Clear-Title Solar™ Methodology

Core Principle: Mortgage Integration Over Separate Financing

Clear-Title Solar™ fundamentally reimagines solar financing by integrating solar costs
directly into mortgage transactions rather than creating separate loan products. This
approach eliminates the two primary failure points of traditional solar financing:

1. UCC-1 Lien Complications - Legal encumbrances that reduce property marketability
2. Hidden Dealer Fee Structures - Markup systems that inflate costs by 25-35%

The Integration Framework

Clear-Title Solar™ leverages existing energy-efficient mortgage programs through our
BrightNest Mortgage™ platform, which allows:

• Pre-purchase integration during home buying
• Refinance integration for existing homeowners
• Financing up to 120% of appraised value for energy improvements
• Single closing process with combined mortgage and solar funding

The UCC-1 Lien Problem

What it is: A legal filing that gives solar lenders security interest in the solar equipment,
creating a lien against the property. Why it exists: Unlike cars that can be easily repossessed from a driveway, solar panels are
permanently attached to homes, making repossession complex, expensive, and legally
complicated, so lenders protect themselves with liens.
Problems it creates:

• Real Estate Transaction Complications: 30-50% of buyers walk away from properties with UCC-1 liens
• Refinancing Obstacles: Most mortgage lenders require lien subordination or removal
• Debt-to-Income Issues: Solar loan payments count as separate debt for future buyers
• Title Complications: Liens can delay or prevent property sales

The Hidden Dealer Fee Structure

What it is: Solar financing companies charge dealers 25-35% fees, which get passed to
consumers through inflated system pricing.
How it works: A $30,000 solar system becomes $40,000+ when dealer fees are included in
the loan amount.
Why it's problematic: Homeowners pay interest on inflated amounts without
understanding the true cost structure.

Component 1: Mortgage Integration

Method: Solar costs are incorporated into the primary mortgage rather than financed
separately.
Benefits:

• No separate UCC-1 liens filed
• Tax-deductible interest payments
• Standard mortgage rates vs. higher solar loan rates
• Single monthly payment structure

Component 2: Direct Pricing Transparency

Method: Eliminate intermediary dealer fee structures through direct installer relationships.
Benefits:

• True cost transparency
• $9,000-$15,000 savings on average systems
• No hidden markups or financing gimmicks

Component 3: Pre-Purchase Integration

Method: Solar assessment and financing occurs during the home buying process rather than
after purchase.
Benefits:

• Natural integration with real estate transactions
• Realtor-friendly process that enhances rather than complicates sales
• Buyer qualification includes solar from the beginning

Component 4: Clean Title Preservation

Method: Solar becomes part of the real property rather than personal property with separate
liens.
Benefits:

• Maintains full property marketability
• Preserves entire buyer pool
• Enables easy refinancing
• Increases rather than decreases home value

For Home Purchases: Solar-Ready Homes™

1. Property Assessment: Homes are evaluated for solar potential before listing
2. Utility Data Analysis: Historical energy usage determines optimal system sizing
3. Pre-Approved Financing: BrightNest Mortgage™ options are established for qualified properties
4. Integrated Closing: Solar costs are included in the purchase mortgage
5. Post-Closing Installation: Professional installation occurs within 60-90 days

For Refinancing: QuiqRefi™

1. Current Home Evaluation: Existing property is assessed for solar potential
2. Refinance Analysis: Current mortgage and solar integration options are evaluated
3. Combined Application: New mortgage includes both refinance and solar costs
4. Single Closing Process: Refinance and solar funding occur simultaneously
5. Installation Timeline: Solar installation follows mortgage closing

For Homeowners:

• Financial: $9,000-$15,000 savings on average systems
• Legal: Clean title with no UCC-1 complications
• Tax:Deductible interest payments throughout mortgage term
• Equity: Full preservation and enhancement of property value

For Realtors:

• Transaction Simplicity: No liens to complicate sales
• Broader Buyer Pool: No separate debt for buyers to assume
• Value Enhancement: Solar increases rather than decreases marketability
• Process Integration: Solar assessment integrates naturally with listing process

For Lenders:

• Risk Mitigation: Solar costs secured by real property rather than personal property liens
• Portfolio Quality: Energy-efficient properties with enhanced values
• Regulatory Compliance: Alignment with energy-efficient mortgage guidelines
• Customer Satisfaction: Simplified financing structure with clear benefits

The Future of Solar Integration

Clear-Title Solar™ represents a fundamental shift from viewing solar as a separate financial
product to integrating it as a natural component of real estate financing. This methodology
aligns the interests of all stakeholders—homeowners, realtors, lenders, and installers—while
eliminating the structural problems that have hindered widespread solar adoption.

Key Principles:

• Integration over separation
• Transparency over hidden fees
• Asset building over liability creation
• Process simplification over complexity

"The Future of Real Estate is Solar"

Clear-Title Solar™ makes this future possible by removing the barriers that have prevented
solar from becoming a standard component of real estate transactions.

Get Your Free Solar-Ready Assessment

See how Clear-Title Solar™ can work for your specific situation:

Key Principles:

• Personalized solar potential analysis
• Exact savings calculation vs. traditional solar loans
• Custom BrightNest Mortgage™ options
• Clear timeline and next steps

Own the Sun™. Build Equity. Choose Clear-Title Solar™.