Sunnova Energy International Inc.

10/28/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/28/2021 05:19

Quarterly Report (Form 10-Q)

nova-20210930

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________________________________________________________________

FORM 10-Q
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _________ to _________
Commission File Number: 001-38995
_______________________________________________________________________________
Sunnova Energy International Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_______________________________________________________________________________
Delaware
30-1192746
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
20 East Greenway Plaza, Suite 540
Houston, Texas77046
(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

(281) 892-1588
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
_______________________________________________________________________________

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class Trading Symbol(s) Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share NOVA New York Stock Exchange


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YesNo

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). YesNo

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes No

The registrant had 112,266,452 shares of common stock outstanding as of October 25, 2021.

Table of Contents
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "Sunnova," "the Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Sunnova Energy International Inc. ("SEI") and its consolidated subsidiaries. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Sunnova's future financial or operating performance. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements because they contain words such as "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "future," "goal," "intend," "likely," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "target," "will" or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements contained in this report include, but are not limited to, statements about:

the benefits and risks of the Acquisition (as defined in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Recent Developments");
our future operations and financial performance following the Acquisition;
the effects of the coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic on our business and operations, results of operations and financial position;
federal, state and local statutes, regulations and policies;
determinations of the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") of the fair market value of our solar energy systems;
the price of centralized utility-generated electricity and electricity from other sources and technologies;
technical and capacity limitations imposed by operators of the power grid;
the availability of tax rebates, credits and incentives, including changes to the rates of, or expiration of, federal tax credits and the availability of related safe harbors;
our need and ability to raise capital to finance the installation and acquisition of distributed residential solar energy systems, refinance existing debt or otherwise meet our liquidity needs;
our expectations concerning relationships with third parties, including the attraction, retention, performance and continued existence of our dealers;
our ability to manage our supply chains and distribution channels and the impact of natural disasters and other events beyond our control, such as the COVID-19 pandemic;
our ability to retain or upgrade current customers, further penetrate existing markets or expand into new markets;
our investment in our platform and new product offerings and the demand for and expected benefits of our platform and product offerings;
the ability of our solar energy systems, energy storage systems or other product offerings to operate or deliver energy for any reason, including if interconnection or transmission facilities on which we rely become unavailable;
our ability to maintain our brand and protect our intellectual property and customer data;
our ability to manage the cost of solar energy systems, energy storage systems and our service offerings;
the willingness of and ability of our dealers and suppliers to fulfill their respective warranty and other contractual obligations;
our expectations regarding litigation and administrative proceedings; and
our ability to renew or replace expiring, canceled or terminated solar service agreements at favorable rates or on a long-term basis.

Our actual results and timing of these events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including but not limited to those discussed under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment and new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations, except as required by law.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
4
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
5
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
6
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Equity
8
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
10
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
35
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
57
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
57
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
59
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
59
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
62
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
62
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
62
Item 5.
Other Information
62
Item 6.
Exhibits
63
Signatures
64

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

SUNNOVA ENERGY INTERNATIONAL INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts and share par values)
As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
Assets
Current assets:
Cash $ 408,156 $ 209,859
Accounts receivable-trade, net 25,440 10,243
Accounts receivable-other 24,318 21,378
Other current assets, net of allowance of $1,301 and $707 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
259,773 215,175
Total current assets 717,687 456,655
Property and equipment, net 2,737,619 2,323,169
Customer notes receivable, net of allowance of $31,234 and $16,961 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
962,497 513,386
Intangible assets, net 197,763 49
Goodwill 13,150 -
Other assets 431,699 294,324
Total assets (1) $ 5,060,415 $ 3,587,583
Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 53,612 $ 39,908
Accrued expenses 57,894 34,049
Current portion of long-term debt 118,589 110,883
Other current liabilities 33,099 26,014
Total current liabilities 263,194 210,854
Long-term debt, net 2,932,123 1,924,653
Other long-term liabilities 372,924 171,395
Total liabilities (1) 3,568,241 2,306,902
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 142,377 136,124
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, 112,264,654 and 100,412,036 shares issued as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, at $0.0001 par value
11 10
Additional paid-in capital-common stock 1,600,940 1,482,716
Accumulated deficit (505,793) (530,995)
Total stockholders' equity 1,095,158 951,731
Noncontrolling interests 254,639 192,826
Total equity 1,349,797 1,144,557
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity $ 5,060,415 $ 3,587,583

(1) The consolidated assets as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 include $1,894,232 and $1,471,796, respectively, of assets of variable interest entities ("VIEs") that can only be used to settle obligations of the VIEs. These assets include cash of $22,359 and $13,407 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; accounts receivable-trade, net of $6,089 and $2,953 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; accounts receivable-other of $663 and $583 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; other current assets of $205,632 and $182,646 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; property and equipment, net of $1,634,903 and $1,257,953 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; and other assets of $24,586 and $14,254 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The consolidated liabilities as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 include $42,466 and $32,345, respectively, of liabilities of VIEs whose creditors have no recourse to Sunnova Energy International Inc. These liabilities include accounts payable of $5,415 and $2,744 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; accrued expenses of $112 and $827 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; other current liabilities of $3,089 and $3,284 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; and other long-term liabilities of $33,850 and $25,490 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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SUNNOVA ENERGY INTERNATIONAL INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
Revenue $ 68,901 $ 50,177 $ 176,733 $ 122,796
Operating expense:
Cost of revenue-depreciation 19,665 15,113 55,621 42,120
Cost of revenue-other 7,342 1,403 13,572 5,315
Operations and maintenance 6,035 3,469 14,640 8,614
General and administrative 53,372 28,549 144,028 84,575
Other operating income (9,337) (6) (5,303) (28)
Total operating expense, net 77,077 48,528 222,558 140,596
Operating income (loss) (8,176) 1,649 (45,825) (17,800)
Interest expense, net 26,588 29,954 84,748 127,804
Interest income (9,098) (5,999) (24,266) (17,299)
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, net - 50,721 9,824 50,721
Other (income) expense 189 91 60 (175)
Loss before income tax (25,855) (73,118) (116,191) (178,851)
Income tax expense 64 176 64 176
Net loss (25,919) (73,294) (116,255) (179,027)
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests 1,622 (9,113) 7,665 (18,513)
Net loss attributable to stockholders $ (27,541) $ (64,181) $ (123,920) $ (160,514)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders-basic and diluted $ (0.25) $ (0.73) $ (1.12) $ (1.88)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic and diluted 112,159,698 87,768,712 110,185,333 85,276,841

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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SUNNOVA ENERGY INTERNATIONAL INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss $ (116,255) $ (179,027)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation 62,286 47,811
Impairment and loss on disposals, net 3,522 1,768
Amortization of intangible assets 14,111 22
Amortization of deferred financing costs 11,556 6,781
Amortization of debt discount 8,231 12,205
Non-cash effect of equity-based compensation plans 13,937 8,389
Non-cash payment-in-kind interest on loan - 780
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives (5,574) 2,755
Unrealized gain on fair value instruments (4,665) (165)
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, net 9,824 50,721
Other non-cash items 12,622 10,544
Changes in components of operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (27,194) (2,785)
Other current assets (99,731) (10,688)
Other assets (41,404) (32,541)
Accounts payable (5,226) (3,274)
Accrued expenses 19,923 (8,566)
Other current liabilities (1,617) (2,781)
Other long-term liabilities (1,193) (3,745)
Net cash used in operating activities (146,847) (101,796)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment (344,044) (439,855)
Payments for investments and customer notes receivable (553,475) (180,725)
Proceeds from customer notes receivable 47,300 25,028
State utility rebates and tax credits 418 327
Other, net 2,620 950
Net cash used in investing activities (847,181) (594,275)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term debt 1,890,185 1,182,912
Payments of long-term debt (815,710) (667,670)
Payments on notes payable (34,555) (3,017)
Payments of deferred financing costs (27,031) (18,317)
Payments of debt discounts (2,324) (3,132)
Purchase of capped call transactions (91,655) -
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net 9,911 4,269
Proceeds from equity component of debt instrument, net - 73,657
Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests 226,432 197,360
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests (10,407) (4,484)
Payments of costs related to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests (8,159) (4,108)
Other, net (283) (1)
Net cash provided by financing activities 1,136,404 757,469
Net increase in cash and restricted cash 142,376 61,398
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period 377,893 150,291
Cash and restricted cash at end of period 520,269 211,689
Restricted cash included in other current assets (52,042) (54,096)
Restricted cash included in other assets (60,071) (72,958)
Cash at end of period $ 408,156 $ 84,635
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Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Change in receivables for dealers in a net receivable position, state utility rebates and state tax credits related to purchases of property and equipment $ (9,612) $ 6,165
Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses related to purchases of property and equipment $ 50,057 $ 7,603
Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses related to payments for investments and customer notes receivable $ (37,086) $ (12,429)
Non-cash conversion of convertible senior notes for common stock $ 95,648 $ 84,196
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest $ 70,415 $ 69,058
Cash paid for income taxes $ 94 $ 58

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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SUNNOVA ENERGY INTERNATIONAL INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
(in thousands, except share amounts)

Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests
Common Stock Additional
Paid-in
Capital -
Common
Stock
Accumulated
Deficit
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
Noncontrolling
Interests
Total
Equity
Shares Amount
December 31, 2019 $ 127,129 83,980,885 $ 8 $ 1,007,751 $ (361,824) $ 645,935 $ 45,176 $ 691,111
Cumulative-effect adjustment - - - - (9,908) (9,908) - (9,908)
Net income (loss) 1,576 - - - (71,075) (71,075) (7,505) (78,580)
Issuance of common stock, net - 45,405 - 214 - 214 - 214
Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests 3,170 - - - - - 99,172 99,172
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests (1,373) - - - - - - -
Costs related to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests 187 - - - - - (894) (894)
Equity in subsidiaries attributable to parent 145 - - - 24,164 24,164 (24,309) (145)
Equity-based compensation expense - - - 2,690 - 2,690 - 2,690
Other, net (44) - - - - - (3) (3)
March 31, 2020 130,790 84,026,290 8 1,010,655 (418,643) 592,020 111,637 703,657
Net income (loss) 2,869 - - - (25,258) (25,258) (6,340) (31,598)
Issuance of common stock, net - 29,742 - 558 - 558 - 558
Equity component of debt instrument, net - - - 73,657 - 73,657 - 73,657
Contributions from noncontrolling interests - - - - - - 18,311 18,311
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests (1,211) - - - - - (16) (16)
Costs related to noncontrolling interests - - - - - - (604) (604)
Equity in subsidiaries attributable to parent (68) - - - 17,358 17,358 (17,290) 68
Equity-based compensation expense - - - 3,354 - 3,354 - 3,354
Other, net 193 - - (1) - (1) 34 33
June 30, 2020 132,573 84,056,032 8 1,088,223 (426,543) 661,688 105,732 767,420
Net income (loss) 4,268 - - - (64,181) (64,181) (13,381) (77,562)
Issuance of common stock, net - 7,069,044 1 152,919 - 152,920 - 152,920
Equity component of debt instrument, net - - - (44,808) - (44,808) - (44,808)
Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests 279 - - - - - 76,428 76,428
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests (1,111) - - - - - (773) (773)
Costs related to noncontrolling interests - - - - - - (1,007) (1,007)
Equity in subsidiaries attributable to parent (718) - - - 14,629 14,629 (13,911) 718
Equity-based compensation expense - - - 2,345 - 2,345 - 2,345
Other, net 556 - - 1 - 1 (210) (209)
September 30, 2020 $ 135,847 91,125,076 $ 9 $ 1,198,680 $ (476,095) $ 722,594 $ 152,878 $ 875,472
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Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests
Common Stock Additional
Paid-in
Capital -
Common
Stock
Accumulated
Deficit
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
Noncontrolling
Interests
Total
Equity
Shares Amount
December 31, 2020 $ 136,124 100,412,036 $ 10 $ 1,482,716 $ (530,995) $ 951,731 $ 192,826 $ 1,144,557
Cumulative-effect adjustment - - - - 2,254 2,254 - 2,254
Net income (loss) 2,110 - - - (32,983) (32,983) 6,809 (26,174)
Issuance of common stock, net - 8,141,766 1 65,541 - 65,542 - 65,542
Equity component of debt instrument - - - (8,807) - (8,807) - (8,807)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests - - - - - - 40,802 40,802
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests (1,090) - - - - - (1,743) (1,743)
Costs related to noncontrolling interests - - - - - - (55) (55)
Equity in subsidiaries attributable to parent 40 - - - 37,213 37,213 (37,253) (40)
Equity-based compensation expense - - - 7,924 - 7,924 - 7,924
Other, net (62) - - 1 - 1 (476) (475)
March 31, 2021 137,122 108,553,802 11 1,547,375 (524,511) 1,022,875 200,910 1,223,785
Net income (loss) 4,236 - - - (63,396) (63,396) (7,112) (70,508)
Issuance of common stock, net - 3,431,715 - 138,020 - 138,020 - 138,020
Capped call transactions - - - (91,655) - (91,655) - (91,655)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests - - - - - - 75,808 75,808
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests (1,128) - - - - - (2,300) (2,300)
Costs related to noncontrolling interests - - - - - - (3,035) (3,035)
Equity in subsidiaries attributable to parent 2 - - - 57,971 57,971 (57,973) (2)
Equity-based compensation expense - - - 2,920 - 2,920 - 2,920
Other, net (47) - - (1) - (1) (654) (655)
June 30, 2021 140,185 111,985,517 11 1,596,659 (529,936) 1,066,734 205,644 1,272,378
Net income (loss) 3,332 - - - (27,541) (27,541) (1,710) (29,251)
Issuance of common stock, net - 279,137 - 1,188 - 1,188 - 1,188
Contributions from noncontrolling interests - - - - - - 109,822 109,822
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests (1,146) - - - - - (3,000) (3,000)
Costs related to noncontrolling interests - - - - - - (3,037) (3,037)
Equity in subsidiaries attributable to parent 5 - - - 51,683 51,683 (51,688) (5)
Equity-based compensation expense - - - 3,093 - 3,093 - 3,093
Other, net 1 - - - 1 1 (1,392) (1,391)
September 30, 2021 $ 142,377 112,264,654 $ 11 $ 1,600,940 $ (505,793) $ 1,095,158 $ 254,639 $ 1,349,797

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

We are a leading residential solar and energy storage service provider, serving over 176,000 customers in more than 25 United States ("U.S.") states and territories. Sunnova Energy Corporation was incorporated in Delaware on October 22, 2012 and formed Sunnova Energy International Inc. ("SEI") as a Delaware corporation on April 1, 2019. We completed our initial public offering on July 29, 2019 (our "IPO"); and in connection with our IPO, all of Sunnova Energy Corporation's ownership interests were contributed to SEI. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this report to "Sunnova," the "Company," "we," "our," "us," or like terms, refer to SEI and its consolidated subsidiaries.

We have a differentiated residential solar dealer model in which we partner with local dealers who originate, design and install our customers' solar energy systems and energy storage systems on our behalf. Our focus on our dealer model enables us to leverage our dealers' specialized knowledge, connections and experience in local markets to drive customer origination while providing our dealers with access to high quality products at competitive prices, as well as technical oversight and expertise. We believe this structure provides operational flexibility, reduces exposure to labor shortages and lowers fixed costs relative to our peers, furthering our competitive advantage.

Our recently completed acquisition of SunStreet Energy Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("SunStreet"), focuses primarily on solar energy systems and energy storage systems for homebuilders. The acquisition enhanced our position in the new homebuilder market. We believe the acquisition provides a new strategic path to further scale our residential solar business, reduce customer acquisition costs, provide a multi-year supply of homesites through the development of new home solar communities and develop clean and resilient residential microgrids across the U.S.

We provide our services through long-term residential solar service agreements with a diversified pool of credit quality customers. Our solar service agreements typically are structured as either a legal-form lease (a "lease") of a solar energy system or energy storage system to the customer, the sale of the solar energy system's output to the customer under a power purchase agreement ("PPA") or the purchase of a solar energy system or energy storage system with financing provided by us (a "loan"). We also enable customers originated through our homebuilder channel the option of purchasing the system when the customer closes on the purchase of a new home. The initial term of our solar service agreements is typically 10, 15, 20 or 25 years, during which time we provide or arrange for ongoing services to customers, including monitoring, maintenance and warranty services. Our lease and PPA agreements typically include an opportunity for customers to renew for up to an additional 10 years, via twofive-year or oneten-year renewal options. Customer payments and rates can be fixed for the duration of the solar service agreement or escalated at a pre-determined percentage annually. We also receive tax benefits and other incentives from leases and PPAs, a portion of which we finance through tax equity, non-recourse debt structures and hedging arrangements in order to fund our upfront costs, overhead and growth investments. Our future success depends in part on our ability to raise capital from third-party investors and commercial sources. We have an established track record of attracting capital from diverse sources. From our inception through September 30, 2021, we have raised more than $8.8 billion in total capital commitments from equity, debt and tax equity investors.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements ("interim financial statements") include our consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity and statements of cash flows and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") from records maintained by us. We have condensed or omitted certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") regarding interim financial reporting. As such, these interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our 2020 annual audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021. Our interim financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary, in our opinion, to state fairly our financial position and results of operations for the reported periods. Amounts reported for interim periods may not be indicative of a full year period because of our continual growth, seasonal fluctuations in demand for power, timing of maintenance and other expenditures, changes in interest expense and other factors.

Our interim financial statements include our accounts and those of our subsidiaries in which we have a controlling financial interest. In accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 810, Consolidation, we consolidate any VIE of which we are the primary beneficiary. We form VIEs with our investors in the ordinary course of business to facilitate the funding and monetization of certain attributes associated with our solar energy systems. The typical condition for a controlling financial interest is holding a majority of the voting interests of an entity. However, a controlling financial interest may also exist in entities, such as VIEs, through
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
arrangements that do not involve holding a majority of the voting interests. A primary beneficiary is defined as the party that has (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. We do not consolidate a VIE in which we have a majority ownership interest when we are not considered the primary beneficiary. We have considered the provisions within the contractual arrangements that grant us power to manage and make decisions that affect the operation of our VIEs, including determining the solar energy systems contributed to the VIEs, and the installation, operation and maintenance of the solar energy systems. We consider the rights granted to the other investors under the contractual arrangements to be more protective in nature rather than substantive participating rights. As such, we have determined we are the primary beneficiary of our VIEs and evaluate our relationships with our VIEs on an ongoing basis to determine whether we continue to be the primary beneficiary. We have eliminated all intercompany transactions in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have a significant impact on our interim financial statements.

Coronavirus ("COVID-19") Pandemic

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted and may continue to result in widespread adverse impacts on the global economy. We have experienced some resulting disruptions to our business operations as the COVID-19 virus has continued to circulate through the states and U.S. territories in which we operate.

Social distancing guidelines, stay-at-home orders and similar government measures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as actions by individuals to reduce their potential exposure to the virus, contributed to a decline in origination. This decline reflected an inability by our dealers to perform in-person sales calls based on the stay-at-home orders in some locations. To adjust to these government measures, our dealers expanded the use of digital tools and origination channels and created new methods that offset restrictions on their ability to meet with potential new customers in person. Such efforts drove an increase in new contract originations. We have seen the use of websites, video conferencing and other virtual tools as part of our origination process expand widely and contribute to our growth.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have continued to service and install solar energy systems. The industry is currently facing shortages and shipping delays affecting the supply of energy storage systems, modules and component parts for inverters and racking used in solar energy systems available for purchase. These shortages and delays can be attributed in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting government action, as well as to allegations regarding the use of forced labor in the Chinese polysilicon supply chain. While a majority of our dealers have secured sufficient quantities to permit them to continue installing through the end of 2021, if these shortages and delays persist into 2022, they could impact the timing of when solar energy systems and energy storage systems can be installed and when we can acquire and begin to generate revenue from those systems. We cannot predict the full impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our business, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations at this time due to numerous uncertainties. We will continue to monitor developments affecting our workforce, our customers and our business operations generally, and will take actions we determine are necessary in order to mitigate these impacts.

