companies.
MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF COLLATERAL. Grantor shall maintain all
tangible Collateral in good condition and repair. Grantor will not commit or
permit damage to or destruction of the Collateral or any part of the
Collateral. Lender and its designated representatives and agents shall have
the right at all reasonable times to examine, inspect, and audit the
Collateral wherever located. Grantor shall immediately notify Lender of all
cases involving the return, rejection, repossession, loss or damage of or to
any Collateral; of any request for credit or adjustment or of any other
dispute arising with respect to the Collateral; and generally of all
happenings and events affecting the Collateral or the value or the amount of
the Collateral.
TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND LIENS. Grantor will pay when due all taxes,
assessments and liens upon the Collateral, its use or operation, upon this
Agreement, upon any promissory note or notes evidencing the Indebtedness, or
upon any of the other Related Documents. Grantor may withhold any such
payment or may elect to contest any lien if Grantor is in good faith
conducting an appropriate proceeding to contest the obligation to pay and so
long as Lender's interest in the Collateral is not jeopardized in Lender's
sole opinion. If the Collateral is subjected to a lien which is not
discharged within fifteen (15) days, Grantor shall deposit with Lender cash,
a sufficient corporate surety bond or other security satisfactory to Lender
in an amount adequate to provide for the discharge of the lien plus any
interest, costs, reasonable attorneys' fees or other charges that could
accrue as a result of foreclosure or sale of the Collateral. In any contest
Grantor shall defend itself and Lender and shall satisfy any final adverse
judgment before enforcement against the Collateral. Grantor shall name
Lender as an additional obligee under any surety bond furnished in the
contest proceedings.
COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENTS. Grantor shall comply promptly
with all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of all governmental
authorities, now or hereafter in effect, applicable to the ownership,
production, disposition, or use of the
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Collateral. Grantor may contest in good faith any such law, ordinance or
regulation and withhold compliance during any proceeding, including
appropriate appeals, so long as Lender's interest in the Collateral, in
Lender's opinion, is not jeopardized.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES. Grantor represents and warrants that the Collateral
never has been, and never will be so long as this Agreement remains a lien
on the Collateral, used for the generation, manufacture, storage,
transportation. treatment, disposal, release or threatened release of any
hazardous waste or substance, as those terms are defined in the
Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C.
Section 9601, et seq. ("CERCLA"), the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-499 ("▇▇▇▇"), the Hazardous
Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 1801, et seq., the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901, et seq., or other
applicable state or Federal laws, rules, or regulations adopted pursuant to
any of the foregoing. The terms "hazardous waste" and "hazardous substance"
shall also include, without limitation, petroleum and petroleum by-products
or any fraction thereof and asbestos. The representations and warranties
contained herein are based on Grantor's due diligence in investigating the
Collateral for hazardous wastes and substances. Grantor hereby (a) releases
and waives any future claims against Lender for indemnity or contribution in
the event Grantor becomes liable for cleanup or other costs under any such
laws, and (b) agrees to Indemnify and hold harmless Lender against any and
all claims and losses resulting from a breach of this provision of this
Agreement. This obligation to indemnify shall survive the payment of the
Indebtedness and the satisfaction of this Agreement.
MAINTENANCE OF CASUALTY INSURANCE. Grantor shall procure and maintain all
risks insurance, including without limitation tire, theft and liability
coverage together with such other insurance as Lender may require with
respect to the Collateral, in form, amounts, coverages and basis reasonably
acceptable to Lender and issued by a company or companies reasonably
acceptable to Lender. Grantor, upon request of Lender, will deliver to
Lender from time to time the policies or certificates of insurance in form
satisfactory to Lender, including stipulations that coverage will not be
canceled or diminished without at least tan (10) days' prior written notice
to Lender and not including any disclaimer of the insurer's liability for
failure to give such a notice. Each insurance policy also shall include an
endorsement providing that coverage in favor of Lender will not be impaired
in any way by any act, omission or default of Grantor or any other person.
In connection with all policies covering assets in which Lender holds or is
offered a security interest, Grantor will provide Lender with such loss
payable or other endorsements as Lender may require. If Grantor at any time
fails to obtain or maintain any insurance as required under this Agreement,
Lender may (but shall not be obligated to) obtain such insurance as Lender
deems appropriate, including if it so chooses "single interest insurance,"
which will cover only Lender's interest in the Collateral.
