METHODS, SYSTEMS AND AGREEMENTS FOR INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF REPAYMENTS UNDER A FINANCING AGREEMENT FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY EQUIPMENT

• US 20100223180A1
• Filed: 03/23/2010
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spruce IP Properties LLC
• Original Assignee: Clean Power Finance, Inc. (Spruce Finance, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kremen, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 9,031,874 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/12 Billing, invoicing, buying or selling transactions or other related activities, e.g. cost or usage evaluation

Abstract

A system is provided for increasing the probability of timely receiving payment under an agreement between a consumer and a non-utility entity for providing financing for renewable energy consumer premises equipment (CPE) by the consumer for power generation at a consumer premises, the renewable energy CPE adapted to deliver power onto a power grid or to the consumer'"'"'s premises, the system comprising: a computer for monitoring consumer financial information for by the non-utility entity to detect the consumer'"'"'s financing default in accordance with the agreement, wherein the renewable energy CPE including a PV array and a control device coupled to the PV array for controlling the operation of the PV array and any power generated by the CPE upon a default detected by the computer.

Claims

1. A method for providing financing for renewable energy consumer premises equipment (CPE) for power generation at a consumer premises, the renewable energy CPE adapted to deliver power onto the consumer premises and a power grid, the method comprising:

providing by a non-utility entity financing for the renewable energy CPE under an agreement between the non-utility entity and a consumer located at the consumer premises,

granting the non-utility entity a right to control operation of the CPE and any power generated by the CPE using a shut off control device coupled with the CPE upon default by the consumer under the agreement, the shut off control device configured to control power delivery at the consumer premises including allowing power to flow from the CPE to the consumer premises and the power grid and preventing power from flowing from the CPE to the consumer premises and the power grid;

monitoring by a computer to detect a default by the consumer of the agreement; and

upon default by the consumer under the agreement, controlling the operation of the renewable energy CPE and any power generated by the CPE by the non-utility entity by means of the shut off control device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating a financial instrument as the agreement.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein creating the financial instrument includes creating a power purchase agreement in which the consumer makes payments to the non-utility entity for power generated by the renewable energy CPE.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein creating the financial instrument includes creating the agreement in which the non-utility entity provides a loan to the consumer for the consumer'"'"'s purchase of the renewable energy CPE and the consumer makes payments to the non-utility entity for repayment of the loan for the renewable energy CPE.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising securing by the non-utility the financing based on the monetary value of the power generated by the renewable energy CPE under the agreement.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling includes shutting off a first portion of the consumer'"'"'s power that is generated by the renewable energy CPE.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling includes shutting off a second portion of the consumer'"'"'s power that is received from a power grid.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling includes using an inverter within the renewable energy CPE for controlling the operation thereof.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein using the inverter includes shutting off power generated by the renewable energy CPE.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the controlling includes communicating wirelessly with the inverter to control the operation of the renewable energy CPE.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the controlling includes communicating with the inverter by a wired connection to control the operation of the renewable energy CPE.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling includes using a microinverter or power optimizer within the renewable energy CPE for controlling the operation thereof.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting a default by the consumer under the agreement by failing to make a payment by a due date.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting a default by the consumer under the agreement by failing to pay real property taxes for the consumer'"'"'s premises upon which the renewable energy CPE is disposed.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting a default by the consumer under the agreement by failing to maintain a right of way to access the renewable energy CPE.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting a default by the consumer under the agreement by failing to maintain insurance for the renewable energy CPE.

17. A system for increasing the probability of timely receiving payment under an agreement between a consumer and a non-utility entity for providing financing for renewable energy consumer premises equipment (CPE) by the consumer for power generation at a consumer premises, the renewable energy CPE adapted to deliver power onto a power grid or to the consumer'"'"'s premises, the system comprising:

a computer for monitoring consumer financial information for the non-utility entity to detect the consumer'"'"'s financing default in accordance with the agreement; and

wherein the renewable energy CPE includes a PV array and a control device coupled to the PV array for controlling the operation of the PV array and any power generated by the CPE upon a default detected by the computer.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the control device is an inverter.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the control device is a microinverter.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the control device is a power optimizer.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein the control device is enabled to receive communication for controlling the operation the renewable energy CPE.

22. Renewable energy consumer premises equipment (CPE) for power generation at a consumer premises, the renewable energy CPE adapted to deliver power onto a power grid or to the consumer'"'"'s premises, the renewable energy CPE comprising:

a PV array; and

a control device coupled to the PV array for controlling the operation of the PV array and any power generated by the CPE upon a default detected by the consumer for the power generated by the PV array.

23. The renewable energy CPE of claim 22 wherein the control device is an inverter.

24. The renewable energy CPE of claim 22 wherein the control device is a microinverter.

25. The renewable energy CPE of claim 22 wherein the control device is a power optimizer.

26. The renewable energy CPE of claim 22 wherein the control device is enabled to receive communication for controlling the operation of the renewable energy CPE.