(2) Significant Accounting Policies

Included below are updates to significant accounting policies disclosed in our 2020 annual audited consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The application of GAAP in the preparation of the interim financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the interim financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

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Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable-Trade.Accounts receivable-trade primarily represents trade receivables from residential customers that are generally collected in the subsequent month. Accounts receivable-trade is recorded net of an allowance for credit losses, which is based on our assessment of the collectability of customer accounts based on the best available data at the time. We review the allowance by considering factors such as historical experience, customer credit rating, contractual term, aging category and current economic conditions that may affect a customer's ability to pay to identify customers with potential disputes or collection issues. We write off accounts receivable when we deem them uncollectible. As of September 30, 2021, we have not experienced a significant increase in delinquent customer accounts and have not made any significant adjustments to our allowance for credit losses related to accounts receivable-trade as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following table presents the changes in the allowance for credit losses recorded against accounts receivable-trade, net in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period $ 858 $ 773 $ 912 $ 960
Impact of ASC 326 adoption - - - (240)
Provision for current expected credit losses 485 458 1,322 1,337
Write off of uncollectible accounts (424) (419) (1,410) (1,267)
Recoveries 54 17 148 39
Other, net - - 1 -
Balance at end of period $ 973 $ 829 $ 973 $ 829

Accounts Receivable-Other.Accounts receivable-other primarily represents receivables related to the sale of inventory.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value using the first-in, first-out method. Inventory primarily represents (a) raw materials, such as energy storage systems, photovoltaic modules, inverters, meters, modems, (b) homebuilder construction in progress and (c) other associated equipment purchased. These materials are typically sold to dealers or held for use as original parts on new solar energy systems or replacement parts on existing solar energy systems. We remove these items from inventory and record the transaction in typically one of these manners: (a) expense to operations and maintenance expense when installed as a replacement part for a solar energy system, (b) expense to cost of sales if sold directly, (c) capitalize to property and equipment when installed on an existing home or (d) capitalize to property and equipment when placed in service under the homebuilder program. We periodically evaluate our inventory for unusable and obsolete items based on assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Based on this evaluation, provisions are made to write inventory down to market value.The following table presents the detail of inventory as recorded in other current assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Energy storage systems and components $ 35,297 $ 18,122
Modules and inverters 73,317 83,904
Homebuilder construction in progress 25,072 -
Meters and modems 1,203 563
Total $ 134,889 $ 102,589

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is an exit price representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement
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that should be determined based on assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes inputs that may be used to measure fair value as follows:

Level 1-Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.
Level 2-Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted market prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3-Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy must be determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. An assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the asset or liability. Our financial instruments include cash, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, long-term debt, interest rate swaps and contingent consideration. The carrying values of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate the fair values due to the fact that they are short-term in nature (Level 1). We estimate the fair value of our customer notes receivable based on interest rates currently offered under the loan program with similar maturities and terms (Level 3). We estimate the fair value of our fixed-rate long-term debt based on interest rates currently offered for debt with similar maturities and terms (Level 3). We determine the fair values of the interest rate derivative transactions based on a discounted cash flow method using contractual terms of the transactions. The floating interest rate is based on observable rates consistent with the frequency of the interest cash flows (Level 2). For contingent consideration, we estimate the fair value of the installation earnout using the Monte Carlo model and the microgrid earnout using a scenario-based methodology, both using Level 3 inputs. See Note 6, Customer Notes Receivable, Note 7, Long-Term Debt, Note 8, Derivative Instruments and Note 10, Acquisitions.

Changes in fair value of the contingent consideration are included in other operating income in the consolidated statements of operations. The following table summarizes the change in fair value of our financial liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs as recorded in other long-term liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020
(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period $ - $ -
Additions 90,400 -
Change in fair value (4,726) -
Balance at end of period $ 85,674 $ -

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Revenue

The following table presents the detail of revenue as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations:

Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(in thousands)
PPA revenue $ 25,359 $ 19,713 $ 68,443 $ 52,268
Lease revenue 17,845 13,115 51,765 36,995
Solar renewable energy certificate revenue 12,858 14,147 30,648 27,245
Cash sales revenue 8,680 - 15,618 -
Loan revenue 2,126 788 5,000 2,021
Other revenue 2,033 2,414 5,259 4,267
Total $ 68,901 $ 50,177 $ 176,733 $ 122,796

We recognize revenue from contracts with customers as we satisfy our performance obligations at a transaction price reflecting an amount of consideration based upon an estimated rate of return, net of cash incentives. We express this rate of return as the solar rate per kilowatt hour ("kWh") in the customer contract. The amount of revenue we recognize does not equal customer cash payments because we satisfy performance obligations ahead of cash receipt or evenly as we provide continuous access on a stand-ready basis to the solar energy system. We reflect the differences between revenue recognition and cash payments received in accounts receivable, other assets or deferred revenue, as appropriate. Revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations represents contracted revenue we have not yet recognized and includes deferred revenue as well as amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods. Contracted but not yet recognized revenue was approximately $1.9 billion as of September 30, 2021, of which we expect to recognize approximately 4% over the next 12 months. We do not expect the annual recognition to vary significantly over approximately the next 20 years as the vast majority of existing solar service agreements have at least 20 years remaining, given the average age of the fleet of solar energy systems under contract is less than four years.

Certain customers may receive cash incentives. We defer recognition of the payment of these cash incentives and recognize them over the life of the contract as a reduction to revenue. The deferred payment is recorded in other assets for customers who receive the cash incentives under our lease and PPA agreements, and as a contra-liability in other long-term liabilities for customers who receive the cash incentives under our loan agreements.

PPAs.Customers purchase electricity from us under PPAs. Pursuant to ASC 606, we recognize revenue based upon the amount of electricity delivered as determined by remote monitoring equipment at solar rates specified under the PPAs. All customers must pass our credit evaluation process. The PPAs generally have a term of 20 or 25 years with an opportunity for customers to renew for up to an additional 10 years, via twofive-year or oneten-year renewal options.

Leases. We are the lessor under lease agreements for solar energy systems and energy storage systems, which do not meet the definition of a lease under ASC 842 and are accounted for as contracts with customers under ASC 606. We recognize revenue on a straight-line basis over the contract term as we satisfy our obligation to provide continuous access to the solar energy system. All customers must pass our credit evaluation process. The lease agreements generally have a term of 20 or 25 years with an opportunity for customers to renew for up to an additional 10 years, via twofive-year or oneten-year renewal options.

We provide customers under our lease agreements a performance guarantee that each solar energy system will achieve a certain specified minimum solar energy production output, which is a significant proportion of its expected output. The specified minimum solar energy production output may not be achieved due to natural fluctuations in the weather or equipment failures from exposure and wear and tear outside of our control, among other factors. We determine the amount of the guaranteed output based on a number of different factors, including: (a) the specific site information relating to the tilt of the panels, azimuth (a horizontal angle measured clockwise in degrees from a reference direction) of the panels, size of the system, and shading on site; (b) the calculated amount of available irradiance (amount of energy for a given flat surface facing a specific direction) based on historical average weather data and (c) the calculated amount of energy output of the solar energy system. While actual irradiance levels can significantly change year over year due to natural fluctuations in the weather, we expect the levels to average out over the term of a lease and to approximate the levels used in determining the amount of the performance
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guarantee. Generally, weather fluctuations are the most likely reason a solar energy system may not achieve a certain specified minimum solar energy production output.

If the solar energy system does not produce the guaranteed production amount, we are required to refund a portion of the previously remitted customer payments, where the repayment is calculated as the product of (a) the shortfall production amount and (b) the dollar amount (guaranteed rate) per kWh that is fixed throughout the term of the contract. These remittances of a customer's payments, if needed, are payable in January following the end of the first three years of the solar energy system's placed in service date and then every annual period thereafter. See Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies.

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates.Each solar renewable energy certificate ("SREC") represents the environmental benefit of one megawatt hour (1,000 kWh) generated by a solar energy system. SRECs can be sold separate from the actual electricity generated by the renewable-based generation source. We account for the SRECs we generate from our solar energy systems as governmental incentives with no costs incurred to obtain them and do not consider those SRECs output of the underlying solar energy systems. We classify these SRECs as inventory held until sold and delivered to third parties. As we did not incur costs to obtain these governmental incentives, the inventory carrying value for the SRECs was $0 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. We enter into economic hedges related to expected production of SRECs through forward contracts. While these fixed price forward contracts serve as an economic hedge against spot price fluctuations for the SRECs, the contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and are not designated as cash flow hedges or fair value hedges. The contracts require us to physically deliver the SRECs upon settlement. We recognize the related revenue under ASC 606 upon satisfaction of the performance obligation to transfer the SRECs to the stated counterparty. Payments are typically received within one month of transferring the SREC to the counterparty. The costs related to the sales of SRECs are generally limited to broker fees (recorded in cost of revenue-other), which are only paid in connection with certain transactions. In certain circumstances we are required to purchase SRECs on the open market to fulfill minimum delivery requirements under our forward contracts.

Cash Sales.Cash sales revenue represents revenue from a customer's purchase of a solar energy system from us typically when purchasing a new home. We recognize the related revenue under ASC 606 upon verification of the home closing.

Loans.See discussion of loan revenue in the "Loans" section below.

Other Revenue.Other revenue includes certain state and utility incentives, revenue from the direct sale of energy storage systems to customers and sales of service plans. We recognize revenue from state and utility incentives in the periods in which they are earned. We recognize revenue from the direct sale of energy storage systems in the period in which the storage components are placed in service. Service plans are available to customers whose solar energy system was not originally sold by Sunnova. We recognize revenue from service plan contracts over the life of the contract, which is typically ten years.

Loans

We offer a loan program, under which the customer finances the purchase of a solar energy system or energy storage system through a solar service agreement, typically for a term of 10, 15 or 25 years. We recognize cash payments received from customers on a monthly basis under our loan program (a) as interest income, to the extent attributable to earned interest on the contract that financed the customer's purchase of the solar energy system or energy storage system; (b) as a reduction of a note receivable on the balance sheet, to the extent attributable to a return of principal (whether scheduled or prepaid) on the contract that financed the customer's purchase of the solar energy system or energy storage system; and (c) as revenue, to the extent attributable to payments for operations and maintenance services provided by us. To qualify for the loan program, a customer must pass our credit evaluation process, which requires the customer to have a minimum FICO®score of 600 to 720 depending on certain circumstances, and we secure the loans with the solar energy systems or energy storage systems financed. The credit evaluation process is performed once for each customer at the time the customer is entering into the solar service agreement with us.

Our investments in solar energy systems and energy storage systems related to the loan program that are not yet placed in service are recorded in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets and are transferred to customer notes receivable upon being placed in service. Customer notes receivable are recorded at amortized cost, net of an allowance for credit losses (as described below), in other current assets and customer notes receivable in the consolidated balance sheets. Accrued interest receivable related to our customer notes receivable is recorded in accounts receivable-trade, net in the consolidated balance sheets. Interest income from customer notes receivable is recorded in interest income in the consolidated statements of operations. The amortized cost of our customer notes receivable is equal to the principal balance of customer notes receivable outstanding and does not include accrued interest receivable. Customer notes receivable continue to accrue interest until they are written off against the allowance, which occurs when the balance is 180 days or more past due unless the balance is in the
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process of collection. Customer notes receivable are considered past due one day after the due date based on the contractual terms of the loan agreement. In all cases, customer notes receivable balances are placed on a nonaccrual status or written off at an earlier date when they are deemed uncollectible. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously written off and expected to be written off. Accrued interest receivable for customer notes receivable placed on a nonaccrual status is recorded as a reduction to interest income. Interest received on such customer notes receivable is accounted for on a cash basis until the customer notes receivable qualifies for the return to accrual status. Customer notes receivable are returned to accrual status when there is no longer any principal or interest amounts past due and future payments are reasonably assured.

The allowance for credit losses is deducted from the customer notes receivable amortized cost to present the net amount expected to be collected. It is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics (such as financial asset type, customer credit rating, contractual term and vintage) exist. In determining the allowance for credit losses, we identify customers with potential disputes or collection issues and consider our historical level of credit losses and current economic trends that might impact the level of future credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics, such as differences in underwriting standards. Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loan agreements based on the best available data at the time, and adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals and modifications unless either of the following applies: (a) we have a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that a troubled debt restructuring will be executed with an individual customer or (b) the extension or renewal options are included in the original or modified contract at the reporting date and are not unconditionally cancelable by us. As of September 30, 2021, we have not experienced a significant increase in delinquent customer notes receivable and have not made any significant adjustments to our allowance for credit losses related to loans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. See Note 6, Customer Notes Receivable.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue consists of amounts for which the criteria for revenue recognition have not yet been met and includes (a) payments for unfulfilled performance obligations from the loan program which will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the respective solar service agreements, net of any cash incentives earned by the customers, (b) down payments and partial or full prepayments from customers and (c) differences due to the timing of energy production versus billing for certain types of PPAs. Deferred revenue was $58.9 million as of December 31, 2019. The following table presents the detail of deferred revenue as recorded in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Loans $ 212,882 $ 93,859
PPAs and leases 14,766 11,787
SRECs - 1,163
Total (1) $ 227,648 $ 106,809

(1) Of this amount, $11.5 million and $3.8 million is recorded in other current liabilities as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we recognized revenue of $6.6 million and $5.0 million, respectively, from amounts recorded in deferred revenue at the beginning of the respective years.

Acquisitions

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, as amended by Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The purchase price of an acquisition is measured at the estimated fair value of the assets acquired, equity instruments issued and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. Any noncontrolling interests acquired are also initially measured at fair value. Costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition are expensed as incurred to general and administrative expense. We recognize goodwill if the aggregate fair value of the total purchase consideration and the noncontrolling interests is in excess of the aggregate fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We may engage third-party valuation firms to assist in determining the fair values. The operating results of an acquired business are included in
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our results of operations from the date of acquisition. We have up to one year from the acquisition date to complete the fair value purchase price allocation. See Note 10, Acquisitions.

Asset acquisitions are measured based on the cost to us, including transaction costs. Asset acquisition costs, or the consideration transferred by us, are assumed to be equal to the fair value of the net assets acquired. If the consideration transferred is cash, measurement is based on the amount of cash we paid to the seller, as well as transaction costs incurred. Consideration given in the form of non-monetary assets, liabilities incurred or equity instruments issued is measured based on either the cost to us or the fair value of the assets or net assets acquired, whichever is more clearly evident. The cost of an asset acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. Goodwill is not recognized in an asset acquisition.

Intangibles

Our purchased intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Our intangible assets acquired from a business combination or asset acquisition are stated at the estimated fair value on the date of the acquisition less accumulated amortization (see Note 10, Acquisitions). We amortize intangible assets to general and administrative expense using the straight-line method.The following table presents the detail of intangible assets as recorded in other assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

Useful Lives As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
(in years) (in thousands)
Customer relationships - system sales 10 $ 145,496 $ -
Customer relationships - servicing 10 3,471 -
Customer relationships - new customers 4 29,761 -
Trade name 15 11,899 -
Tax equity commitment 4 21,209 -
Software license 3 331 331
Trademark 3 68 68
Other 3 88 88
Intangible assets, gross 212,323 487
Less: accumulated amortization (14,560) (449)
Intangible assets, net $ 197,763 $ 38

As of September 30, 2021, amortization expense related to intangible assets to be recognized is as follows:

Amortization
Expense
(in thousands)
Remaining 2021 $ 7,243
2022 28,441
2023 28,432
2024 28,432
2025 18,876
2026 and thereafter 86,339
Total $ 197,763

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The purchase price is allocated using the information currently available, and may be adjusted, up to one year from the acquisition date, after obtaining more information regarding, among other things, asset valuations, liabilities assumed and revisions to preliminary estimates. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances
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indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. When assessing goodwill for impairment, we use qualitative and if necessary, quantitative methods in accordance with GAAP.

New Accounting Guidance

New accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies and are adopted as of the specified effective date.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity's Own Equity: Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity, to simplify the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity by removing the separation models for convertible debt with a cash conversion feature and convertible instruments with a beneficial conversion feature. This ASU also expands the required disclosures related to the terms and features of convertible instruments, how the instruments have been reported and information about events, conditions and circumstances that can affect how to assess the amount or timing of an entity's future cash flows related to those instruments. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods in 2022. We adopted this ASU in January 2021 using the modified retrospective approach, which resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment to stockholders' equity of $2.3 million.

(3) Property and Equipment

The following table presents the detail of property and equipment, net as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

Useful Lives As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
(in years) (in thousands)
Solar energy systems 35 $ 2,751,798 $ 2,298,427
Construction in progress 174,643 160,618
Asset retirement obligations 30 42,492 35,532
Information technology systems 3 37,760 35,077
Computers and equipment
3-5
2,464 1,727
Leasehold improvements
3-6
3,143 2,770
Furniture and fixtures 7 1,132 811
Vehicles
4-5
1,638 1,638
Other
5-6
157 157
Property and equipment, gross 3,015,227 2,536,757
Less: accumulated depreciation (277,608) (213,588)
Property and equipment, net $ 2,737,619 $ 2,323,169

Solar Energy Systems.The amounts included in the above table for solar energy systems and substantially all the construction in progress relate to our customer contracts (including PPAs and leases). These assets had accumulated depreciation of $243.9 million and $188.8 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

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(4) Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Captions

The following table presents the detail of other current assets as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Inventory $ 134,889 $ 102,589
Restricted cash 52,042 73,020
Current portion of customer notes receivable 44,847 24,035
Other prepaid assets 16,590 8,645
Prepaid inventory 3,231 3,352
Deferred receivables 7,421 2,678
Current portion of other notes receivable 749 853
Other 4 3
Total $ 259,773 $ 215,175

The following table presents the detail of other assets as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Restricted cash $ 60,071 $ 95,014
Construction in progress - customer notes receivable 209,884 85,604
Exclusivity and other bonus arrangements with dealers, net 79,912 55,709
Straight-line revenue adjustment, net 40,880 33,411
Other 40,952 24,586
Total $ 431,699 $ 294,324

The following table presents the detail of other current liabilities as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Interest payable $ 14,620 $ 17,718
Deferred revenue 11,479 3,754
Current portion of performance guarantee obligations 3,268 3,308
Current portion of operating and finance lease liability 1,955 1,206
Other 1,777 28
Total $ 33,099 $ 26,014

(5) Asset Retirement Obligations ("ARO")

AROs consist primarily of costs to remove solar energy system assets and costs to restore the solar energy system sites to the original condition, which we estimate based on current market rates. For each solar energy system, we recognize the fair value of the ARO as a liability and capitalize that cost as part of the cost basis of the related solar energy system. The related assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over 30 years, which is the estimated average time a solar energy system will be installed in a location before being removed, and the related liabilities are accreted to the full value over the same period of time. We revise our estimated future liabilities based on recent actual experiences, including third party cost estimates, average size of solar energy systems and inflation rates, which we evaluate at least annually. Changes in our estimated future liabilities
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are recorded as either a reduction or addition in the carrying amount of the remaining unamortized asset and the ARO and either decrease or increase our depreciation and accretion expense amounts prospectively. The following table presents the changes in AROs as recorded in other long-term liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

As of September 30,
2021 2020
(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period $ 41,788 $ 31,053
Additional obligations incurred 7,010 6,179
Accretion expense 2,094 1,577
Other (69) (58)
Balance at end of period $ 50,823 $ 38,751

(6) Customer Notes Receivable

We offer a loan program, under which the customer finances the purchase of a solar energy system or energy storage system through a solar service agreement for a term of 10, 15 or 25 years. The following table presents the detail of customer notes receivable as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and the corresponding fair values:

As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Customer notes receivable $ 1,039,879 $ 555,089
Allowance for credit losses (32,535) (17,668)
Customer notes receivable, net (1) $ 1,007,344 $ 537,421
Estimated fair value, net $ 1,014,038 $ 548,238

(1) Of this amount, $44.8 million and $24.0 million is recorded in other current assets as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

The following table presents the changes in the allowance for credit losses related to customer notes receivable as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period $ 26,018 $ 13,543 $ 17,668 $ 1,091
Impact of ASC 326 adoption - - - 9,235
Provision for current expected credit losses (1) 6,518 1,483 14,867 4,701
Write off of uncollectible accounts - (258) - (258)
Other, net (1) (1) - (2)
Balance at end of period $ 32,535 $ 14,767 $ 32,535 $ 14,767

(1) In addition, we recognized $49,000 and $61,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $165,000 and $123,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, of provision for current expected credit losses related to our long-term receivables for our customer leases.

