false 0001772695 0001772695 2024-06-05 2024-06-05

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): June 6, 2024 (June 5, 2024)

 

 

Sunnova Energy International Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-38995   30-1192746

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

20 East Greenway Plaza, Suite 540

Houston, Texas 77046

(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

(281) 892-1588

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2):

 

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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 is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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. ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

The Guaranteed Loan Agreement

On June 5, 2024, a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary (the “Borrower”) of Sunnova Energy International Inc. (the “Company”), entered into a loan and security agreement (the “Guaranteed Loan Agreement”) with a wholly owned, direct subsidiary (the “Lender”) of the Company, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as agent (the “Agent”), and the U.S. Department of Energy, acting by and through the Secretary of Energy, as guarantor (the “Guarantor”), pursuant to which the Lender issued a term loan (the “Guaranteed Loan”) to the Borrower (the “Guaranteed Loan Transaction”).

The Guaranteed Loan is secured by the guaranteed loan collateral which consists primarily of all right, title and interest of the Borrower in a portfolio of solar loans made to consumers for the purpose of installing residential photovoltaic and/or energy storage systems. Sunnova ABS Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned, direct subsidiary of the Company (the “Manager”), will act as manager and servicer pursuant to the terms of a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) and servicing agreement (the “Servicing Agreement”) between the Borrower and the Manager. The Manager will provide, or cause to be provided, all operations, maintenance, administrative, collection and other management and servicing services for the Borrower and in respect of the solar loans.

The Guaranteed Loan Agreement contains events of default that are customary in nature for solar securitizations of this type, including, among other things, (a) the non-payment of interest, (b) material violations of covenants, (c) material breaches of representations and warranties, (d) certain bankruptcy events and (e) certain change of control events. An event of default will also occur with respect to the Guaranteed Loan if it is not paid in full at its rated final maturity. The Guaranteed Loan is also subject to amortization events that are customary in nature for solar securitizations of this type, including (a) the occurrence of an event of default, (b) the removal, bankruptcy or insolvency of the Manager, (c) failure to refinance or repay the outstanding loan balance in full by the anticipated repayment date and (d) the cumulative default level rising above certain levels. The occurrence of an amortization event or an event of default could result in accelerated amortization of the Guaranteed Loan, and the occurrence of an event of default could, in certain instances, result in the liquidation of the collateral securing the Guaranteed Loan. In connection with the Guaranteed Loan Transaction, Sunnova Energy Corporation (“SEC”), a wholly owned, direct subsidiary of the Company, issued a performance guaranty covering (a) the performance of certain obligations of its affiliates, (b) the performance obligations of the Manager under the Management Agreement and Servicing Agreement and (c) certain expenses incurred by the Borrower and the Agent.

Proceeds from the Guaranteed Loan will be used to acquire and finance the guaranteed loan collateral, and thereafter for a portion of certain costs of financing the installation of energy systems outfitted with the Company’s purpose-built technology.

The foregoing description of the Guaranteed Loan Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Guaranteed Loan Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated into this Item 1.01 by reference.

The Guarantee Issuance Agreement

On June 5, 2024, the Borrower, the Lender, SEC, the Manager, the Guarantor, acting by and through the Secretary of Energy, and the Agent entered into a guarantee issuance agreement (the “Guarantee Issuance Agreement” and, together with the Guaranteed Loan Transaction, the “Guarantee-Related Transactions”) pursuant to which the Guarantor issued a partial guarantee of up to 90% of the initial principal balance of the Guaranteed Loan. In connection with the Guarantee-Related Transactions, SEC allocated to the Lender $168,900,000.00 of the loan guarantee commitment authority available to SEC pursuant to that certain Loan Guarantee Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2023 (the “LGA”), among SEC, the Manager and the Guarantor. There remains $2,920,433,333.33 of loan guarantee commitment authority available to the Company under to the LGA.

The foregoing description of the Guarantee Issuance Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Guarantee Issuance Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated into this Item 1.01 by reference.

The Indenture

On June 5, 2024, a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary (the “Issuer”) of the Company, entered into an indenture (the “Indenture”) with Wilmington Trust, National Association, as the indenture trustee, and completed an issuance of solar loan backed notes that were issued pursuant to the Indenture (together with the Guarantee-Related Transactions, the “Transactions”).


The Issuer issued $152,010,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.63% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1 Class 1-A (the “Class 1-A Notes”) and $16,890,000 aggregate principal amount of 9.50% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1 Class 2-A (the “Class 2-A Notes” and, collectively with the Class 1-A Notes, the “Notes”). The Notes have an anticipated repayment date of June 20, 2034.

The Notes were offered within the United States only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), to institutional accredited investors under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and to persons outside of the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction. The Class 1-A Notes and the Class 2-A Notes have been rated AAA(sf) and BB(sf), respectively, by Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC and the Class 1-A Notes have been rated AA(sf) by Fitch Ratings, Inc. Fitch Ratings, Inc. did not rate the Class 2-A Notes.

The Notes are secured by, and payable from the cash flow generated by, the Issuer’s membership interests in the Lender and the Lender’s rights as payee of the Guaranteed Loan.

The Indenture contains events of default that are customary in nature for solar securitizations of this type, including, among other things, (a) the non-payment of interest, (b) material violations of covenants, (c) material breaches of representations and warranties and (d) certain bankruptcy events. An event of default will also occur with respect to the Notes if they are not paid in full at their rated final maturity or if an event of default occurs under the Guaranteed Loan. The occurrence of an event of default could result in accelerated amortization of the Notes and, in certain instances, result in the liquidation of the collateral securing the Notes.

The Company used the proceeds from the sale of the Class 1-A Notes and the Class 2-A Notes to fund the Guaranteed Loan.

The foregoing description of the Indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Indenture, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated into this Item 1.01 by reference.

 

Item 2.03.

Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information relating to the Transactions set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

The following materials are filed as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.1*    Loan and Security Agreement, by and among Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC, Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC, the United States Department of Energy, as guarantor, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as agent, dated as of June 5, 2024.
10.2*    Guarantee Issuance Agreement, by and among Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC, Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC, Sunnova ABS Management, LLC, as servicer and manager, Sunnova Energy Corporation, as sponsor, the United States Department of Energy, as guarantor, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as agent, dated as of June 5, 2024.
10.3*    Indenture, by and between Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as indenture trustee, dated as of June 5, 2024.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document).

 

*

Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Items 601(a)(5) and 601(b)(10). The Company agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.


SIGNATURE

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

  SUNNOVA ENERGY INTERNATIONAL INC.
Date: June 6, 2024      By:  

/s/ David Searle

      David Searle
     

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer

EXHIBIT 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

dated as of June 5, 2024

among 

SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC,

as Borrower

SUNNOVA HESTIA II LENDER, LLC

as Lender

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Agent for the Lender

and

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY,

as Guarantor

 

 

 

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION   HEADING      PAGE  
  ARTICLE I   
  DEFINITIONS   

Section 1.01.

  General Definitions and Rules of Construction      2  

Section 1.02.

  Calculations      2  
  ARTICLE II   
  THE LOAN   

Section 2.01.

  The Loan      2  

Section 2.02.

  Loan Procedures      3  

Section 2.03.

  Use of Proceeds      3  

Section 2.04.

  Payment of Interest      3  

Section 2.05.

  Payment of Principal      4  

Section 2.06.

  Borrower Secured Obligations      4  

Section 2.07.

  Form of Loan Note      4  

Section 2.08.

  Conditions Precedent to Closing      4  

Section 2.09.

  Conditions Precedent to the Acquisition of Subsequent Solar Loans      7  
  ARTICLE III   
  COVENANTS; COLLATERAL; REPRESENTATIONS; WARRANTIES   

Section 3.01.

  Performance of Obligations      8  

Section 3.02.

  Negative Covenants      10  

Section 3.03.

  Money for Loan Payments      10  

Section 3.04.

  Restriction of Borrower Activities      11  

Section 3.05.

  Protection of Collateral      12  

Section 3.06.

  Opinions and Officer’s Certificate as to Collateral      14  

Section 3.07.

  Statement as to Compliance      14  

Section 3.08.

  Schedule of Solar Loans      15  

Section 3.09.

  Recording      15  

Section 3.10.

  Agreements Not to Institute Bankruptcy Proceedings; Additional Covenants      15  

Section 3.11.

  Providing of Notice      18  

Section 3.12.

  Representations and Warranties of the Borrower      18  

Section 3.13.

  Representations and Warranties of the Agent      22  

Section 3.14.

  Knowledge      23  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- i -


    ARTICLE IV       
    MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING OF SOLAR LOANS       

Section 4.01.

  Management Agreement      23  
    ARTICLE V       
    ACCOUNTS, COLLECTIONS, PAYMENTS OF INTEREST       
    AND PRINCIPAL, RELEASES, AND STATEMENTS TO LENDER       

Section 5.01.

  Accounts      25  

Section 5.02.

  Equipment Replacement Reserve Account      29  

Section 5.03.

  Reserve Account      30  

Section 5.04.

  Section 25D Interest Account      32  

Section 5.05.

  Prefunding Account and Capitalized Interest Account      32  

Section 5.06.

  Collection Account; Lender Account.      33  

Section 5.07.

  Distribution of Funds in the Collection Account      34  

Section 5.08.

  Equity Contribution      37  

Section 5.09.

  Tax Withholding      37  

Section 5.10.

  Statements to Lender; Tax Returns      38  

Section 5.11.

  Reports by Agent      38  

Section 5.12.

  Final Balances      38  

Section 5.13.

  [Reserved]      38  

Section 5.14.

  The Guarantee Issuance Agreement.      38  
    ARTICLE VI       
    VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT OF LOAN AND RELEASE OF COLLATERAL       

Section 6.01.

  Voluntary Prepayment      40  

Section 6.02.

  Notice of Voluntary Prepayment      41  

Section 6.03.

  [Reserved.]      41  

Section 6.04.

  Release of Collateral      41  
    ARTICLE VII       
    THE AGENT       

Section 7.01.

  Appointment of Agent      43  

Section 7.02.

  Duties of Agent      43  

Section 7.03.

  Manager Termination Event, Servicer Termination Event, or Event of Default      45  

Section 7.04.

  Rights of Agent      45  

Section 7.05.

  Not Responsible for Recitals, Issuance of Loan Note or Application of Moneys as Directed      48  

Section 7.06.

  Money Held in Trust      48  

Section 7.07.

  Compensation and Reimbursement      48  

Section 7.08.

  Eligibility; Disqualification      50  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- ii -


Section 7.09.

  Agent Capital and Surplus      50  

Section 7.10.

  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor      50  

Section 7.11.

  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor      51  

Section 7.12.

  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Agent      51  

Section 7.13.

  Co-Agent and Separate Agent      52  

Section 7.14.

  Books and Records      53  

Section 7.15.

  Control      53  

Section 7.16.

  Suits for Enforcement      54  

Section 7.17.

  Compliance with Applicable Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Regulations      54  

Section 7.18.

  Authorization      54  
  ARTICLE VIII   
  [RESERVED]   
  ARTICLE IX   
  EVENT OF DEFAULT   

Section 9.01.

  Events of Default      54  

Section 9.02.

  Actions of Agent      56  

Section 9.03.

  Agent May File Proofs of Claim      56  

Section 9.04.

  Agent May Enforce Claim Without Possession of the Loan Note      57  

Section 9.05.

  Knowledge of Agent      57  

Section 9.06.

  Application of Proceeds Upon Foreclosure      57  

Section 9.07.

  Proceeds received by the Agent in connection with a foreclosure on the Collateral shall be, based on the Monthly Servicer Report, distributed in accordance with the Priority of Payments (without giving effect to clauses (vi), (vii) and (x) thereof)      58  

Section 9.07.

  Unconditional Right of the Lender to Receive Principal and Interest      58  

Section 9.08.

  Restoration of Rights and Remedies      58  

Section 9.09.

  Rights and Remedies Cumulative      58  

Section 9.10.

  Delay or Omission; Not Waiver      58  

Section 9.11.

  Control by the Controlling Party      58  

Section 9.12.

  Waiver of Certain Events by the Controlling Party      59  

Section 9.13.

  Undertaking for Costs      59  

Section 9.14.

  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws      59  

Section 9.15.

  Sale of Collateral      59  

Section 9.16.

  Action on the Loan Note      60  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- iii -


  ARTICLE X   
  SUPPLEMENTAL LOAN AGREEMENTS   

Section 10.01.

  Amendments Without Lender or Guarantor Approval      61  

Section 10.02.

  Amendments with Consent of the Lender and the Guarantor      61  

Section 10.03.

  Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Loan Agreements      62  

Section 10.04.

  Effect of Amendments      62  

Section 10.05.

  Agent to Act on Instructions      62  
  ARTICLE XI   
  [RESERVED]   
  ARTICLE XII   
  MISCELLANEOUS   

Section 12.01.

  Compliance Certificates and Opinions; Furnishing of Information      63  

Section 12.02.

  Form of Documents Delivered to the Agent      63  

Section 12.03.

  Acts of the Lender      64  

Section 12.04.

  Notices, Etc.      65  

Section 12.05.

  Notices and Reports to the Lender; Waiver of Notices      66  

Section 12.06.

  Loan Note. The Agent shall have possession of the Loan Note until the termination of this Agreement, as provided in Section 13.01. The Lender, for itself and the Guarantor, is the payee on behalf of other Persons; in such capacity, it has no duty or other obligation to any person other than (a) the receipt and disbursement of payments on the Loan Note as provided in the Loan Documents, to the extent actually received by it as payee on behalf of other Persons and (b) upon the termination of this Agreement and its receipt of the Loan Note, to mark the Loan Note “Paid” or its equivalent and return the Loan Note to the Borrower      67  

Section 12.07.

  Borrower Obligation      67  

Section 12.08.

  Enforcement of Benefits      67  

Section 12.09.

  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents      68  

Section 12.10.

  Successors and Assigns      68  

Section 12.11.

  Separability      68  

Section 12.12.

  Benefits of this Loan Agreement      68  

Section 12.13.

  Legal Holidays      68  

Section 12.14.

  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial      68  

Section 12.15.

  Electronic Signatures and Counterparts      69  

Section 12.16.

  Recording of Loan      69  

Section 12.17.

  Further Assurances      69  

Section 12.18.

  No Bankruptcy Petition Against the Borrower      69  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- iv -


Section 12.19.

  No Transfer and Assignment Without Consent      70  

.

  The Lender shall not transfer or assign the Loan Note (or any interest therein) and, other than as permitted hereunder, each of the Agent, the Borrower and the Lender shall not transfer or assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, in each case, without the prior written consent of the Controlling Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that the Lender intends to collaterally assign, among other things, all of the Lender’s rights and remedies under this Loan Agreement and the Loan Note to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the related Indenture. The Guarantor acknowledges and consents to any such assignment and pledge of all of the Lender’s rights under this Loan Agreement and the Loan Note (collectively, the “Assigned Rights”) to the Indenture Trustee on behalf of holders of ABS Notes. The parties hereto agree that to the extent the Lender assigns and pledges its rights under this Loan Agreement as described above, all the representations and warranties contained in this Loan Agreement and the rights of the Lender under this Loan Agreement and the Loan Note will benefit the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the holders of the ABS Notes. The Guarantor acknowledges that the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the holders of the ABS Notes may, in the exercise of its rights and remedies pursuant to the related Indenture and other transaction documents related to the related ABS Notes (the related “Capital Markets Documents”) make all demands, give all notices, take all actions and exercise all rights of the Lender in respect of the Assigned Rights and, to the extent the Lender would have been permitted by this Loan Agreement to make such demands, give such notices, take such actions and exercise such rights (including directly enforce, without making any prior demand on the Borrower, all the rights of the Lender hereunder).      70  

Section 12.20.

  Guarantor Termination      70  

Section 12.21.

  In the event the Guarantee Issuance Agreement is terminated for any reason, the Guarantor shall cease to be a party hereto and any references to the Guarantor herein shall be of no force or effect.      70  

Section 12.21.

  Multiple Roles      70  

Section 12.22.

  Rule 15Ga-1 Compliance      70  

Section 12.23.

  PATRIOT Act      71  
    ARTICLE XIII       
    TERMINATION       

Section 13.01.

  Termination of Loan Agreement      72  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- v -


ANNEX A      Standard Definitions
SCHEDULE I      Schedule of Solar Loans
EXHIBIT A      Form of Loan Note
EXHIBIT B      Form of Borrowing Request
EXHIBIT C      Form of Notice of Voluntary Prepayment
EXHIBIT D      Form of Equity Distribution Certificate
EXHIBIT E      Form of Prefunding Certificate
EXHIBIT F      Form of Prefunding Notice
EXHIBIT G      Entrenched Conditions

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- vi -


LOAN AGREEMENT

THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of June 5, 2024, by and among SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), SUNNOVA HESTIA II LENDER, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Lender”), WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent and as collateral agent (the “Agent”) and the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (the “Guarantor”), acting by and through the Secretary of Energy (or the appropriate authorized representative thereof).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lender provide a loan for the Borrower’s acquisition of the Eligible Solar Loans (as defined herein);

WHEREAS, the Lender is willing to provide such loan (the “Loan”) upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, concurrent with the extension of the Loan, the Guarantor shall issue a guarantee of a portion of the Loan pursuant to that certain Guarantee Issuance Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Guarantor, the Lender, the Borrower and the Agent; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

GRANTING CLAUSE

The Borrower hereby Grants to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as their interests may appear, a first priority perfected security interest in all of the Borrower’s rights, title, interest and benefits, whether now existing or hereafter arising, in and to (i) the Initial Solar Loans, any Subsequent Solar Loans and any Qualified Substitute Solar Loans, (ii) all Solar Loan Files related to the Solar Loans and any property or assets of the Consumer Obligors pledged as collateral under a Solar Loan to secure the repayment of such Solar Loan, including without limitation the related PV System and/or BESS System, each now and hereafter owned, (iii) each Customer Contract including the right to (a) receive all amounts due under or required to be paid pursuant to such Customer Contract on and after the related Cut-Off Date (including all interest capitalized and added to the Solar Loan Balance of a Solar Loan on a Section 25D Credit Payment Date, if any), (b) all security interests, liens and assignments securing payment of such Customer Contract and (c) all books, records and computer tapes relating to such Customer Contract; (iv) the Borrower’s rights in the Electronic Vault, (v) all rights and remedies under the Contribution Agreement, the Performance Guaranty, the Management Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Custodial Agreement, the Guarantee Issuance Agreement, any Letter of Credit and all other Loan Documents, (vi) amounts (including all amounts collected from each Consumer Obligor under its Customer Contract) deposited from time to time into the Lockbox Account, the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Section 25D Interest Account, the Prefunding Account, the Capitalized Interest Account and all amounts deposited from time to time and all Eligible Investments in each such account, (vii) all other assets of the Borrower, and (viii) the proceeds of any and all of the foregoing including all proceeds of the conversion, voluntary or involuntary, of any of the foregoing into cash or other property (collectively, the “Collateral”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral shall not include (x) any returned items required to be returned to the financial institution maintaining the Lockbox Account, (y) Consumer Obligor Security Deposits on deposit in the Consumer Obligor Security Deposit Account and (z) amounts received relating to Grid Services.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 


Such Grant is made to secure payments of amounts due with respect to the Loan and to secure (i) the payment of all amounts on the Loan Note as such amounts become due in accordance with its terms; (ii) the payment of all other sums payable in accordance with the provisions of this Loan Agreement; and (iii) compliance with the provisions of this Loan Agreement, all as provided in this Loan Agreement.