APPLICATION OF INSURANCE PROCEEDS. Grantor shall promptly notify Lender of
any loss or damage to the Collateral. Lender may make proof of loss if
Grantor fails to do so within fifteen (15) days of the casualty. All
proceeds of any insurance on the Collateral, including accrued proceeds
thereon, shall be held by Lender as part of the Collateral. If Lender
consents to repair or replacement of the damaged or destroyed Collateral,
Lender shall, upon satisfactory proof of expenditure, pay or reimburse
Grantor from the proceeds for the reasonable cost of repair or restoration.
If Lender does not consent to repair or replacement of the Collateral,
Lender shall retain a sufficient amount of the proceeds to pay all of the
Indebtedness, and shall pay the balance to Grantor. Any proceeds which have
not been disbursed within six (6) months after their receipt and which
Grantor has not committed to the repair or restoration of the Collateral
shall be used to prepay the Indebtedness.
INSURANCE RESERVES. Lender may require Grantor to maintain with Lender
reserves for payment of insurance premiums, which reserves shall be created
by monthly payments from Grantor of a sum estimated by Lender to be
sufficient to produce, at least fifteen (15) days before the premium due
date, amounts at least equal to the insurance premiums to be paid. If
fifteen (15) days before payment is due, the reserve funds are insufficient,
Grantor shall upon demand pay any deficiency to Lender. The reserve funds
shall be held by Lender as a general deposit and shall constitute a non-
interest-bearing account which Lender may satisfy by payment of the
insurance premiums required to be paid by Grantor as they become due. Lender
does not hold the reserve funds in trust for Grantor, and Lender is not the
agent of Grantor for payment of the insurance premiums required to be paid
by Grantor. The responsibility for the payment of premiums shall remain
Grantor's sole responsibility.
INSURANCE REPORTS. Grantor, upon request of Lender, shall furnish to Lender
reports on each existing policy of insurance showing such information as
Lender may reasonably request including the following: (a) the name of the
insurer; (b) the risks insured; (c) the amount of the policy; (d) the
property insured; (a) the then current value on the basis of which insurance
has been obtained and the manner of determining that value; and (f) the
expiration date of the policy. In addition, Grantor shall upon request by
Lender (however not more often than annually) have an independent appraiser
satisfactory to Lender determine, as applicable, the cash value or
replacement cost of the Collateral.
GRANTOR'S RIGHT TO POSSESSION. Until default, Grantor may have possession of
the tangible personal property and beneficial use of all the Collateral and may
use it in any lawful manner not inconsistent with this Agreement or the Related
Documents, provided that Grantor's right to possession and beneficial use shall
not apply to any Collateral where possession of the Collateral by Lender is
required by law to perfect Lender's security interest in such Collateral. If
Lender at any time has possession of any Collateral, whether before or after an
Event of Default, Lender shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in
the custody and preservation of the Collateral if Lender takes such action for
that purpose as Grantor shall request or as Lender, in Lender's sole discretion,
shall deem appropriate under the circumstances, but failure to honor any request
by Grantor shall not of itself be deemed to be a failure to exercise reasonable
care. Lender shall not be required to take any steps necessary to preserve any
rights in the Collateral against prior parties, nor to protect, preserve or
maintain any security interest given to secure the Indebtedness.
EXPENDITURES BY LENDER. If not discharged or paid when due, Lender may (but
shall not be obligated to) discharge or pay any amounts required to be
discharged or paid by Grantor under this Agreement, including without limitation
all taxes, liens, security interests, encumbrances, and other claims, at any
time levied or placed on the Collateral. Lender also may (but shall not be
obligated to) pay all costs for insuring, maintaining and preserving the
Collateral. All such expenditures incurred or paid by Lender for such purposes
will then bear interest at the rate charged under the Note from the date
incurred or paid by Lender to the date of repayment by Grantor. All such
expenses shall become a part of the Indebtedness and, at Lender's option, will
(a) be payable on demand, (b) be added to the balance of the Note and be
apportioned among and be payable with any installment payments to become due
during either (I) the term of any applicable insurance policy or (II) the
remaining term of the Note, or (c) be treated as a balloon payment which will be
due
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and payable at the Note's maturity. This Agreement also will secure payment of
these amounts. Such right shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies
to which Lender may be entitled upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default
under this Agreement:
DEFAULT ON INDEBTEDNESS. Failure of Grantor to make any payment when due on
the Indebtedness.