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we invested $209.9 million and $85.6 million, respectively, in loan solar energy systems and energy storage systems not yet placed in service. For the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, interest income related to our customer notes receivable was $8.9 million and $5.9 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, interest income related to our customer notes receivable was $23.9 million and $16.9 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, accrued interest receivable related to our customer notes receivable was $2.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020,
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there were no customer notes receivable not accruing interest and thus, there was no allowance recorded for loans on nonaccrual status. For the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, interest income of $0 was recognized for loans on nonaccrual status and accrued interest receivable of $0 and $9,000, respectively, was written off by reversing interest income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, interest income of $0 was recognized for loans on nonaccrual status and accrued interest receivable of $0 and $9,000, respectively, was written off by reversing interest income.

We consider the performance of our customer notes receivable portfolio and its impact on our allowance for credit losses. We also evaluate the credit quality based on the aging status and payment activity. The following table presents the aging of the amortized cost of customer notes receivable:

As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
1-90 days past due $ 16,151 $ 8,504
91-180 days past due 2,628 1,733
Greater than 180 days past due 8,973 6,855
Total past due 27,752 17,092
Not past due 1,012,127 537,997
Total $ 1,039,879 $ 555,089

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the amortized cost of our customer notes receivable more than 90 days past due but not on nonaccrual status was $11.6 million and $8.6 million, respectively. The following table presents the amortized cost by origination year of our customer notes receivable based on payment activity.

Amortized Cost by Origination Year
2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Prior Total
(in thousands)
Payment performance:
Performing $ 518,854 $ 248,919 $ 125,156 $ 81,756 $ 28,772 $ 27,449 $ 1,030,906
Nonperforming (1) 60 1,231 1,692 2,222 2,206 1,562 8,973
Total $ 518,914 $ 250,150 $ 126,848 $ 83,978 $ 30,978 $ 29,011 $ 1,039,879

(1) A nonperforming loan is a loan in which the customer is in default and has not made any scheduled principal or interest payments for 181 days or more.

(7) Long-Term Debt

Our subsidiaries with long-term debt include Sunnova Energy Corporation, Helios Issuer, LLC ("HELI"), Sunnova EZ-Own Portfolio, LLC ("EZOP"), Sunnova Helios II Issuer, LLC ("HELII"), Sunnova RAYS I Issuer, LLC ("RAYSI"), Sunnova Helios III Issuer, LLC ("HELIII"), Sunnova TEP Holdings, LLC ("TEPH"), Sunnova TEP Inventory, LLC ("TEPINV"), Sunnova Sol Issuer, LLC ("SOLI"), Sunnova Helios IV Issuer, LLC ("HELIV"), Sunnova Asset Portfolio 8, LLC ("AP8"), Sunnova Sol II Issuer, LLC ("SOLII"), Sunnova Helios V Issuer, LLC ("HELV"), Moonroad Services Group, LLC ("MR"), Sunnova Sol III Issuer, LLC ("SOLIII") and Sunnova Helios VI Issuer, LLC ("HELVI"). The following table presents the detail of long-term debt, net as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
Weighted Average
Effective Interest
Rates
As of September 30, 2021 Year Ended
December 31, 2020
Weighted Average
Effective Interest
Rates
As of December 31, 2020
Long-term Current Long-term Current
(in thousands, except interest rates)
SEI
9.75% convertible senior notes
21.70 % $ - $ - 14.53 % $ 95,648 $ -
0.25% convertible senior notes
0.70 % 575,000 - - -
Debt discount, net (13,448) - (37,394) -
Deferred financing costs, net (580) - (239) -
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Sunnova Energy Corporation
Notes payable 14.47 % - - 7.14 % - 2,254
5.875% senior notes
6.29 % 400,000 - - -
Debt discount, net (4,877) - - -
Deferred financing costs, net (9,168) - - -
HELI
Solar asset-backed notes 11.88 % - - 6.55 % 205,395 6,329
Debt discount, net - - (2,241) -
Deferred financing costs, net - - (4,004) -
EZOP
Revolving credit facility 3.73 % - - 4.39 % 171,600 -
Debt discount, net (1,021) - (1,431) -
HELII
Solar asset-backed notes 5.73 % 217,465 8,952 5.71 % 227,574 11,707
Debt discount, net (37) - (42) -
Deferred financing costs, net (4,528) - (5,085) -
RAYSI
Solar asset-backed notes 5.54 % 116,835 5,370 5.49 % 120,391 5,836
Debt discount, net (1,230) - (1,376) -
Deferred financing costs, net (4,009) - (4,334) -
HELIII
Solar loan-backed notes 4.92 % 108,816 11,039 4.01 % 122,047 13,065
Debt discount, net (1,916) - (2,423) -
Deferred financing costs, net (1,839) - (2,326) -
TEPH
Revolving credit facility 6.49 % 218,950 - 5.81 % 239,570 -
Debt discount, net (4,158) - (3,815) -
TEPINV
Revolving credit facility 22.16 % - - 10.80 % 25,240 29,464
Debt discount, net - - (1,322) -
Deferred financing costs, net - - (1,758) -
SOLI
Solar asset-backed notes 3.92 % 371,264 15,491 3.91 % 384,258 15,416
Debt discount, net (104) - (113) -
Deferred financing costs, net (8,144) - (8,915) -
HELIV
Solar loan-backed notes 4.19 % 118,655 13,442 3.97 % 129,648 16,515
Debt discount, net (764) - (885) -
Deferred financing costs, net (3,453) - (3,905) -
AP8
Revolving credit facility 6.38 % - - 5.31 % 42,047 4,386
SOLII
Solar asset-backed notes 3.43 % 243,754 6,123 3.18 % 248,789 5,911
Debt discount, net (74) - (80) -
Deferred financing costs, net (5,362) - (5,866) -
HELV
Solar loan-backed notes 2.44 % 155,771 20,461 - -
Debt discount, net (877) - - -
Deferred financing costs, net (3,362) - - -
MR
Note payable 6.04 % - - - -
SOLIII
Solar asset-backed notes 2.72 % 298,691 16,548 - -
Debt discount, net (136) - - -
Deferred financing costs, net (6,520) - - -
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HELVI
Solar loan-backed notes 1.99 % 186,184 21,163 - -
Debt discount, net (49) - - -
Deferred financing costs, net (3,606) - - -
Total $ 2,932,123 $ 118,589 $ 1,924,653 $ 110,883

Availability.As of September 30, 2021, we had $501.8 million of available borrowing capacity under our various financing arrangements, consisting of $200.0 million under the EZOP revolving credit facility, $241.8 million under the TEPH revolving credit facility and $60.0 million under the AP8 revolving credit facility. There was no available borrowing capacity under any of our other financing arrangements. As of September 30, 2021, we were in compliance with all debt covenants under our financing arrangements.

Weighted Average Effective Interest Rates.The weighted average effective interest rates disclosed in the table above are the weighted average stated interest rates for each debt instrument plus the effect on interest expense for other items classified as interest expense, such as the amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of debt discounts and commitment fees on unused balances for the period of time the debt was outstanding during the indicated periods.

SEI Debt. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the remaining holders of our 9.75% convertible senior notes converted approximately $97.1 million aggregate principal amount, including accrued and unpaid interest to the date of each conversion, of our 9.75% convertible senior notes into common stock. See Note 12, Stockholders' Equity.

In May 2021, we issued and sold an aggregate principal amount of $575.0 million of our 0.25% convertible senior notes ("0.25% convertible senior notes") in a private placement at a discount to the initial purchasers of 2.5%, for an aggregate purchase price of $560.6 million. The 0.25% convertible senior notes mature in December 2026 unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or converted. In connection with the pricing of the 0.25% convertible senior notes, we used proceeds of $91.7 million to enter into privately negotiated capped call transactions, which are expected to reduce the potential dilution to common shares and/or offset potential cash payments that could be required to be made in excess of the principal amount upon any exchange of notes. Such reduction and/or offset is subject to a cap initially equal to $60.00 per share, subject to adjustments. The capped call transactions cover, subject to customary adjustments, the number of shares of our common stock initially underlying the 0.25% convertible senior notes. As the capped call transactions meet certain accounting criteria, they are classified as stockholders' equity and therefore, are recorded in additional paid-in capital-common stock in the consolidated balance sheet and are not accounted for as derivatives.

Sunnova Energy Corporation Debt. In August 2021, we issued and sold an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million of our 5.875% senior notes ("5.875% senior notes") in a private placement at a discount to the initial purchasers of 1.24%, for an aggregate purchase price of $395.0 million. The 5.875% senior notes mature in September 2026.

TEPH Debt. In January 2021, we amended the TEPH revolving credit facility to, among other things, (a) permit certain transactions in SRECs (or proceeds therefrom) and related hedging arrangements and exclude certain of such amounts from the calculation of net cash flow available to service the indebtedness and (b) allow for borrowings with respect to certain ancillary components. In June 2021, proceeds from the SOLIII Notes (as defined below) were used to repay $105.1 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding of TEPH debt. In September 2021, we amended the TEPH revolving credit facility to, among other things, modify the hedging requirements to be based on borrowing capacity until March 2022, rather than amount currently borrowed.

HELV Debt.In February 2021, we pooled and transferred eligible solar loans and the related receivables into HELV, a special purpose entity, that issued $150.1 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-A Class A solar loan-backed notes and $38.6 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-A Class B solar loan-backed notes (collectively, the "HELV Notes") with a maturity date of February 2048. The HELV Notes were issued at a discount of 0.001% for Class A and 2.487% for Class B and bear interest at an annual rate of 1.80% and 3.15%, respectively. The cash flows generated by these solar loans are used to service the monthly principal and interest payments on the HELV Notes and satisfy HELV's expenses, and any remaining cash can be distributed to Sunnova Helios V Depositor, LLC, HELV's sole member. In connection with the HELV Notes, certain of our affiliates receive a fee for managing and servicing the solar energy systems pursuant to management and service agreements. In addition, Sunnova Energy Corporation has guaranteed, among other things, (a) the obligations of certain of our subsidiaries to manage and service the solar energy systems pursuant to management and servicing agreements and (b) certain of our subsidiaries' obligations to repurchase or substitute certain ineligible solar loans eventually sold to HELV pursuant to the related sale and contribution agreement. HELV is also required to maintain certain reserve accounts for the benefit of the holders of the HELV Notes, each of which must be funded at all times to the levels specified in
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the HELV Notes. The holders of the HELV Notes have no recourse to our other assets except as expressly set forth in the HELV Notes.

EZOP and AP8 Debt.In February 2021, proceeds from the HELV Notes were used to repay $107.3 million and $29.5 million in aggregate principal amount of outstanding EZOP and AP8 debt, respectively. In March 2021, we amended the EZOP revolving credit facility to, among other things, (a) extend the maturity date to November 2023 and (b) increase the maximum facility amount from $200.0 million to $350.0 million. In July 2021, proceeds from the HELVI Notes (as defined below) were used to repay $144.0 million and $24.9 million in aggregate principal amount of outstanding EZOP and AP8 debt, respectively. In August 2021, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the EZOP revolving credit facility of $38.0 million was fully repaid.

MR Debt.In April 2021, in connection with the Acquisition, we entered into a note payable arrangement to finance the purchase of $29.0 million of inventory at an annual interest rate of 6.00% plus LIBOR (or acceptable replacement index) over twelve months (the "MR Note"). The aggregate principal amount of the MR Note was increased to $32.3 million as part of the purchase price adjustments in August 2021 (see Note 10, Acquisitions). In August 2021, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the MR Note of $23.7 million was fully repaid.

TEPINV Debt.In May 2021, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the TEPINV revolving credit facility of $48.2 million was fully repaid using proceeds from the 0.25% convertible senior notes, all related interest rate swaps were unwound and the debt facility was terminated.

SOLIII Debt. In June 2021, we pooled and transferred eligible solar energy systems and the related asset receivables into wholly-owned subsidiaries of SOLIII, a special purpose entity, that issued $319.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-1 solar asset-backed notes (the "SOLIII Notes") with a maturity date of April 2056. The SOLIII Notes were issued at a discount of 0.04% and bear interest at an annual rate equal to 2.58%. The cash flows generated by the solar energy systems of SOLIII's subsidiaries are used to service the quarterly principal and interest payments on the SOLIII Notes and satisfy SOLIII's expenses, and any remaining cash can be distributed to Sunnova Sol III Depositor, LLC, SOLIII's sole member. In connection with the SOLIII Notes, certain of our affiliates receive a fee for managing and servicing the solar energy systems pursuant to a transaction management agreement and managing and servicing agreements. In addition, Sunnova Energy Corporation has guaranteed (a) the obligations of certain of our subsidiaries to manage and service the solar energy systems pursuant to management, servicing and transaction management agreements, (b) the managing members' obligations, in such capacity, under the related financing fund's limited liability company agreement and (c) certain of our subsidiaries' obligations to repurchase or substitute certain ineligible solar energy systems eventually sold to SOLIII pursuant to the sale and contribution agreement. SOLIII is also required to maintain certain reserve accounts for the benefit of the holders of the SOLIII Notes, each of which must remain funded at all times to the levels specified in the SOLIII Notes. The indenture requires SOLIII to track the debt service coverage ratio (such ratio, the "DSCR") of (a) the amount of certain payments received from customers, certain performance based incentives, certain energy credits and any applicable insurance proceeds as of a specific date to (b) interest and scheduled principal due on the SOLIII Notes as of such date, with the potential to enter into an early amortization period if the DSCR drops below a certain threshold. The holders of the SOLIII Notes have no recourse to our other assets except as expressly set forth in the SOLIII Notes.

HELI Debt.In June 2021, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the HELI solar asset-backed notes of $205.7 million was fully repaid using proceeds from the SOLIII Notes and the debt facility was terminated, which resulted in a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $9.8 million.

HELVI Debt.In July 2021, we pooled and transferred eligible solar loans and the related receivables into HELVI, a special purpose entity, that issued $106.2 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-B Class A solar loan-backed notes and $106.2 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-B Class B solar loan-backed notes (collectively, the "HELVI Notes") with a maturity date of July 2048. The HELVI Notes were issued at a discount of 0.01% for Class A and 0.04% for Class B and bear interest at an annual rate of 1.62% and 2.01%, respectively. The cash flows generated by these solar loans are used to service the monthly principal and interest payments on the HELVI Notes and satisfy HELVI's expenses, and any remaining cash can be distributed to Sunnova Helios VI Depositor, LLC, HELVI's sole member. In connection with the HELVI Notes, certain of our affiliates receive a fee for managing and servicing the solar energy systems pursuant to management and service agreements. In addition, Sunnova Energy Corporation has guaranteed, among other things, (a) the obligations of certain of our subsidiaries to manage and service the solar energy systems pursuant to management and servicing agreements and (b) certain of our subsidiaries' obligations to repurchase or substitute certain ineligible solar loans eventually sold to HELVI pursuant to the related sale and contribution agreement. HELVI is also required to maintain certain reserve accounts for the benefit of the holders of the HELVI Notes, each of which must be funded at all times to the levels specified in
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the HELVI Notes. The holders of the HELVI Notes have no recourse to our other assets except as expressly set forth in the HELVI Notes.

Fair Values of Long-Term Debt. The fair values of our long-term debt and the corresponding carrying amounts are as follows:

As of September 30, 2021 As of December 31, 2020
Carrying
Value
Estimated
Fair Value
Carrying
Value
Estimated
Fair Value
(in thousands)
SEI 9.75% convertible senior notes
$ - $ - $ 95,648 $ 100,482
SEI 0.25% convertible senior notes
575,000 581,639 - -
Sunnova Energy Corporation notes payable - - 2,254 2,254
Sunnova Energy Corporation 5.875% senior notes
400,000 399,098 - -
HELI solar asset-backed notes - - 211,724 220,941
EZOP revolving credit facility - - 171,600 171,600
HELII solar asset-backed notes 226,417 257,547 239,281 286,579
RAYSI solar asset-backed notes 122,205 134,133 126,227 146,506
HELIII solar loan-backed notes 119,855 126,282 135,112 149,489
TEPH revolving credit facility 218,950 218,950 239,570 239,570
TEPINV revolving credit facility - - 54,704 54,704
SOLI solar asset-backed notes 386,755 393,949 399,674 427,511
HELIV solar loan-backed notes 132,097 127,399 146,163 145,433
AP8 revolving credit facility - - 46,433 46,433
SOLII solar asset-backed notes 249,877 238,087 254,700 254,674
HELV solar loan-backed notes 176,232 171,970 - -
SOLIII solar asset-backed notes 315,239 313,403 - -
HELVI solar loan-backed notes 207,347 203,530 - -
Total (1) $ 3,129,974 $ 3,165,987 $ 2,123,090 $ 2,246,176

(1) Amounts exclude the net deferred financing costs (classified as debt) and net debt discounts of $79.3 million and $87.6 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

For the EZOP, TEPH, TEPINV and AP8 debt, the estimated fair values approximate the carrying amounts due primarily to the variable nature of the interest rates of the underlying instruments. For the notes payable, the estimated fair value approximates the carrying amount due primarily to the short-term nature of the instruments. For the convertible senior notes, senior notes and the HELI, HELII, RAYSI, HELIII, SOLI, HELIV, SOLII, HELV, SOLIII and HELVI debt, we determined the estimated fair values based on a yield analysis of similar type debt.

(8) Derivative Instruments

Interest Rate Swaps on EZOP Debt.During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, EZOP unwound interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $131.7 million and $126.1 million, respectively, and recorded a realized loss of $68,000 and $6.2 million, respectively.

Interest Rate Swaps on TEPH Debt.During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, TEPH unwound interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $121.3 million and recorded a realized loss of $1.6 million.

Interest Rate Cap on TEPINV Debt.During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the TEPINV revolving credit facility was fully repaid, TEPINV unwound the only outstanding interest rate cap with an aggregate notional amount of $36.6 million and recorded a realized gain of an immaterial amount.