The Agent acknowledges such Grant, accepts the Collateral hereunder in accordance with the provisions of this Loan Agreement, and agrees to perform the duties herein required pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Loan Agreement and subject to the conditions hereof.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01. General Definitions and Rules of Construction. Except as otherwise specified or as the context may otherwise require, capitalized terms used in this Loan Agreement shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Standard Definitions attached hereto as Annex A, which is hereby incorporated by reference into this Loan Agreement as if set forth fully in this Loan Agreement. The rules of construction set forth in Annex A shall apply to this Loan Agreement and are hereby incorporated by reference into this Loan Agreement as if set forth fully in this Loan Agreement.

Section 1.02. Calculations. Calculations required to be made pursuant to this Loan Agreement shall be made on the basis of information or accountings as to payments on the Loan Note furnished by the Servicer. Except to the extent they are incorrect on their face, such information or accountings may be conclusively relied upon in making such calculations, but to the extent that it is later determined that any such information or accountings are incorrect, appropriate corrections or adjustments shall be made.

ARTICLE II

THE LOAN

Section 2.01. The Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Loan Agreement, the Lender agrees to make a single Loan to the Borrower with an initial principal balance of $168,900,000 (the “Initial Outstanding Loan Balance”). The Loan shall be comprised of Component 1, Component 2 and the DOE Component. The initial Component 1 Balance shall be $152,010,000 (the “Initial Outstanding Component 1 Balance”), the initial Component 2 Balance shall be $16,890,000 (the “Initial Outstanding Component 2 Balance”) and the initial DOE Component Balance shall be $0 (the “Initial Outstanding DOE Component Balance”). Amounts borrowed hereunder and subsequently repaid may not be re-borrowed.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 2.02. Loan Procedures. The Borrower may request the Lender to make the Loan to the Borrower by the delivery to the Agent and the Lender on the proposed borrowing date of a written notice in the form of Exhibit B (a “Borrowing Request”). Such notice shall specify (i) the Initial Outstanding Loan Balance, (ii) the Initial Component 1 Balance, the Initial Component 2 Balance and the Initial DOE Component Balance and (iii) the date of borrowing. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Sections 2.08 and 2.09 hereof, the Lender shall make the Loan in the amount of the Initial Outstanding Loan Balance to the Borrower in the manner set forth in the Borrowing Request.

Section 2.03. Use of Proceeds. Upon receipt by the Agent in the Lender Account from the Lender of the proceeds of the Loan, the Agent shall, based on the Borrowing Request, cause the proceeds of the Loan to be made in accordance with the Borrowing Request.

Section 2.04. Payment of Interest.

(a) The Lender and the Guarantor shall, subject to the priorities and conditions set forth in the Priority of Payments, be entitled to receive payments of interest on each Payment Date.

(b) On each Payment Date, the Interest Distribution Amount for each Component shall be distributed to the extent Borrower Available Funds are sufficient for such distribution in accordance with the Priority of Payments. Interest on each Component of the Loan with respect to any Payment Date shall accrue at the Component 1 Rate, the Component 2 Rate or the DOE Component Rate, as applicable, based on the Interest Accrual Period.

(c) If the Outstanding Component 1 Balance or the Outstanding Component 2 Balance has not been paid in full on or before the then-current Anticipated Repayment Date (if any), additional interest (the “Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts”) shall begin to accrue during each Interest Accrual Period thereafter on the Outstanding Component 1 Balance or the Outstanding Component 2 Balance, as applicable, at the related Post-ARD Additional Interest Rate. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if a Permitted Refinancing occurs after the Anticipated Repayment Date for the prior financing of the Loan, Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts will cease accruing hereunder until the Anticipated Repayment Date for such Permitted Refinancing and (ii) if there is no anticipated repayment date in a Permitted Refinancing, Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts will cease accruing hereunder on the date such Permitted Refinancing is effected. Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts, if any, shall only be due and payable (i) after the Outstanding Loan Balance has been paid in full in accordance with the Priority of Payments or (ii) on the date on which a Voluntary Prepayment in full pursuant to Section 6.01(c) hereof is made. Prior to such time, the Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts accruing on the Outstanding Component 1 Balance and the Outstanding Component 2 Balance, shall be deferred and added to any Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts previously deferred and remaining unpaid (“Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts”). Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts shall not bear additional interest on any unpaid amounts after the date such Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts have initially been accrued.

(d) Interest Distribution Amounts will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 2.05. Payment of Principal. The Lender and the Guarantor shall, to the extent Borrower Available Funds are sufficient for such distribution in accordance with the Priority of Payments, be entitled to receive payments of principal on each Payment Date. The maturity date for this facility is the Maturity Date and notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the Outstanding Loan Balance of the Loan and the other Borrower Secured Obligations owing under this Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon, shall be due and payable in full, if not due and payable earlier, on the Maturity Date. At the earlier of (i) the acceleration of the Loan and (ii) the Maturity Date, any Guaranteed Principal Amounts that were deemed paid by the Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.4(b) of the Guarantee Issuance Agreement but were not actually paid by the Guarantor will (a) be reinstated to the Outstanding Component 1 Balance and any accrued and unpaid interest on such deemed payments (as of the date such payments were deemed to be paid) will be due and payable in respect of Component 1 and (b) the Outstanding DOE Component Balance and other Guarantor Reimbursable Amounts will be correspondingly reduced; provided that the foregoing reinstatement of Outstanding Component 1 Balance with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon and the corresponding reduction of the Outstanding DOE Component Balance and other Guarantor Reimbursable Amounts shall not occur if the Guarantor has initiated payment of such amounts to the Lender. To the extent the Lender receives proceeds in respect of the Outstanding Component 1 Balance in connection with a foreclosure on the Collateral while Guarantee Demand Requests for such amounts remain outstanding under the Guarantee Issuance Agreement, the Guarantee Demand Requests for such amounts under the Guarantee Issuance Agreement shall automatically be reduced by the amount of such proceeds. Additionally, to the extent any Guarantee Demand Requests by the Agent have been withdrawn, any payments from the Guarantor received by the Lender in respect of withdrawn Guarantee Demand Requests shall be promptly returned to the Guarantor.

Section 2.06. Borrower Secured Obligations. All other payments with respect to Borrower Secured Obligations shall be made to the extent Borrower Available Funds are sufficient for such distribution in accordance with the Priority of Payments.

Section 2.07. Form of Loan Note. The Loan shall be evidenced by a Loan Note, substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Loan Agreement, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Borrower, as evidenced by its execution thereof.

Section 2.08. Conditions Precedent to Closing. The following conditions shall be satisfied on or before the Closing Date:

(a) Closing Documents. The Agent, the Lender and the Guarantor shall have received each of the following documents:

(i) this Loan Agreement;

(ii) the Loan Note (the original to the Agent, and a copy to each of the Lender and the Guarantor);

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(iii) the Guarantee Issuance Agreement;

(iv) the Management Agreement;

(v) the Servicing Agreement;

(vi) the Custodial Agreement;

(vii) the Performance Guaranty;

(viii) the Account Control Agreement; and

(ix) the Contribution Agreement.

(b) Secretary’s Certificate. The Agent, the Lender and the Guarantor shall have received: (i) a certificate from the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary of each of the Agent, the Custodian, the Back-Up Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Performance Guarantor, the Manager, the Servicer, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender and the Borrower (x) attesting to the resolutions of such Person’s members, managers or other governing body authorizing its execution, delivery, and performance of this Loan Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, (y) authorizing specific Responsible Officers for such Person to execute the same, and (z) attesting to the incumbency and signatures of such specific Responsible Officers; (ii) copies of governing documents, as amended, modified, or supplemented prior to the Closing Date of each such Person, in each case certified by the Secretary of such Person; and (iii) a certificate of status with respect to each of such Person, dated within fifteen (15) days of the Closing Date, such certificate to be issued by the appropriate officer of the jurisdiction of organization of such entity, which certificate shall indicate that such entity is in good standing in such jurisdiction.

(c) Officer’s Certificates. The Agent, the Lender and the Guarantor shall have received (i) an Officer’s Certificate of an Authorized Officer of Performance Guarantor, the Manager, the Servicer, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender and the Borrower, stating that (x) all representations and warranties of such Person contained in the Loan Documents are true and correct and no defaults exist under the Loan Documents; (y) the issuance of the Loan, the conveyance of the Conveyed Property by it, if applicable, and the performance by it of its obligations under the applicable Loan Documents will not result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any other constituent documents of such Person or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which such Person is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any Proceeding to which such Person is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject, and (z) that all conditions precedent set forth in Sections 2.08 have been fully satisfied and (ii) an Officer’s Certificate of an Authorized Officer of each of the Agent, the Custodian, the Back-Up Servicer and the Transition Manager, stating that all representations and warranties of such Person contained in the Loan Documents are true and correct and no defaults exist under the Loan Documents;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(d) Legal Opinions. The Agent, the Lender and the Guarantor shall have received customary opinions in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, the Lender and the Guarantor, from counsel to each of the Guarantor, the Agent, the Custodian, the Back-Up Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Performance Guarantor, the Manager, the Servicer, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender and the Borrower addressing (i) authorization and enforceability of the Loan Documents and other corporate matters, (ii) security interest and UCC matters and (iii) true sale and non-consolidation matters.

(e) Acquisition of Initial Solar Loans. All conditions to the related purchase of the Initial Solar Loans under the Contribution Agreement shall have been satisfied.

(f) Termination of Liens. The Agent, the Lender and the Guarantor shall have received all applicable UCC termination statements or partial releases (collectively, the “Termination Statements”) terminating the Liens of creditors of Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender and each of their respective Affiliates and any other Person with respect to any part of the Collateral (except as expressly contemplated by the Transaction Documents) and the Financing Statements (which shall constitute all of the Perfection UCCs with respect to the Closing Date) to the proper Person for filing to perfect the Agent’s first priority Lien on the Collateral, subject to Permitted Liens.

(g) Establishment of Accounts. (i) The Lender and the Guarantor shall have received evidence that the Agent has established the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Section 25D Interest Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account and (ii) the Agent, Lender and the Guarantor shall have received evidence that Sunnova Energy has established the Consumer Obligor Security Deposit Account;

(h) Closing Date Certification. The Agent, the Lender and the Guarantor shall have received an executed Closing Date Certification from the Custodian.

(i) Ratings. KBRA shall have delivered to the Agent, the Lender and the Guarantor a rating letter assigning a rating to (i) the Guaranteed Loan of at least “BB(sf)” or (ii) the class of ABS Notes relating to Component 2 of at least “BB(sf)”.

(j) Collections. The Servicer shall have deposited or shall have caused to be deposited all amounts received in respect of the Initial Solar Loans since the Initial Cut-Off Date into the Collection Account (other than Consumer Obligor Security Deposits received from a Consumer Obligor, which shall be deposited by the Servicer into the Consumer Obligor Security Deposit Account, and amounts received relating to Grid Services).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(k) Account Deposits. The Reserve Account Required Balance shall have been deposited into the Reserve Account and the Section 25D Interest Account Required Amount shall have been deposited into the Section 25D Interest Account, the Prefunding Account Initial Deposit shall have been deposited into the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account Deposit shall have been deposited into the Capitalized Interest Account.

(l) Absence of Specified Events. No Amortization Event, Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the Borrower receiving the Loan or from the application of the proceeds therefrom.

(m) Borrowing Request. The Agent and the Lender shall have received a Borrowing Request in accordance with Section 2.02.

(n) ABS Notes. The ABS Notes shall have been issued.

Section 2.09. Conditions Precedent to the Acquisition of Subsequent Solar Loans.

(a) The Borrower may acquire Solar Loans during the Prefunding Period only upon the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(i) On or prior to each Transfer Date, the Borrower shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the Agent, the following:

(A) a duly executed Subsequent Solar Loan Assignment with respect to the related Subsequent Solar Loans;

(B) at least five Business Days prior to such Transfer Date an executed Prefunding Notice relating to such Subsequent Solar Loan Transfer together with an electronic transmission of an updated Schedule of Solar Loans in a format acceptable to the Agent; and

(C) a Prefunding Certificate executed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower relating to such Subsequent Solar Loan Transfer attaching an updated Schedule of Solar Loans.

(ii) On or prior to each Transfer Date, the Custodian shall have delivered to the Agent, the Guarantor and the Lender an executed Transfer Date Certification.

(iii) No Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would be caused by such Subsequent Solar Loan Transfer.

(iv) The Servicer shall have deposited in the Collection Account all Collections received by the Servicer in respect of the related Subsequent Solar Loans since the related Cut-Off Date (other than Consumer Obligor Security Deposits received from a Consumer Obligor, which shall be deposited by the Servicer into the Consumer Obligor Security Deposit Account, and amounts received relating to Grid Services).

(v) The Prefunding Termination Date shall not have occurred.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(vi) The Borrower shall have taken all actions required to maintain the first priority perfected ownership interest of the Borrower and the Agent in the Collateral (including the related Subsequent Solar Loans and any rights related thereto).

(vii) If the Reserve Account Required Balance exceeds the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account as of such Transfer Date, an amount equal to such difference shall have been deposited into the Reserve Account.

(viii) The Section 25D Interest Account Required Amount, if any, for each related Subsequent Solar Loan shall have been deposited into the Section 25D Interest Account.

(b) Upon receipt of a Prefunding Notice, the Agent shall (i) withdraw funds from the Prefunding Account in an amount equal to the lesser of (x) the product of the aggregate Cut-Off Date Solar Loan Balance of the Subsequent Solar Loans acquired on such Transfer Date and the Initial Advance Rate and (y) the amount then on deposit in the Prefunding Account (such amount, the “Subsequent Solar Loan Prefunding Withdrawal Amount”) and (ii) forward such Subsequent Solar Loan Prefunding Withdrawal Amount on such Transfer Date for application to the Acquisition Price of such Subsequent Solar Loans in accordance with the Contribution Agreement, in cash by federal wire transfer funds, in each case solely pursuant to the written directions provided to the Agent in the Prefunding Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, the Agent shall have no obligation to calculate the Subsequent Solar Loan Prefunding Withdrawal Amount.

ARTICLE III

COVENANTS; COLLATERAL; REPRESENTATIONS; WARRANTIES

Section 3.01. Performance of Obligations. (a) The Borrower shall not take any action or permit any action to be taken by others which would release any Person from any of such Person’s covenants or obligations in any Loan Document or under any instrument or agreement included in the Collateral or that would result in the amendment, hypothecation, subordination, termination or discharge of, or impair the validity or effectiveness of, any such instrument or agreement, except as ordered by any bankruptcy or other court or as permitted by, or expressly provided in this Loan Agreement, the Loan Documents or such other instrument or agreement.

(b) To the extent consistent with the Borrower Operating Agreement, the Borrower may contract with other Persons to assist it in performing its duties hereunder, and any performance of such duties shall be deemed to be action taken by the Borrower. To the extent that the Borrower contracts with other Persons which include or may include the furnishing of reports, notices or correspondence to the Agent or the Controlling Party, the Borrower shall identify such Persons in a written notice to the Agent and the Controlling Party.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(c) The Borrower shall and shall require that Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer and the Lender characterize (i) each transfer of the Conveyed Property by Sunnova Intermediate Holdings to Sunnova Hestia Holdings, each transfer of the Conveyed Property by Sunnova Hestia Holdings to the Depositor, each transfer of the Conveyed Property by the Depositor to the Capital Markets Issuer, each transfer of the Conveyed Property by the Capital Markets Issuer to the Lender, and each transfer of the Conveyed Property by the Lender to the Borrower, in each case pursuant to the Contribution Agreement as an absolute transfer for legal purposes, (ii) the Grant of the Collateral by the Borrower under this Loan Agreement as a pledge for financial accounting purposes, and (iii) the Loan as indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes (unless otherwise required by Applicable Law) and for financial accounting purposes. In this regard, the financial statements of SEI and its consolidated subsidiaries shall show the Solar Loans as owned by the consolidated group and the Loan as indebtedness of the consolidated group (and shall contain appropriate footnotes stating that the assets of the Borrower shall not be available to creditors of SEI, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, or the Depositor or any other Person), and the U.S. federal income Tax Returns of SEI and its consolidated subsidiaries that are regarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall indicate that the Loan is indebtedness unless otherwise required by Applicable Law. The Borrower shall cause Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, and the Depositor to file all required Tax Returns and associated forms, reports, schedules and supplements thereto in a manner consistent with such characterizations unless otherwise required by Applicable Law.

(d) The Borrower covenants to pay, or cause to be paid, all Taxes or other similar charges levied by any governmental authority with regard to the Collateral, except to the extent that the validity or amount of such Taxes is contested in good faith, via appropriate Proceedings and with adequate reserves established and maintained therefor in accordance with GAAP.

(e) The Borrower hereby assumes liability for all liabilities associated with the Collateral or created under this Loan Agreement, including but not limited to any obligation arising from the breach or inaccuracy of any representation, warranty or covenant of the Borrower set forth herein except as provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower has and shall have no liability with respect to the payment of principal and interest on the Loan, except as otherwise provided in this Loan Agreement.

(f) The Borrower shall perform and observe all of its obligations and agreements contained in this Loan Agreement, the Loan Documents and in the instruments and agreements included in the Collateral, including, but not limited to, preparing (or causing to be prepared) and filing (or causing to be filed) all UCC financing statements and continuation statements required to be filed by the terms of this Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with and within the time periods provided for herein and therein. Except as otherwise expressly provided therein, the Borrower shall not waive, amend, modify, supplement or terminate any Loan Document or any provision thereof without the consent of the Agent (acting at the direction of the Controlling Party).

(g) If an Event of Default or Manager Termination Event shall arise from the failure of the Manager to perform any of its duties or obligations under the Management Agreement, the Borrower shall take all reasonable steps available to it to remedy such failure, including appointing a replacement Manager pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(h) If an Event of Default or Servicer Termination Event shall arise from the failure of the Servicer to perform any of its duties or obligations under the Servicing Agreement, the Borrower shall take all reasonable steps available to it to remedy such failure, including appointing a replacement Servicer pursuant to the terms of the Servicing Agreement.

(i) The Borrower, or the Servicer on behalf of the Borrower, shall supply to the Agent for further distribution to the Lender and the Controlling Party (or its or their duly authorized representatives or agents, as the case may be), at the time and in the manner required by applicable Treasury Regulations, and to the extent required by applicable Treasury Regulations, information with respect to any original issue discount accruing on the Loan.

(j) The Borrower agrees to promptly notify the Agent in writing, such notice to be made available to the Lender and the Controlling Party, if it obtains actual knowledge that any Electronic Vault is terminated or the underlying control arrangements for any Electronic Vault are changed in any manner that could reasonably be expected to be adverse to the Secured Parties and if any authoritative electronic copies of Solar Loans stored therein are no longer held within an Electronic Vault or are otherwise removed from an Electronic Vault.