OTHER DEFAULTS. Failure of Grantor to comply with or to perform any other
term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any
of the Related Documents or in any other agreement between Lender and
Grantor.
DEFAULT IN FAVOR OF THIRD PARTIES. Should Borrower or any Grantor default
under any loan, extension of credit, security agreement, purchase or sales
agreement, or any other agreement, in favor of any other creditor or person
that may materially affect any of Borrower's- property, or Borrower's or any
Grantor's ability to repay the Loans or perform their respective obligations
under this Agreement or any of the Related Documents.
FALSE STATEMENTS. Any warranty, representation or statement made or
furnished to Lender by or on behalf of Grantor under this Agreement, the Note
or the Related Documents is false or misleading in any material respect,
either now or at the time made or furnished.
DEFECTIVE COLLATERALIZATION. This Agreement or any of the Related Documents
ceases to be in full force and effect (including failure of any collateral
documents to create a valid and perfected security interest or lien) at any
time and for any reason.
INSOLVENCY. The dissolution or termination of Grantor's existence as a going
business, the insolvency of Grantor, the appointment of a receiver for any part
of Grantor's property, any assignment for the benefit of creditors, any type of
creditor workout, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or
Insolvency laws by or against Grantor.
CREDITOR OR FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS. Commencement of foreclosure or
forfeiture proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help,
repossession or any other method. by any creditor of Grantor or by any
governmental agency against the Collateral or any other collateral securing
the Indebtedness. This includes a garnishment of any of Grantor's deposit
accounts with Lender.
EVENTS AFFECTING GUARANTOR. Any of the preceding events occurs with respect
to any Guarantor of any of the Indebtedness or such Guarantor dies or becomes
incompetent.
ADVERSE CHANGE. A material adverse change occurs in Grantor's financial
condition, or Lender believes the prospect of payment or performance of the
Indebtedness is impaired.
RIGHTS AND REMEDIES ON DEFAULT. If an Event of Default occurs under this
Agreement, at any time thereafter, Lender shall have all the rights of a secured
party under the Delaware Uniform Commercial Code. In addition and without
limitation, Lender may exercise any one or more of the following rights and
remedies:
ACCELERATE INDEBTEDNESS. Lender may declare the entire Indebtedness,
Including any prepayment penalty which Grantor would be required to pay,
immediately due and payable, without notice.
ASSEMBLE COLLATERAL. Lender may require Grantor to deliver to Lender all or
any portion of the Collateral and any and all certificates of title and other
documents relating to the Collateral. Lender may require Grantor to assemble
the Collateral and make it available to Lender at a place to be designated by
Lender. Lender also shall have full power to enter upon the property of
Grantor to take possession of and remove the Collateral. If the Collateral
contains other goods not covered by this Agreement at the time of
repossession, Grantor agrees Lender may take such other goods, provided that
Lender makes reasonable efforts to return them to Grantor after repossession.
SELL THE COLLATERAL. Lender shall have full power to sell, lease, transfer,
or otherwise deal with the Collateral or proceeds thereof in its own name or
that of Grantor. Lender may sell the Collateral at public auction or private
sale. Unless the Collateral threatens to decline speedily In value or is of
a type customarily sold on a recognized market, Lender will give Grantor
reasonable notice of the time after which any private sale or any other
intended disposition of the Collateral is to be made. The requirements of
reasonable notice shall be met it such notice is given at least ton (10) days
before the time of the sale or disposition. All expenses relating to the
disposition of the Collateral, including without limitation the expenses of
retaking, holding, insuring, preparing for sale and selling the Collateral,
shall become a part of the Indebtedness secured by this Agreement and shall
be payable on demand, with interest at the Note rate from date of expenditure
until repaid.
APPOINT RECEIVER. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender shall
have the following rights and remedies regarding the appointment of a
receiver: (a) Lender may have a receiver appointed as a matter of right, (b))
the receiver may be an employee of Lender and may serve without bond, and (c)
all fees of the receiver and his or her attorney shall become part of the
Indebtedness secured by this Agreement and shall be payable on demand, with
interest at the Note rate from date of expenditure until repaid.
