Methods, systems and agreements for increasing the likelihood of repayments under a financing agreement for renewable energy equipment

Abstract

A business method is disclosed of increasing the probability of timely receiving payment for financing renewable energy consumer premises equipment (CPE) by a consumer for power generation at a consumer premises, the renewable energy CPE adapted to deliver power onto a power grid. The method comprises creating an agreement between a consumer and an entity financing renewable energy CPE, wherein creating the agreement includes creating a provision that allows the entity to control power at the consumer premises if a default of the agreement by the consumer occurs.

1 . A system for increasing a likelihood of timely receiving payment for financing renewable energy consumer premises equipment (CPE) by a consumer for power generation at a consumer premises, the system comprising:
 a renewable energy CPE installed at a consumer premises for power generation, the renewable energy CPE coupled to a power grid to enable delivery of power generated by the renewable energy CPE onto the power grid;   a control device operable to control power at the consumer premises;   an agreement between the consumer and a lender enabling the consumer to purchase the renewable energy CPE with a loan provided by the lender to the consumer and enabling the lender to control power at the consumer premises by operating the control device.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control device can be operated remotely. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control device is coupled between a main service panel on the consumer premises and the renewable energy CPE, and the control device can be used to disconnect the renewable energy CPE from the main service panel according to terms defined at least in part by the agreement. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the control device is coupled between a main service panel on the consumer premises and the power grid, the control device being operable to disconnect the consumer premises from the power grid. 
   
   
       5 . A system comprising:
 a renewable energy consumer premises equipment (CPE) installed at a consumer premises for power generation and coupled to a power grid to enable power delivery onto the power grid, the CPE purchased by the consumer with a loan provided by a lender according to an agreement granting the lender rights to control power at the consumer premises;   a main service panel located at the consumer premises;   a first control device coupled between the CPE and the main service panel, the first control device operable by the lender according to the agreement;   a second control device coupled between the main service panel and a power grid providing power to the consumer premises, the second control device operable by the lender according to the agreement.   
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first control device is operable to disconnect the CPE from the main service panel. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the second control device is operable to disconnect the main service panel from the power grid. 
   
   
       8 . A business method of increasing the probability of timely receiving payment for financing renewable energy consumer premises equipment (CPE) by a consumer for power generation at a consumer premises, the renewable energy CPE adapted to deliver power onto a power grid, the method comprising:
 providing a loan to a consumer by a lender for the consumer's purchase of renewable energy CPE;   making payments incrementally by a consumer to the lender over a period of time to repay the loan; and   controlling the power generated by the renewable energy CPE.   
   
   
       9 . The business method of  claim 8 , further comprising controlling the power delivered by the power grid.