Section 3.02. Negative Covenants. In addition to the restrictions and prohibitions set forth in Sections 3.04 and 3.11 and elsewhere herein, the Borrower shall not:

(a) sell, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of any portion of its interest in the Collateral except as expressly permitted by this Loan Agreement or the other Loan Documents;

(b) permit the validity or effectiveness of this Loan Agreement or any Grant hereunder to be impaired or permit any Person to be released from any covenants or obligations under this Loan Agreement, except as may be expressly permitted hereby or under any other Loan Document;

(c) create, incur or suffer, or permit to be created or incurred or to exist any Lien on any of the Collateral or permit the Lien created by this Loan Agreement not to constitute a valid first priority, perfected Lien on the Collateral, in each case subject to Permitted Liens;

(d) take any action or fail to take any action which action or failure to act may cause the Borrower to become classified as an association, a publicly traded partnership or a taxable mortgage pool that is taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or

(e) act in violation of its organization documents.

Section 3.03. Money for Loan Payments. (a) All payments with respect to the Loan Note which are to be made from amounts withdrawn from the Collection Account pursuant to the Priority of Payments shall be made on behalf of the Borrower by the Agent, and no amounts so withdrawn from an Account for payments with respect to the Loan Note shall be paid over to the Borrower under any circumstances except as provided in this Section 3.03 and Article V.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(b) Any money held by the Agent in trust for the payment of any amount payable but unclaimed with respect to the Loan Note shall be held in a non-interest bearing trust account, and if the same remains unclaimed for two years after such amount has become due to the Lender or the Guarantor, such money shall be discharged from such trust and paid to the Borrower upon a Borrower Order without any further action by any Person; and the Lender and/or the Guarantor shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Borrower for payment thereof (but only to the extent of the amounts so paid to the Borrower), and all liability of the Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease. The Agent may adopt and employ, at the expense of the Borrower, any reasonable means of notification of such payment (including, but not limited to, mailing notice of such payment to the Lender and/or the Guarantor).

Section 3.04. Restriction of Borrower Activities. Until the date that is 365 days after the Termination Date, the Borrower shall not on or after the date of execution of this Loan Agreement:

(a) engage in any business or investment activities other than those necessary for, incident to, connected with or arising out of, owning and Granting the Collateral to the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, or contemplated hereby, in the Loan Documents, the Transaction Documents and the Borrower Operating Agreement;

(b) incur any indebtedness secured in any manner by, or having any claim against, the Collateral or the Borrower other than indebtedness arising hereunder and in connection with the Loan Documents and as otherwise expressly permitted in a Loan Document;

(c) incur any other indebtedness except as permitted in the Borrower Operating Agreement;

(d) amend, or propose to any party any amendment of, the Borrower Operating Agreement (or, if the Borrower shall be a successor to the Person named as the Borrower in the first paragraph of this Loan Agreement, amend, consent to amendment or propose any amendment of, the governing instruments of such successor), without giving notice thereof in writing, 30 days prior to the date on which such amendment is to become effective, to the Rating Agency and the Controlling Party;

(e) except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents, sell, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of any of the properties or assets of the Borrower, including those included in the Collateral;

(f) claim any credit on, or make any deduction from the principal or interest payable in respect of, the Loan (other than amounts properly withheld from such payments under the Code) or assert any claim against any present or former Secured Party by reason of the payment of the Taxes levied or assessed upon any part of the Collateral;

(g) permit the validity or effectiveness of this Loan Agreement to be impaired, or permit the Lien in favor of the Agent created by this Loan Agreement to be amended, hypothecated, subordinated, terminated or discharged, or permit any Person to be released from any covenants or obligations with respect to the Loan under this Loan Agreement except as may be expressly permitted hereby;

(h) permit the Lien of this Loan Agreement not to constitute a valid perfected first priority (other than with respect to a Permitted Lien) Lien on the Collateral; or

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(i) dissolve, liquidate, merge or consolidate with any other Person, other than in compliance with Section 3.10 if the Outstanding Loan Balance is greater than zero.

Section 3.05. Protection of Collateral. (a) The Borrower intends the Lien Granted pursuant to this Loan Agreement in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to be prior to all other Liens in respect of the Collateral, subject to Permitted Liens, and the Borrower shall take all actions necessary to obtain and maintain, in favor of the Secured Parties, a first priority, perfected Lien on the Collateral, subject to Permitted Liens. Subject to Section 3.05(f), the Borrower shall from time to time prepare, execute (or authorize the filing of) and deliver all such supplements and amendments hereto and all such financing statements, continuation statements, instruments of further assurance, and other instruments, and shall take such other action as may be necessary or advisable to:

(i) provide further assurance with respect to such Grant and/or Grant more effectively all or any portion of the Collateral;

(ii) (A) maintain and preserve the Lien (and the priority thereof) in favor of the Agent created by this Loan Agreement and (B) enforce the terms and provisions of this Loan Agreement or carry out more effectively the purposes hereof;

(iii) perfect or protect the validity of, any Grant made or to be made by this Loan Agreement;

(iv) enforce its rights under the Loan Documents; or

(v) preserve and defend title to any asset included in the Collateral and the rights of the Secured Parties in the Collateral against the claims of all Persons.

The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent file-stamped copies of, or filing receipts for, any document recorded, registered or filed as provided above, as soon as available following such recording, registration or filing. The Borrower shall cooperate fully with the Agent in connection with the obligations set forth above and shall execute (or authorize the filing of) any and all documents reasonably required to fulfill the intent of this Loan Agreement.

(b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints the Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (such appointment being coupled with an interest) to execute, or authorize the filing of, upon the Borrower’s failure to do so, any financing statement or continuation statement required pursuant to this Section 3.05(b); provided, however, that such designation shall not be deemed to create any duty in the Agent to monitor the compliance of the Borrower with the foregoing covenants; and provided further, that the Agent shall only be obligated to execute or authorize such financing statement or continuation statement upon written direction of the Servicer and upon written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Agent of the failure of the Borrower to comply with the provisions of Section 3.05(a); shall not be required to pay any fees, Taxes or other governmental charges in connection therewith; and shall not be required to prepare any financing statement or continuation statement required pursuant to this Section 3.05 (which shall in each case be prepared by the Borrower or the Servicer). The Borrower shall cooperate with the Servicer and provide to the Servicer any information, documents or instruments with respect to such

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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financing statement or continuation statement that the Servicer may reasonably require. Neither the Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, attorneys or agents shall be responsible or liable for the existence, genuineness, value or protection of any collateral securing the Loan, for the legality, enforceability, effectiveness or sufficiency of the Loan Documents or any financing statement or continuation statement for the creation, perfection, continuation, priority, sufficiency or protection of any of the liens, or for any defect or deficiency as to any such matters, for monitoring the status of any lien or performance of the collateral or for the accuracy or sufficiency of any financing statement or continuation statement prepared for its execution or authorization hereunder.

(c) Except as necessary or advisable in connection with the fulfillment by the Agent of its duties and obligations described herein or in any other Loan Document, the Agent shall not remove any portion of the Collateral that consists of money or is evidenced by an instrument, certificate or other writing from the jurisdiction in which it was held as described in the most recent Opinion of Counsel that was delivered pursuant to Section 3.06 (or from the jurisdiction in which it was held as described in the Opinion of Counsel delivered at the Closing Date pursuant to Section 2.08(c), if no Opinion of Counsel has yet been delivered pursuant to Section 3.06) unless the Agent shall have first received an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Lien created by this Loan Agreement with respect to such property shall continue to be maintained after giving effect to such action or actions.

(d) No later than 30 days prior to any of Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender or the Borrower making any change in its or their name, identity, jurisdiction of organization or structure which would make any financing statement or continuation statement filed in accordance with clause (a) above seriously misleading within the meaning of Section 9-506 of the UCC as in effect in New York or wherever else necessary or appropriate under Applicable Law, or otherwise impair the perfection of the Lien on the Collateral, the Borrower shall give or cause to be given to the Agent written notice of any such change and shall file such financing statements or amendments as may be necessary to continue the perfection of the Agent’s Lien on the Collateral. None of Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender or the Borrower shall become or seek to become organized under the laws of more than one jurisdiction.

(e) The Borrower shall give the Agent written notice at least 30 days prior to any relocation of Sunnova Intermediate Holdings’, Sunnova Hestia Holdings’, the Depositor’s, the Capital Markets Issuer’s, the Lender’s or the Borrower’s respective principal executive office or jurisdiction of organization and whether, as a result of such relocation, the applicable provisions of relevant law or the UCC would require the filing of any amendment of any previously filed financing or continuation statement or of any new financing statement and shall file such financing statements or amendments as may be necessary to continue the perfection of the Agent’s Lien on the Collateral. The Borrower shall at all times maintain its principal executive office and jurisdiction of organization within the United States of America.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

13


(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.05 or otherwise in this Loan Agreement, UCC Fixture Filings shall be maintained in the name of the initial Servicer, as secured party of record, on behalf of the Borrower and the Agent. A UCC Fixture Filing may, or at the direction of the Borrower or the Servicer shall, be released by the secured party in connection with a Consumer Obligor refinancing transaction or sale of the related home, so long as the Servicer re-files the UCC Fixture Filing within 10 Business Days of obtaining knowledge of, but no later than 45 calendar days of, the closing of such refinancing or sale (if applicable). Following an Event of Default or the removal of Sunnova Management as Servicer following a Servicer Termination Event, the Servicer shall cause each UCC Fixture Filing to be assigned to the Agent as secured party. To the extent the Servicer fails to do so, the Agent is authorized to do so, but only if the Agent is given a written direction or an Opinion of Counsel specifying the jurisdictions in which such filings shall be made and attaching copies of the applicable assignments of the UCC Fixture Filings to be filed by the Agent.

Section 3.06. Opinions and Officer’s Certificate as to Collateral. (a) On the Closing Date and, if requested by the Agent on the date of each supplemental agreement hereto, the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, in the opinion of such counsel, either (i) such action has been taken with respect to the recording and filing of the requisite documents (except as set forth in Section 3.05(f) and assuming the filing of any required financing statements and continuation statements) as are necessary to perfect and make effective the Lien on the Collateral in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, created by this Loan Agreement, subject to Permitted Liens, and reciting the details of such action or (ii) no such action is necessary to make such Lien effective.

(b) On or before the thirtieth day prior to the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date and every five years thereafter until the earlier of the Maturity Date or the Termination Date, the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent an Officer’s Certificate either stating that, (i) such action has been taken with respect to the recording, filing, re-recording and re-filing of the requisite documents, except as set forth in Section 3.05(f), including the filing of any financing statements and continuation statements as is necessary to maintain the Lien created by this Loan Agreement with respect to the Collateral and reciting the details of such action or (ii) no such action is necessary to maintain such Lien. The Borrower shall also provide the Agent with a file stamped copy of any document or instrument filed as described in such Officer’s Certificate contemporaneously with the delivery of such Officer’s Certificate. Such Officer’s Certificate shall also describe the recording, filing, re-recording and re-filing of the requisite documents, except as set forth in Section 3.05(f), including the filing of any financing statements and continuation statements that shall be required to maintain the Lien of this Loan Agreement with respect to the Collateral. If the Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Agent hereunder specifies future action to be taken by the Borrower, the Borrower shall furnish a further Officer’s Certificate no later than the time so specified in such former Officer’s Certificate to the extent required by this Section 3.06.

Section 3.07. Statement as to Compliance. The Borrower shall deliver to the Agent and the Rating Agency, within 120 days after the end of each calendar year (beginning with calendar year 2024), an Officer’s Certificate of the Borrower stating, as to the signer thereof, that, (a) a review of the activities of the Borrower during the preceding calendar year and of its performance under this Loan Agreement has been made under such officer’s supervision, (b) to the best of such officer’s knowledge, based on such review, the Borrower has fulfilled all its obligations under this Loan Agreement throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

14


obligation, specifying each such default known to such officer and the nature and status thereof and remedies therefor being pursued, and (c) to the best of such officer’s knowledge, based on such review, no event has occurred and has been waived which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default hereunder or, if such an event has occurred and has not been waived, specifying each such event known to him or her and the nature and status thereof and remedies therefor being pursued.

Section 3.08. Schedule of Solar Loans. Upon any acquisition of Subsequent Solar Loans or Qualified Substitute Solar Loans, the Borrower shall cause the Servicer to update the Schedule of Solar Loans to add such Subsequent Solar Loans and/or Qualified Substitute Solar Loans to the Schedule of Solar Loans and deliver such updated Schedule of Solar Loans to the Agent.

Section 3.09. Recording. The Borrower shall, upon the Closing Date and thereafter from time to time, prepare and cause financing statements and such other instruments as may be required with respect thereto, including without limitation, the Financing Statements to be filed, registered and recorded as may be required by present or future law (with file stamped copies thereof delivered to the Agent) to create, perfect and protect the Lien hereof upon the Collateral, and protect the validity of this Loan Agreement. The Borrower shall, from time to time, perform or cause to be performed any other act as required by law and shall execute (or authorize, as applicable) or cause to be executed (or authorized, as applicable) any and all further instruments (including financing statements, continuation statements and similar statements with respect to any of said documents with file stamped copies thereof delivered to the Agent) that are necessary or reasonably requested by the Agent for such creation, perfection and protection. The Borrower shall pay, or shall cause to be paid, all filing, registration and recording taxes and fees incident thereto, and all expenses, Taxes and other governmental charges incident to or in connection with the preparation, execution, authorization, delivery or acknowledgment of the recordable documents, any instruments of further assurance, and the Loan Note.

Section 3.10. Agreements Not to Institute Bankruptcy Proceedings; Additional Covenants. (a) The Borrower shall only voluntarily institute any Proceedings to adjudicate the Borrower as bankrupt or insolvent, consent to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency Proceedings against the Borrower, file a petition seeking or consenting to reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or State law relating to bankruptcy, consent to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Borrower or a substantial part of its property or admit its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or authorize any of the foregoing to be done or taken on behalf of the Borrower, in accordance with the terms of the Borrower Operating Agreement.

(b) At all times prior to the Termination Date:

(i) The Borrower shall keep in full effect its existence, rights and franchises as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware and shall obtain and preserve its qualification to do business in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is or shall be necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of this Loan Agreement, the Loan Note and each asset included in the Collateral.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

15


(ii) The Borrower shall not consolidate or merge with or into any other entity or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any entity unless (A) the entity (if other than the Borrower) formed or surviving such consolidation or merger, or that acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Borrower substantially as an entirety, shall be organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof as a special purpose bankruptcy remote entity, and shall expressly assume in form satisfactory to the Rating Agency the obligation to make due and punctual payments of principal and interest on the Loan and the performance of every covenant on the part of the Borrower to be performed or observed pursuant to this Loan Agreement, (B) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default under this Loan Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing, (C) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Rating Agency, the Controlling Party and the Agent an Officer’s Certificate of the Borrower and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer complies with this Loan Agreement and (D) the Borrower shall have given prior written notice of such consolidation or merger to the Rating Agency and the Controlling Party.

(iii) The funds and other assets of the Borrower shall not be commingled with those of any other Person except to the extent expressly permitted under the Loan Documents.

(iv) The Borrower shall not be, become or hold itself out as being liable for the debts of any other Person.

(v) The Borrower shall not form, or cause to be formed, any subsidiaries.

(vi) The Borrower shall act solely in its own name and through its Authorized Officers or duly authorized agents in the conduct of its business, and shall conduct its business so as not to mislead others as to the identity of the entity with which they are concerned. The Borrower shall not have any employees other than the Authorized Officers of the Borrower.

(vii) The Borrower shall maintain its records and books of account and shall not commingle its records and books of account with the records and books of account of any other Person. The books of the Borrower may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the applicable statutes) inside or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Borrower Operating Agreement.

(viii) All actions of the Borrower shall be taken by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower (or any Person acting on behalf of the Borrower).

(ix) The Borrower shall not amend its certificate of formation (except as required under Delaware law) or the Borrower Operating Agreement, without first giving prior written notice of such amendment to the Rating Agency (a copy of which shall be provided to the Agent and the Controlling Party).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

16


(x) The Borrower maintains and shall maintain the formalities of the form of its organization.

(xi) The annual financial statements of SEI and its consolidated subsidiaries shall disclose the effects of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents in accordance with GAAP. Any consolidated financial statements which consolidate the assets and earnings of SEI, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer or the Lender with those of the Borrower shall contain a footnote to the effect that the assets of the Borrower shall not be available to creditors of SEI, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer or the Lender or any other Person other than creditors of the Borrower. The financial statements of the Borrower, if any, shall disclose that the assets of SEI, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer and the Lender are not available to pay creditors of the Borrower.

(xii) Other than certain costs and expenses related to the issuance of the Loan and pursuant to the Performance Guaranty, none of Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer or the Lender shall pay the Borrower’s expenses, guarantee the Borrower’s obligations or advance funds to the Borrower for payment of expenses except for costs and expenses for which Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer or the Lender is required to make payments, in which case the Borrower shall reimburse such Person for such payment.

(xiii) All business correspondences of the Borrower are and shall be conducted in the Borrower’s own name.

(xiv) Other than as contemplated by the Transaction Documents, none of Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer or the Lender acts or shall act as agent of the Borrower and the Borrower does not and shall not act as agent of Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender or the Depositor.

(xv) [Reserved].

(xvi) The Borrower shall not make any expenditure (by long-term or operating lease or otherwise) to acquire capital assets (either realty or personalty) other than pursuant to the Contribution Agreement.

(xvii) The Borrower shall comply with the requirements of all Applicable Laws, the non-compliance with which would have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Borrower.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

17


(xviii) The Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, (A) pay any dividend or make any distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise), whether in cash, property, securities or a combination thereof, to any owner of a beneficial interest in the Borrower or otherwise with respect to any ownership or equity interest or security in or of the Borrower, (B) redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for value any such ownership or equity interest or security or (C) set aside or otherwise segregate any amounts for any such purpose; provided, however, that the Borrower may make, or cause to be made, distributions to the Lender as permitted by, and to the extent funds are available for such purpose under, this Loan Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. The Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, make payments to or distributions from the Collection Account or any other Account except in accordance with this Loan Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

Section 3.11. Providing of Notice. (a) The Borrower, upon learning of any failure on the part of Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Management, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer or the Lender to observe or perform in any material respect any covenant, representation or warranty set forth in the Contribution Agreement, the Performance Guaranty, the Management Agreement, the Servicing Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party, as applicable, or upon learning of any Default, Event of Default, Manager Termination Event or Servicer Termination Event, shall promptly notify, in writing, the Agent, the Lender, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Depositor, the Guarantor, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, Sunnova Management or Sunnova Energy, as applicable, of such failure or Default, Event of Default, Manager Termination Event or Servicer Termination Event.

(b) The Agent, upon receiving written notice from the Borrower of the Performance Guarantor’s failure to perform any covenant or obligation of the Performance Guarantor set forth in the Performance Guaranty, shall promptly notify, in writing, the Performance Guarantor of such failure.

