Description of Registered Securities

EX-4.1 2 ex41_sprux10-kx20241231.htm EX-4.1 Document

Exhibit 4.1
SPRUCE POWER HOLDING CORPORATION
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
As of the filing date of the Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K”) of which this exhibit is part, Spruce Power Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), has one class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”): our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”). The following summary of the material terms of our securities is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities, and is in all respects subject to, qualified in its entirety by reference to, the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation effective December 21, 2020, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment effective November 10, 2023 and the Certificate of Amendment effective October 6. 2023 (our “Certificate of Incorporation”) and our Amended and Restated Bylaws, amended as of November 10, 2022 (our “Bylaws”). Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are included as exhibits to the Form 10-K and may be amended by a document filed with one of our periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) subsequent to the date of the Form 10-K.
On December 21, 2020 (the “Closing Date”), Pivotal Investment Corporation II, a special purpose acquisition company incorporated on March 20, 2019 (“Pivotal”), consummated a business combination pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of September 17, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Pivotal, PIC II Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Pivotal (“Merger Sub”), and XL Hybrids, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy XL”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, a business combination between Pivotal and Legacy XL was effected through the merger of Merger Sub with and into Legacy XL, with Legacy XL surviving as the surviving company and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pivotal (the “Merger” and, collectively with the other transactions described in the Merger Agreement, the “Business Combination”). On the Closing Date, and in connection with the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), Pivotal Investment Corporation II changed its name to XL Fleet Corp. In November 2022, following the acquisition of Spruce Holding Company 1 LLC, Spruce Holding Company 2 LLC, Spruce Holding Company 3 LLC, and Spruce Manager LLC, we changed our corporate name from “XL Fleet Corp.” to “Spruce Power Holding Corporation.”
Authorized and Outstanding Stock

Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 351,000,000 shares of capital stock, comprised of 350,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 share (“Preferred Stock”). As of March 24, 2025, there were approximately 18,078,238 shares of Common Stock and no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding. The outstanding shares of Common Stock are duly authorized, fully paid and non-assessable.

Common Stock

Voting Rights

Except as otherwise required by law, our Certificate of Incorporation or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock possess all voting power for the election of the directors of our board of directors (our “Board”) and all other matters requiring stockholder action. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted on by stockholders. Holders of Common Stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. In general, if a quorum exists, a majority of votes cast with respect to a matter is sufficient to authorize action, unless a greater vote is required by law or our Certificate of Incorporation, except that directors are elected by plurality.

Under our Certificate of Incorporation, in addition to the vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Company required by law or our Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of
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voting stock representing at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend, alter or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, Articles Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth of our Certificate of Incorporation, which articles generally govern the appointment and removal of directors, the amendment of our Bylaws, limitation of liability and indemnification, forum selection, and amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation, respectively. Subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, any director, or our entire Board, may be removed from office at any time only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote at an election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Dividends

Subject to the rights of any holders of any shares of Preferred Stock which may from time to time come into existence and be outstanding, holders of Common Stock are entitled to the payment of dividends when and as declared by our Board in accordance with applicable law and to receive other distributions from us.

No Preemptive Rights; Redemption and Assessment

Holders of Common Stock have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights, and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the Common Stock.

Liquidation

Subject to the rights of any holders of any shares of Preferred Stock which may from time to time come into existence and be outstanding, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the funds and assets of the Company that may be legally distributed to the Company’s stockholders shall be distributed among the holders of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock pro rata in accordance with the number of shares of Common Stock held by each such holder.

Directors and Classes of Directors

Under our Certificate of Incorporation, our Board is divided into three classes, each of which generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being elected each year.

Preferred Stock
Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our Board, without stockholder approval, to issue shares of Preferred Stock, in one or more series, and to fix for each such series such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences, and relative participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including without limitation, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges, liquidation preferences and ranking, subject to applicable law. If we issue Preferred Stock, such Preferred Stock would have priority over our Common Stock with respect to dividends and other distributions, including the distribution of assets upon liquidation.

Warrants
As of March 24, 2025, we had 529,167 private warrants outstanding related to the December 2020 merger and organization of Legacy XL to become XL Fleet Corp.
Each outstanding warrant enables the holder to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below. The warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, five
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years after the consummation of the Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
We may call the warrants for redemption (excluding the private placement warrants), in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant

at any time while the warrants are exercisable;

upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder;

if, and only if, the reported last sale price of Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share, for any 20 trading days within any 30-day trading period ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrant holders; and