COLLECT REVENUES, APPLY ACCOUNTS. Lender, either itself or through a
receiver, may collect the payments, rents, income, and revenues from the
Collateral. Lender may at any time in its discretion transfer any Collateral
into its own name or that of its nominee and receive the payments, rents,
income, and revenues therefrom and hold the same as security for the
Indebtedness or apply it to payment of the Indebtedness in such order of
preference as Lender may determine. Insofar as the Collateral consists of
accounts, general intangibles, insurance policies, instruments, chattel
paper, chooses in action, or similar property, Lender may demand, collect,
receipt for, settle, compromise. adjust, ▇▇▇ for, foreclose, or realize on
the Collateral as Lender may determine, whether or not Indebtedness or
Collateral is then due. For these purposes, Lender may, on behalf of and in
the name of Grantor, receive, open and dispose of mail addressed to Grantor;
change any address to which mail and payments are to be sent; and endorse
notes, checks, drafts, money orders, documents of title, instruments and
items pertaining to payment, shipment, or storage of any Collateral. To
facilitate collection, Lender may notify account debtors and obligors on any
Collateral to make payments directly to Lender.
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OBTAIN DEFICIENCY. If Lender chooses to sell any or all of the Collateral,
Lender may obtain a judgment against Grantor for any deficiency remaining an
the Indebtedness due to Lender after application of all amounts received from
the exercise of the rights provided in this Agreement. Grantor shall be
liable for a deficiency even if the transaction described in this subsection
is a sale of accounts or chattel paper.
OTHER RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. Lender shall have all the rights and remedies of
a secured creditor under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, as
may be amended from time to time. In addition, Lender shall have and may
exercise any or all other rights and remedies it may have available at law,
in equity, or otherwise.
CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. All of Lender's rights and remedies, whether evidenced
by this Agreement or the Related Documents or by any other writing, shall be
cumulative and may be exercised singularly or concurrently. Election by
Lender to pursue any remedy shall not exclude pursuit of any other remedy,
and an election to make expenditures or to take action to perform an
obligation of Grantor under this Agreement, after Grantor's failure to
perform, shall not affect Lender's right to declare a default and to exercise
its remedies.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. The following miscellaneous provisions are a part of
this Agreement:
AMENDMENTS. This Agreement, together with any Related Documents, constitutes
the entire understanding and agreement of the parties as to the matters set
forth in this Agreement. No alteration of or amendment to this Agreement
shall be effective unless given in writing and signed by the party or parties
sought to be charged or bound by the alteration or amendment.
APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement has been delivered to Lender and accepted by
Lender in the State of Delaware. If there is a lawsuit, Grantor agrees upon
Lender's request to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of New Castle
County, State of Delaware. Subject to the provisions on arbitration, this
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Delaware.
ARBITRATION. LENDER AND GRANTOR AGREE THAT ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS AND
CONTROVERSIES BETWEEN THEM, WHETHER INDIVIDUAL, JOINT, OR CLASS IN NATURE,
ARISING FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION
CONTRACT AND TORT DISPUTES, SHALL BE ARBITRATED PURSUANT TO THE RULES OF THE
AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION, UPON REQUEST OF EITHER PARTY. No act to
take or dispose of any Collateral shall constitute a waiver of this
arbitration agreement or be prohibited by this arbitration agreement. This
includes, without limitation, obtaining injunctive relief or a temporary
restraining order; invoking a power of sale under any deed of trust or
mortgage; obtaining a writ of attachment or imposition of a receiver; or
exercising any rights relating to personal property, including taking or
disposing of such property with or without judicial process pursuant to
Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Any disputes, claims, or
controversies concerning the lawfulness or reasonableness of any act, or
exercise of any right, concerning any Collateral, including any claim to
rescind, reform, or otherwise modify any agreement relating to the
Collateral, shall also be arbitrated, provided however that no arbitrator
shall have the right or the power to enjoin or restrain any act of any party.
Judgment upon any award rendered by any arbitrator may be entered in any
court having jurisdiction. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude any
party from seeking equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction.
The statute of limitations, estoppel. waiver, laches, and similar doctrines
which would otherwise be applicable in an action brought by a party shall be
applicable in any arbitration proceeding, and the commencement of an
arbitration proceeding shall be deemed the commencement of an action for
these purposes. The Federal Arbitration Act shall apply to the construction,
interpretation, and enforcement of this arbitration provision.