Section 3.12. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower. The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Agent, the Guarantor and the Lender that as of the Closing Date and each Transfer Date:

(a) The Borrower is duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with full power and authority to execute and deliver this Loan Agreement, the Management Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Custodial Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party and to perform the terms and provisions hereof and thereof; the Borrower is duly qualified to do business as a foreign business entity in good standing, and has obtained all required licenses and approvals, if any, in all jurisdictions in which the ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualifications except those jurisdictions in which failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the business or operations of the Borrower, the Collateral, the Secured Parties or the Conveyed Property.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

18


(b) All necessary action has been taken by the Borrower to authorize the Borrower, and the Borrower has full power and authority, to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Loan Agreement, the Management Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Custodial Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party, and no consent or approval of any Person is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Borrower of this Loan Agreement, the Management Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Custodial Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party except for any consent or approval that has previously been obtained.

(c) This Loan Agreement, the Management Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Custodial Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party have been duly executed and delivered, and the execution and delivery of this Loan Agreement, the Management Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Custodial Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party by the Borrower and its performance and compliance with the terms hereof and thereof will not violate its certificate of formation or the Borrower Operating Agreement or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the breach of, any material contract or any other material agreement or instrument (including, without limitation, the Loan Documents) to which the Borrower is a party or which may be applicable to the Borrower or any of its assets.

(d) This Loan Agreement, the Management Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Custodial Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party constitute valid, legal and binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a Proceeding at law or in equity).

(e) The Borrower is not in violation of, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Loan Agreement, the Management Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Custodial Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party by the Borrower will not constitute a violation with respect to, any order or decree of any court or any order, regulation or demand of any federal, State, municipal or governmental agency, which violation might have consequences that would have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Borrower.

(f) No Proceeding of any kind, including but not limited to litigation, arbitration, judicial or administrative, is pending or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened in writing against or contemplated by the Borrower which would have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Borrower.

(g) Each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in the Management Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Borrower Operating Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party is, as of the Closing Date, and shall be, as of each Transfer Date during the Prefunding Period, true and correct in all material respects.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

19


(h) The Borrower has not incurred debt or engaged in activities not related to the transactions contemplated hereunder or under the Loan Documents except as permitted by the Borrower Operating Agreement or Section 3.04.

(i) The Borrower is not insolvent and did not become insolvent as a result of the Grant pursuant to this Loan Agreement; the Borrower is not engaged and is not about to engage in any business or transaction for which any property remaining with the Borrower is unreasonably small capital or for which the remaining assets of the Borrower are unreasonably small in relation to the business of the Borrower or the transaction; the Borrower does not intend to incur, and does not believe or reasonably should not have believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay as they become due; and the Borrower has not made a transfer or incurred an obligation and does not intend to make such a transfer or incur such an obligation with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud any entity to which the Borrower was or became, on or after the date that such transfer was made or such obligation was incurred, indebted.

(j) (i) Each transfer of the Conveyed Property pursuant to the Contribution Agreement is an absolute transfer for legal purposes, (ii) the Grant of the Collateral by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Loan Agreement is a pledge for financial accounting purposes, and (iii) the Loan shall be treated by the Borrower as indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes (unless otherwise required by Applicable Law). In this regard, (i) the financial statements of SEI and its consolidated subsidiaries shall show (A) that the Conveyed Property is owned by such consolidated group and (B) that the Loan is indebtedness of the consolidated group (and shall contain appropriate footnotes describing that the assets of the Borrower shall not be available to creditors of SEI, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender or any other Person other than creditors of the Borrower), and (ii) the U.S. federal income Tax Returns of SEI and its consolidated subsidiaries that are regarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall indicate that the Loan is indebtedness (unless otherwise required by Applicable Law).

(k) As of the Initial Cut-Off Date, the Aggregate Solar Loan Balance is at least $[***] and the Aggregate Closing Date Collateral Balance is at least $[***].

(l) The legal name of the Borrower is as set forth in this Loan Agreement; the Borrower has no trade names, fictitious names, assumed names or “doing business as” names.

(m) No item comprising the Collateral has been sold, transferred, assigned or pledged by the Borrower to any Person other than the Agent; immediately prior to the pledge of the Collateral to the Agent pursuant to this Loan Agreement, the Borrower was the sole owner thereof and had good and indefeasible title thereto, free of any Lien other than Permitted Liens.

(n) Upon the filing of the Perfection UCCs in accordance with applicable law, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall have a first priority perfected Lien on the Conveyed Property and the other items comprising the Collateral and in the proceeds thereof, limited with respect to proceeds to the extent set forth in Section 9-315 of the UCC as in effect in the applicable jurisdiction, subject to Permitted Liens. All filings (including, without limitation, UCC filings) and other actions as are necessary in any jurisdiction to provide third parties with notice of and to document the transfer and assignment of the Collateral to the Borrower and to give the Agent a first priority perfected Lien on the Collateral (subject to Permitted Liens), including delivery of the Custodian Files to the Custodian, and the payment of any fees, have been made or, with respect to Termination Statements, shall be made within one Business Day of the Closing Date.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

20


(o) None of the absolute transfers of the Conveyed Property by Sunnova Intermediate Holdings to Sunnova Hestia Holdings pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the absolute transfers of the Conveyed Property by Sunnova Hestia Holdings to the Depositor pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the absolute transfers of the Conveyed Property by the Depositor to the Capital Markets Issuer pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the absolute transfers of the Conveyed Property by the Capital Markets Issuer to the Lender pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the absolute transfers of the Conveyed Property by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, or the Grant by the Borrower to the Agent pursuant to this Loan Agreement is subject to the bulk transfer or any similar statutory provisions in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

(p) The Borrower is not, and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of the Loan will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the 1940 Act. In making this determination, the Borrower is relying primarily on the exclusions from the definition of “investment company” contained in Section 3(c)(5)(A) and Section 3(c)(6) of the 1940 Act, although additional exclusions or exemptions may be available to the Borrower at the Closing Date or in the future.

(q) The Borrower is being structured so as not to constitute a “covered fund” for purposes of Section 619 of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, based on its current interpretations.

(r) The principal place of business and the chief executive office of the Borrower are located in the State of Texas and the jurisdiction of organization of the Borrower is the State of Delaware, and there are no other such locations.

(s) Representations and warranties regarding the Lien and Custodian Files in each case, made as of the Closing Date and each Transfer Date:

(i) The Grant contained in the “Granting Clause” of this Loan Agreement creates a valid and continuing Lien on the Collateral in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which Lien is prior to all other Liens arising under the UCC (other than Permitted Liens), and is enforceable as such against creditors of the Borrower, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a Proceeding at law or in equity).

(ii) The Borrower has taken all steps necessary to perfect its ownership interest in the Solar Loans.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

21


(iii) The Customer Contracts related to the Solar Loans constitute either “accounts”, “chattel paper”, “electronic chattel paper”, “instruments” or “general intangibles” within the meaning of the applicable UCC. The PV Systems and BESS Systems constitute “Equipment” within the meaning of the UCC.

(iv) The Borrower owns and has good and marketable title to the Collateral free and clear of any Lien, claim or encumbrance of any Person, other than Permitted Liens.

(v) The Borrower has caused or shall have caused, within ten days of the Closing Date, the filing of all appropriate financing statements in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under Applicable Law in order to perfect the Lien on the Collateral granted to the Agent hereunder.

(vi) The Borrower has received a Closing Date Certification on the Closing Date and a Transfer Date Certification on each Transfer Date from the Custodian which certifies that the Custodian is holding the Custodian Files that evidence the Solar Loans in the Electronic Vault for the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

(vii) Other than Permitted Liens, the Borrower has not pledged, assigned, sold, granted a Lien on, or otherwise conveyed any portion of the Collateral. The Borrower has not authorized the filing of and is not aware of any financing statements against the Borrower that include a description of collateral covering any portion of the Collateral other than any financing statement relating to the security interest granted to the Agent hereunder or that have been terminated. The Borrower is not aware of any judgment or tax lien filings against the Borrower, except with respect to tax liens for amounts which have already been paid.

(viii) Except as permitted or required by the Loan Documents no portion of any Customer Contract has any marks or notations indicating that they have been pledged, assigned or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than the Agent, except for notations relating to Liens released prior to the pledge of the Collateral to the Agent.

The foregoing representations and warranties in Section 3.12(s)(i)-(viii) shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be waived or amended until the Loan is paid in full or otherwise released or discharged except in accordance with this Loan Agreement.

Section 3.13. Representations and Warranties of the Agent. The Agent hereby represents and warrants to the Rating Agency, the Guarantor and the Lender that as of the Closing Date:

(a) The Agent has been duly organized and is validly existing as a national banking association;

(b) The Agent has full power and authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

22


(c) This Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the Agent and constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of the Agent, enforceable against the Agent in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or similar laws affecting creditors’ or creditors of banks’ rights and/or remedies generally or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is sought in a Proceeding in equity or at law);

(d) The execution, delivery and performance of this Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party by the Agent shall not constitute a violation with respect to any order or decree of any court or any order, regulation or demand of any federal, State, municipal or governmental agency binding on the Agent or such of its property which is material to it, which violation might have consequences that would materially and adversely affect the performance of its duties under this Loan Agreement;

(e) The execution, delivery and performance of this Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party by the Agent do not require any approval or consent of any Person, do not conflict with the Articles of Association and Bylaws of the Agent, and do not and shall not conflict with or result in a breach which would constitute a material default under any agreement applicable to it or such of its property which is material to it; and

(f) No Proceeding of any kind, including but not limited to litigation, arbitration, judicial or administrative, is pending or, to the Agent’s knowledge, threatened against or contemplated by the Agent which would have a reasonable likelihood of having an adverse effect on the execution, delivery, performance or enforceability of this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document to which it is a party by or against the Agent.

Section 3.14. Knowledge. Any references herein to the knowledge, discovery or learning of the Borrower, the Servicer, or the Manager shall mean and refer to an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, the Servicer or the Manager, as applicable.

ARTICLE IV

MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING OF SOLAR LOANS

Section 4.01. Management Agreement; Servicing Agreement. (a) The Management Agreement and the Servicing Agreement, duly executed counterparts of which have been received by the Agent, set forth the covenants and obligations of the Manager and Servicer, respectively, with respect to the Collateral and other matters addressed in the Management Agreement and the Servicing Agreement, and reference is hereby made to the Management Agreement and the Servicing Agreement for a detailed statement of said covenants and obligations of the Manager and the Servicer thereunder. The Borrower agrees that the Agent, in its name or (to the extent required by law) in the name of the Borrower, may (but is not, unless so directed by the Controlling Party and indemnified pursuant to Section 7.15 hereof, required to) enforce all rights of the Borrower under the Management Agreement and the Servicing Agreement for and on behalf of the Secured Parties whether or not a Default has occurred and has not been waived.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(b) Promptly following a request from the Agent (acting at the direction of the Controlling Party) to do so, the Borrower shall take all such commercially reasonable lawful action as the Agent may request to compel or secure the performance and observance by the Manager and the Servicer of each of their respective obligations to the Borrower and with respect to the Collateral under or in connection with the Management Agreement and the Servicing Agreement, in accordance with the terms thereof, and in effecting such request shall exercise any and all rights, remedies, powers and privileges lawfully available to the Borrower under or in connection with the Management Agreement and the Servicing Agreement to the extent and in the manner directed by the Agent, including, without limitation, the transmission of notices of default on the part of the Manager and the Servicer thereunder and the institution of Proceedings to compel or secure performance by the Manager and the Servicer of each of their respective obligations under the Management Agreement and the Servicing Agreement.

(c) The Borrower shall not waive any default by the Manager under the Management Agreement or by the Servicer under the Servicing Agreement without the written consent of the Agent (which shall be given at the written direction of the Controlling Party).

(d) The Agent does not assume any duty or obligation of the Borrower under the Management Agreement or the Servicing Agreement, and the rights given to the Agent thereunder are subject to the provisions of Article VII.

(e) The Borrower has not and shall not provide any payment instructions to any Consumer Obligor that are inconsistent with the Management Agreement or the Servicing Agreement.

(f) With respect to the Servicer’s obligations under Section 6.3 of the Servicing Agreement, the Agent shall not have any responsibility to the Borrower, the Servicer or any party hereunder to make any inquiry or investigation as to, and shall have no obligation in respect of, the terms of any engagement of Independent Accountant or any Qualified Service Provider by the Servicer; provided, however, that the Agent shall be authorized, upon receipt of written direction from the Servicer directing the Agent, to execute any acknowledgment or other agreement with the Independent Accountant and any Qualified Service Provider required for the Agent to receive any of the reports or instructions provided for herein, which acknowledgment or agreement may include, among other things, (i) acknowledgement that the Servicer has agreed that the procedures to be performed by the Independent Accountant and any Qualified Service Provider are sufficient for the Borrower’s purposes, (ii) acknowledgment that the Agent has agreed that the procedures to be performed by the Independent Accountant and any Qualified Service Provider are sufficient for the Agent’s purposes and that the Agent’s purposes is limited solely to receipt of the report, (iii) releases by the Agent (on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties) of claims against the Independent Accountant and any Qualified Service Provider and acknowledgement of other limitations of liability in favor of the Independent Accountant and any Qualified Service Provider, and (iv) restrictions or prohibitions on the disclosure of information or documents provided to it by the Independent Accountant or any Qualified Service Provider (including to the Lender or the Controlling Party); provided that the Agent may disclose such information or documents to the Secured Parties pursuant to Section 6.3 of the Servicing Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Agent be required to execute any agreement in respect of the Independent Accountant or any Qualified Service Provider that the Agent determines adversely affects it in its individual capacity or which is in a form that is not reasonably acceptable to the Agent.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(g) In the event such Independent Accountant or any Qualified Service Provider require the Agent, the Back-Up Servicer or the Transition Manager to agree to the procedures to be performed by such firm in any of the reports required to be prepared pursuant to Section 4.01(f), the Servicer shall direct the Agent, the Back-Up Servicer or the Transition Manager in writing to so agree; it being understood and agreed that the Agent, the Back-Up Servicer or the Transition Manager shall deliver such letter of agreement in conclusive reliance upon the direction of the Servicer, and the Agent, the Back-Up Servicer or the Transition Manager has not made any independent inquiry or investigation as to, and shall have no obligation or liability in respect of, the sufficiency, validity or correctness of such procedures. The Agent, the Back-Up Servicer or the Transition Manager shall not be liable for any claims, liabilities or expenses relating to such accountants’ engagement or any report issued in connection with such engagement, and the dissemination of any such report is subject to the written consent of the accountants; provided that the Agent may disclose such information or documents to the Secured Parties pursuant to Section 6.3 of the Servicing Agreement.

ARTICLE V

ACCOUNTS, COLLECTIONS, PAYMENTS OF INTEREST

AND PRINCIPAL, RELEASES, AND STATEMENTS TO LENDER

Section 5.01. Accounts. (a)(i) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower shall cause the Agent to open and maintain in the name of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an Eligible Account (the “Collection Account”), bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties. The Collection Account shall initially be established with the Agent.

(ii) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower shall cause the Agent to open and maintain in the name of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an Eligible Account (the “Equipment Replacement Reserve Account”), bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties. The Equipment Replacement Reserve Account shall initially be established with the Agent.

(iii) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower shall cause the Agent to open and maintain in the name of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an Eligible Account (the “Reserve Account”), bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties. The Reserve Account shall initially be established with the Agent.

(iv) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower shall cause the Agent to open and maintain in the name of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an Eligible Account (the “Section 25D Interest Account”), bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties. The Section 25D Interest Account shall initially be established with the Agent.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(v) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower shall cause the Agent to open and maintain in the name of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an Eligible Account (the “Prefunding Account”), bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties. The Prefunding Account shall initially be established with the Agent.

(vi) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower shall cause the Agent to open and maintain in the name of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an Eligible Account (the “Capitalized Interest Account”), bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties. The Capitalized Interest Account shall initially be established with the Agent.

(vii) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower shall open and cause to be maintained in the name of the Borrower, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an Eligible Account (the “Lockbox Account”) at the Lockbox Bank, bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

(viii) Sunnova Energy has established and maintains an Eligible Account (the “Consumer Obligor Security Deposit Account”).

(b) Funds on deposit in the Collection Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Reserve Account, the Section 25D Interest Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account shall be invested by the Agent (or any custodian with respect to funds on deposit in any such account) in Eligible Investments selected in writing by the Servicer (pursuant to standing instructions or otherwise). All such Eligible Investments shall be held by or on behalf of the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

(c) All investment earnings of moneys pursuant to Section 5.01(b) deposited into the Collection Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Reserve Account, the Section 25D Interest Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account shall be deposited (or caused to be deposited) by the Agent into the Collection Account, and any loss resulting from such investments shall be charged to the Account on which such loss was realized. No investment of any amount held in any of the Collection Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Reserve Account, the Section 25D Interest Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account shall mature later than the Business Day immediately preceding the Payment Date which is scheduled to occur immediately following the date of investment. The Servicer, on behalf of the Borrower, shall not direct the Agent to make any investment of any funds held in any of the Accounts unless the security interest Granted and perfected in such account shall continue to be perfected in such investment, in either case without any further action by any Person.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(d) The Agent shall not in any way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency in any of the Accounts resulting from any loss on any Eligible Investment included therein except for losses attributable to the Agent’s negligence or bad faith or its failure to make payments on such Eligible Investments issued by the Agent, in its commercial capacity as principal obligor and not as Agent, in accordance with their terms.

(e) Funds on deposit in any Account shall remain uninvested if (i) the Servicer shall have failed to give investment directions in writing for any funds on deposit in any Account (other than the Lockbox Account) to the Agent by 1:00 p.m. New York City (or such other time as may be agreed by the Servicer and the Agent) on the Business Day on which such investment is to be made; or (ii) based on the actual knowledge of, or receipt of written notice by, a Responsible Officer of the Agent, that a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Loan but the Loan shall not have been declared due and payable, or, if the Loan shall have been declared due and payable following an Event of Default, amounts collected or receivable from the Collateral are being applied as if there had not been such a declaration.

(f) [Reserved].

(g) (i) The Agent shall possess all right, title and interest in all funds on deposit from time to time in the Accounts and in all proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, all investment earnings on the Collection Account) and all such funds, investments, proceeds and income shall be part of the Collateral. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Accounts shall be under the control (as defined in Section 9-104 of the UCC to the extent such account is a deposit account and Section 8-106 of the UCC to the extent such account is a securities account) of the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties. The Borrower may direct the Agent (or the Servicer on its behalf) to (i) replace any Account with a new Eligible Account and (ii) transfer any cash and/or any investments to such new Eligible Account; provided that such replacement could not reasonably be expected by the Agent (acting at the direction of the Controlling Party) to have a material adverse effect on the interests of the Secured Parties or of the noteholders under the Indenture; provided, however, if the Agent does not receive direction from the Controlling Party within fourteen (14) Business Days after request for the same, the Controlling Party shall have deemed that the replacement will not have an adverse effect on the interests of the Secured Parties or on the noteholders under the Indenture. If, at any time, any of the Accounts (other than the Lockbox Account) ceases to be an Eligible Account, the Agent (or the Servicer on its behalf) shall within five Business Days (or such longer period as to which the Rating Agency may consent) establish a new Account as an Eligible Account and shall transfer any cash and/or any investments to such new Account. The Servicer agrees that, in the event that any of the Accounts or the Consumer Obligor Security Deposit Account are not accounts with the Agent, the Servicer shall notify the Agent and the Controlling Party in writing promptly upon any of such Accounts or the Consumer Obligor Security Deposit Account ceasing to be an Eligible Account.