if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the shares of common stock underlying such warrants commencing five business days prior to the 30-day trading period and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption.
The right to exercise will be forfeited unless the warrants are exercised prior to the date specified in the notice of redemption. On and after the redemption date, a record holder of a warrant will have no further rights except to receive the redemption price for such holder’s warrant upon surrender of such warrant.
If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of our Common Stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. In this case, the “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the shares of our Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. Whether we will exercise our option to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis” will depend on a variety of factors including the price of shares of our Common Stock at the time the warrants are called for redemption, our cash needs at such time and concerns regarding dilutive stock issuances.
The exercise price and number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, extraordinary dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of shares of Common Stock at a price below the respective exercise prices of the warrants.
After the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.
Warrant holders may elect to be subject to a restriction on the exercise of their warrants such that an electing warrant holder would not be able to exercise their warrants to the extent that, after giving effect to such exercise, such holder would beneficially own in excess of 4.9% or 9.8% (as specified by the holder) of the shares of our Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
If the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is increased by a share dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, or by a split-up of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such share dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding Common Stock. A rights offering to holders of Common Stock entitling holders to purchase shares of Common Stock at a price less than the fair market value will be deemed a stock dividend of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the
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number of shares of Common Stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock) and (ii) one (1) minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of Common Stock paid in such rights offering divided by (y) the fair market value. For these purposes (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, in determining the price payable for Common Stock, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) fair market value means the volume weighted average price of Common Stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the shares of Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
In addition, if we, at any time while the warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of Common Stock on account of such Common Stock (or other securities into which the warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, or (b) certain ordinary cash dividends, which are dividends of $0.50 or less in any fiscal year (subject to adjustments), then the warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each share of Common Stock in respect of such event.
If the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of Common Stock. We will not be required to make adjustments to the exercise price for any other events including the issuance of additional shares of Common Stock other than dividends paid in Common Stock as described above.
Whenever the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants is adjusted, as described above, the warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants immediately prior to such adjustment and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of shares of Common Stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.
In the case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Common Stock (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such Common Stock), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our outstanding Common Stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of ours as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we is dissolved, the holders of the warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the warrants and in lieu of the Common Stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of Common Stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their warrants immediately prior to such event. If less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of Common Stock in such a transaction is payable in the form of Common Stock in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the registered holder of the warrant properly exercises the warrant within thirty days following public disclosure of such transaction, the warrant exercise price will be reduced as specified in the warrant agreement based on the Black-Scholes value (as defined in the warrant agreement) of the warrant. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise period of the warrants pursuant to which the holders of the warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the warrants in order to determine and realize the option value component of the warrant. This formula is to compensate the warrant holder for the loss of the option value portion of the warrant due to the requirement that the warrant holder exercise the warrant within 30 days of the event. The Black-Scholes model is an accepted pricing model for estimating fair market value where no
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quoted market price for an instrument is available.
No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Common Stock, we will, upon exercise, follow the requirements of the DGCL.
Lock-Up Restrictions
Certain of our stockholders are subject to certain restrictions on transfer until the termination of applicable lock-up periods.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions
Staggered Board and Directors
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that our Board be classified into three classes of directors of approximately equal size. Additionally, directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote at an election of directors, voting together as a single class. These provisions may have certain anti-takeover effects.
Special Meeting of Stockholders
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by a majority vote of our Board.
Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations
Our Bylaws provide that stockholders of record seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received by our secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the one-year anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than 90th day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the tenth day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of timely notice. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, proposals seeking inclusion in our annual proxy statement must comply with the notice periods contained therein. Our Bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions may preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before the annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders.
Authorized but Unissued Shares
Our authorized but unissued Common Stock and Preferred Stock are available for future issuances, subject to applicable law, without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved Common Stock and Preferred Stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
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Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that any action required or permitted to be a taken by stockholders must be effected at an annual or special meeting, and may not be taken by written consent (subject to the rights of any Preferred Stock then outstanding).

Exclusive Forum Selection
Our Certificate of Incorporation requires that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, in the event that the Chancery Court does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, employee or agent of us to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), (iv) any action or proceeding to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws (including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder) or (v) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ organizational documents has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with claims arising under federal securities laws, a court could find the choice of forum provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable. If that were the case, it would allow stockholders to bring claims for breach of these provisions in any appropriate forum. Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, this provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.
This exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Amendments to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
We have not opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL under our Certificate of Incorporation. As a result, pursuant to Section 203 of the DGCL, we are prohibited from engaging in any business combination with any stockholder for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder (the “interested stockholder”) came to own at least 15% of the Company’s outstanding voting stock, except if:
our Board approved the business combination or transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder prior to consummation of such business combination or transaction;

upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the Company outstanding at the time the transaction commenced; or

at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by our Board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3 % of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
Generally, a “business combination” includes any merger, consolidation, asset or stock sale or certain other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested
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stockholder” is a person who, together with that person’s affiliates and associates, owns, or within the previous three years owned, 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock.

Under certain circumstances, declining to opt out of Section 203 of the DGCL will make it more difficult for a person who would be an “interested stockholder” to effect various business combinations with us for a three-year period. This may encourage companies interested in acquiring us to negotiate in advance with our Board because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if our Board approves the acquisition which results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. This may also make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests or reduce the price that some investors might be willing to pay in the future for our Common Stock.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our Certificate of Incorporation limits our directors’ liability to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL. The DGCL provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for liability:
for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit;

for any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

for any unlawful payment of dividends or redemption of shares; or

for any breach of a director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders.

If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of our directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.
The DGCL, our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws provide that, in certain circumstances and subject to certain limitations, we will indemnify our current and former directors and officers and may indemnify other employees and other agents, to the fullest extent permitted by law. Any indemnified person is also entitled, subject to certain limitations, to advancement, direct payment, or reimbursement of reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding.
In addition, we have entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers. These agreements, among other things, require us to indemnify our directors and officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of our directors or officers or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request.

We currently maintain a directors’ and officers’ insurance policy pursuant to which our directors and officers are insured against liability for actions taken in their capacities as directors and officers.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers, or control persons, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is therefore unenforceable.

Transfer Agent and Registrar
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The transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Listing of Securities
Our Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SPRU”.

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