ATTORNEYS' FEES; EXPENSES. Grantor agrees to pay upon demand all of Lender's
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and Lender's legal
expenses, incurred in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement.
Lender may pay someone else to help enforce this Agreement, and Grantor shall
pay the costs and expenses of such enforcement. Costs and expenses include
Lender's reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses whether or not there
is a lawsuit, including reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses for
bankruptcy proceedings (and including efforts to modify or vacate any
automatic stay or injunction.), appeals, and any anticipated post -judgment
collection services. Grantor also shall pay all court costs and such
additional fees as may be directed by the court.
CAPTION HEADINGS. Caption headings in this Agreement are for convenience
purposes only and are not to be used to interpret or define the provisions of
this Agreement.
NOTICES. All notices required to be given under this Agreement shall be
given in writing, may be sent by telefacsimilie, and shall be effective when
actually delivered or when deposited with a nationally recognized overnight
courier or deposited in the United States mail, first class, postage prepaid,
addressed to the party to whom the notice is to be given at the address shown
above. Any party may change its address for notices under this Agreement by
giving formal written notice to the other parties, specifying that the
purpose of the notice is to change the party's address. To the extent
permitted by applicable law, if there is more than one Grantor, notice to any
Grantor will constitute notice to all Grantors. For notice purposes, Grantor
will keep Lender informed at all times of Grantor's current address(es).
POWER OF ATTORNEY. Grantor hereby appoints Lender as its true and lawful
attorney-in-fact, irrevocably, with full power of substitution to do the
following: (a) to demand, collect, receive, receipt for, ▇▇▇ and recover all
sums of money or other property which may now or hereafter become due, owing
or payable from the Collateral; (b) to execute, sign and endorse any and all
claims, instruments, receipts, checks, drafts or warrants issued in payment
for the Collateral; (c) to settle or compromise any and all claims arising
under the Collateral, and, in the place and stead of Grantor, to execute and
deliver its release and settlement for the claim; and (d) to file any claim
or claims or to take any action or institute or take part in any proceedings,
either in its own name or in the name of Grantor, or otherwise, which in the
discretion of Lender may seem to be necessary or advisable. This power is
given as security for the Indebtedness, and the authority hereby conferred is
and shall be irrevocable and shall remain in full force and effect until
renounced by Lender.
SEVERABILITY. It a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of
this Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable as to any person or
circumstance, such finding shall not render that provision invalid or
unenforceable as to any other persons or circumstances. If feasible, any
such offending provision shall be deemed to be modified to be within the
limits of enforceability or validity; however, if the offending provision
cannot be so modified, it shall be stricken and all other provisions of
this Agreement in all other respects shall remain valid and enforceable.
SUCCESSOR INTERESTS. Subject to the limitations set forth above on
transfer of the Collateral, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties. their successors and assigns.
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WAIVER. Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any rights under this
Agreement unless such waiver is given in writing and signed by Lender. No
delay or omission on the part of Lender in exercising any right shall
operate as a waiver of such right or any other right. A waiver by Lender
of a provision of this Agreement shall not prejudice or constitute a
waiver of Lender's right otherwise to demand strict compliance with that
provision or any other provision of this Agreement. No prior waiver by
Lender, nor any course of dealing between Lender and Grantor, shall
constitute a waiver of any of Lender's rights or of any of Grantor's
obligations as to any future transactions. Whenever the consent of Lender
is required under this Agreement, the granting of such consent by Lender
in any instance shall not constitute continuing consent to subsequent
instances where such consent is required and in all cases such consent may
be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of Lender.
SCHEDULE "A" COLLATERAL EQUIPMENT LISTING. An exhibit. titled "Schedule "A'
Collateral Equipment Listing," is attached to this Agreement and by this
reference is made a part of this Agreement just as if all the provisions,
terms and conditions of the Exhibit had been fully set forth in this
Agreement.
GRANTOR ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS COMMERCIAL
SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND GRANTOR AGREES TO ITS TERMS. THIS AGREEMENT IS DATED
JANUARY 10, 1997.
GRANTOR:
ASTROPOWER, INC.
BY: /S/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ (SEAL)
----------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Vice President, Controller and Treasurer
ATTEST:
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
--------------------------------
Secretary or Assistant Secretary (CORPORATE SEAL)
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