(ii) With respect to the Account Property (other than with respect to the Lockbox Account), the Agent agrees that:

(A) any Account Property that is held in deposit accounts shall be held solely in Eligible Accounts; and, except as otherwise provided herein, each such Eligible Account shall be subject to the exclusive custody and control of the Agent, and the Agent shall have sole signature authority with respect thereto;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

27


(B) any Account Property that constitutes physical property shall be delivered to the Agent in accordance with paragraph (i)(A) or (i)(B), as applicable, of the definition of “Delivery” and shall be held, pending maturity or disposition, solely by the Agent or a securities intermediary (as such term is defined in Section 8-102(a)(14) of the UCC) acting solely for the Agent;

(C) any Account Property that is a book-entry security held through the Federal Reserve System pursuant to federal book-entry regulations shall be delivered in accordance with paragraph (i)(C) or (i)(E), as applicable, of the definition of “Delivery” and shall be maintained by the Agent, pending maturity or disposition, through continued book-entry registration of such Account Property as described in such paragraph;

(D) any Account Property that is an “uncertificated security” under Article 8 of the UCC and that is not governed by clause (C) above shall be delivered to the Agent in accordance with paragraph (i)(D) of the definition of “Delivery” and shall be maintained by the Agent, pending maturity or disposition, through continued registration of the Agent’s (or its nominee’s) ownership of such security;

(E) the Servicer shall have the power, revocable by the Agent upon the occurrence of a Servicer Event of Default, to instruct the Agent to make withdrawals and payments from the Accounts for the purpose of permitting the Servicer and the Agent to carry out their respective duties hereunder; and

(F) any Account held by it hereunder shall be maintained as a “securities account” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in New York (the “New York UCC”), and that it shall be acting as a “securities intermediary” for the Agent itself as the “entitlement holder” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(7) of the New York UCC) with respect to each such Account. The parties hereto agree that each Account shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, and regardless of any provision in any other agreement, the “securities intermediary’s jurisdiction” (within the meaning of Section 8-110 of the New York UCC) shall be the State of New York. The Agent acknowledges and agrees that (1) each item of property (whether investment property, financial asset, security, instrument or cash) credited to the Accounts shall be treated as a “financial asset” within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(9) of the New York UCC and (2) notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if at any time the Agent shall receive any order from the Agent (in its capacity as securities intermediary) directing transfer or redemption of any financial asset relating to the Accounts, the Agent shall comply with such entitlement order without further consent by the Borrower, or any other person. In the event of any conflict of any provision of this Section 5.01(g)(ii)(F) with any other provision of this Loan Agreement or any other agreement or document, the provisions of this Section 5.01(g)(ii)(F) shall prevail.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 5.02. Equipment Replacement Reserve Account. (a)(i) On each Payment Date, to the extent there are sufficient Borrower Available Funds and in accordance with and subject to the Priority of Payments, the Agent shall, based on the Monthly Servicer Report, deposit into the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account an amount equal to the Equipment Replacement Reserve Deposit.

(ii) The Agent shall, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate of the Manager (x)(A) certifying that it has replaced an Inverter that no longer has the benefit of a Manufacturer Warranty and (B) requesting reimbursement for the cost of such Inverter replacement, withdraw from funds on deposit in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account and remit to the Manager, an amount equal to the lesser of (I) the cost of the new Inverter paid by the Manager (inclusive of labor costs) and (II) the amount on deposit in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account or (y)(A) certifying that it has replaced an BESS System (or component thereof) that no longer has the benefit of a Manufacturer Warranty and (B) requesting reimbursement for the cost of such BESS System (or component thereof), withdraw from funds on deposit in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account and remit to the Manager, an amount equal to the lesser of (I) the cost of the new BESS System (or component thereof) paid by the Manager (inclusive of labor costs) and (II) the excess, if any, of (a) the amount on deposit in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account over (b) the amount described in clause (a) of the definition of Equipment Replacement Reserve Required Balance. Upon either such request, the Agent shall promptly withdraw such amount from the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account (to the extent it has been funded as of such date) and transfer such amount to the Manager’s account specified in the related Officer’s Certificate and if no such funds are on deposit, then from the Collection Account in accordance with the Priority of Payments.

(iii) On any date that the amount on deposit in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account exceeds the Equipment Replacement Reserve Required Balance, such amount of excess shall be deposited into the Collection Account on the related Payment Date as set forth in the related Monthly Servicer Report and shall be part of the Borrower Available Funds distributed in accordance with the Priority of Payments for such Payment Date.

(iv) On each Payment Date, if the amount of Borrower Available Funds (after giving effect to all amounts deposited into the Collection Account from the Reserve Account and the Section 25D Interest Account) is less than the amount necessary to make the distributions described in clauses (i) through (v) of the Priority of Payments, an amount equal to the lesser of (A) the amount on deposit in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account and (B) the amount of such insufficiency, shall be withdrawn from the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account and deposited into the Collection Account to be used as Borrower Available Funds.

(v) All amounts on deposit in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account shall be withdrawn and deposited into the Collection Account upon the earliest of (w) the Maturity Date, (x) the acceleration of the Loan following an Event of Default (y) a Voluntary Prepayment Date in connection with a Voluntary Prepayment in whole and (z) the Payment Date on which the balance in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Reserve Account and the Section 25D Interest Account and all other Borrower

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

29


Available Funds, equals or exceeds the Outstanding Loan Balance, accrued and unpaid interest (including any Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts) on the Loan and the fees, expenses and indemnities due to the Agent, the Indenture Trustee, the Lender, the Guarantor, the Custodian, the Manager, the Servicer, the Back-Up Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Replacement Manager and the Replacement Servicer pursuant to the Priority of Payments.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 5.02(a), in lieu of or in substitution for moneys otherwise required to be deposited to the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Borrower may, subject to the prior written consent of the Guarantor (such consent to be granted or withheld in its sole discretion), deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent a Letter of Credit issued by an Eligible Letter of Credit Bank in an amount equal to the Equipment Replacement Reserve Required Balance; provided that any Equipment Replacement Reserve Deposit required to be made after the replacement of amounts on deposit in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account with the Letter of Credit shall be made in deposits to the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account as provided in the Priority of Payments or pursuant to an increase in the Letter of Credit, or addition of another Letter of Credit. The Letter of Credit shall be held as an asset of the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account and valued for purposes of determining the amount on deposit in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account as the amount then available to be drawn on such Letter of Credit. Any references in the Transaction Documents to amounts on deposit in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account shall include the value of the Letter of Credit unless specifically excluded. If the amounts on deposit in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account are represented by a Letter of Credit, the Agent shall be required to submit the drawing documents to the Eligible Letter of Credit Bank to draw the full stated amount of the Letter of Credit and deposit the proceeds therefrom in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account in the following circumstances: (i) if the Agent is directed by the Servicer on behalf of the Borrower, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, to withdraw funds from the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account for any reason; (ii) upon direction, if the Letter of Credit is scheduled to expire in accordance with its terms and has not been extended or replaced with a Letter of Credit issued by an Eligible Letter of Credit Bank by the date that is ten days prior to the expiration date; or (iii) if the Agent is directed by the Borrower, the Servicer or the Lender, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate stating that the financial institution issuing the Letter of Credit ceases to be an Eligible Letter of Credit Bank. Any drawing on the Letter of Credit may be reimbursed by the Borrower only from amounts remitted to the Borrower pursuant to clauses (xviii) or (xix) of the Priority of Payments.

Section 5.03. Reserve Account. (a) On the Closing Date, the Borrower shall cause to be deposited the Reserve Account Required Balance into the Reserve Account.

(b) As described in the Priority of Payments, to the extent there are sufficient Borrower Available Funds, the Agent shall, on each Payment Date, based on the Monthly Servicer Report, deposit Borrower Available Funds into the Reserve Account until the amount on deposit therein shall equal the Reserve Account Required Balance.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(c) On the Business Day prior to each Payment Date, the Agent shall, based on the Monthly Servicer Report, transfer funds on deposit in the Reserve Account into the Collection Account to the extent that the amount on deposit in the Collection Account as of such Payment Date (prior to taking into account amounts paid by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee Issuance Agreement) is less than the amount necessary to make the distributions described in clauses (i) through (v) of the Priority of Payments. If the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account exceeds the Reserve Account Required Balance on any Payment Date during a Regular Amortization Period and on or prior to the Anticipated Repayment Date, the amount of such excess shall be transferred into the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account. If the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account exceeds the Reserve Account Required Balance on any Payment Date during an Amortization Period, the amount of such excess shall be transferred into the Collection Account and shall be part of the Borrower Available Funds distributed pursuant to the Priority of Payments for such Payment Date.

(d) All amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account shall be withdrawn and deposited into the Collection Account upon the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date, (ii) the acceleration of the Loan following an Event of Default, (iii) a Voluntary Prepayment Date in connection with a Voluntary Prepayment in whole and (iv) the Payment Date on which the balance in the Reserve Account, the Section 25D Interest Account and the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account and all other Borrower Available Funds, equals or exceeds the Outstanding Loan Balance, accrued and unpaid interest (including any Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts) on the Loan and the fees, expenses and indemnities due to the Agent, the Indenture Trustee, the Lender, the Guarantor, the Custodian, the Manager, the Servicer, the Back-Up Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Replacement Manager and the Replacement Servicer pursuant to the Priority of Payments.

(e) Notwithstanding Sections 5.03(a) and 5.03(b), in lieu of or in substitution for moneys otherwise required to be deposited to the Reserve Account, the Borrower may, subject to the prior written consent of the Guarantor (such consent to be granted or withheld in its sole discretion), deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent a Letter of Credit issued by an Eligible Letter of Credit Bank in an amount equal to the Reserve Account Required Balance; provided that any deposit into the Reserve Account required to be made after the replacement of amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account with the Letter of Credit shall be made in deposits to the Reserve Account as provided in the Priority of Payments or pursuant to an increase in the Letter of Credit, or addition of another Letter of Credit. The Letter of Credit shall be held as an asset of the Reserve Account and valued for purposes of determining the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account as the amount then available to be drawn on such Letter of Credit. Any references in the Transaction Documents to amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account shall include the value of the Letter of Credit unless specifically excluded. If the amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account are represented by a Letter of Credit, the Agent shall be required to submit the drawing documents to the Eligible Letter of Credit Bank to draw the full stated amount of the Letter of Credit and deposit the proceeds therefrom in the Reserve Account in the following circumstances: (i) if the Agent is directed by the Servicer on behalf of the Borrower, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, to withdraw funds from the Reserve Account for any reason; (ii) upon direction, if the Letter of Credit is scheduled to expire in accordance with its terms and has not been extended or replaced with a Letter of Credit issued by an Eligible Letter of Credit Bank by the date that is ten days prior to the expiration date; or (iii) if the Agent is directed by the Borrower, the Servicer or the Lender, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate stating that the financial institution issuing the Letter of Credit ceases to be an Eligible Letter of Credit Bank. Any drawing on the Letter of Credit may be reimbursed by the Borrower only from amounts remitted to the Borrower pursuant to clauses (xviii) or (xix) of the Priority of Payments.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

31


Section 5.04. Section 25D Interest Account. (a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower shall cause to be deposited into the Section 25D Interest Account an amount equal to the Section 25D Interest Account Required Amount for the Closing Date. On each Transfer Date, with respect to any Subsequent Solar Loan or Qualified Substitute Solar Loan that is a Section 25D Easy Own Plan Solar Loan, the Borrower shall deposit or require the Depositor to deposit into the Section 25D Interest Account an amount equal to the related Section 25D Interest Amount (in addition to any required Substitution Shortfall Amount).

(b) On each Payment Date, based on the Monthly Servicer Report, if the amount of Borrower Available Funds (after giving effect to all amounts deposited to the Collection Account from the Reserve Account) is less than the amount necessary to make the distributions described in clauses (i) through (v) of the Priority of Payments, an amount equal to the lesser of (A) the amount on deposit in the Section 25D Interest Account and (B) the amount of such insufficiency, shall be withdrawn from the Section 25D Interest Account and deposited into the Collection Account to be used as Borrower Available Funds.

(c) On any date that the amount on deposit in the Section 25D Interest Account exceeds the Section 25D Interest Account Required Amount as of such date, such amount of excess shall be deposited into the Collection Account and shall be part of the Borrower Available Funds distributed in accordance with the Priority of Payments, based on the Monthly Servicer Report.

(d) All amounts on deposit in the Section 25D Interest Account shall be withdrawn, based on the Monthly Servicer Report, and deposited into the Collection Account upon the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date, (ii) the acceleration of the Loan following an Event of Default, (iii) a Voluntary Prepayment Date in connection with a Voluntary Prepayment in whole and (iv) the Payment Date on which the balance in the Reserve Account, the Section 25D Interest Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account and all other Borrower Available Funds, equals or exceeds the Outstanding Loan Balance of the Loan Note, accrued and unpaid interest (including any Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts) on the Loan Note fees, expenses and indemnities due to the Agent, the Lender, the Guarantor, the Custodian, the Manager, the Servicer, the Back-Up Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Replacement Manager and the Replacement Servicer pursuant to the Priority of Payments.

Section 5.05. Prefunding Account and Capitalized Interest Account. (a)(i) On the Closing Date, the Borrower shall cause to be deposited an amount equal to the Prefunding Account Initial Deposit into the Prefunding Account.

(ii) Upon receipt of a Prefunding Notice, the Agent shall withdraw the amount specified in the related Prefunding Notice from the Prefunding Account on such Transfer Date and remit such amount to or at the direction of the Borrower. The amount of funds withdrawn from the Prefunding Account for such acquisition of Subsequent Solar Loans shall be equal to the Subsequent Solar Loan Prefunding Withdrawal Amount. The Agent shall have no duty to verify that the Subsequent Solar Loans meet the requirements set forth in Section 2.09 hereof.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(iii) On the first Payment Date following the Prefunding Termination Date, the Agent shall, based on the information set forth in the related Monthly Servicer Report, withdraw any remaining funds on deposit in the Prefunding Account and deposit such funds into the Collection Account to be used as Borrower Available Funds and distributed in accordance with the Priority of Payments on such Payment Date.

(b) On the Closing Date, the Borrower shall deposit an amount equal to the Capitalized Interest Account Deposit into the Capitalized Interest Account. On each of the first three Payment Dates (so long as the Prefunding Termination Date has not occurred prior to such Payment Date), an amount equal to approximately [***]% of the Capitalized Interest Account Deposit shall be withdrawn by the Agent, based on the information set forth in the related Monthly Servicer Report, and deposited into the Collection Account for application in accordance with Priority of Payments. On the first Payment Date following the Prefunding Termination Date, the Agent, based on information set forth in the related Monthly Servicer Report, shall withdraw any remaining funds on deposit in the Capitalized Interest Account and deposit such funds into the Collection Account to be used as Borrower Available Funds and distributed in accordance with the Priority of Payments on such Payment Date.

Section 5.06. Collection Account; Lender Account.(a) On the Closing Date and each Transfer Date, the Borrower shall cause to be deposited to the Collection Account all Collections received in respect of the Initial Solar Loans, the Subsequent Solar Loans and the Qualified Substitute Solar Loans, respectively, since the applicable Cut-Off Date. On each Business Day, the Borrower shall cause to be deposited into the Collection Account all amounts in the Lockbox Account (other than the Lockbox Account Retained Balance or Merchant Processing Amounts) from Consumer Obligors or otherwise in respect of the Conveyed Property (other than Consumer Obligor Security Deposits received from a Consumer Obligor (which shall be deposited by the Servicer into the Consumer Obligor Security Deposit Account) and amounts received relating to Grid Services). The Borrower shall cause all other amounts required to be deposited therein pursuant to the Transaction Documents, to be deposited within one Business Day of receipt thereof. The Agent shall provide or make available electronically (or upon written request, by first class mail or email) monthly statements on all amounts received in the Collection Account to the Borrower and the Servicer.

(b) The Servicer shall be entitled to be reimbursed from amounts on deposit in the Collection Account with respect to a Collection Period for amounts previously deposited into the Collection Account but later determined by the Servicer to have resulted from mistaken deposits or postings or checks returned for insufficient funds. The amount to be reimbursed hereunder shall be paid to the Servicer on the related Payment Date upon certification by the Servicer of such amounts; provided, however, that the Servicer must provide such certification prior to the Determination Date immediately following such mistaken deposit, posting or returned check or costs and expenses, as applicable.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

33


(c) In accordance with the Servicing Agreement, upon written direction from the Servicer, the Agent shall, if such direction is received on or prior to each Determination Date, withdraw from the Collection Account and remit to the Servicer, amounts specified by the Servicer as required to be paid by the Borrower before the next Payment Date in respect of sales, use and property taxes.

(d) In accordance with Section 6.01(b) hereof, upon written direction from the Servicer, the Agent shall withdraw the partial Voluntary Prepayment from the Collection Account on the related Voluntary Prepayment Date and distribute the same in accordance with such written direction.

(e) In accordance with the Account Control Agreement, to the extent that the balances on deposit in the Lockbox Account are insufficient to reimburse the Lockbox Bank for any returned items or settlement items, upon demand from the Lockbox Bank of the reimbursement amount (with confirmation from the Servicer), the Agent shall, upon written direction from the Servicer, withdraw from the Collection Account and remit to the Lockbox Bank the lesser of collected funds that are cleared funds on deposit in the Collection Account and such reimbursement amount.

(f) All amounts payable to the Lender by the Borrower shall be paid to the Lender Account in accordance with the Priority of Payments. All amounts received in the Lender Account shall be deemed to have discharged the Borrower’s obligations to the Lender pro tanto dollar for dollar to the extent such amounts were so paid into the Lender Account.