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The following table presents a summary of the outstanding derivative instruments:

As of September 30, 2021 As of December 31, 2020
Effective
Date
Termination
Date
Fixed
Interest
Rate
Aggregate
Notional
Amount
Effective
Date
Termination
Date
Fixed
Interest
Rate
Aggregate
Notional
Amount
(in thousands, except interest rates)
EZOP March 2021 July 2033 1.000% $ 174,823 June 2020 -
November 2020
September 2029 -
February 2031
0.483% -
2.620%
$ 130,373
TEPH February 2019 -
January 2023
January 2023 -
January 2036
0.121% -
2.534%
270,170 September 2018 -
January 2023
January 2023 -
January 2038
0.528% -
2.114%
202,272
TEPINV -% - December 2019 December 2022 2.500% 51,025
Total $ 444,993 $ 383,670

The following table presents the fair value of the interest rate swaps as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Other assets $ 6,253 $ -
Other long-term liabilities (5,093) (13,407)
Total, net $ 1,160 $ (13,407)

We did not designate the interest rate swaps as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. As a result, we recognize changes in fair value immediately in interest expense, net. The following table presents the impact of the interest rate swaps as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations:

Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(in thousands)
Realized loss $ 586 $ 665 $ 1,693 $ 38,668
Unrealized (gain) loss (2,642) (1,788) (5,574) 2,755
Total $ (2,056) $ (1,123) $ (3,881) $ 41,423

(9) Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate is 0% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. Total income tax differs from the amounts computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to loss before income tax primarily as a result of our valuation allowance. We assessed whether we had any significant uncertain tax positions taken in a filed tax return, planned to be taken in a future tax return or claim, or otherwise subject to interpretation and determined there were none not more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position, or prospectively approved when such approval may be sought in advance. Accordingly, we recorded no reserve for uncertain tax positions. Should a provision for any interest or penalties relative to unrecognized tax benefits be necessary, it is our policy to accrue for such in our income tax accounts. There were no such accruals as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and we do not expect a significant change in gross unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months. Our tax years after 2011 remain subject to examination by the IRS and by the taxing authorities in the states and territories in which we operate.

(10) Acquisitions

In February 2021, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with certain of our subsidiaries, SunStreet and LEN X, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, the sole member of SunStreet and a wholly
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owned subsidiary of Lennar Corporation ("Lenx"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, in April 2021, we acquired SunStreet, Lennar Corporation's ("Lennar") residential solar platform, in exchange for up to 7,011,751 shares of our common stock (the "Acquisition"), comprised of 3,095,329 shares in initial consideration issued at closing, 27,526 shares related to the purchase price adjustments in the third quarter of 2021 and up to 3,888,896 shares issuable as earnout consideration after closing of the Acquisition as described below. We believe the Acquisition provides a new strategic path to further scale our residential solar business, reduce customer acquisition costs, provide a multi-year supply of homesites through the development of new home solar communities and develop clean and resilient residential microgrids across the U.S.

The purchase consideration was approximately $218.6 million, consisting of $128.2 million in the issuance of common stock shares and $90.4 million representing the fair value of contingent consideration based upon estimated new solar energy system installations through 2025 and the execution of certain binding agreements before the fifth anniversary of the closing of the Acquisition. Pursuant to the Earnout Agreement entered into between us and Lenx, Lenxwill have the ability to earn up to an additional 3,888,896 shares of common stock over a five-year period in connection with the Acquisition. The earnout payments are conditioned on SunStreet meeting certain commercial milestones and achieving specified in-service levels. There are two elements to the earnout arrangement. First, we will issue up to 2,777,784 shares to the extent we and our subsidiaries (including SunStreet) place target amounts of solar energy systems into service and enter into qualifying customer agreements related to such solar energy systems. The 2,777,784 shares of common stock issuable under this portion of the earnout can be earned in four installments on a yearly basis (if the in-service target for each such year is achieved) or at the end of the four-year period (if the cumulative in-service target is achieved by the fourth and final year), with the annual periods commencing on the closing date of the Acquisition. This earnout is recorded as contingent consideration. The second element of the earnout is related to the development of microgrid communities. Pursuant to this portion of the earnout, we will issue up to 1,111,112 shares in two separate tranches, each of which has different criteria, if, prior to the fifth anniversary of the closing date of the Acquisition, we enter into binding agreements for the development of microgrid communities. One of these tranches is recorded as contingent consideration. The amount of contingent consideration that could be paid to Lennar has an estimated maximum value of $111.6 million and a minimum value of $0. These values were determined based on the projected average share price over the five year earnout period multiplied by the number of shares to be transferred to Lennar if the targets for purchased solar energy systems placed in service are achieved. In connection with the Acquisition, Lennar has committed to contribute an aggregate $200.0 million (the "Funding Commitment") to four Sunnova tax equity funds, each formed annually during a period of fourconsecutive years (each such year, a "Contribution Year") commencing in 2021. The solar service agreements and related solar energy systems acquired by each of these four tax equity funds will generally be originated by SunStreet, though a certain number of solar service agreements may be originated by our dealers, subject to certain criteria and expected in-service levels for the year. The favorable terms of the Funding Commitment result in an intangible asset. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we incurred transaction costs of $7.1 million related to the Acquisition.

The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on a complex series of judgments about future events and uncertainties and rely heavily on estimates and assumptions. The fair value remains preliminary and may be adjusted if new information obtained regarding facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date warrants adjustments to the assets or liabilities initially recognized. Further adjustments to the fair value are expected as third-party and internal valuations are finalized, certain tax aspects of the transaction are completed and customary post-closing reviews are concluded during the measurement period attributable to the Acquisition. As a result, adjustments to the fair value of assets acquired, and in some cases the total purchase price, may be made to the fair values assigned. We expect to finalize the valuation as soon as practicable, but not later than one year from the acquisition date. We estimated the fair value of the assets acquired at the acquisition date using a multi-period excess earnings methodology for customer relationships related to system sales and servicing, a cost savings methodology for customer relationships related to new customers, a relief from royalty methodology for the trade name and a discounted cash flow methodology for the tax equity commitment, all using Level 3 inputs.

During the third quarter of 2021, we made changes to our purchase price allocation for facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date relating to (a) the issuance of additional shares of common stock, (b) changes to the aggregate principal amount of the MR Note, (c) modifications to the forecasted cash flows for the intangible assets, (d) modifications to the estimated earnout consideration and (e) resulting changes to goodwill. The following table presents the fair value of the
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assets acquired and liabilities assumed, inclusive of the purchase price adjustments made in the third quarter of 2021, with the excess recorded as goodwill:

Preliminary Purchase
Price
Adjustments
As
Adjusted
(in thousands)
Cash $ 503 $ - $ 503
Other current assets (includes inventory of $26,792 preliminary and $26,835 as adjusted)
33,519 43 33,562
Property and equipment 217 - 217
Intangible assets 207,124 4,712 211,836
Other assets 1,060 - 1,060
Total assets acquired 242,423 4,755 247,178
Accounts payable 3,762 - 3,762
Accrued expenses 3,766 814 4,580
Current portion of long-term debt 28,994 3,307 32,301
Other current liabilities 363 1 364
Other long-term liabilities 697 - 697
Total liabilities assumed 37,582 4,122 41,704
Net assets acquired, excluding goodwill 204,841 633 205,474
Purchase consideration 208,937 9,687 218,624
Goodwill $ 4,096 $ 9,054 $ 13,150

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the aggregate fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is primarily attributable to the acquired assembled workforce. We do not expect to take any tax deductions for the goodwill associated with the Acquisition unless we decide to make an asset election in the future that would make a portion of the goodwill deductible for tax purposes. The portion of revenue and earnings associated with the acquired business was not separately identifiable due to the integration with our operations.

(11) Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Noncontrolling Interests

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The carrying values of the redeemable noncontrolling interests were equal to or greater than the redemption values as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Noncontrolling Interests

In April 2021, we admitted a tax equity investor as the Class A member of Sunnova TEP V-D, LLC ("TEPVD"), a subsidiary of Sunnova TEP V-D Manager, LLC, which is the Class B member of TEPVD. The Class A member of TEPVD made a total capital commitment of approximately $50.0 million. In April 2021, we admitted a tax equity investor as the Class A member of Sunnova TEP V-A, LLC ("TEPVA"), a subsidiary of Sunnova TEP V-A Manager, LLC, which is the Class B member of TEPVA. The Class A member of TEPVA made a total capital commitment of approximately $25.0 million. In May 2021, we admitted a tax equity investor as the Class A member of Sunnova TEP V-B, LLC ("TEPVB"), a subsidiary of Sunnova TEP V-B Manager, LLC, which is the Class B member of TEPVB. The Class A member of TEPVB made a total capital commitment of approximately $150.0 million. In July 2021, we admitted a tax equity investor as the Class A member of Sunnova TEP V-C, LLC ("TEPVC"), a subsidiary of Sunnova TEP V-C Manager, LLC, which is the Class B member of TEPVC. The Class A member of TEPVC made a total capital commitment of approximately $150.0 million.

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(12) Stockholders' Equity

Common Stock

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the remaining holders of our 9.75% convertible senior notes converted approximately $97.1 million aggregate principal amount, including accrued and unpaid interest to the date of each conversion, of our 9.75% convertible senior notes into 7,196,035 shares of our common stock. In April 2021, we issued 3,095,329 shares of common stock in connection with the Acquisition. In August 2021, we issued an additional 27,526 shares of common stock in connection with the purchase price adjustments of the Acquisition. See Note 10, Acquisitions.

(13) Equity-Based Compensation

In March 2021, the aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP") was increased by 2,214,561, an amount which, together with the shares remaining available for grant under the LTIP, is equal to 5,020,602, or 5% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2020.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes stock option activity:

Number
of Stock
Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)
Outstanding, December 31, 2020 3,266,348 $ 16.06 5.82 $ 94,962
Granted 75,031 $ 40.50 9.47 $ 18.35
Exercised (517,748) $ 16.13 $ 16,158
Outstanding, September 30, 2021 2,823,631 $ 16.69 5.18 $ 46,444
Exercisable, September 30, 2021 2,748,600 $ 16.04 5.06 $ 46,444
Vested and expected to vest, September 30, 2021 2,823,631 $ 16.69 5.18 $ 46,444
Non-vested, September 30, 2021 75,031 $ 18.35

The number of stock options that vested during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was 0 and 545,785, respectively. The number of stock options that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was 0 and 915,501, respectively. The grant date fair value of stock options that vested during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $0 and $2.0 million, respectively. The grant date fair value of stock options that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $0 and $3.2 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, there was $1.1 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options, which is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of 1.72 years.

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity:

Number of
Restricted
Stock Units
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding, December 31, 2020 2,059,184 $ 11.95
Granted 570,794 $ 37.99
Vested (913,434) $ 16.71
Forfeited (33,305) $ 22.80
Outstanding, September 30, 2021 1,683,239 $ 17.99

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The number of restricted stock units that vested during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was 240,010 and 416,537, respectively. The number of restricted stock units that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was 913,434 and 443,620, respectively. The grant date fair value of restricted stock units that vested during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $2.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively. The grant date fair value of restricted stock units that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $15.3 million and $5.3 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, there was $25.1 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock units, which is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of 1.74 years.

(14) Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of our basic and diluted net loss per share:

Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders-basic and diluted $ (27,541) $ (64,181) $ (123,920) $ (160,514)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders-basic and diluted $ (0.25) $ (0.73) $ (1.12) $ (1.88)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic and diluted 112,159,698 87,768,712 110,185,333 85,276,841

The following table presents the weighted average shares of common stock equivalents that were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share for the periods presented because including them would have been anti-dilutive:

Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
Equity-based compensation awards 4,574,364 6,006,791 4,727,081 6,176,162
Convertible senior notes 16,628,073 14,970,678 8,875,206 9,839,125

(15) Commitments and Contingencies

Legal. We are a party to a number of lawsuits, claims and governmental proceedings which are ordinary, routine matters incidental to our business. In addition, in the ordinary course of business, we periodically have disputes with dealers and customers. We do not expect the outcomes of these matters to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Performance Guarantee Obligations. As of September 30, 2021, we recorded $4.8 million relating to our guarantee of certain specified minimum solar energy production output under our leases and loans, of which $3.3 million is recorded in other current liabilities and $1.5 million is recorded in other long-term liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2020, we recorded $5.7 million relating to these guarantees, of which $3.3 million is recorded in other current liabilities and $2.4 million is recorded in other long-term liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. The changes in our aggregate performance guarantee obligations are as follows:

As of September 30,
2021 2020
(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period $ 5,718 $ 6,468
Accruals for obligations issued 2,323 2,359
Settlements (3,275) (3,888)
Balance at end of period $ 4,766 $ 4,939

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Operating and Finance Leases. We lease real estate and certain office equipment under operating leases and vehicles and certain other office equipment under finance leases. The following table presents the detail of lease expense as recorded in general and administrative expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations:

Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(in thousands)
Operating lease expense $ 401 $ 336 $ 1,164 $ 1,007
Finance lease expense:
Amortization expense 157 - 251 2
Interest on lease liabilities 14 - 24 -
Short-term lease expense 29 14 51 36
Variable lease expense 274 258 831 437
Total $ 875 $ 608 $ 2,321 $ 1,482

The following table presents the detail of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as recorded in other assetsand other current liabilities/other long-term liabilities, respectively, in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Right-of-use assets:
Operating leases $ 8,411 $ 8,779
Finance leases 2,229 391
Total right-of-use assets $ 10,640 $ 9,170
Current lease liabilities:
Operating leases $ 1,280 $ 1,094
Finance leases 675 112
Long-term leases liabilities:
Operating leases 9,470 9,742
Finance leases 1,088 203
Total lease liabilities $ 12,513 $ 11,151

Other information related to leases was as follows:

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020
(in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases (1) $ 883 $ 358
Operating cash flows from finance leases 24 -
Financing cash flows from finance leases 283 1
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases 452 -
Finance leases 2,089 -

(1)Includes reimbursements in 2021 of $423,000 for leasehold improvements.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
Weighted average remaining lease term (years):
Operating leases 7.60 8.47
Finance leases 3.57 3.99
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases 3.93 % 3.93 %
Finance leases 3.10 % 3.39 %

Future minimum lease payments under our non-cancelable leases as of September 30, 2021 were as follows:

Operating
Leases
Finance
Leases
(in thousands)
Remaining 2021 $ 423 $ 193
2022 1,704 662
2023 1,724 509
2024 1,616 364
2025 1,633 121
2026 and thereafter 5,984 -
Total 13,084 1,849
Amount representing interest (1,807) (86)
Amount representing leasehold incentives (527) -
Present value of future payments 10,750 1,763
Current portion of lease liability (1,280) (675)
Long-term portion of lease liability $ 9,470 $ 1,088

Letters of Credit. In connection with various security arrangements for an office lease, we have a letter of credit outstanding of $200,000 and $375,000, respectively, as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The letter of credit is cash collateralized for the same amount or a lesser amount and this cash is classified as restricted cash recorded in other current assets and other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Guarantees or Indemnifications. We enter into contracts that include indemnifications and guarantee provisions. In general, we enter into contracts with indemnities for matters such as breaches of representations and warranties and covenants contained in the contract and/or against certain specified liabilities. Examples of these contracts include dealer agreements, debt agreements, asset purchases and sales agreements, service agreements and procurement agreements. We are unable to estimate our maximum potential exposure under these agreements until an event triggering payment occurs. We do not expect to make any material payments under these agreements.

Dealer Commitments.As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the net unamortized balance of payments to dealers for exclusivity and other similar arrangements was $79.9 million and $55.7 million, respectively. Under these agreements, we paid $5.8 million and $7.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and we paid $25.7 million and $24.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
could be obligated to make maximum payments, excluding additional amounts payable on a per watt basis if even higher thresholds are met, as follows:

Dealer
Commitments
(in thousands)
Remaining 2021 $ 4,955
2022 42,208
2023 18,625
2024 8,765
2025 938
2026 and thereafter -
Total $ 75,491

Purchase Commitments.In August 2019, we amended an agreement with a supplier in which we agreed to purchase a minimum amount of energy storage systems and components for five years. In December 2020, we amended an agreement with a supplier in which we agreed to purchase a certain amount of energy storage systems and components for one year. These purchases are recorded to inventory in other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Under these agreements, we could be obligated to make minimum purchases as follows:

Purchase
Commitments
(in thousands)
Remaining 2021 $ -
2022 -
2023 26,008
2024 19,807
2025 -
2026 and thereafter -
Total $ 45,815

Information Technology Commitments.We have certain long-term contractual commitments related to information technology software services and licenses. Future commitments as of September 30, 2021 were as follows:

Information
Technology
Commitments
(in thousands)
Remaining 2021 $ 6,599
2022 11,255
2023 13,509
2024 32
2025 7
2026 and thereafter -
Total $ 31,402

(16) Subsequent Events

TEPH Debt.In October 2021, we amended the TEPH revolving credit facility to, among other things, update the LIBOR transition terms and transfer a portion of the loan commitment to an additional lender.

HELVII Debt.In October 2021, we pooled and transferred eligible solar loans and the related receivables into Sunnova Helios VII Issuer, LLC ("HELVII"), a special purpose entity, that issued $68.4 million in aggregate principal amount of Series
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2021-C Class A solar loan-backed notes, $55.9 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-C Class B solar loan-backed notes and $31.5 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-C Class C solar loan-backed notes (collectively, the "HELVII Notes") with a maturity date of October 2048. The HELVII Notes were issued at a discount of 0.04% for Class A, 0.03% for Class B and 0.01% for Class C and bear interest at an annual rate of 2.03%, 2.33% and 2.63%, respectively. The cash flows generated by these solar loans are used to service the monthly principal and interest payments on the HELVII Notes and satisfy HELVII's expenses, and any remaining cash can be distributed to Sunnova Helios VII Depositor, LLC, HELVII's sole member. In connection with the HELVII Notes, certain of our affiliates receive a fee for managing and servicing the solar energy systems pursuant to management and service agreements. In addition, Sunnova Energy Corporation has guaranteed, among other things, (a) the obligations of certain of our subsidiaries to manage and service the solar energy systems pursuant to management and servicing agreements and (b) certain of our subsidiaries' obligations to repurchase or substitute certain ineligible solar loans eventually sold to HELVII pursuant to the related sale and contribution agreement. HELVII is also required to maintain certain reserve accounts for the benefit of the holders of the HELVII Notes, each of which must be funded at all times to the levels specified in the HELVII Notes. The holders of the HELVII Notes have no recourse to our other assets except as expressly set forth in the HELVII Notes.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion and analysis contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including but not limited to those discussed under "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" above and "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements", "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 25, 2021, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on April 29, 2021 and July 29, 2021 and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment and new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "Sunnova," "the Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to SEI and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Company Overview

We are a leading residential solar and energy storage service provider, serving over 176,000 customers in more than 25 United States ("U.S.") states and territories. Our goal is to be the leading provider of clean, affordable and reliable energy for consumers, and we operate with a simple mission: to power energy independence so homeowners have the freedom to live life uninterrupted. We were founded to deliver customers a better energy service at a better price; and, through our solar and solar plus energy storage service offerings, we are disrupting the traditional energy landscape and the way the 21st century customer generates and consumes electricity.