Section 5.07. Distribution of Funds in the Collection Account. On each Payment Date, Borrower Available Funds based solely on the information set forth in the related Monthly Servicer Report, shall be distributed by the Agent in the following order and priority of payments (the “Priority of Payments”):

(i) sequentially (a) to the Agent (1) the Agent Fee and (2)(x) any accrued and unpaid Agent Fees with respect to prior Payment Dates plus (y) out-of-pocket expenses and indemnities of the Agent incurred and not reimbursed in connection with its obligations and duties under this Loan Agreement and the other Transaction Documents; (b) to the Indenture Trustee (1) the Indenture Trustee Fee and (2)(x) any accrued and unpaid Indenture Trustee Fees with respect to prior Payment Dates plus (y) out-of-pocket expenses and indemnities of the Indenture Trustee incurred and not reimbursed in connection with its obligations and duties under the Capital Markets Documents plus (z) other expenses of the Capital Markets Issuer; and (c) to the Back-Up Servicer and the Transition Manager (1) the Back-Up Servicing and Transition Manager Fee and (2)(x) any accrued and unpaid Back-Up Servicing and Transition Manager Fees with respect to prior Payment Dates plus (y) out-of-pocket expenses and indemnities of the Back-Up Servicer and Transition Manager incurred and not reimbursed in connection with its obligations and duties under this Loan Agreement and the other Transaction Documents; and (3) any accrued and unpaid transition costs, in each case, pursuant to the Transaction Documents; provided that the aggregate payments to the Agent, the Indenture Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer and the Transition Manager as reimbursement for clauses (a)(2)(y), (b)(2)(y) and (c)(2)(y) above

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

34


shall be limited to $[***] per calendar year so long as an Event of Default of the type described in Section 9.01(a), Section 9.01(b), Section 9.01(c), or Section 9.01(i) has not occurred and is not continuing pursuant to this Loan Agreement; provided, further that the aggregate payments to the Back-Up Servicer and the Transition Manager as reimbursement for clause (3) above shall be limited to $[***] per transition occurrence and $[***] in the aggregate; and provided, further, that the aggregate expenses of the Issuer in clause (b)(2)(z) will be limited to $[***] per calendar year;

(ii) on a pari passu basis (a) to the Manager (1) the Manager Fee for such Payment Date and (2) any accrued and unpaid Manager Fees with respect to prior Payment Dates and (b) to the Servicer (1) the Servicer Fee for such Payment Date and (2) any accrued and unpaid Servicer Fees with respect to prior Payment Dates;

(iii) to the Custodian (a) the Custodian Fee and (b)(x) any accrued and unpaid Custodian Fees with respect to prior Payment Dates plus (y) out-of-pocket expenses and indemnities of the Custodian incurred and not reimbursed in connection with its obligations and duties under this Loan Agreement and the other Transaction Documents; provided that the aggregate payments to the Custodian as reimbursement for clause (b)(y) above shall be limited to $[***] per calendar year so long as an Event of Default has not occurred and is not continuing pursuant to this Loan Agreement;

(iv) to the Guarantor (a) the Monthly Risk-Based Charge for such Payment Date and any accrued and unpaid Monthly Risk-Based Charge with respect to prior Payment Dates and (b)(x) any other accrued and unpaid fees payable to it by the Borrower plus (y) out-of-pocket expenses of the Guarantor incurred and not reimbursed in connection with its obligations and duties under the Transaction Documents; provided that the aggregate payments to the Guarantor as reimbursement for clause (b)(y) above shall be limited to $[***] per calendar year so long as an Event of Default has not occurred and is not continuing pursuant to this Loan Agreement and so long as Guarantor Reimbursable Amounts do not exceed $[***];

(v) to the Lender Account, on a pro rata basis, the Interest Distribution Amount in respect of Component 1 and Component 2 for such Payment Date;

(vi) to the Manager, an amount equal to the sum of the cost of purchasing any replacement Inverters or BESS Systems that do not have the benefit of a Manufacturer Warranty, to the extent such costs are incurred by the Manager but not reimbursed from the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account;

(vii) to the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Deposit, if any;

(viii) on a pari passu basis (a) to the Lender Account in respect of the Outstanding Component 2 Balance, the Component 2 Principal Distribution Amount for such Payment Date until the Outstanding Component 2 Balance is reduced to $[***] and (b) to the Lender and to the Guarantor, the Component 1/DOE Component Principal Distribution Amount for such Payment Date, to be applied sequentially as follows: (1) first, to the Lender Account in respect of the Outstanding Component 1 Balance, until the Outstanding Component 1 Balance is reduced to $[***] and (2) second, to the Guarantor in respect of the Outstanding DOE Component Balance, until the Outstanding DOE Component Balance is reduced to $[***];

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

35


(ix) to the Guarantor sequentially as follows: (a) first, the Interest Distribution Amount in respect of the DOE Component for such Payment Date, (b) second, reimbursement of any amounts paid by the Guarantor under the Guarantee Issuance Agreement in respect of Guaranteed Interest Amounts and (c) third, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, interest on such amounts paid in respect of Guaranteed Interest Amounts at the DOE Component Rate;

(x) to the Reserve Account, the amount, if any, necessary to increase the balance thereof to the Reserve Account Required Balance for such Payment Date;

(xi) on a pari passu basis, to the Agent, the Indenture Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer and the Transition Manager, any remaining accrued but unpaid indemnification, expenses, fees or other obligations owed to the Agent, the Indenture Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer and the Transition Manager not paid pursuant to clause (i) above, to be paid pro rata based upon the amounts due to each such Person;

(xii) to the Custodian, any remaining accrued but unpaid indemnification, expenses, fees or other obligations owed to the Custodian not paid pursuant to clause (iii) above;

(xiii) to the Guarantor, any remaining accrued but unpaid indemnification, expenses, fees or other obligations owed to the Guarantor not paid pursuant to clause (iv) above;

(xiv) on a pari passu basis: (a) to the Manager, Manager Extraordinary Expenses not previously paid, (b) to the Servicer, any Servicer Extraordinary Expenses not previously paid and (c) to the Sponsor, the ratable amount (based on the outstanding loan balance of each guaranteed loan then subject to the Loan Guarantee Agreement) any reimbursements for Ongoing Expenses, Extraordinary Expenses, and Maintenance Fees made to the Guarantor and not previously reimbursed;

(xv) if the Outstanding DOE Component Balance is greater than $[***], to the Lender Account on a pro rata basis (based on the Initial Percentage Interest Distribution Methodology) all remaining Borrower Available Funds (a) in respect of the Outstanding Component 1 Balance until the Outstanding Component 1 Balance has been reduced to $[***] and (b) in respect of the Outstanding Component 2 Balance until the Outstanding Component 2 Balance has been reduced to $[***];

(xvi) if the Outstanding Loan Balance has been reduced to $[***], to the Lender Account, the Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts and Deferred Post-ARD Additional Amounts for Component 1 and Component 2 due on such Payment Date, if any;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

36


(xvii) to the Lender Account, in respect of Component 1 and Component 2, any Voluntary Prepayment, as applicable;

(xviii) to the Eligible Letter of Credit Bank or other party directed by the Manager (a) any fees and expenses related to the Letter of Credit and (b) any amounts which have been drawn under the Letter of Credit and any interest due thereon; and

(xix) all remaining Borrower Available Funds (a) if an Equity Distribution Certificate has been delivered to the Guarantor and the Agent, to the Lender Account on behalf of the Lender and (b) if an Equity Distribution Certificate has not been delivered to the Guarantor and the Agent, to remain in the Collection Account to be used as Borrower Available Funds on the immediately succeeding Payment Date.

Section 5.08. Equity Contribution. (a) Sunnova Energy may, in its sole and absolute discretion, remit amounts to the Collection Account to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to the Priority of Payments; provided that (i) such deposits shall not exceed, cumulatively and in the aggregate for all Payment Dates, [***]% of the Initial Outstanding Loan Balance and (ii) no more than one such remittance may be made in any twelve month period (each such payment by Sunnova Energy, a “Permitted Equity Contribution Amount”). In the event that Sunnova Energy elects to make a Permitted Equity Contribution Amount, Sunnova Energy shall notify the Borrower, the Agent, the Lender, the Guarantor, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Servicer of such election on or prior to the date that is not later than three Business Days prior to the related Determination Date.

(b) In connection with a Permitted Refinancing of the ABS Notes where the Loan shall remain outstanding, Sunnova Energy may, in its sole and absolute discretion, remit such amounts under the Indenture to the Capital Markets Issuer as are required to discharge in full all obligations under the ABS Notes.

Section 5.09. Tax Withholding. In the event that any withholding Tax is imposed on the Borrower’s payment (or allocations of income) to the Lender, such withholding Tax shall reduce the amount otherwise distributable to the Lender in accordance with this Loan Agreement. The Agent is hereby authorized and directed to retain from amounts otherwise distributable to the Lender sufficient funds for the payment of any withholding Tax that is legally owed by the Borrower as instructed by the Servicer, in writing in a Monthly Servicer Report (but such authorization shall not prevent the Agent from contesting at the expense of the Lender any such withholding Tax in appropriate Proceedings, and withholding payment of such withholding Tax, if permitted by law, pending the outcome of such Proceedings). The amount of any withholding Tax imposed with respect to the Lender shall be treated as cash distributed to the Lender at the time it is withheld by the Borrower or the Agent (at the direction of the Servicer or the Borrower) and remitted to the appropriate taxing authority. If there is a withholding Tax payable with respect to a distribution, the Agent may in its sole discretion withhold such amounts in accordance with this Section 5.09. In the event that the Lender wishes to apply for a refund of any such withholding Tax, the Agent shall reasonably cooperate with the Lender in making such claim so long as the Lender agrees to reimburse the Agent for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

37


The Lender by its acceptance of a Loan Note or an interest in a Loan Note, will be deemed to have agreed to provide the Agent or the Borrower, upon request, with the Lender Tax Identification Information, and such other information as the Agent or Borrower may reasonably request. The Lender shall update or replace its previously provided Lender Tax Identification Information promptly if requested by the Agent or Borrower; provided that nothing herein shall require the Agent or Borrower to make such request.

Section 5.10. Statements to Lender; Tax Returns. Within the time period required by Applicable Law after the end of each calendar year, the Borrower shall cause the Agent to furnish to the Lender the information required by the Code, if any, to enable the Lender to prepare its U.S. federal and state income Tax Returns. The obligation of the Agent set forth in this Section 5.10 shall be deemed to have been satisfied to the extent that information shall be provided by the Agent, in the form of Form 1099 or other comparable form, pursuant to any requirements of the Code. The Borrower shall cause Sunnova Management, at Sunnova Management’s expense, to cause a firm of Independent Accountants to prepare any Tax Returns required to be filed by the Borrower. The Agent, upon reasonable written request, shall furnish the Borrower with all such information in the possession of the Agent as may be reasonably required in connection with the preparation of any Tax Return of the Borrower.

Section 5.11. Reports by Agent. Within five Business Days after the end of each Collection Period, the Agent shall provide or make available electronically (or upon written request, by first class mail or email) to the Servicer and the Guarantor a written report (electronic means shall be sufficient) setting forth the amounts in the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Section 25D Interest Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account and the identity of the investments included therein, as applicable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent shall, upon the written request of the Servicer or the Guarantor, promptly transmit or make available electronically to the Servicer and the Guarantor (or its or their duly authorized representatives or agents, as the case may be), copies of all accountings of, and information with respect to, the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Section 25D Interest Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account, investments thereof, as applicable, and payments thereto and therefrom.

Section 5.12. Final Balances. On the Termination Date, all moneys remaining in all Accounts (other than the Lockbox Account and the Lender Account), shall be, subject to applicable escheatment laws, remitted to, or at the direction of, the Borrower, and after the return of such funds (or disposition thereof pursuant to applicable escheatment laws), the Agent shall have no liability with respect to such funds, and the Lender should look solely only to the Borrower for such amounts.

Section 5.13. [Reserved].

Section 5.14. The Guarantee Issuance Agreement. Subject to any automatic adjustments to Guarantee Demand Requests made pursuant to Section 2.05, the following shall apply to the Guarantee Issuance Agreement:

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

38


(a) Interest Demands. If Borrower Available Funds for any Payment Date and the Maturity Date are insufficient to pay Interest Distribution Amounts that are due and payable on such Payment Date in respect of Component 1 or Component 2 (after giving effect to any amounts transferred from the Reserve Account to the Collection Account), the Agent shall prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the third Business Day prior to such Payment Date, issue a Guarantee Demand Request, as provided by the Borrower (or the Servicer on behalf of the Borrower), to the Guarantor pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sections 9.1 and 9.2 of the Guarantee Issuance Agreement in an amount equal to the Guaranteed Amounts entitled to be demanded thereunder as a result of such insufficiency. Such demands will request that Guaranteed Amounts be remitted to the Guarantor Payment Account for the benefit of the Lender. To the extent the Agent receives the proceeds of such request from the Guarantor, the Agent shall remit such amounts directly to the Guarantor Payment Account.

(b) Component 1 Parity Principal Payment Demands. If, after giving effect to the application of Borrower Available Funds for any Payment Date, the Component 1 Parity Ratio is greater than [***]%, the Agent shall, prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the third Business Day prior to such Payment Date, issue a Guarantee Demand Request, as provided by the Borrower (or the Servicer on behalf of the Borrower), to the Guarantor pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sections 9.1 and 9.2 of the Guarantee Issuance Agreement in an amount equal to the Component 1 Parity Principal Payment due thereunder. Such demands will request that Guaranteed Amounts be remitted to the Guarantor Payment Account for the benefit of the Lender. To the extent the Agent receives the proceeds of such request to the Guarantor, the Agent shall remit such amounts directly to the Guarantor Payment Account.

(c) Final Drawing. If, on the Maturity Date or after an acceleration of the Loan, the Outstanding Component 1 Balance is greater than $[***], the Agent shall, no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the third Business Day prior to such Payment Date, issue a Guarantee Demand Request, as provided by the Borrower (or the Servicer on behalf of the Borrower), to the Guarantor under Sections 9.1 and 9.2 of the Guarantee Issuance Agreement in an amount equal to the unpaid balance of thereof. Such demands will request that Guaranteed Amounts be remitted to the Guarantor Payment Account for the benefit of the Lender. To the extent the Agent receives the proceeds of such request to the Guarantor, the Agent shall remit such amounts directly to the Guarantor Payment Account.

(d) Discharge of Borrower Obligations. All amounts received in the Guarantor Payment Account pursuant to this Section 5.14 shall be deemed to have discharged the Borrower’s obligations to the Lender pro tanto dollar for dollar to the extent such amounts were so paid into the Guarantor Payment Account.

(e) Application of Guaranteed Interest Amounts Deemed Paid. Guaranteed Interest Amounts deemed to be paid by the Guarantor on any Payment Date will be applied in the following order of priority: (i) first, in satisfaction of any Borrower shortfalls in the Interest Distribution Amount with respect to Component 1 on such Payment Date (such amount in this clause (i), “Guaranteed Interest Amounts (Component 1)”) and (ii) second, any remaining amounts (the “Guaranteed Excess Interest Amounts”) as a pro rata payment of principal on Component 1 and Component 2 (based on the Initial Percentage Interest Distribution Methodology) on such Payment Date, in each case after giving effect to the Priority of Payments.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

39


ARTICLE VI

VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT OF LOAN AND RELEASE OF COLLATERAL

Section 6.01. Voluntary Prepayment. (a) Prior to the Maturity Date, the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, prepay the Loan (such prepayment, a “Voluntary Prepayment”), in whole or in part on any Business Day following the end of the Prepayment Lockout Period (such date, the “Voluntary Prepayment Date”). Any such Voluntary Prepayment is required to be made on no less than ten (10) days’ prior notice (or such shorter period, but not less than two Business Days, as is necessary to cure an Event of Default) by the Borrower sending the Notice of Voluntary Prepayment to the Agent, the Guarantor and the Servicer describing the Borrower’s election to prepay the Loan or portion thereof in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C. The Borrower may not prepay the Loan during the Prepayment Lockout Period.

(b) With respect to any Voluntary Prepayment in part, on or prior to the related Voluntary Prepayment Date, the Borrower shall deposit into the Collection Account, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the amount of outstanding principal of the Loan being prepaid and (ii) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon. Such partial Voluntary Prepayment shall be distributed by the Agent, based on the Monthly Servicer Report, on the related Voluntary Prepayment Date pro rata between (i) Component 1 and the DOE Component and (ii) Component 2. With respect to clause (i) of the immediately preceding sentence, such partial Voluntary Prepayment shall be distributed (A) first, to the Lender Account in respect of the Outstanding Component 1 Balance until the Outstanding Component 1 Balance is reduced to $[***] and (B) second, to the Guarantor in respect of the Outstanding DOE Component Balance until the Outstanding DOE Component Balance is reduced to $[***].

(c) With respect to a Voluntary Prepayment of the Loan in full, on or prior to the related Voluntary Prepayment Date, the Borrower shall be required to deposit into the Collection Account an amount equal to (i) the sum of (A) the Outstanding Loan Balance, (B) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (C) Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts, if any, and (D) all amounts owed to the Guarantor, the Agent, the Manager, the Servicer, the Back-Up Servicer, the Transition Manager and any other parties to the Loan Documents, minus (ii) the sum of the amounts then on deposit in the Reserve Account, the Section 25D Interest Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account. The Agent shall make distributions on the related Voluntary Prepayment Date in accordance with the Priority of Payments (without giving effect to clauses (vi) through (x) thereof) and solely as specified in the related Voluntary Prepayment Servicer Report and to the extent the Outstanding Loan Balance is prepaid and all other obligations of the Borrower under the Loan Documents have been paid, release any remaining assets in the Collateral to, or at the direction of, the Borrower.

(d) If the Borrower elects to rescind the Voluntary Prepayment, it must give written notice to the Agent and the Guarantor of such determination at least two Business Days prior to the Voluntary Prepayment Date. If a Voluntary Prepayment of the Loan has been rescinded pursuant to this Section 6.01(d), the Agent shall provide notice of such rescission to the Lender with copies to the Guarantor, the Borrower, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Indenture Trustee, Sunnova Energy, the Depositor, the Rating Agency and Fitch.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

40


(e) No Voluntary Prepayment in full may be effected hereunder unless the Capital Markets Issuer (if any) has simultaneously exercised a voluntary prepayment under the related Indenture.

(f) No Voluntary Prepayment in full or in part may be effected unless the Capital Markets Issuer (if any) has deposited into the Lender Account any amounts payable by the Capital Markets Issuer in connection with such prepayment that are not correspondingly payable by the Borrower in respect of the Loan.

Section 6.02. Notice of Voluntary Prepayment. Any Notice of Voluntary Prepayment received by the Agent from the Borrower shall be made available by the Agent not less than ten (10) days (or such shorter period in the case of an actual or potential Event of Default) and not more than thirty days prior to the date fixed for prepayment to the Lender with copies to the Borrower, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Guarantor, Sunnova Energy, the Servicer and the Rating Agency. Failure to make such Notice of Voluntary Prepayment available to any such Person, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of any Proceedings for the prepayment of the Loan. If a Voluntary Prepayment has been rescinded pursuant to Section 6.01(d), and to the extent the Agent had made notice of the Voluntary Prepayment available, the Agent shall make available notice of such rescission to the Lender with copies to the Borrower, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Guarantor, Sunnova Energy, the Servicer and the Rating Agency. Any notice made available as provided in this Section shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the intended recipient accesses the notice.

Section 6.03. [Reserved.].

Section 6.04. Release of Collateral. (a) The Agent shall, on or promptly after the Termination Date, release any remaining portion of the Collateral from the Lien created by this Agreement and shall deposit into the Collection Account any funds then on deposit in any other Account. The Agent shall release property from the Lien created by this Loan Agreement pursuant to this Section 6.04(a) only upon receipt by the Agent of a Borrower Order accompanied by Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel.

(b) The Lien created by this Loan Agreement on any (i) Defective Solar Loan shall automatically be released when the Depositor or the Performance Guarantor, as applicable, repurchases such Defective Solar Loan pursuant to the Contribution Agreement or the Performance Guaranty, as applicable, or (ii) Defaulted Solar Loan shall automatically be released when the Depositor or the Performance Guarantor, as applicable, repurchases such Defaulted Solar Loan pursuant to the Contribution Agreement or the Performance Guaranty, as applicable, in each case upon (A) a payment by the Depositor or the Performance Guarantor, as the case may be, of the Repurchase Price of such Solar Loan and the deposit of such payment into the Collection Account and (B) receipt by the Agent of an Officer’s Certificate of the Depositor or Performance Guarantor, as the case may be, certifying: (1) as to the identity of the Solar Loan to be released, (2) that the amount deposited into the Collection Account with respect thereto equals the Repurchase Price of such Solar Loan and (3) that all conditions in the Loan Documents with respect to the release of such Solar Loan from the Lien of this Loan Agreement have been met.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

41


(c) The Lien created by this Loan Agreement on any Replaced Solar Loan shall automatically be released upon (i) a payment by the Depositor of any Substitution Shortfall Amount and Section 25D Interest Amount, if any, due with respect to such Replaced Solar Loan and the deposit of such payment into the Collection Account or the Section 25D Interest Account, as applicable, (ii) the Borrower’s acquisition of the related Qualified Substitute Solar Loan(s) in accordance with the Contribution Agreement, and (iii) receipt by the Agent of an Officer’s Certificate of the Depositor certifying: (A) as to the identity of the Replaced Solar Loan(s) to be released, (B) that the amount, if any, deposited into the Collection Account with respect thereto equals the Substitution Shortfall Amount required to be deposited, (C) that the amount, if any, deposited into the Section 25D Interest Account with respect thereto equals the Section 25D Interest Amount for the related Qualified Substitute Solar Loan(s) required to be deposited and (D) that all conditions in the Loan Documents with respect to the release of such Replaced Solar Loan(s) from the Lien of this Loan Agreement have been met.

(d) The Lien created by this Loan Agreement on any Solar Loan shall automatically be released upon (i) deposit into the Collection Account of the amount payable by a Consumer Obligor pursuant to its Customer Contract in connection with a prepayment in whole of such Customer Contract, and (ii) receipt by the Agent of an Officer’s Certificate of the Manager certifying: (A) as to the identity of the Solar Loan to be released, (B) that the amount deposited in the Collection Account with respect thereto equals the purchase price of such Solar Loan under the related Customer Contract and (C) that all conditions in the Loan Documents with respect to the release of such Solar Loan from the Lien of this Loan Agreement have been met.

(e) Upon release of the Lien created by this Loan Agreement in accordance with subsections (b), (c) or (d), the Agent shall release the applicable asset for all purposes and deliver to or upon the order of the Borrower (or to or upon the order of the Depositor if it has satisfied its respective obligations under Sections 7(a) or 7(b) of the Contribution Agreement with respect to a Solar Loan) the applicable Solar Loan and the related Custodian File. Upon the order of the Borrower, the Agent shall authorize the filing of a UCC financing statement amendment prepared by the Servicer evidencing such release. The Servicer shall file any such authorized UCC financing statements. Upon any such release of any Solar Loan, the Borrower shall cause the Servicer to update the Schedule of Solar Loans to remove such released Solar Loan from the Schedule of Solar Loans and deliver such updated Schedule of Solar Loans to the Agent, the Guarantor and Lender.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

42


ARTICLE VII

THE AGENT

Section 7.01. Appointment of Agent. Each of the Lender and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably appoints the Agent as its agent and authorizes the Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Lender, the Agent or the Guarantor shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral hereunder, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder with respect to the Collateral shall be exercised solely by the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties at the direction of the Controlling Party.

Section 7.02. Duties of Agent. (a) If a Responsible Officer of the Agent has received notice pursuant to Section 7.03(a), or a Responsible Officer of the Agent shall otherwise have actual knowledge that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Agent shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Loan Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(b) Except during the occurrence and continuance of such an Event of Default:

(i) The Agent need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Loan Agreement and any other Loan Document to which it is a party and no others and no implied covenants or obligations of the Agent shall be read into this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(ii) In the absence of negligence or bad faith on its part, the Agent may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Agent and conforming to the requirements of this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Agent shall, however, examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether they conform on their face to the requirements of this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document but the Agent shall not be required to determine, confirm or recalculate information contained in such certificates or opinions.

(c) No provision of this Loan Agreement shall be construed to relieve the Agent from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) This paragraph (c) does not limit the effect of subsection (b) of this Section 7.02.

(ii) The Agent shall not be liable in its individual capacity for any action taken, or error of judgment made, in good faith by a Responsible Officer or other officers of the Agent, unless it is proved that the Agent was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

(iii) The Agent shall not be personally liable with respect to any action it takes, suffers or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it from the Lender in accordance with this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, in each case unless it is proved that the Agent was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

43


(iv) The Agent shall have no responsibility for filing any financing or continuation statement in any public office at any time or otherwise to perfect or to maintain the perfection of any Lien on the Collateral or in any item comprising the Conveyed Property.

(d) No provision of this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document shall require the Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial or other liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or thereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

(e) The provisions of subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 7.02 shall apply to any co-agent or separate agent appointed by the Borrower and the Agent pursuant to Section 7.13.

(f) The Agent shall not in any way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency in any Account held by the Agent resulting from any loss experienced on any item comprising the Conveyed Property except as a result of the Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(g) In no event shall the Agent be required to take any action that conflicts with Applicable Law, any of the provisions of this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document or with the Agent’s duties hereunder or that adversely affect its rights and immunities hereunder.

(h) In no event shall the Agent have any obligations or duties under or have any liabilities whatsoever to the Lender under ERISA.

(i) In no event shall the Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities; it being understood that the Agent shall resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

(j) With respect to all Solar Loans and any related part of the Collateral released from the Lien of this Loan Agreement, the Agent shall assign, without recourse, representation or warranty, to the appropriate Person as directed by the Borrower in writing, prior to the Termination Date, all the Agent’s right, title and interest in and to such assets, such assignment being in the form as prepared by the Servicer or the Borrower and acceptable to the Agent. Such Person shall thereupon own such Solar Loan and related rights appurtenant thereto free of any further obligation to the Agent or the Lender with respect thereto. The Servicer or the Borrower shall also prepare and the Agent shall, upon written direction of the Borrower, also execute and deliver all such other instruments or documents as shall be reasonably requested by any such Person to be required or appropriate to effect a valid transfer of title to a Solar Loan and the related assets.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

44


(k) In the event that the Agent receives notice from the Custodian that the Electronic Vault Agreement will be terminated, the Agent shall make such notice available to the Lender and the Guarantor and take action in response to such notice as directed in writing by the Controlling Party, provided, however, if the Controlling Party fails to provide written direction to the Agent within five (5) days of such notice and no provision has been made for a substitute electronic vault agreement to replace the Electronic Vault Agreement on terms that would not have a material adverse effect on the Lender’s interest in the Customer Contracts, as determined by an Opinion of Counsel, the Agent shall direct the Custodian to implement a “paper out” process to convert all Customer Contracts and any other electronic chattel paper held in the Electronic Vault into non-original paper copies of such chattel paper and to destroy the original electronic records evidencing such chattel paper, and such paper copies of the Customer Contracts and other records shall be delivered to the Custodian. All expenses incurred in connection with such process shall be treated as expenses of the initial Servicer.

Section 7.03. Manager Termination Event, Servicer Termination Event, or Event of Default. (a) The Agent shall not be required to take notice of or be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any default, Default, Manager Termination Event, Servicer Termination Event, Event of Default, event or information, or be required to act upon any default, Default, Manager Termination Event, Servicer Termination Event, Event of Default, event or information (including the sending of any notice) unless a Responsible Officer of the Agent is specifically notified in writing at the address set forth in Section 12.04 or until a Responsible Officer of the Agent shall have acquired actual knowledge of a default, a Default, a Manager Termination Event, a Servicer Termination Event, an Event of Default, an event or information and shall have no duty to take any action to determine whether any such default, Default, Manager Termination Event, Servicer Termination Event, Event of Default, or event has occurred. In the absence of receipt of such notice or actual knowledge, the Agent may conclusively assume that there is no such default, Default, Event of Default, Servicer Termination Event, Manager Termination Event or event. If written notice of the existence of a default, a Default, an Event of Default, a Manager Termination Event, a Servicer Termination Event, an event or information has been delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Agent or a Responsible Officer of the Agent has actual knowledge thereof, the Agent shall promptly provide paper or electronic notice thereof to the Borrower, the Transition Manager, the Back-Up Servicer, the Rating Agency and the Lender, but in any event, no later than five days after such knowledge or notice occurs.

(b) In the event the Servicer does not make available to the Rating Agency all reports of the Servicer and all reports to the Lender, upon request of the Rating Agency, the Agent shall make available promptly after such request, copies of such Servicer reports as are in the Agent’s possession to the Rating Agency and the Lender.

Section 7.04. Rights of Agent. (a) The Agent may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Agent need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any document. The Agent need not investigate or re-calculate, evaluate, certify, verify or independently determine the accuracy of any numerical information, report, certificate, information, statement, representation or warranty or any fact or matter stated in any such document and may conclusively rely as to the truth of the statements and the accuracy of the information therein.

(b) Before the Agent takes any action or refrains from taking any action under this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, the costs of which (including the Agent’s reasonable and documented attorney’s fees and expenses) shall be paid by the party requesting that the Agent act or refrain from acting. The Agent shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

45


(c) The Agent shall not be personally liable for any action it takes or omits to take or any action or inaction it believes in good faith to be authorized or within its rights or powers other than as a result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(d) The Agent shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts of matters stated in any reports, certificates, payment instructions, opinion, notice, order or other paper or document unless requested in writing by the Controlling Party, and the Controlling Party has provided to the Agent indemnity satisfactory to it.

(e) The Agent may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, affiliates or attorneys or a custodian or nominee, and the Agent shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed by it hereunder with due care. The Agent may consult with counsel, accountants and other experts and the advice or opinion of counsel, accountants and other experts with respect to legal and other matters relating to any Loan Document shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability with respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion of counsel.

(f) The Agent shall not be required to give any bond or surety with respect to the execution of this Loan Agreement or the powers granted hereunder.

(g) The Agent shall not be liable for any action or inaction of the Borrower, the Manager, the Servicer, the Back-Up Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Custodian, or any other party (or agent thereof) to this Loan Agreement or any Loan Document and may assume compliance by such parties with their obligations under this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, unless a Responsible Officer of the Agent shall have received written notice to the contrary at the Corporate Trust Office of the Agent.

(h) The Agent shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by this Loan Agreement or to institute, conduct or defend any litigation hereunder or in relation hereto at the request, order or direction of the Controlling Party, pursuant to the provisions of this Loan Agreement, unless the Agent shall have been offered security or indemnity satisfactory to the Agent against the costs, expenses and liabilities (including the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of the Agent’s counsel and agents) which may be incurred therein or thereby in accordance with Section 7.15.

(i) The Agent shall not have any duty (i) to maintain or monitor any insurance or (ii) to see to the payment or discharge of any tax, assessment, or other governmental charge or any lien or encumbrance of any kind owing with respect to, assessed or levied against, any part of the Collateral.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

46


(j) Delivery of any reports, information and documents to the Agent provided for herein or any other Loan Document is for informational purposes only (unless otherwise expressly stated), and the Agent’s receipt of such or otherwise publicly available information shall not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Servicer’s, the Manager’s or the Borrower’s compliance with any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder (as to which the Agent is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates). The Agent shall not have actual notice of any default or any other matter unless a Responsible Officer of the Agent receives actual written notice of such default or other matter.

(k) The Agent does not have any obligation to investigate any matter or exercise any powers vested under this Loan Agreement unless requested in writing by the Controlling Party or the Lender and the Agent has been provided an indemnity satisfactory to it in accordance with Section 7.15.

(l) Knowledge of the Agent shall not be attributed or imputed to Wilmington Trust’s other roles in the transaction and knowledge of the Back-Up Servicer or the Transition Manager shall not be attributed or imputed to each other or to the Agent (other than those where the roles are performed by the same group or division within Wilmington Trust or otherwise share the same Responsible Officers), or any affiliate, line of business, or other division of Wilmington Trust (and vice versa).

(m) The right of the Agent to perform any permissive or discretionary act enumerated in this Loan Agreement or any related document shall not be construed as a duty.

(n) None of the Agent, the Transition Manager or the Back-Up Servicer shall have a duty to conduct any investigation as to an actual or alleged breach of any representation or warranty, the occurrence of any condition requiring the repurchase of any Solar Loan by any Person pursuant to the Loan Documents, or the eligibility of any Solar Loan for purposes of the Loan Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Agent, the Transition Manager or the Back-Up Servicer shall be responsible for determining whether a breach of the representations or warranties made by Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer or the Lender or relating to the eligibility criteria of the Solar Loans has occurred or whether any such breach materially and adversely affects the value of such Solar Loans or the interests therein of the Lender; provided, however, that upon actual knowledge or receiving notice of a breach of any of the representations and warranties relating to the eligibility criteria of the Solar Loans by a Responsible Officer of the Agent, the Transition Manager or the Back-Up Servicer, the Agent, the Transition Manager or the Back-Up Servicer, as applicable, shall give prompt written notice thereof to Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender and the Guarantor.

(o) The rights, benefits, protections, immunities and indemnities afforded to the Agent hereunder shall extend to the Agent (in any of its capacities) under any other Loan Document or related agreement as though set forth therein in their entirety mutatis mutandis.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

47


(p) In no event shall the Agent, the Back-Up Servicer or the Transition Manager have any obligation to oversee or any liability or responsibility to monitor compliance with or enforce compliance with U.S. Risk Retention Rules or other rules or regulations relating to risk retention. In no event shall the Agent, the Back-Up Servicer of the Transition Manager be charged with knowledge of such rules or regulations, nor shall it be liable to any investor or other party for violation of such rules or regulations now or hereafter in effect.

(q) The Lender hereby directs the Agent to acknowledge the Performance Guaranty.

Section 7.05. Not Responsible for Recitals, Issuance of Loan Note or Application of Moneys as Directed. The recitals contained herein and in the Loan Note shall be taken as the statements of the Borrower, and the Agent assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Agent makes no representations with respect to the Collateral or as to the validity or sufficiency of the Collateral or this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document or of the Loan Note. the Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Borrower of the proceeds of the Loan. Subject to Section 7.02(b), the Agent shall not be liable to any Person for any money paid to the Borrower upon a Borrower Order, Servicer instruction or order or direction provided in a Monthly Servicer Report contemplated by this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Section 7.06. Money Held in Trust. The Agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Borrower and except to the extent of income or other gain on investments which are obligations of the Agent hereunder.

Section 7.07. Compensation and Reimbursement. (a) The Borrower agrees:

(i) to pay the Agent in accordance with and subject to the Priority of Payments, the Agent Fee. The Agent’s compensation shall not be limited by any law with respect to compensation of an agent of an express trust and the payments to the Agent provided by Article V hereto shall constitute payments due with respect to the applicable fee agreement or letter;

(ii) in accordance with and subject to the Priority of Payments, to reimburse the Agent upon request for all reasonable and documented expenses and disbursements incurred or made by the Agent, the Back-Up Servicer and the Transition Manager in accordance with any provision of this Loan Agreement (including, but not limited to, the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel and allocable costs of in-house counsel); provided, however, in no event shall the Borrower pay or reimburse the Agent or the agents or counsel, including in-house counsel of either, for any expenses and disbursements incurred or made by the Agent in connection with any negligent action or negligent inaction on the part of the Agent; provided, further, that payments to the Agent for reimbursement for any such expenses shall be as set forth in clause (i) of the Priority of Payments;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

48


(iii) to indemnify the Agent and its officers, directors, employees and agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any fee, loss, liability, damage, cost or expense (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses and court costs) incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Agent, to the extent such matters have been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, arising out of, or in connection with, the acceptance or administration of this trust and its obligations under the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim, action or suit in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder and defending itself against any claim, action or suit (including a successful defense, in whole or in part, of a breach of its standard of care) or bringing any claim, action or suit to enforce the indemnification or other obligations of the relevant transaction parties; provided, however, that:

(A) with respect to any such claim the Agent shall have given the Borrower, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender, the Depositor, the Guarantor, the Servicer and the Manager written notice thereof promptly after the Agent shall have actual knowledge thereof, provided, that failure to notify shall not relieve the parties of their obligations hereunder;

(B) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.07(a)(iii), none of the Borrower, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender, the Depositor, the Guarantor, the Servicer or the Manager shall be liable for settlement of any such claim by the Agent entered into without the prior consent of the Borrower, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender, the Depositor, the Guarantor, the Servicer or the Manager, as the case may be, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; and

(C) the Agent, its officers, directors, employees and agents, as a group, shall be entitled to counsel separate from the Borrower, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender, the Depositor, the Guarantor, the Servicer and the Manager; to the extent the Borrower’s, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings’, Sunnova Hestia Holdings’, the Capital Markets Issuer’s, the Lender’s, the Depositor’s, the Guarantor’s, the Servicer’s and the Manager’s interests are not adverse to the interests of the Agent, its officers, directors, employees or agents, the Agent may agree to be represented by the same counsel as the Borrower, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender, the Depositor, the Guarantor, the Servicer and the Manager.

Such payment obligations and indemnification shall survive the resignation or removal of the Agent as well as the discharge, termination or assignment hereof. The Agent’s expenses are intended as expenses of administration.

Anything in this Loan Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Agent be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

49


(b) The Agent shall, on each Payment Date, in accordance with the Priority of Payments, as applicable, deduct payment of its fees and expenses hereunder from moneys in the Collection Account.

(c) The Borrower agrees to assume and to pay, and to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Agent and the Lender from any Taxes which may at any time be asserted with respect to, and as of the date of, the Grant of the Collateral to the Agent, including, without limitation, any sales, gross receipts, general corporation, personal property, privilege or license taxes (but with respect to the Lender only, not including Taxes arising out of the creation or the issuance of the Loan Note or payments with respect thereto) and costs, expenses and reasonable counsel fees in defending against the same.

Section 7.08. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Agent shall always have a combined capital and surplus as stated in Section 7.09, and shall always be a bank or trust company with corporate trust powers organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof which is a member of the Federal Reserve System and shall be rated at least investment grade by S&P.

Section 7.09. Agent Capital and Surplus. The Agent and/or its parent shall at all times have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000. If the Agent publishes annual reports of condition of the type described in Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, its combined capital and surplus for purposes of this Section 7.09 shall be as set forth in the latest such report.

Section 7.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. (a) No resignation or removal of the Agent and no appointment of a successor Agent pursuant to this Section 7.10 shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Agent under Section 7.11.

(b) The Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days’ prior written notice thereof to the Borrower, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender, the Guarantor and the Servicer. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Agent shall not have been delivered to the Agent within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Agent.

(c) The Agent may be removed at any time by the Controlling Party upon 30 days’ prior written notice, delivered to the Agent, with copies to the Servicer, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Borrower and to the extent the Controlling Party is the Guarantor, the Lender.

(d) If at any time the Agent ceases to be eligible under Section 7.08 or Section 7.09 or shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Agent or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Agent or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, with 30 days’ prior written notice, the Borrower, with the prior written consent of the Controlling Party, by a Borrower Order, may remove the Agent.