We have a differentiated residential solar dealer model in which we partner with local dealers who originate, design and install our customers' solar energy systems and energy storage systems on our behalf. Our focus on our dealer model enables us to leverage our dealers' specialized knowledge, connections and experience in local markets to drive customer origination while providing our dealers with access to high quality products at competitive prices, as well as technical oversight and expertise. We believe this structure provides operational flexibility, reduces exposure to labor shortages and lowers fixed costs relative to our peers, furthering our competitive advantage.

Our recently completed acquisition focuses primarily on solar energy systems and energy storage systems for homebuilders. The acquisition is expected to enhance our position in the new homebuilder market. We believe the acquisition provides a new strategic path to further scale our residential solar business, reduce customer acquisition costs, provide a multi-year supply of homesites through the development of new home solar communities and develop clean and resilient residential microgrids across the U.S.

We offer customers products to power their homes with affordable solar energy. We are able to offer savings compared to utility-based retail rates with little to no up-front expense to the customer in conjunction with solar and solar plus energy storage, and in the case of the latter are able to also provide energy resiliency. We also make it possible in some states for a customer to obtain a new roof and other ancillary products as part of their solar loan. Our solar service agreements take the form of a lease, power purchase agreement ("PPA") or loan. We also enable customers originated through our homebuilder channel the option of purchasing the system when the customer closes on the purchase of a new home. The initial term of our solar service agreements is typically 10, 15, 20 or 25 years. Service is an integral part of our agreements and includes operations and maintenance, monitoring, repairs and replacements, equipment upgrades, on-site power optimization for the customer (for both supply and demand), the ability to efficiently switch power sources among the solar panel, grid and energy storage system, as appropriate, and diagnostics. During the life of the contract we have the opportunity to integrate related and evolving home servicing and monitoring technologies to upgrade the flexibility and reduce the cost of our customers' energy supply.

In the case of leases and PPAs, we also currently receive tax benefits and other incentives from federal, state and local governments, a portion of which we finance through tax equity, non-recourse debt structures and hedging arrangements in order to fund our upfront costs, overhead and growth investments. We have an established track record of attracting capital from diverse sources. From our inception through September 30, 2021, we have raised more than $8.8 billion in total capital commitments from equity, debt and tax equity investors.

In addition to providing ongoing service as a standard component of our solar service agreements, we also offer ongoing energy services to customers who purchased their solar energy system through third parties. Under these arrangements, we agree to provide monitoring, maintenance and repair services to these customers for the life of the service contract they sign
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with us. We intend to expand our offerings to include complimentary products to our agreements as well as non-solar financing. Specifically, we plan to expand our offerings to include a non-solar loan program enabling customers to finance the purchase of energy related products independent of a solar energy system or energy storage system. We believe the quality and scope of our comprehensive energy service offerings, whether to customers that obtained their solar energy system through us or through another party, is a key differentiator between us and our competitors.

We commenced operations in January 2013 and began providing solar energy services under our first solar energy system in April 2013. Since then, our brand, innovation and focused execution have driven significant, rapid growth in our market share and in the number of customers on our platform. We operate one of the largest fleets of residential solar energy systems in the U.S., comprising more than 1,030 megawatts of generation capacity and serving over 176,000 customers.

Recent Developments

Acquisition of SunStreet

In February 2021, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with certain of our subsidiaries, SunStreet Energy Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("SunStreet"), and LEN X, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, the sole member of SunStreet and a wholly owned subsidiary of Lennar Corporation ("Lenx"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, in April 2021, we acquired SunStreet, Lennar Corporation's ("Lennar") residential solar platform, in exchange for up to 7,011,751 shares of our common stock (the "Acquisition"), comprised of 3,095,329 shares in initial consideration issued at closing, 27,526 shares related to the purchase price adjustments in the third quarter of 2021 and up to 3,888,896 shares issuable as earnout consideration after closing of the Acquisition as described below. In connection with the Acquisition, we entered into an agreement pursuant to which we would be the exclusive residential solar and storage service provider for Lennar's new home communities with solar across the U.S. for a period of four years.

Earnout Agreement

Pursuant to the Earnout Agreement entered into between us and Lenx, Lenxwill have the ability to earn up to an additional 3,888,896 shares of common stock over a five-year period in connection with the Acquisition. The earnout payments are conditioned on SunStreet meeting certain commercial milestones and achieving specified in-service levels. There are two elements to the earnout arrangement. First, we will issue up to 2,777,784 shares to the extent we and our subsidiaries (including SunStreet) place target amounts of solar energy systems into service and enter into qualifying customer agreements related to such solar energy systems. The 2,777,784 shares of common stock issuable under this portion of the earnout can be earned in four installments on a yearly basis (if the in-service target for each such year is achieved) or at the end of the four-year period (if the cumulative in-service target is achieved by the fourth and final year), with the annual periods commencing on the closing date of the Acquisition. The second element of the earnout is related to the development of microgrid communities. Pursuant to this portion of the earnout, we will issue up to 1,111,112 shares if, prior to the fifth anniversary of the closing date of the Acquisition, we enter into binding agreements for the development of microgrid communities.

Tax Equity Commitment

In connection with the Acquisition, Lennar has committed to contribute an aggregate $200.0 million (the "Funding Commitment") to four Sunnova tax equity funds, each formed annually during a period of four consecutive years (each such year, a "Contribution Year") commencing in 2021. The solar service agreements and related solar energy systems acquired by each of these four tax equity funds will generally be originated by SunStreet, though a certain number of solar service agreements may be originated by our dealers, subject to certain criteria and expected in-service levels for the year. Any amount not utilized during the first and second Contribution Years will increase the Funding Commitment during the third and fourth Contribution Year by that amount. Any amount not utilized during the third Contribution Year will increase the Funding Commitment during the fourth Contribution Year by that amount. In connection with the Funding Commitment, each of the tax equity funds will enter into typical tax equity fund transaction documentation, including development and purchase agreements, servicing agreements and limited liability company agreements. See "-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Financing Arrangements-Tax Equity Fund Commitments"below.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted and may continue to result in widespread adverse impacts on the global economy. We have experienced some resulting disruptions to our business operations as the COVID-19 virus has continued to circulate through the states and U.S. territories in which we operate.

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Social distancing guidelines, stay-at-home orders and similar government measures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as actions by individuals to reduce their potential exposure to the virus, contributed to a decline in origination. This decline reflected an inability by our dealers to perform in-person sales calls based on the stay-at-home orders in some locations. To adjust to these government measures, our dealers expanded the use of digital tools and origination channels and created new methods that offset restrictions on their ability to meet with potential new customers in person. Such efforts drove an increase in new contract origination. We have seen the use of websites, video conferencing and other virtual tools as part of our origination process expand widely and contribute to our growth.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have continued to service and install solar energy systems. The industry is currently facing shortages and shipping delays affecting the supply of energy storage systems, modules and component parts for inverters and racking used in solar energy systems available for purchase. These shortages and delays can be attributed in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting government action, as well as to allegations regarding the use of forced labor in the Chinese polysilicon supply chain. While a majority of our dealers have secured sufficient quantities to permit them to continue installing through the end of 2021, if these shortages and delays persist into 2022, they could impact the timing of when solar energy systems and energy storage systems can be installed and when we can acquire and begin to generate revenue from those systems. In addition, if supply chains become significantly disrupted due to additional outbreaks of the COVID-19 virus or otherwise, or more stringent health and safety guidelines are implemented, our ability to install and service solar energy systems could become adversely impacted. See "Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Business-We and our dealers depend on a limited number of suppliers of solar energy system components and technologies to adequately meet demand for our solar energy systems. Due to the limited number of suppliers in our industry, the acquisition of any of these suppliers by a competitor or any shortage, delay, price change, imposition of tariffs or duties or other limitation in our or our dealers' ability to obtain components or technologies we use could result in sales and installation delays, cancelations and loss of customers." below.

We cannot predict the full impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our business, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations at this time due to numerous uncertainties. We will continue to monitor developments affecting our workforce, our customers and our business operations generally, and will take actions we determine are necessary in order to mitigate these impacts.

Financing Transactions

In July 2021, we admitted a tax equity investor with a total capital commitment of approximately $150.0 million. See "-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Financing Arrangements-Tax Equity Fund Commitments"below.

In August 2021, the aggregate principal amount of the inventory financing relating to the Acquisition was increased to $32.3 million as part of the purchase price adjustments. In August 2021, the aggregate principal amount outstanding thereunder of $23.7 million was fully repaid. In September 2021, we amended the revolving credit facility associated with one of our financing subsidiaries that owns certain tax equity funds (the "TEPH revolving credit facility") to, among other things, modify the hedging requirements to be based on borrowing capacity until March 2022, rather than amount currently borrowed. In October 2021, we amended the TEPH revolving credit facility to, among other things, update the LIBOR transition terms and transfer a portion of the loan commitment to an additional lender. See "-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Financing Arrangements-Warehouse and Other Debt Financings"below.

In July 2021, one of our subsidiaries issued $106.2 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-B Class A solar loan-backed notes and $106.2 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-B Class B solar loan-backed notes (collectively, the "HELVI Notes") with a maturity date of July 2048. The HELVI Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 1.62% and 2.01% for the Class A and Class B notes, respectively. In October 2021, one of our subsidiaries issued $68.4 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-C Class A solar loan-backed notes, $55.9 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-C Class B solar loan-backed notes and $31.5 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-C Class C solar loan-backed notes (collectively, the "HELVII Notes") with a maturity date of October 2048. The HELVII Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 2.03%, 2.33% and 2.63% for the Class A, Class B and Class C notes, respectively. See "-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Financing Arrangements-Securitizations" below.

In August 2021, we issued and sold an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million of our 5.875% senior notes ("5.875% senior notes") in a private placement at a discount to the initial purchasers of 1.24%, for an aggregate purchase price of $395.0 million. The 5.875% senior notes mature in September 2026. See "-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Financing Arrangements-Senior Notes" below.

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Securitizations

As a source of long-term financing, we securitize qualifying solar energy systems, energy storage systems and related solar service agreements into special purpose entities who issue solar asset-backed and solar loan-backed notes to institutional investors. We also securitize the cash flows generated by the membership interests in certain of our indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries that are the managing member of a tax equity fund that owns a pool of solar energy systems, energy storage systems and related solar service agreements that were originated by one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. The federal government currently provides business investment tax credits under Section 48(a) (the "Section 48(a) ITC") and residential energy credits under Section 25D (the "Section 25D Credit") of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. We do not securitize the Section 48(a) ITC incentives associated with the solar energy systems and energy storage systems as part of these arrangements. We use the cash flows these solar energy systems and energy storage systems generate to service the monthly, quarterly or semi-annual principal and interest payments on the notes and satisfy the expenses and reserve requirements of the special purpose entities, with any remaining cash distributed to their sole members, who are typically our indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. In connection with these securitizations, certain of our affiliates receive a fee for managing and servicing the solar energy systems and energy storage systems pursuant to management, servicing, facility administration and asset management agreements. The special purpose entities are also typically required to maintain a liquidity reserve account and a reserve account for equipment replacements and, in certain cases, reserve accounts for financing fund purchase option/withdrawal right exercises or storage system replacement for the benefit of the holders under the applicable series of notes, each of which are funded from initial deposits or cash flows to the levels specified therein. The creditors of these special purpose entities have no recourse to our other assets except as expressly set forth in the terms of the notes. From our inception through September 30, 2021, we have issued $2.4 billion in solar asset-backed and solar loan-backed notes.

Tax Equity Funds

Our ability to offer long-term solar service agreements depends in part on our ability to finance the installation of the solar energy systems and energy storage systems by co-investing with tax equity investors, such as large banks who value the resulting customer receivables and Section 48(a) ITCs, accelerated tax depreciation and other incentives related to the solar energy systems and energy storage systems, primarily through structured investments known as "tax equity". Tax equity investments are generally structured as non-recourse project financings known as "tax equity funds". In the context of distributed generation solar energy, tax equity investors make contributions upfront or in stages based on milestones in exchange for a share of the tax attributes and cash flows emanating from an underlying portfolio of solar energy systems and energy storage systems. In these tax equity funds, the U.S. federal tax attributes offset taxes that otherwise would have been payable on the investors' other operations. The terms and conditions of each tax equity fund vary significantly by investor and by fund. We continue to negotiate with potential investors to create additional tax equity funds.

In general, our tax equity funds are structured using the "partnership flip" structure. Under partnership flip structures, we and our tax equity investors contribute cash into a partnership. The partnership uses this cash to acquire long-term solar service agreements, solar energy systems and energy storage systems developed by us and sells energy from such solar energy systems and energy storage systems, as applicable, to customers or directly leases the solar energy systems and energy storage systems, as applicable, to customers. We assign these solar service agreements, solar energy systems, energy storage systems and related incentives to our tax equity funds in accordance with the criteria of the specific funds. Upon such assignment and the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, we are able to draw down on the tax equity fund commitments. The conditions precedent to funding vary across our tax equity funds but generally require that we have entered into a solar service agreement with the customer, the customer meets certain credit criteria, the solar energy system is expected to be eligible for the Section 48(a) ITC, we have a recent appraisal from an independent appraiser establishing the fair market value of the solar energy system and the property is in an approved state or territory. Certain tax equity investors agree to receive a minimum target rate of return, typically on an after-tax basis, which varies by tax equity fund. Prior to receiving a contractual rate of return or a date specified in the contractual arrangements, the tax equity investor receives substantially all of the non-cash value attributable to the solar energy systems and energy storage systems, which includes accelerated depreciation and Section 48(a) ITCs; however, we typically receive a majority of the cash distributions, which are typically paid quarterly. After the tax equity investor receives its contractual rate of return or after a specified date, we receive substantially all of the cash and tax allocations.

We have determined we are the primary beneficiary in these tax equity funds for accounting purposes. Accordingly, we consolidate the assets and liabilities and operating results of these partnerships in our consolidated financial statements. We recognize the tax equity investors' share of the net assets of the tax equity funds as redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests in our consolidated balance sheets. The income or loss allocations reflected in our consolidated statements of operations may create significant volatility in our reported results of operations, including potentially changing net loss attributable to stockholders to net income attributable to stockholders, or vice versa, from quarter to quarter.

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We typically have an option to acquire, and our tax equity investors may have an option to withdraw and require us to purchase, all the equity interests our tax equity investor holds in the tax equity funds starting approximately five years after the last solar energy system in the applicable tax equity fund is operational. If we or our tax equity investors exercise this option, we are typically required to pay at least the fair market value of the tax equity investor's equity interest and, in certain cases, a contractual minimum amount. From our inception through September 30, 2021, we have received commitments of $1.2 billion through the use of tax equity funds, of which an aggregate of $855.1 million has been funded.

Key Financial and Operational Metrics

We regularly review a number of metrics, including the following key operational and financial metrics, to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate our financial projections and make strategic decisions.

Number of Customers. We define number of customers to include every unique individual possessing an in-service product that is subject to a Sunnova lease, PPA or loan agreement, or with respect to which Sunnova is obligated to perform a service under an active agreement between Sunnova and the individual or between Sunnova and a third party. For all solar energy systems installed by us, in-service means the related solar energy system and, if applicable, energy storage system, must have met all the requirements to begin operation and be interconnected to the electrical grid. For all products other than solar energy systems or energy storage systems, which are subject to a loan agreement between Sunnova and a customer, in-service means the customer is obligated to begin making payments to Sunnova under the loan agreement. We do not include in our number of customers any customer possessing a solar energy system or energy storage system under a lease, PPA or loan agreement that has reached mechanical completion but has not received permission to operate from the local utility or for whom we have terminated the contract and removed the solar energy system. We also do not include in our number of customers any customer that has been in default under his or her lease, PPA or loan agreement in excess of six months. We track the total number of customers as an indicator of our historical growth and our rate of growth from period to period.

As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
Change
Number of customers 176,900 107,500 69,400

Weighted Average Number of Systems.We calculate the weighted average number of systems based on the number of months a customer and any additional service obligation related to a solar energy system is in-service during a given measurement period. The weighted average number of systems reflects the number of systems at the beginning of a period, plus the total number of new systems added in the period adjusted by a factor that accounts for the partial period nature of those new systems. For purposes of this calculation, we assume all new systems added during a month were added in the middle of that month. The number of systems for any end of period will exceed the number of customers, as defined above, for that same end of period as we are also including the additional services and/or contracts a customer or third party executed for the additional work for the same residence. We track the weighted average system count in order to accurately reflect the contribution of the appropriate number of systems to key financial metrics over the measurement period.

Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
Weighted average number of systems (excluding loan agreements and cash sales) 140,600 80,200 119,700 75,200
Weighted average number of systems with loan agreements 29,400 14,800 24,900 13,300
Weighted average number of systems with cash sales 700 - 300 -
Weighted average number of systems 170,700 95,000 144,900 88,500

Adjusted EBITDA. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus net interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, income tax expense, financing deal costs, natural disaster losses and related charges, net, losses on extinguishment of long-term debt, realized and unrealized gains and losses on fair value instruments, amortization of payments to dealers for exclusivity and other bonus arrangements, legal settlements and excluding the effect of certain non-recurring items we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance such as, but not limited to, costs of our initial public offering ("IPO"), acquisition costs, losses on unenforceable contracts and other non-cash items such as non-cash compensation expense, asset retirement obligation ("ARO") accretion expense, provision for current expected credit losses and non-cash inventory impairments.
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Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure we use as a performance measure. We believe investors and securities analysts also use Adjusted EBITDA in evaluating our operating performance. This measurement is not recognized in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA is net income (loss). The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed to suggest our future results will be unaffected by non-cash or non-recurring items. In addition, our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is not necessarily comparable to Adjusted EBITDA as calculated by other companies.

We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to management, investors and analysts in providing a measure of core financial performance adjusted to allow for comparisons of results of operations across reporting periods on a consistent basis. These adjustments are intended to exclude items that are not indicative of the ongoing operating performance of the business. Adjusted EBITDA is also used by our management for internal planning purposes, including our consolidated operating budget, and by our Board in setting performance-based compensation targets. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to but viewed in conjunction with GAAP results, as we believe it provides a more complete understanding of ongoing business performance and trends than GAAP measures alone. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(in thousands)
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA:
Net loss $ (25,919) $ (73,294) $ (116,255) $ (179,027)
Interest expense, net 26,588 29,954 84,748 127,804
Interest income (9,098) (5,999) (24,266) (17,299)
Income tax expense 64 176 64 176
Depreciation expense 21,961 16,997 62,286 47,811
Amortization expense 7,204 8 14,362 24
EBITDA 20,800 (32,158) 20,939 (20,511)
Non-cash compensation expense 3,093 2,345 13,937 8,389
ARO accretion expense 745 564 2,094 1,577
Financing deal costs 480 1,819 837 3,506
Natural disaster losses and related charges, net - - - 31
Acquisition costs 1,565 - 7,053 -
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, net - 50,721 9,824 50,721
Unrealized (gain) loss on fair value instruments (8,834) 91 (4,665) (165)
Amortization of payments to dealers for exclusivity and other bonus arrangements 832 488 2,089 1,235
Provision for current expected credit losses 6,567 1,544 15,032 4,824
Non-cash inventory impairments - - 982 -
Adjusted EBITDA $ 25,248 $ 25,414 $ 68,122 $ 49,607

Interest Income and Principal Payments from Customer Notes Receivable. Under our loan agreements, the customer obtains financing for the purchase of a solar energy system from us and we agree to operate and maintain the solar energy system throughout the duration of the agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement, the customer makes scheduled principal and interest payments to us and has the option to prepay principal at any time in part or in full. Whereas we typically recognize payments from customers under our leases and PPAs as revenue, we recognize payments received from customers under our loan agreements (a) as interest income, to the extent attributable to earned interest on the contract that financed the customer's purchase of the solar energy system; (b) as a reduction of a note receivable on the balance sheet, to the extent attributable to a return of principal (whether scheduled or prepaid) on the contract that financed the customer's purchase of the solar energy system; and (c) as revenue, to the extent attributable to payments for operations and maintenance services provided by us.

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While Adjusted EBITDA effectively captures the operating performance of our leases and PPAs, it only reflects the service portion of the operating performance under our loan agreements. We do not consider our types of solar service agreements differently when evaluating our operating performance. In order to present a measure of operating performance that provides comparability without regard to the different accounting treatment among our three types of solar service agreements, we consider interest income from customer notes receivable and principal proceeds from customer notes receivable, net of related revenue, as key performance metrics. We believe these two metrics provide a more meaningful and uniform method of analyzing our operating performance when viewed in light of our other key performance metrics across the three primary types of solar service agreements.

Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(in thousands)
Interest income from customer notes receivable $ 8,904 $ 5,939 $ 23,863 $ 16,879
Principal proceeds from customer notes receivable, net of related revenue $ 14,333 $ 9,185 $ 42,408 $ 23,104

Adjusted Operating Expense. We define Adjusted Operating Expense as total operating expense less depreciation and amortization expense, financing deal costs, natural disaster losses and related charges, net, amortization of payments to dealers for exclusivity and other bonus arrangements, legal settlements, direct sales costs, cost of revenue related to cash sales, unrealized losses on fair value instruments and excluding the effect of certain non-recurring items we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance such as, but not limited to, costs of our IPO, acquisition costs, losses on unenforceable contracts and other non-cash items such as non-cash compensation expense, ARO accretion expense, provision for current expected credit losses and non-cash inventory impairments. Adjusted Operating Expense is a non-GAAP financial measure we use as a performance measure. We believe investors and securities analysts will also use Adjusted Operating Expense in evaluating our performance. This measurement is not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Adjusted Operating Expense is total operating expense. We believe Adjusted Operating Expense is a supplemental financial measure useful to management, analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies as an indicator of the efficiency of our operations between reporting periods. Adjusted Operating Expense should not be considered an alternative to but viewed in conjunction with GAAP total operating expense, as we believe it provides a more complete understanding of our performance than GAAP measures alone. Adjusted Operating Expense has limitations as an analytical tool and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP, including total operating expense.

We use per system metrics, including Adjusted Operating Expense per weighted average system, as an additional way to evaluate our performance. Specifically, we consider the change in this metric from period to period as a way to evaluate our performance in the context of changes we experience in the overall customer base. While the Adjusted Operating Expense figure provides a valuable indicator of our overall performance, evaluating this metric on a per system basis allows for further nuanced understanding by management, investors and analysts of the financial impact of each additional system.

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Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(in thousands, except per system data)
Reconciliation of Total Operating Expense, Net to Adjusted Operating Expense:
Total operating expense, net $ 77,077 $ 48,528 $ 222,558 $ 140,596
Depreciation expense (21,961) (16,997) (62,286) (47,811)
Amortization expense (7,204) (8) (14,362) (24)
Non-cash compensation expense (3,093) (2,345) (13,937) (8,389)
ARO accretion expense (745) (564) (2,094) (1,577)
Financing deal costs (480) (1,819) (837) (3,506)
Natural disaster losses and related charges, net - - - (31)
Acquisition costs (1,565) - (7,053) -
Amortization of payments to dealers for exclusivity and other bonus arrangements (832) (488) (2,089) (1,235)
Provision for current expected credit losses (6,567) (1,544) (15,032) (4,824)
Non-cash inventory impairments - - (982) -
Direct sales costs (310) - (358) -
Cost of revenue related to cash sales (4,591) - (8,413) -
Unrealized gain on fair value instruments 9,023 - 4,725 -
Adjusted Operating Expense $ 38,752 $ 24,763 $ 99,840 $ 73,199
Adjusted Operating Expense per weighted average system $ 227 $ 261 $ 689 $ 827

Estimated Gross Contracted Customer Value. We calculate estimated gross contracted customer value as defined below. We believe estimated gross contracted customer value can serve as a useful tool for investors and analysts in comparing the remaining value of our customer contracts to that of our peers.

Estimated gross contracted customer value as of a specific measurement date represents the sum of the present value of the remaining estimated future net cash flows we expect to receive from existing customers during the initial contract term of our leases and PPAs, which are typically 25 years in length, plus the present value of future net cash flows we expect to receive from the sale of related solar renewable energy certificates ("SREC"), either under existing contracts or in future sales, plus the cash flows we expect to receive from energy services programs such as grid services, plus the carrying value of outstanding customer loans on our balance sheet. From these aggregate estimated initial cash flows, we subtract the present value of estimated net cash distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests and estimated operating, maintenance and administrative expenses associated with the solar service agreements. These estimated future cash flows reflect the projected monthly customer payments over the life of our solar service agreements and depend on various factors including but not limited to solar service agreement type, contracted rates, expected sun hours and the projected production capacity of the solar equipment installed. For the purpose of calculating this metric, we discount all future cash flows at 4%.

The anticipated operating, maintenance and administrative expenses included in the calculation of estimated gross contracted customer value include, among other things, expenses related to accounting, reporting, audit, insurance, maintenance and repairs. In the aggregate, we estimate these expenses are $20 per kilowatt per year initially, with 2% annual increases for inflation, and an additional $81 per year non-escalating expense included for energy storage systems. We do not include maintenance and repair costs for inverters and similar equipment as those are largely covered by the applicable product and dealer warranties for the life of the product, but we do include additional cost for energy storage systems, which are only covered by a 10-year warranty. Expected distributions to tax equity investors vary among the different tax equity funds and are based on individual tax equity fund contract provisions.

Estimated gross contracted customer value is forecasted as of a specific date. It is forward-looking and we use judgment in developing the assumptions used to calculate it. Factors that could impact estimated gross contracted customer value include, but are not limited to, customer payment defaults, or declines in utility rates or early termination of a contract in certain circumstances, including prior to installation. The following table presents the calculation of estimated gross contracted customer value as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, calculated using a 4% discount rate.
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As of
September 30, 2021
As of
December 31, 2020
(in millions)
Estimated gross contracted customer value $ 3,785 $ 2,997

Sensitivity Analysis. The calculation of estimated gross contracted customer value and associated operational metrics requires us to make a number of assumptions regarding future revenues and costs which may not prove accurate. Accordingly, we present below a sensitivity analysis with a range of assumptions. We consider a discount rate of 4% to be appropriate based on recent transactions that demonstrate a portfolio of residential solar service agreements is an asset class that can be securitized successfully on a long-term basis, with a coupon of less than 4%. We also present these metrics with a discount rate of 4% based on industry practice. The appropriate discount rate for these estimates may change in the future due to the level of inflation, rising interest rates, our cost of capital and consumer demand for solar energy systems. In addition, the table below provides a range of estimated gross contracted customer value amounts if different cumulative customer loss rate assumptions were used. We are presenting this information for illustrative purposes only and as a comparison to information published by our peers.

Estimated Gross Contracted Customer Value
As of September 30, 2021
Discount rate
Cumulative customer loss rate 2% 4% 6%
(in millions)
5% $ 4,078 $ 3,570 $ 3,184
0% $ 4,370 $ 3,785 $ 3,345

Significant Factors and Trends Affecting Our Business

Our results of operations and our ability to grow our business over time could be impacted by a number of factors and trends that affect our industry generally, as well as new offerings of services and products we may acquire or seek to acquire in the future. Additionally, our business is concentrated in certain markets, putting us at risk of region-specific disruptions such as adverse economic, regulatory, political, weather and other conditions. See "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021 and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further discussion of risks affecting our business.

Financing Availability. Our future growth depends, in significant part, on our ability to raise capital from third-party investors on competitive terms to help finance the origination of our solar energy systems under our solar service agreements. We have historically used debt, such as convertible senior notes, asset-backed and loan-backed securitizations and warehouse facilities, tax equity, preferred equity and other financing strategies to help fund our operations. From our inception through September 30, 2021, we have raised more than $8.8 billion in total capital commitments from equity, debt and tax equity investors. With respect to tax equity, there are a limited number of potential tax equity investors, and the competition for this investment capital is intense. The principal tax credit on which tax equity investors in our industry rely is the Section 48(a) ITC. Starting January 1, 2020, the amount for the Section 48(a) ITC was equal to 30% of the basis of eligible solar property that began construction before 2020 if placed in service before 2026. By statute, the Section 48(a) ITC percentage decreases to 26% for eligible solar property that began construction during 2020 or begins construction in 2021 or 2022, 22% if construction begins in 2023 and 10% if construction begins after 2023 or if the property is placed into service after 2025. This reduction in the Section 48(a) ITC will likely reduce our use of tax equity financing in the future unless the Section 48(a) ITC is increased or replaced. IRS guidance includes a safe harbor that may apply when a taxpayer (or in certain cases, a contractor) pays or incurs 5% or more of the costs of a solar energy system before the end of the applicable year (the "5% ITC Safe Harbor"), even though the solar energy system is not placed in service until after the end of that year. For installations in 2021, we purchased prior to 2020 substantially all the inverters that we estimated would be deployed under our lease and PPA agreements that we expected would allow the related solar energy systems to qualify for the 30% Section 48(a) ITC by satisfying the 5% ITC Safe Harbor. Based on various market factors, however, not all solar energy systems installed in 2021 will qualify for the Section 48(a) ITC at 30%. For solar energy systems installed in 2021 not meeting all requirements for the 30% Section 48(a) ITC, such solar energy systems are expected to qualify for the 26% Section 48(a) ITC. Additionally, we may make further inventory purchases in future periods to extend the availability of each period's Section 48(a) ITC. Our ability to raise capital from third-party investors is affected by general economic conditions, the state of the capital markets, inflation levels and concerns about our industry or business. Specifically, interest rates remain subject to volatility that may result from action taken by the Federal
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Reserve. Recent data have suggested inflationary pressures may be more durable than anticipated, which could result in interest rate increases and/or the tapering of quantitative easing policies enacted towards the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic sooner than previously expected.

Cost of Solar Energy Systems. Although the solar panel market has seen an increase in supply, upward pressure on prices may occur due to growth in the solar industry, regulatory policy changes, tariffs and duties, inflationary cost pressures and an increase in demand. As a result of these developments, we may pay higher prices on imported solar modules, which may make it less economical for us to serve certain markets. Attachment rates for energy storage systems have trended higher while the price to acquire has remained steady and increased slightly for some suppliers due to several market variables, including COVID-19, raw material shortages and freight prices, but this still remains a potential area of growth for us.

Energy Storage Systems. Our energy storage systems increase our customers' independence from the centralized utility and provide on-site backup power when there is a grid outage due to storms, wildfires, other natural disasters and general power failures caused by supply or transmission issues. In addition, at times it can be more economic to consume less energy from the grid or, alternatively, to export solar energy back to the grid. Recent technological advancements for energy storage systems allow the energy storage system to adapt to pricing and utility rate shifts by controlling the inflows and outflows of power, allowing customers to increase the value of their solar energy system plus energy storage system. The energy storage system charges during the day, making the energy it stores available to the home when needed. It also features software that can customize power usage for the individual customer, providing backup power, optimizing solar energy consumption versus grid consumption or preventing export to the grid as appropriate. The software is tailored based on utility regulation, economic indicators and grid conditions. The combination of energy control, increased energy resilience and independence from the grid is strong incentive for customers to adopt solar and energy storage. As energy storage systems and their related software features become more advanced, we expect to see increased adoption of energy storage systems.

Climate Change Action.As a result of increasing global awareness of and aversion to climate change impacts, we believe the renewable energy market in which we operate, and investment in climate solutions more broadly, will continue to grow as the impact of climate change increases. This trend, along with increasing commitments to reduce carbon emissions, is expected to result in increased demand for our products and services. Under the new presidential administration, the focus on cleaner energy sources and technology to decarbonize the U.S. economy continues to accelerate. The Biden administration has taken immediate steps that we believe signify support for cleaner energy sources, including, but not limited to, rejoining the Paris Climate Accord and re-establishing a social price on carbon used in cost/benefit analysis for policy making. We expect the Biden administration, combined with a closely divided Congress, to continue to take actions that are supportive of the renewable energy industry, such as incentivizing clean energy sources and supporting new investment in areas like renewables.

Government Regulations, Policies and Incentives. Our growth strategy depends in significant part on government policies and incentives that promote and support solar energy and enhance the economic viability of distributed residential solar. These policies and incentives come in various forms, including net metering, eligibility for accelerated depreciation such as the modified accelerated cost recovery system, SRECs, tax abatements, rebates, renewable targets, incentive programs and tax credits, particularly the Section 48(a) ITC and the Section 25D Credit. Policies requiring solar on new homes or new roofs, such as those enacted in California and New York City, also support the growth of distributed solar. The sale of SRECs has constituted a significant portion of our revenue historically. A change in the value of SRECs or changes in other policies or a loss or reduction in such incentives could decrease the attractiveness of distributed residential solar to us, our dealers and our customers in applicable markets, which could reduce our customer acquisition opportunities. Such a loss or reduction could also reduce our willingness to pursue certain customer acquisitions due to decreased revenue or income under our solar service agreements. Additionally, such a loss or reduction may also impact the terms of and availability of third-party financing. If any of these government regulations, policies or incentives are adversely amended, delayed, eliminated, reduced, retroactively changed or not extended beyond their current expiration dates or there is a negative impact from the recent federal law changes or proposals, our operating results and the demand for, and the economics of, distributed residential solar energy may decline, which could harm our business.

Components of Results of Operations

Revenue. We recognize revenue from contracts with customers as we satisfy our performance obligations at a transaction price reflecting an amount of consideration based upon an estimated rate of return, net of cash incentives. We express this rate of return as the solar rate per kilowatt hour ("kWh") in the customer contract. The amount of revenue we recognize does not equal customer cash payments because we satisfy performance obligations ahead of cash receipt or evenly as we provide continuous access on a stand-ready basis to the solar energy system. We reflect the differences between revenue recognition and cash payments received in accounts receivable, other assets or deferred revenue, as appropriate.

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PPAs. We have determined solar service agreements under which customers purchase electricity from us should be accounted for as revenue from contracts with customers. We recognize revenue based upon the amount of electricity delivered as determined by remote monitoring equipment at solar rates specified under the contracts. The PPAs generally have a term of 20 or 25 years with an opportunity for customers to renew for up to an additional 10 years, via two five-year or one ten-year renewal options.

Lease Agreements. We are the lessor under lease agreements for solar energy systems and energy storage systems, which we account for as revenue from contracts with customers. We recognize revenue on a straight-line basis over the contract term as we satisfy our obligation to provide continuous access to the solar energy system. The lease agreements generally have a term of 20 or 25 years with an opportunity for customers to renew for up to an additional 10 years, via two five-year or one ten-year renewal options.

We provide customers under our lease agreements a performance guarantee that each solar energy system will achieve a certain specified minimum solar energy production output. The specified minimum solar energy production output may not be achieved due to natural fluctuations in the weather or equipment failures from exposure and wear and tear outside of our control, among other factors. We determine the amount of guaranteed output based on a number of different factors, including (a) the specific site information relating to the tilt of the panels, azimuth (a horizontal angle measured clockwise in degrees from a reference direction) of the panels, size of the solar energy system and shading on site; (b) the calculated amount of available irradiance (amount of energy for a given flat surface facing a specific direction) based on historical average weather data and (c) the calculated amount of energy output of the solar energy system.

If the solar energy system does not produce the guaranteed production amount, we are required to provide a bill credit or refund a portion of the previously remitted customer payments, where the bill credit or repayment is calculated as the product of (a) the shortfall production amount and (b) the dollar amount (guaranteed rate) per kWh that is fixed throughout the term of the contract. These bill credits or remittances of a customer's payments, if needed, are payable in January following the end of the first three years of the solar energy system's placed in service date and then every annual period thereafter. See Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, to our interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements ("interim financial statements") included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

SRECs. Each SREC represents the environmental benefit of one megawatt hour (1,000 kWh) generated by a solar energy system. We sell SRECs to utilities and other third parties who use the SRECs to meet renewable portfolio standards and can do so separate from the actual electricity generated by the renewable-based generation source. We account for SRECs generated from solar energy systems owned by us, as opposed to those owned by our customers, as governmental incentives with no costs incurred to obtain them and do not consider those SRECs output of the underlying solar energy systems. We classify SRECs as inventory held until sold and delivered to third parties. We enter into economic hedges with major financial institutions related to expected production of SRECs through forward contracts to partially mitigate the risk of decreases in SREC market rates. While these fixed price forward contracts serve as an economic hedge against spot price fluctuations for the SRECs, the contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and are not designated as cash flow hedges or fair value hedges. The contracts require us to physically deliver the SRECs upon settlement. We recognize the related revenue upon the transfer of the SRECs to the counterparty. The costs related to the sales of SRECs are generally limited to fees for brokered transactions. Accordingly, the sale of SRECs in a period generally has a favorable impact on our operating results for that period. In certain circumstances we are required to purchase SRECs on the open market to fulfill minimum delivery requirements under our forward contracts.

Cash Sales.Cash sales revenue represents revenue from a customer's purchase of a solar energy system from us typically when purchasing a new home. We recognize the related revenue upon verification of the home closing.

Loan Agreements. We recognize payments received from customers under loan agreements (a) as interest income, to the extent attributable to earned interest on the contract that financed the customer's purchase of the solar energy system; (b) as a reduction of a note receivable on the balance sheet, to the extent attributable to a return of principal (whether scheduled or prepaid) on the contract that financed the customer's purchase of the solar energy system; and (c) as revenue, to the extent attributable to payments for operations and maintenance services provided by us. Similar to our lease agreements, we provide customers under our loan agreements a performance guarantee that each solar energy system will achieve a certain specified minimum solar energy production output, which is a significant proportion of its expected output.

Other Revenue. Other revenue includes certain state and utility incentives, revenue from the direct sale of energy storage systems to customers and sales of service plans. We recognize revenue from state and utility incentives in the periods in which they are earned. We recognize revenue from the direct sale of energy storage systems in the period in which the storage components are placed in service. Service plans are available to customers whose solar energy system was not originally sold by Sunnova. We recognize revenue from service plan contracts over the life of the contract, which is typically ten years.
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Cost of Revenue-Depreciation. Cost of revenue-depreciation represents depreciation on solar energy systems under lease agreements and PPAs that have been placed in service.

Cost of Revenue-Other.Cost of revenue-other represents costs related to cash sales, costs to purchase SRECs on the open market, SREC broker fees and other items deemed to be a cost of providing the service of selling power to customers or potential customers, such as certain costs to service loan agreements, costs for filing under the Uniform Commercial Code to maintain title, title searches, credit checks on potential customers at the time of initial contract and other similar costs, typically directly related to the volume of customers and potential customers.

Operations and Maintenance Expense. Operations and maintenance expense represents costs from third parties for maintaining and servicing the solar energy systems, property insurance, property taxes and warranties. In addition, operations and maintenance expense includes write downs and write-offs related to inventory adjustments, losses on disposals and other impairments and impairments due to natural disaster losses net of insurance proceeds recovered under our business interruption and property damage insurance coverage for natural disasters.

General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense represents costs for our employees, such as salaries, bonuses, benefits and all other employee-related costs, including stock-based compensation, professional fees related to legal, accounting, human resources, finance and training, information technology and software services, marketing and communications, IPO costs, acquisition costs, travel and rent and other office-related expenses. General and administrative expense also includes depreciation on assets not classified as solar energy systems, including information technology software and development projects, vehicles, furniture, fixtures, computer equipment and leasehold improvements and accretion expense on AROs. We capitalize a portion of general and administrative costs, such as payroll-related costs, that is related to employees who are directly involved in the design, construction, installation and testing of the solar energy systems but not directly associated with a particular asset. We also capitalize a portion of general and administrative costs, such as payroll-related costs, that is related to employees who are directly associated with and devote time to internal information technology software and development projects, to the extent of the time spent directly on the application and development stage of such software project.

Other Operating Income.Other operating income primarily represents changes in the fair value of certain financial instruments.

Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense, net represents interest on our borrowings under our various debt facilities and amortization of debt discounts and deferred financing costs.

Interest Income. Interest income represents interest income from the notes receivable under our loan program and income on short term investments with financial institutions.

Loss on Extinguishment of Long-Term Debt, Net.Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, net resulted from a make-whole payment related to the early repayment of one of our solar asset-backed notes securitizations. See Note 7, Long-Term Debt, to our interim financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Other (Income) Expense.Other (income) expense primarily represents changes in the fair value of certain financial instruments.

Income Tax Expense. We account for income taxes under Accounting Standards Codification 740, Income Taxes. As such, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities based on temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of items for tax and financial reporting purposes. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. Additionally, we must assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered as deductions from future taxable income. We have a full valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets because we believe it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will not be realized. We evaluate the recoverability of our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis. The income tax expense includes the effects of taxes paid in U.S. territories where the tax code for the respective territory may have separate tax reporting requirements and taxes paid in states with pass-through entity taxes.

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Noncontrolling Interests. Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests represents tax equity interests in the net income or loss of certain consolidated subsidiaries based on hypothetical liquidation at book value.
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Results of Operations-Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2020

The following table sets forth our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations data for the periods indicated.

Three Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Revenue $ 68,901 $ 50,177 $ 18,724
Operating expense:
Cost of revenue-depreciation 19,665 15,113 4,552
Cost of revenue-other 7,342 1,403 5,939
Operations and maintenance 6,035 3,469 2,566
General and administrative 53,372 28,549 24,823
Other operating income (9,337) (6) (9,331)
Total operating expense, net 77,077 48,528 28,549
Operating income (loss) (8,176) 1,649 (9,825)
Interest expense, net 26,588 29,954 (3,366)
Interest income (9,098) (5,999) (3,099)
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, net - 50,721 (50,721)
Other expense 189 91 98
Loss before income tax (25,855) (73,118) 47,263
Income tax expense 64 176 (112)
Net loss (25,919) (73,294) 47,375
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests 1,622 (9,113) 10,735
Net loss attributable to stockholders $ (27,541) $ (64,181) $ 36,640

Revenue

Three Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
PPA revenue $ 25,359 $ 19,713 $ 5,646
Lease revenue 17,845 13,115 4,730
SREC revenue 12,858 14,147 (1,289)
Cash sales revenue 8,680 - 8,680
Loan revenue 2,126 788 1,338
Other revenue 2,033 2,414 (381)
Total $ 68,901 $ 50,177 $ 18,724

Revenue increased by $18.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily as a result of an increased number of solar energy systems in service and the April 2021 acquisition of SunStreet. The weighted average number of systems (excluding systems with loan agreements and cash sales)
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increased from approximately 80,200 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 to approximately 140,600 for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Excluding SREC revenue, revenue under our loan agreements and cash sales revenue, on a weighted average number of systems basis, revenue decreased from $439 per system for the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $322 per system for the same period in 2021 (27% decrease) primarily due to an increase in the number of service-only customers acquired from SunStreet, which generate significantly less revenue per customer. SREC revenue decreased by $1.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily as a result of a decrease in SREC prices in New Jersey. The fluctuations in SREC revenue from period to period are also affected by the total number of solar energy systems, weather seasonality and hedge and spot prices associated with the timing of the sale of SRECs. On a weighted average number of systems basis, revenues under our loan agreements increased from $53 per system for the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $72 per system for the same period in 2021 (36% increase) primarily due to (a) higher battery attachment rates and (b) increasing expected battery replacement costs which are included in the loan resulting in larger customer loan balances.

Cost of Revenue-Depreciation

Three Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue-depreciation $ 19,665 $ 15,113 $ 4,552

Cost of revenue-depreciation increased by $4.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the weighted average number of systems (excluding systems with loan agreements, service-only agreements and cash sales) from approximately 80,200 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 to approximately 104,400 for the three months ended September 30, 2021. On a weighted average number of systems basis, cost of revenue-depreciation remained relatively flat at $188 per system for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.

Cost of Revenue-Other

Three Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue-other $ 7,342 $ 1,403 $ 5,939

Cost of revenue-other increased by $5.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to costs related to cash sales revenue, which began with the April 2021 acquisition of SunStreet.

Operations and Maintenance Expense

Three Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Operations and maintenance $ 6,035 $ 3,469 $ 2,566

Operations and maintenance expense increased by $2.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to higher impairments and losses on disposals of assets, property insurance costs and meter replacement costs. Operations and maintenance expense per weighted average system, excluding net natural disaster losses and non-cash inventory impairment, remained relatively flat at $43 per system for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.

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General and Administrative Expense

Three Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
General and administrative $ 53,372 $ 28,549 $ 24,823

General and administrative expense increased by $24.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to increases of (a) $7.2 million of amortization expense primarily due to the amortization of intangible assets acquired from SunStreet, (b) $6.2 million of payroll and employee related expenses primarily due to the hiring of personnel to support growth and the acquisition of personnel from SunStreet, (c) $5.0 million of provision for current expected credit losses, (d) $2.2 million in consultants, contractors, and professional fees and (e) $1.6 million of transaction costs related to the Acquisition.

Other Operating Income

Other operating income increased by $9.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to the change in the fair value of contingent consideration.

Interest Expense, Net

Three Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Interest expense, net $ 26,588 $ 29,954 $ (3,366)

Interest expense, net decreased by $3.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020. This decrease was primarily due to decreases in amortization of debt discounts of $2.4 million and interest expense of $1.7 million due to more favorable terms of recent financing transactions.

Interest Income

Three Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Interest income $ 9,098 $ 5,999 $ 3,099

Interest income increased by $3.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the weighted average number of systems with loan agreements from approximately 14,800 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 to approximately 29,400 for the three months ended September 30, 2021. On a weighted average number of systems basis, loan interest income decreased from $401 per system for the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $303 per system for the three months ended September 30, 2021 primarily due to a decrease in the annual interest rate for new loans due to market conditions.

Loss on Extinguishment of Long-Term Debt, Net

Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, net decreased by $50.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to the conversion of approximately $84.8 million aggregate principal amount, including accrued and unpaid interest to the date of each conversion, of our 9.75% convertible senior notes that met the criteria for extinguishment accounting under GAAP during the three months ended September 30, 2020.

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Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense decreased by $0.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to a decrease in taxes incurred in jurisdictions with separate tax-reporting requirements.

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Noncontrolling Interests

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests changed by $10.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to income attributable to noncontrolling interests from tax equity funds added in 2019 and 2020.

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Results of Operations-Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

The following table sets forth our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations data for the periods indicated.

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Revenue $ 176,733 $ 122,796 $ 53,937
Operating expense:
Cost of revenue-depreciation 55,621 42,120 13,501
Cost of revenue-other 13,572 5,315 8,257
Operations and maintenance 14,640 8,614 6,026
General and administrative 144,028 84,575 59,453
Other operating income (5,303) (28) (5,275)
Total operating expense, net 222,558 140,596 81,962
Operating loss (45,825) (17,800) (28,025)
Interest expense, net 84,748 127,804 (43,056)
Interest income (24,266) (17,299) (6,967)
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, net 9,824 50,721 (40,897)
Other (income) expense 60 (175) 235
Loss before income tax (116,191) (178,851) 62,660
Income tax expense 64 176 (112)
Net loss (116,255) (179,027) 62,772
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests 7,665 (18,513) 26,178
Net loss attributable to stockholders $ (123,920) $ (160,514) $ 36,594

Revenue

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
PPA revenue $ 68,443 $ 52,268 $ 16,175
Lease revenue 51,765 36,995 14,770
SREC revenue 30,648 27,245 3,403
Cash sales revenue 15,618 - 15,618
Loan revenue 5,000 2,021 2,979
Other revenue 5,259 4,267 992
Total $ 176,733 $ 122,796 $ 53,937

Revenue increased by $53.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily as a result of an increased number of solar energy systems in service and the April 2021 acquisition of SunStreet. The weighted average number of systems (excluding systems with loan agreements and cash sales) increased from approximately 75,200 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 to approximately 119,700 for the nine
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months ended September 30, 2021. Excluding SREC revenue, revenue under our loan agreements and cash sales revenue, on a weighted average number of systems basis, revenue decreased from $1,244 per system for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 to $1,048 per system for the same period in 2021 (16% decrease) primarily due to an increase in the number of service-only customers acquired from SunStreet, which generate significantly less revenue per customer. SREC revenue increased by $3.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily as a result of an increase in the number of solar energy systems in service, which resulted in additional SREC production. The fluctuations in SREC revenue from period to period are also affected by the total number of solar energy systems, weather seasonality and hedge and spot prices associated with the timing of the sale of SRECs. On a weighted average number of systems basis, revenues under our loan agreements increased from $152 per system for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 to $201 per system for the same period in 2021 (32% increase) primarily due to (a) higher battery attachment rates and (b) increasing expected battery replacement costs which are included in the loan resulting in larger customer loan balances.

Cost of Revenue-Depreciation

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue-depreciation $ 55,621 $ 42,120 $ 13,501

Cost of revenue-depreciation increased by $13.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the weighted average number of systems (excluding systems with loan agreements, service-only agreements and cash sales) from approximately 75,200 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 to approximately 97,800 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. On a weighted average number of systems basis, cost of revenue-depreciation remained relatively flat at $560 per system for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $569 per system for the same period in 2021 (2% increase).

Cost of Revenue-Other

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue-other $ 13,572 $ 5,315 $ 8,257

Cost of revenue-other increased by $8.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to costs related to cash sales revenue, which began with the April 2021 acquisition of SunStreet.

Operations and Maintenance Expense

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Operations and maintenance $ 14,640 $ 8,614 $ 6,026

Operations and maintenance expense increased by $6.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to higher property insurance costs, impairments and losses on disposals of assets and meter replacement costs, offset by lower property tax expense. Operations and maintenance expense per weighted average system, excluding net natural disaster losses and non-cash inventory impairment, remained relatively flat at $114 per system for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.

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General and Administrative Expense

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
General and administrative $ 144,028 $ 84,575 $ 59,453

General and administrative expense increased by $59.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to increases of (a) $17.3 million of payroll and employee related expenses primarily due to equity-based compensation expense, the hiring of personnel to support growth and the acquisition of personnel from SunStreet, (b) $14.3 million of amortization expense primarily due to the amortization of intangible assets acquired from SunStreet, (c) $10.2 million of provision for current expected credit losses, (d) $7.1 million of transaction costs related to the Acquisition and (e) $4.6 million in consultants, contractors, and professional fees.

Other Operating Income

Other operating income increased by $5.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to the change in the fair value of contingent consideration.

Interest Expense, Net

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Interest expense, net $ 84,748 $ 127,804 $ (43,056)

Interest expense, net decreased by $43.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in realized losses on interest rate swaps of $37.0 million due to the termination of certain debt facilities in 2020, an increase in unrealized gains on interest rate swaps of $8.3 million and a decrease in amortization of debt discounts of $4.0 million. These were partially offset by an increase in amortization of deferred financing costs of $4.8 million.

Interest Income

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Interest income $ 24,266 $ 17,299 $ 6,967

Interest income increased by $7.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the weighted average number of systems with loan agreements from approximately 13,300 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 to approximately 24,900 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. On a weighted average number of systems basis, loan interest income decreased from $1,269 per system for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 to $958 per system for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 primarily due to a decrease in the annual interest rate for new loans due to market conditions.

Loss on Extinguishment of Long-Term Debt, Net

Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, net decreased by $40.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to the conversion of approximately $84.8 million aggregate principal amount, including accrued and unpaid interest to the date of each conversion, of our 9.75% convertible senior notes that met the criteria for extinguishment accounting under GAAP during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, offset by a make-whole payment related to the early repayment of one of our solar asset-backed notes securitizations during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
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Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense decreased by $0.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to a decrease in taxes incurred in jurisdictions with separate tax-reporting requirements.

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Noncontrolling Interests

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests changed by $26.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to income attributable to noncontrolling interests from tax equity funds added in 2019 and 2020.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2021, we had total cash of $520.3 million, of which $408.2 million was unrestricted, and $501.8 million of available borrowing capacity under our various financing arrangements. We seek to maintain diversified and cost-effective funding sources to finance and maintain our operations, fund capital expenditures, including customer acquisitions, and satisfy obligations arising from our indebtedness. For a discussion of cash requirements from contractual and other obligations, see Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, to our interim financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Historically, our primary sources of liquidity included non-recourse and recourse debt, investor asset-backed and loan-backed securitizations and cash generated from operations. Our business model requires substantial outside financing arrangements to grow the business and facilitate the deployment of additional solar energy systems. We will seek to raise additional required capital, including from new and existing tax equity investors, additional borrowings, securitizations and other potential debt and equity financing sources. We believe our cash and financing arrangements, as further described below, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next twelve months. As of September 30, 2021, we were in compliance with all debt covenants under our financing arrangements.

Financing Arrangements

The following is an update to the description of our various financing arrangements. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Financing Arrangements" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021 for a full description of our various financing arrangements.

Tax Equity Fund Commitments

As of September 30, 2021, we had undrawn committed capital of approximately $284.0 million under our tax equity funds, which may only be used to purchase and install solar energy systems. Additionally, in connection with the Acquisition, Lennar has committed to contribute an aggregate $200.0 million to four Sunnova tax equity funds, each formed annually during a period of four consecutive years commencing in 2021. In April 2021, we admitted tax equity investors with a total capital commitment of approximately $75.0 million. In May 2021, we admitted a tax equity investor with a total capital commitment of approximately $150.0 million. In July 2021, we admitted a tax equity investor with a total capital commitment of approximately $150.0 million.

Warehouse and Other Debt Financings

In January 2021, we amended the TEPH revolving credit facility entered into in September 2019 associated with one of our financing subsidiaries that owns certain tax equity funds to, among other things, (a) permit certain transactions in SRECs (or proceeds therefrom) and related hedging arrangements and exclude certain of such amounts from the calculation of net cash flow available to service the indebtedness and (b) allow for borrowings with respect to certain ancillary components. In February 2021, two of our subsidiaries used proceeds from the HELV Notes (as defined below) to repay $107.3 million and $29.5 million in aggregate principal amounts outstanding under their financing arrangements. In March 2021, we amended the revolving credit facility entered into in April 2017 to, among other things, (a) extend the maturity date to November 2023 and (b) increase the maximum facility amount from $200.0 million to $350.0 million. In April 2021, in connection with the Acquisition, we entered into an arrangement to finance the purchase of $29.0 million of inventory at an annual interest rate of 6.00% plus LIBOR (or acceptable replacement index) over twelve months (the "MR Note"). In May 2021, one of our subsidiaries used proceeds from the 0.25% convertible senior notes to fully repay the aggregate principal amount outstanding under its financing arrangement of $48.2 million and the credit facility was terminated. In July 2021, two of our subsidiaries
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used proceeds from the HELVI Notes to repay $144.0 million and $24.9 million in aggregate principal amounts outstanding under their financing arrangements. In August 2021, the aggregate principal amount of the MR Note was increased to $32.3 million as part of the purchase price adjustments. In August 2021, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the MR Note of $23.7 million was fully repaid. In September 2021, we amended the TEPH revolving credit facility to, among other things, modify the hedging requirements to be based on borrowing capacity until March 2022, rather than amount currently borrowed. In October 2021, we amended the TEPH revolving credit facility to, among other things, update the LIBOR transition terms and transfer a portion of the loan commitment to an additional lender.

Securitizations

In February 2021, one of our subsidiaries issued $150.1 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-A Class A solar loan-backed notes and $38.6 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-A Class B solar loan-backed notes (collectively, the "HELV Notes") with a maturity date of February 2048. The HELV Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 1.80% and 3.15% for the Class A and Class B notes, respectively. In June 2021, one of our subsidiaries issued $319.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-1 solar asset-backed notes (the "SOLIII Notes") with a maturity date of April 2056. The SOLIII Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 2.58%. In June 2021, we used proceeds from the SOLIII Notes to fully repay the aggregate principal amount outstanding on our Series 2017-1 solar asset-backed notes of $205.7 million and terminated the credit facility. In July 2021, one of our subsidiaries issued $106.2 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-B Class A solar loan-backed notes and $106.2 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-B Class B solar loan-backed notes with a maturity date of July 2048. The HELVI Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 1.62% and 2.01% for the Class A and Class B notes, respectively. In October 2021, one of our subsidiaries issued $68.4 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-C Class A solar loan-backed notes, $55.9 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-C Class B solar loan-backed notes and $31.5 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-C Class C solar loan-backed notes with a maturity date of October 2048. The HELVII Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 2.03%, 2.33% and 2.63% for the Class A, Class B and Class C notes, respectively.

Senior Notes

In January and February 2021, the remaining holders of our 9.75% convertible senior notes converted approximately $97.1 million aggregate principal amount, including accrued and unpaid interest to the date of each conversion, of our 9.75% convertible senior notes into 7,196,035 shares of our common stock. As of February 23, 2021, all of the holders of our 9.75% convertible senior notes have converted their notes into common stock. As such, there are no longer any 9.75% convertible senior notes outstanding. In May 2021, we issued and sold an aggregate principal amount of $575.0 million of our 0.25% convertible senior notes in a private placement at a discount to the initial purchasers of 2.5%, for an aggregate purchase price of $560.6 million. The 0.25% convertible senior notes mature in December 2026 unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or converted. In connection with the pricing of the 0.25% convertible senior notes, we used proceeds of $91.7 million to enter into privately negotiated capped call transactions, which are expected to reduce the potential dilution to common shares and/or offset potential cash payments that could be required to be made in excess of the principal amount upon any exchange of notes. Such reduction and/or offset is subject to a cap initially equal to $60.00 per share, subject to adjustments. In August 2021, we issued and sold an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million of our 5.875% senior notes ("5.875% senior notes") in a private placement at a discount to the initial purchasers of 1.24%, for an aggregate purchase price of $395.0 million. The 5.875% senior notes mature in September 2026.

Historical Cash Flows-Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated:

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021 2020 Change
(in thousands)
Net cash used in operating activities $ (146,847) $ (101,796) $ (45,051)
Net cash used in investing activities (847,181) (594,275) (252,906)
Net cash provided by financing activities 1,136,404 757,469 378,935
Net increase in cash and restricted cash $ 142,376 $ 61,398 $ 80,978

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Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities increased by $45.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase is primarily a result of increases in purchases of inventory and prepaid inventory of $57.1 million and payments to dealers for exclusivity and other bonus arrangements of $1.3 million. This increase is offset by a decrease in net inflows of $9.6 million in 2021 compared to net outflows of $37.4 million in 2020 based on: (a) our net loss of $116.3 million in 2021 excluding non-cash operating items of $125.9 million, primarily from depreciation, impairments and losses on disposals, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts, unrealized net gains on derivatives, unrealized net gains on fair value instruments, losses on extinguishment of long-term debt and equity-based compensation charges, which results in net inflows of $9.6 million and (b) our net loss of $179.0 million in 2020 excluding non-cash operating items of $141.6 million, primarily from depreciation, impairments and losses on disposals, amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts, unrealized net losses on derivatives, payment-in-kind interest on debt, unrealized net gains on fair value instruments, losses on extinguishment of long-term debt and equity-based compensation charges, which results in net outflows of $37.4 million. These net differences between the two periods resulted in a net change in operating cash flows of $47.0 million in 2021 compared to 2020.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased by $252.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase is primarily a result of an increase in payments for investments and customer notes receivable of $553.5 million in 2021 compared to $180.7 million in 2020. This increase is partially offset by purchases of property and equipment, primarily solar energy systems, of $344.0 million in 2021 compared to $439.9 million in 2020 and proceeds from customer notes receivable of $47.3 million (of which $35.1 million was prepaid) in 2021 compared to $25.0 million (of which $20.1 million was prepaid) in 2020.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities increased by $378.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase is primarily a result of increases in net borrowings under our debt facilities of $1.0 billion in 2021 compared to $512.2 million in 2020, net contributions from our redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests of $216.0 million in 2021 compared to $192.9 million in 2020 and proceeds from the issuance of common stock of $9.9 million in 2021 compared to $4.3 million in 2020. This increase is partially offset by the purchase of capped call transactions of $91.7 million in 2021 and net proceeds from the equity component of a debt instrument of $73.7 million in 2020.

Seasonality

The amount of electricity our solar energy systems produce is dependent in part on the amount of sunlight, or irradiation, where the assets are located. Because shorter daylight hours in winter months and poor weather conditions due to rain or snow results in less irradiation, the output of solar energy systems will vary depending on the season or the year. While we expect seasonal variability to occur, the geographic diversity in our assets helps to mitigate our aggregate seasonal variability.

Our Easy Plan PPAs with variable billing are subject to seasonality because we sell all the solar energy system's energy output to the customer at a fixed price per kWh. Our Easy Plan PPAs with balanced billing are not subject to seasonality (from a cash flow perspective or the customer's perspective) within a given year because the customer's payments are levelized on an annualized basis so we insulate the customer from monthly fluctuations in production. However, our Easy Plan PPAs with balanced billing are subject to seasonality from a revenue perspective because, similar to the Easy Plan PPAs with variable billing, we sell all the solar energy system's energy output to the customer. Our lease agreements are not subject to seasonality within a given year because we lease the solar energy system to the customer at a fixed monthly rate and the reference period for any production guarantee payments is a full year. Finally, our loan agreements are not subject to seasonality within a given year because the monthly installment payments for the financing of the customers' purchase of the solar energy system are fixed and the reference period for any production guarantee is a full year.

In addition, weather may impact our dealers' ability to install solar energy systems and energy storage systems. For example, the ability to install solar energy systems and energy storage systems during the winter months in the Northeastern U.S. is limited. This can impact the timing of when solar energy systems and energy storage systems can be installed and when we can acquire and begin to generate revenue from solar energy systems and energy storage systems.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements. We consolidate all our securitization vehicles and tax equity funds.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our interim financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, cash flows and related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. In many instances, we could have reasonably used different accounting estimates, and in other instances, changes in the accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Our future financial statements will be affected to the extent our actual results materially differ from these estimates. For further information on our significant accounting policies, see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021 and Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, to our interim financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

We identify our most critical accounting policies as those that are the most pervasive and important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations, and that require the most difficult, subjective, and/or complex judgments by management regarding estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. We believe the assumptions and estimates associated with our principles of consolidation, acquisitions, the estimated useful life of our solar energy systems, the valuation assumptions regarding AROs and the valuation assumptions regarding redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests have the greatest subjectivity and impact on our interim financial statements. Therefore, we consider these to be our critical accounting policies and estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, to our interim financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are exposed to various market risks in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk is the potential loss that may result from market changes associated with our business or with an existing or forecasted financial or commodity transaction. Our primary exposure includes changes in interest rates because certain borrowings bear interest at floating rates based on LIBOR or a similar index plus a specified margin. We sometimes manage our interest rate exposure on floating-rate debt by entering into derivative instruments to hedge all or a portion of our interest rate exposure on certain debt facilities. We do not enter into any derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Changes in economic conditions could result in higher interest rates, thereby increasing our interest expense and operating expenses and reducing funds available to capital investments, operations and other purposes. A hypothetical 10% increase in our interest rates on our variable-rate debt facilities would have increased our interest expense by $0.4 million and $1.4 millionfor the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and our Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. In connection with that evaluation, our CEO and our CFO concluded our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to provide reasonable assurance the information required to be disclosed is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms as of September 30, 2021, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. The term "disclosure controls and procedures", as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a
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company that are designed to ensure information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We completed the acquisition of SunStreet in April 2021. We will exclude SunStreet's internal control over financial reporting from the scope of management's 2021 annual assessment of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. This exclusion is in accordance with the general guidance issued by the Staff of the SEC that an assessment of a recent business combination may be omitted from management's report on internal control over financial reporting in the first year of consolidation.

In connection with the Acquisition, we are integrating SunStreet's internal controls over financial reporting into our financial reporting framework. Such integration has resulted and may continue to result in changes that materially affect our internal control over financial reporting (as described in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Other than the changes that have and may continue to result from such integration, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the third quarter of 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives as specified above. However, our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent or detect all error and fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation, claims and government proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, we are not a party to any litigation or governmental or other proceeding we believe will have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In the ordinary course of business, we have disputes with dealers and customers. In general, litigation claims or regulatory proceedings can be expensive and time consuming to bring or defend against, may result in the diversion of management attention and resources from our business and business goals and could result in settlement or damages that could significantly affect financial results and the conduct of our business.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes in the risks facing us as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on July 29, 2021 except as described below.

Risks Related to Our Business

The phase-out of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") may adversely affect a portion of our outstanding debt.

In July 2017, the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. In November 2020, ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator of LIBOR, with the support of the United States Federal Reserve and the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, announced plans to consult on ceasing publication of USD LIBOR on December 31, 2021 for only the one week and two month USD LIBOR tenors, and on June 30, 2023 for all other USD LIBOR tenors. While this announcement extends the transition period to June 2023, the United States Federal Reserve concurrently issued a statement advising banks to stop new USD LIBOR issuances by the end of 2021. The United States Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large United States financial institutions (the "ARRC"), has proposed a new index calculated by short term repurchase agreement, backed by Treasury securities called the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") as an alternative to LIBOR for use in contracts that are currently indexed to USD LIBOR and has proposed a paced market transition plan to SOFR. In July 2021, the ARRC formally recommended SOFR as its preferred alternative replacement rate for USD LIBOR. In light of these recent announcements, the future of LIBOR at this time is uncertain and any changes in the methods by which LIBOR is determined or regulatory activity related to LIBOR's phaseout could cause LIBOR to perform differently than in the past or cease to exist. Changes in the method of determining LIBOR, or the replacement of LIBOR with SOFR or an alternative floating borrowing rate, may adversely affect our borrowing costs. Certain of our debt instruments have interest rates that are LIBOR based and will not have matured prior to the phase-out of LIBOR. Although SOFR appears to be the preferred replacement rate of USD LIBOR at this time, we cannot predict the effect of the potential changes to LIBOR or the establishment and use of alternative floating borrowing rates on the portion of our outstanding debt that is LIBOR based. Challenges in changing to a different borrowing rate may result in less favorable pricing on certain of our debt instruments and could have an adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

We and our dealers depend on a limited number of suppliers of solar energy system components and technologies to adequately meet demand for our solar energy systems. Due to the limited number of suppliers in our industry, the acquisition of any of these suppliers by a competitor or any shortage, delay, price change, imposition of tariffs or duties or other limitation in our or our dealers' ability to obtain components or technologies we use could result in sales and installation delays, cancelations and loss of customers.

We rely on our dealers to install solar energy systems and energy storage systems, each of whom has direct supplier arrangements. Our dealers purchase solar panels, inverters, energy storage systems and other system components and instruments from a limited number of suppliers, approved by us, making us susceptible to quality issues, shortages and price changes. If one or more of the suppliers we and our dealers rely upon to meet anticipated demand ceases or reduces production due to its financial condition, acquisition by a competitor or otherwise, is unable to increase production as industry demand increases or is otherwise unable to allocate sufficient production to us and our dealers, it may be difficult to quickly identify alternative suppliers or to qualify alternative products on commercially reasonable terms and our ability and the ability of our dealers to satisfy this demand may be adversely affected. While we believe there are other sources of supply for these products available, a dealer's need to transition to a new supplier may result in additional costs and delays in originating solar service agreements and deploying our related solar energy systems or energy storage systems, which in turn may result in additional
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costs and delays in our acquisition of such solar service agreements and related solar energy systems and energy storage systems. These issues could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

There have also been periods of industry-wide shortages of key components and instruments, including batteries and inverters, in times of rapid industry growth. The manufacturing infrastructure for some of these components has a long lead-time, requires significant capital investment and relies on the continued availability of key commodity materials, potentially resulting in an inability to meet demand for these components. The solar industry is currently experiencing rapid growth and, as a result, shortages of key components or instruments, including solar panels, may be more likely to occur, which in turn may result in price increases for such components. Even if industry-wide shortages do not occur, suppliers may decide to allocate key components or instruments with high demand or insufficient production capacity to more profitable customers, customers with long-term supply agreements or customers other than us, our dealers or other third parties from whom we may originate solar energy systems and our ability to originate solar service agreements and related solar energy systems and energy storage systems may be reduced as a result.

Our supply chain and operations (or those of our dealers) could be subject to natural disasters and other events beyond our control, such as earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, droughts, tornadoes, power outages or other natural disasters, the effects of climate change and related extreme weather, public health issues and pandemics, war, terrorism, government restrictions or limitations on trade, impediments to international shipping and geo-political unrest and uncertainties. Human rights and forced labor issues in foreign countries and the U.S. government's response to them could disrupt our supply chain and our operations could be adversely impacted.

Historically, we and our dealers have relied on foreign suppliers for a number of solar energy system components, instruments and technologies that our dealers purchase. Our success in the future may be dependent on our dealers' ability to import or transport such products from overseas vendors in a timely and cost-effective manner. We and our dealers may rely heavily on third parties, including ocean carriers and truckers, both of which are experiencing disruptions, shortages and rate increases, in that process.

The global shipping industry is experiencing ocean shipping disruptions, trucking shortages, increased ocean shipping rates and increased trucking and fuel costs. There is currently a shortage of shipping capacity from China and other parts of Asia, and as a result, our dealers' receipt of imported products may be disrupted or delayed. The shipping industry is also experiencing issues with port congestion and pandemic-related port closures and ship diversions. Disruptions related to the global COVID-19 pandemic are expected to continue to affect trans-Pacific shipping from China, and we cannot predict when these disruptions will end. The global shipping industry is also experiencing unprecedented increases in shipping rates from the trans-Pacific ocean carriers due to various factors, including limited availability of shipping capacity. Our dealers may find it necessary to rely on an increasingly expensive spot market and other alternative sources to make up any shortfall in shipping needs.

If our dealers cannot obtain substitute materials or components on a timely basis or on acceptable terms, they could be prevented from installing our solar energy systems within the time frames required in our customer contracts. Any such delays could increase our overall costs, reduce our profit, delay the timing for solar energy systems to be placed in service and ultimately have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Additionally, if the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, including the accompanying travel restrictions and business closures, continue for an extended period of time or worsen, the supply and pricing of our inverters and other goods and therefore the ability of our dealers to install new solar energy systems could be adversely affected. The extent of the impact of the coronavirus on our business and operations will depend on, among other factors, the duration and severity of the outbreak, travel restrictions and business closures imposed in China or other countries, the ability of our suppliers to increase their production of goods in jurisdictions other than China, our ability to contract for supply from other sources on acceptable terms and the willingness of our lenders to permit us to switch suppliers.

Increases in the cost or reduction in supply of PV system and energy storage system components due to tariffs or trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. government could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

China is a major producer of solar cells and other solar products. Certain solar cells, modules, laminates and panels from China are subject to various U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty rates, depending on the exporter supplying the product, imposed by the U.S. government as a result of determinations that the U.S. was materially injured as a result of such imports being sold at less than fair value and subsidized by the Chinese government. While historically our dealers have purchased a number of these products from manufacturers in China, currently such purchases are immaterial and sourced from manufacturers in other jurisdictions. If these alternative sources are no longer available on competitive terms in the future, we
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and our dealers may seek to purchase these products from manufacturers in China. In addition, tariffs on solar cells, modules and inverters in China may put upward pressure on prices of these products in other jurisdictions from which our dealers currently purchase equipment, which could reduce our ability to offer competitive pricing to potential customers.

The antidumping and countervailing duties discussed above are subject to annual review and may be increased or decreased. Furthermore, under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (the "USTR") imposed tariffs on $200 billion worth of imports from China, including inverters and certain alternating current modules and non-lithium-ion batteries, effective September 24, 2018. In May 2019, the tariffs were increased from 10% to 25% and may be raised by the USTR in the future. Since these tariffs impact the purchase price of the solar products, these tariffs raise the cost associated with purchasing these solar products from China and reduce the competitive pressure on providers of solar cells not subject to these tariffs.

In August 2021, an anonymous trade group filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Commerce requesting an investigation into whether solar panels and cells imported from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam are circumventing anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed on solar products manufactured in China. The group also requested the imposition of tariffs on such imports ranging from 50% - 250%. The Department of Commerce has not yet reached a decision on whether to investigate and is requesting additional information from the petitioners. If enacted, these or similar tariffs could put upward pressure on prices of these solar products, which could reduce our ability to offer competitive pricing to potential customers.

In addition, in January 2018, the President of the United States announced, effective February 7, 2018, the imposition of a global 30% ad valorem tariff, with certain qualifications and exceptions, on certain imported solar cells and modules, which steps down by five percentage points each year and then phases out in 2022. Since such actions increase the cost of imported solar products, to the extent we or our dealers use imported solar products or domestic producers are able to raise their prices for their solar products, the overall cost of the solar energy systems will increase, which could inhibit our ability to offer competitive pricing in certain markets.

Additionally, the U.S. government has imposed various trade restrictions on Chinese entities determined to be acting contrary to U.S. foreign policy and national security interests. For example, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security has added a number of Chinese entities to its entity list for enabling human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region ("XUAR") or for procuring U.S. technology to advance China's military modernization efforts, thereby imposing severe trade restrictions against these designated entities. Moreover, on June 23, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a Withhold Release Order pursuant to Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 excluding the entry into U.S. commerce silica-based products (such as polysilicon) manufactured by Hoshine Silicon Industry Co. Ltd. ("Hoshine") and related companies, as well as goods made using those products, based on allegations relating to Hoshine labor practices in the XUAR to manufacture such products. Additionally, proposed legislation in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate seeks to ban the import of all goods from the XUAR over allegations of widespread, state-backed forced labor in the region. Although we maintain policies and procedures to maintain compliance with all governmental laws and regulations, these and other similar trade restrictions that may be imposed against Chinese entities in the future may have the effect of restricting the global supply of, and raising prices for, polysilicon and solar products, which could increase the overall cost of solar energy systems and reduce our ability to offer competitive pricing in certain markets.

We cannot predict what additional actions the U.S. may adopt with respect to tariffs or other trade regulations or what actions may be taken by other countries in retaliation for such measures. If additional measures are imposed or other negotiated outcomes occur, our ability or the ability of our dealers to purchase these products on competitive terms or to access specialized technologies from other countries could be further limited, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The installation and operation of solar energy systems and energy storage systems depends heavily on suitable solar and meteorological conditions, which may be impacted by the effects of climate change. If meteorological conditions are unexpectedly unfavorable, the electricity production from our solar energy systems may be substantially below our expectations and our ability to timely deploy new solar energy systems and energy storage systems may be adversely impacted.

The energy produced and the revenue and cash receipts generated by a solar energy system depend on suitable solar, atmospheric and weather conditions, all of which are beyond our control. Our economic model and projected returns on our solar energy systems require achievement of certain production results from our systems and, in some cases, we guarantee these results to our consumers. If the solar energy systems underperform for any reason, our business could suffer. For example, the amount of revenue we recognize in a given period from our PPAs and the amount of our obligations under the performance guarantees of our solar service agreements are dependent in part on the amount of energy generated by solar energy systems
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under such solar service agreements. As a result, revenue derived from our standard PPAs is impacted by seasonally shorter daylight hours in winter months. In addition, the ability of our dealers to install solar energy systems and energy storage systems is impacted by weather. For example, the ability to install solar energy systems and energy storage systems during the winter months in the Northeastern U.S. is limited. Such solar, atmospheric and weather conditions can delay the timing of when solar energy systems and energy storage systems can be installed and when we can originate and begin to generate revenue from solar energy systems. This may increase our expenses and decrease revenue and cash receipts in the relevant periods. Furthermore, climate change could exacerbate the frequency and severity of weather events in all areas where we operate. Climate change or other factors could also cause prevailing weather patterns to materially change in the future, making it harder to predict the average annual amount of sunlight striking each location where we install a solar energy system and energy storage system. Potential negative effects of climate change include, among others, a temporary decrease in solar availability in certain locations, disruptions in transmission grids and delays or reductions in new installations. These or other effects could make our solar energy systems less economical overall or make individual solar energy systems less economical. Any of these effects on meteorological conditions could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be subject to interruptions or failures in our information technology systems.

We rely on information technology systems and infrastructure to support our business. Any of these systems may be susceptible to damage or interruption due to fire, floods, power loss, telecommunication failures, usage errors by employees, computer viruses, cyberattacks or other security breaches or similar events. For example, we have in the past experienced cybersecurity attacks on our information technology systems or relating to software we utilize, and, while none to date have been material, we expect further attacks may occur in the future, some of which may be material. A compromise of our information technology systems or those with which we interact could harm our reputation and expose us to regulatory actions and claims from customers and other persons, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. If our information systems are damaged, fail to work properly or otherwise become unavailable, we may incur substantial costs to repair or replace them and we may experience a loss of critical information, customer disruption and interruptions or delays in our ability to perform essential functions.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Not applicable.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
Indenture, dated July 27, 2021, among Sunnova Helios VI Issuer, LLC, and Wilmington Trust, National Association.
4.2
Form of 1.62% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2021-B Class A Notes due 2028 (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.3
Form of 2.01% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2021-B Class B Notes due 2028 (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.4
4.5
10.1∞
Purchase Agreement, dated July 21, 2021, among Sunnova Helios VI Issuer, LLC, Sunnova Helios VI Depositor, LLC, Sunnova Energy Corporation, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Popular Securities LLC.
10.2
10.3
Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, by and among Sunnova TEP Holdings, LLC, Sunnova TE Management, LLC, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch, the Funding Agents from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and U.S. Bank National Association, dated September 15, 2021.
10.4∞
Purchase Agreement, dated October 19, 2021, among Sunnova Helios VII Issuer, LLC, Sunnova Helios VII Depositor, LLC, Sunnova Energy Corporation, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Popular Securities LLC.
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Linkbase Document.
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document).
__________________
∞ Portions of this exhibit have been omitted.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

SUNNOVA ENERGY INTERNATIONAL INC.
Date: October 28, 2021 By: /s/ William J. Berger
William J. Berger
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: October 28, 2021 By: /s/ Robert L. Lane
Robert L. Lane
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

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