(e) If the Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Agent for any cause, the Borrower, with the prior written consent of the Controlling Party, by a Borrower Order, shall promptly appoint a successor Agent.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

50


(f) If the Agent shall be removed pursuant to Sections 7.10(c) or (d) and no successor Agent shall have been appointed pursuant to Section 7.10(e) and accepted such appointment within 30 days of the date of removal, the removed Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a successor Agent acceptable to the Borrower and the Controlling Party.

(g) The Borrower shall give to the Rating Agency, the Lender and the Guarantor notice of each resignation and each removal of the Agent and each appointment of a successor Agent. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Agent and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

(h) The provisions of this Section 7.10 shall apply to any co-agent or separate agent appointed by the Borrower and the Agent pursuant to Section 7.13.

Section 7.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. (a) Every successor Agent appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Borrower, the Lender, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Guarantor and the retiring Agent an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Agent shall become effective and such successor Agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on request of the Borrower or the successor Agent, such retiring Agent shall, upon payment of its fees, expenses and other charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Agent all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Agent and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Agent all property and money held by such retiring Agent hereunder. Upon request of any such successor Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Agent all such rights, powers and trusts.

(b) No successor Agent shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Agent shall be qualified and eligible under Section 7.08 and Section 7.09.

(c) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Agent, the obligations of the Borrower pursuant to Section 7.07(a)(iii) and (c) and the Agent’s protections under this Article VII shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Agent.

Section 7.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Agent. Any corporation or national banking association into which the Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation, bank, trust company or national banking association resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Agent shall be a party, or any corporation, bank, trust company or national banking association succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Agent, shall be the successor of the Agent hereunder if such corporation, bank, trust company or national banking association shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under Section 7.08 and 7.09, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. The Agent shall provide the Rating Agency written notice of any such transaction.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

51


Section 7.13. Co-Agent and Separate Agent. (a) At any time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of any jurisdiction in which any part of the Collateral may at the time be located, for enforcement actions, and where a conflict of interest exists, the Agent shall have power to appoint and, upon the written request of the Agent, the Borrower shall for such purpose join with the Agent in the execution, delivery and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to appoint, one or more Persons that are approved by the Agent either to act as co-agent, jointly with the Agent, of such part of the Collateral, or to act as separate agent of any such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons in the capacity aforesaid, any property, title, right or power of the Agent deemed necessary or desirable, in all respects subject to the other provisions of this Section 7.13. If the Borrower does not join in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by it of a request so to do, or in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Agent alone shall have power to make such appointment. No notice to the Lender of the appointment of any co-agent or separate agent shall be required under this Loan Agreement. Notice of any such appointments shall be promptly given to the Rating Agency and the Guarantor by the Agent.

(b) Should any written instrument from the Borrower be required by any co-agent or separate agent so appointed for more fully confirming to such co-agent or separate agent such property, title, right or power, any and all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged and delivered by the Borrower.

(c) Every co-agent or separate agent shall, to the extent permitted by law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following terms:

(i) The Loan Note shall be delivered and all rights, powers, duties and obligations hereunder with respect to the custody of securities, cash and other personal property held by, or required to be deposited or pledged with, the Agent hereunder, shall be exercised solely by the Agent.

(ii) The rights, powers, duties and obligations hereby conferred or imposed upon the Agent with respect to any property covered by such appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Agent and such co-agent or separate agent jointly, except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act is to be performed, the Agent shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed solely by such co-agent or separate agents.

(iii) The Agent at any time, by an instrument in writing executed by it, may accept the resignation of, or remove, any co-agent or separate agent appointed under this Section 7.13. Upon the written request of the Agent, the Borrower shall join with the Agent in the execution, delivery and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to effectuate such resignation or removal. A successor to any co-agent or separate agent so resigned or removed may be appointed in the manner provided in this Section 7.13.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

52


(iv) No co-agent or separate agent appointed in accordance with this Section 7.13 hereunder shall be financially or otherwise liable by reason of any act or omission of the Agent, or any other such agent hereunder, and the Agent shall not be financially or otherwise liable by reason of any act or omission of any co-agent or separate agent hereunder.

(v) Any notice, request or other writing delivered to the Agent shall be deemed to have been delivered to each such co-agent or separate agent.

(vi) Any co-agent or separate agent may, at any time, constitute the Agent, its agent or attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority, to the extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or with respect to this Loan Agreement on its behalf and in its name. The Agent shall not be responsible for any action or inaction of any such related co-agent or separate agent appointed in accordance with this Section 7.13. The Agent shall not have any responsibility or liability relating to the appointment of any separate or co-agent. Any such separate or co-agent shall not be deemed to be an agent of the Agent. If any co-agent or separate agent shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estate, properties, rights, remedies and trusts shall vest in and be exercised by the Agent, to the extent permitted by law, without the appointment of a new or successor agent.

Section 7.14. Books and Records. The Agent agrees to provide to the Lender and the Controlling Party the right during normal business hours upon two days’ prior notice in writing to inspect its books and records insofar as the books and records relate to the functions and duties of the Agent pursuant to this Loan Agreement.

Section 7.15. Control. Upon the Agent being adequately indemnified in writing to its satisfaction, the Controlling Party shall have the right to direct the Agent with respect to any action or inaction by the Agent hereunder, the exercise of any trust or power conferred on the Agent, or the conduct of any Proceeding for any remedy available to the Agent with respect to the Loan or the Collateral provided that:

(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Loan Agreement or expose the Agent to financial or other liability (for which it has not been adequately indemnified) or be unduly prejudicial to the Secured Parties not approving such direction;

(b) the Agent may take any other action deemed proper by the Agent which is not inconsistent with such direction; and

(c) except as expressly provided otherwise herein (but only with the prior written consent of or at the direction of the Controlling Party), the Agent shall have the authority to take any enforcement action which it reasonably deems to be necessary to enforce the provisions of this Loan Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

53


Section 7.16. Suits for Enforcement. If an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Agent shall have actual knowledge, shall occur and be continuing, the Agent may, in its discretion and shall, at the direction of the Controlling Party (provided that the Agent is adequately indemnified in writing to its satisfaction in accordance with Section 7.15), proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Secured Parties under this Loan Agreement by a Proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Loan Agreement or in aid of the execution of any power granted in this Loan Agreement or for the enforcement of any other legal, equitable or other remedy as the Agent, being advised by counsel, shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of the rights of the Agent, any Lender or the Controlling Party, but in no event shall the Agent be liable for any failure to act in the absence of direction by the Controlling Party.

Section 7.17. Compliance with Applicable Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Regulations. In order to comply with Applicable Laws, including those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, the Agent is required to obtain, verify and record certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Agent. Accordingly, each of the parties agrees to provide to the Agent upon its request from time to time such identifying information and documentation as may be available to such party in order to enable the Agent to comply with Applicable Law.

Section 7.18. Authorization. The Agent is hereby authorized and directed to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under and make the representations contained in the Account Control Agreement on the Closing Date. The Lender, by its acceptance of the Loan Note, acknowledges and agrees that the Agent shall execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Account Control Agreement and shall do so solely in its capacity as Agent and not in its individual capacity. Furthermore, the Lender, by its acceptance of the Loan Note acknowledges and agrees that the Agent shall have no obligation to take any action pursuant to the Account Control Agreement unless directed to do so by the Controlling Party.

ARTICLE VIII

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE IX

EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 9.01. Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following specified events shall constitute an event of default under this Loan Agreement (each, an “Event of Default”):

(a) a default in the payment of any Interest Distribution Amount (which, for the avoidance of doubt, does not include any Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts, Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts) on a Payment Date, which default shall not have been cured after three Business Days; provided that an Event of Default pursuant to this clause (a) shall not occur if the Guarantor shall have been deemed to have paid such amounts pursuant to the Guarantee Issuance Agreement and such amounts have not been reinstated in accordance with Section 2.05 hereof;

(b) a default in the payment in full of the Outstanding Loan Balance by the Maturity Date; provided that an Event of Default pursuant to this clause (b) shall not occur if the Guarantor shall have been deemed to have paid such amounts pursuant to the Guarantee Issuance Agreement and such amounts have not been reinstated in accordance with Section 2.05 hereof;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

54


(c) an Insolvency Event shall have occurred with respect to the Borrower;

(d) the failure of the Borrower to observe or perform in any material respect any covenant or obligation of the Borrower set forth in this Loan Agreement (other than the failure to make any required payment with respect to the Loan), which has not been cured within 30 days from the date of receipt by the Borrower of written notice from the Guarantor, the Agent or the Lender of such breach or default, or the failure of the Borrower to deposit into the Collection Account all amounts required to be deposited therein by the required deposit date;

(e) any representation, warranty or statement of the Borrower (other than representations and warranties as to whether a Solar Loan is an Eligible Solar Loan) contained in the Loan Documents or any report, document or certificate delivered by the Borrower pursuant to the foregoing agreements shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect as of the time when the same shall have been made and, within 30 days after written notice thereof shall have been given to the Guarantor, the Agent and the Lender by the Servicer, the Agent or the Lender, the circumstance or condition in respect of which such representation, warranty or statement was incorrect shall not have been eliminated or otherwise cured (which cure may be effected by payment of an indemnity claim) or waived by the Agent, acting at the direction of the Controlling Party;

(f) the failure for any reason of the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, to have a first priority perfected Lien on the Collateral (subject to Permitted Liens) which is not stayed, released or otherwise cured within ten days of receipt of notice or the Servicer’s, the Manager’s or the Borrower’s knowledge thereof;

(g) the Borrower becomes subject to registration as an investment company” under the 1940 Act;

(h) the Borrower becomes classified as an association, a publicly traded partnership or a taxable mortgage pool that, in each case, is taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal or state income tax purposes;

(i) there shall remain in force, undischarged, unsatisfied, and unstayed for more than 30 consecutive days, any final non-appealable judgment in the amount of $100,000 or more against the Borrower not covered by insurance or bond;

(j) any of the Loan Documents becomes invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable against the Borrower or ceases to be in full force and effect, except to the extent such event would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

(k) failure of the Lender to directly own 100% (both by vote and value) of the Capital Stock of the Borrower.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

55


In the case of an Event of Default, after the applicable grace period set forth in such subparagraphs, if any, the Agent shall give written notice to the Lender, the Guarantor, the Rating Agency, Fitch, the Manager, the Servicer, the Back-Up Servicer, the Transition Manager and the Borrower that an Event of Default has occurred as of the date of such notice.

Section 9.02. Actions of Agent. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing hereunder, the Agent shall, at the direction of the Controlling Party, do one of the following:

(a) declare the entire unpaid principal amount of the Loan, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other amounts payable under this Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents to become immediately due and payable;

(b) either on its own or through an agent, take possession of and sell the Collateral pursuant to Section 9.15, provided, however, that neither the Agent nor any collateral agent may sell or otherwise liquidate the Collateral unless either (i) the proceeds of such sale or liquidation are sufficient to discharge in full the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Loan for principal and accrued interest and the fees and all other amounts required to be paid pursuant to the Priority of Payments, as applicable, or (ii) so long as the Guarantee Issuance Agreement remains in effect and the Guarantor has made all required payments pursuant to the Guarantee Issuance Agreement, the Guarantor consents thereto;

(c) institute Proceedings for collection of amounts due on the Loan or under this Loan Agreement by automatic acceleration or otherwise, or if no such acceleration or collection efforts have been made, or if such acceleration or collection efforts have been made, but have been annulled or rescinded, the Agent may elect to take possession of the Collateral and collect or cause the collection of the proceeds thereof and apply such proceeds in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Loan Agreement;

(d) enforce any judgment obtained and collect any amounts adjudged from the Borrower;

(e) institute any Proceedings for the complete or partial foreclosure of the Lien created by the Agreement with respect to the Collateral; and

(f) protect the rights of the Agent and the Lender by taking any appropriate action including exercising any remedy of a secured party under the UCC or any other Applicable Law.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default of the type described in clause (c) of the definition thereof, the Outstanding Loan Balance, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other amounts payable under the Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall automatically become immediately due and payable.

Section 9.03. Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any Insolvency Proceeding relative to the Borrower or any other obligor upon the Loan or the property of the Borrower or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Agent (irrespective of whether the Loan shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower for the payment of overdue principal or any interest or other amounts) shall, at the written direction of the Controlling Party, by intervention in such Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise,

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

56


(a) file and prove a claim for the whole amount owing and unpaid with respect to the Loan issued hereunder and file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of the Agent, its agents and counsel) and of the Controlling Party and the Lender allowed in such Insolvency Proceeding; and

(b) collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, or sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such Insolvency Proceeding is hereby authorized by the Controlling Party and the Lender to make such payments to the Agent and, in the event that the Agent shall, upon written direction from the Controlling Party, consent to the making of such payments directly to the Controlling Party and the Lender, to pay to the Agent any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of the Agent, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Agent under Section 7.07.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Agent to authorize and consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of the Controlling Party and the Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, or composition affecting the Loan Note or the rights of the Controlling Party and the Lender, or to authorize the Agent to vote with respect to the claim of the Controlling Party and the Lender in any such Insolvency Proceeding.

Section 9.04. Agent May Enforce Claim Without Possession of the Loan Note. All rights of action and claims under this Loan Agreement or the Loan Note may be prosecuted and enforced by the Agent without the possession of the Loan Note or the production thereof in any Proceeding relating thereto, and any such Proceeding instituted by the Agent shall be brought in its own name as trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and any recovery of judgment shall be applied first, to the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of the Agent, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Agent under Section 7.07 (provided that, any indemnification by the Borrower under Section 7.07 shall be paid only in accordance with the Priority of Payments) and second, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties for all amounts due to such Secured Parties.

Section 9.05. Knowledge of Agent. Any references herein to the knowledge of the Agent shall mean and refer to actual knowledge of a Responsible Officer of the Agent.

Section 9.06. Application of Proceeds Upon Foreclosure. Proceeds received by the Agent in connection with a foreclosure on the Collateral shall be, based on the Monthly Servicer Report, distributed in accordance with the Priority of Payments (without giving effect to clauses (vi), (vii) and (x) thereof).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

57


Section 9.07. Unconditional Right of the Lender to Receive Principal and Interest. The Lender and the Guarantor (to the extent any Guarantor Reimbursable Amounts exceed $[***]) shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, subject to the express terms of this Loan Agreement, to receive payment of principal and interest on the Loan, subject to the respective relative priorities provided for in this Loan Agreement, as such principal and interest becomes due and payable from the Collateral and to institute Proceedings for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired except as expressly permitted herein without the consent of the Controlling Party.

Section 9.08. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Agent or the Controlling Party has instituted any Proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Loan Agreement and such Proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Agent or to the Controlling Party, then, and in every case, the Borrower, the Agent and the Controlling Party shall, subject to any determination in such Proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Agent and the Controlling Party shall continue as though no such Proceeding had been instituted.

Section 9.09. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Agent or to the Controlling Party is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 9.10. Delay or Omission; Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Agent or of any Secured Party to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or any acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article IX or by law to the Agent or any Secured Party may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Agent or a Controlling Party, as the case may be.

Section 9.11. Control by the Controlling Party. Other than as set forth herein, the Controlling Party shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any Proceeding for any remedy available to the Agent or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Agent; provided that:

(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Loan Agreement including;

(b) the Agent may take any other action deemed proper by the Agent which is not inconsistent with such direction; provided, however, that, subject to Section 7.02, the Agent need not take any action which a Responsible Officer of the Agent in good faith determines might involve it in liability (unless the Agent is furnished with the reasonable indemnity referred to in Section 9.11(c)); and

(c) the Agent has been furnished reasonable indemnity against costs, expenses and liabilities which it might incur in connection therewith.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

58


Section 9.12. Waiver of Certain Events by the Controlling Party. The Controlling Party on behalf of the Secured Parties may waive any past Default, Event of Default, Servicer Termination Event, or Manager Termination Event, and its consequences. Upon any such waiver, such Default, Event of Default, Servicer Termination Event or Manager Termination Event shall cease to exist, and any Default, Event of Default, Servicer Termination Event or Manager Termination Event or other consequence arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Loan Agreement; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default, Event of Default, Servicer Termination Event or Manager Termination Event or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 9.13. Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Loan Agreement agree that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Loan Agreement, or in any suit against the Agent for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as the Agent, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 9.13 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Agent or to any suit instituted by the Lender or the Guarantor for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on the Loan Note on or after the Maturity Date expressed in the Loan Note.

Section 9.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Borrower covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not, at any time, insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Loan Agreement; and the Borrower (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Agent, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 9.15. Sale of Collateral. (a) The power to effect any sale of any portion of the Collateral pursuant to this Article IX shall not be exhausted by any one or more sales as to any portion of the Collateral remaining unsold, but shall continue unimpaired until the Collateral securing the Loan shall have been sold or all amounts payable on the Loan and under this Loan Agreement with respect thereto shall have been paid. The Agent, acting on its own or through an agent, may from time to time postpone any sale by public announcement made at the time and place of such sale.

(b) The Agent shall not, in any private sale, sell to a third party the Collateral, or any portion thereof unless the Controlling Party directs the Agent, in writing, to make such sale or unless either (i) the proceeds of such sale or liquidation are sufficient to discharge in full the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Loan for principal and accrued interest and the fees and all other amounts required to be paid pursuant the Priority of Payments or (ii) so long as the Guarantee Issuance Agreement remains in effect and the Guarantor has made all required payments pursuant to the Guarantee Issuance Agreement, the Guarantor consents thereto.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

59


(c) The Agent, the Guarantor, the Lender and the Originator shall have the right to notice of and to bid for and acquire any portion of the Collateral in connection with a public or private sale thereof, and in lieu of paying cash therefor, such Person may make settlement for the purchase price by crediting against amounts owing on the Loan or other amounts owing to such Person secured by this Loan Agreement, that portion of the net proceeds of such sale to which such Person would be entitled, after deducting the reasonable costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Agent, the Guarantor or the Lender in connection with such sale. The Loan Note need not be produced in order to complete any such sale, or in order for the net proceeds of such sale to be credited against the Loan. The Agent, the Guarantor, the Lender and the Originator may hold, lease, operate, manage or otherwise deal with any property so acquired in any manner permitted by law.

(d) The Agent shall execute and deliver an appropriate instrument of conveyance transferring its interest in any portion of the Collateral in connection with a sale thereof. In addition, the Agent is hereby irrevocably appointed the agent and attorney-in-fact of the Borrower to transfer and convey its interest in any portion of the Collateral in connection with a sale thereof, pursuant to this Section 9.15, and to take all action necessary to effect such sale. No purchaser or transferee at such a sale shall be bound to ascertain the Agent’s authority, inquire into the satisfaction of any conditions precedent or see to the application of any monies.

(e) The method, manner, time, place and terms of any sale of all or any portion of the Collateral shall be commercially reasonable and conducted in accordance with Applicable Law; provided that if the Agent, the Guarantor, the Lender or the Originator is the highest bidder for the Collateral or any portion thereof, the Agent shall sell such portion of the Collateral to such Person.

(f) In connection with any sale of any portion of the Collateral pursuant to this Article IX, the Guarantor may at its sole discretion (but shall not be required to) if requested by the holders of the ABS Notes corresponding to Component 2, instruct the Agent to transfer to the Lender (for further distribution to such holders) a representative sample of Solar Loans with an aggregate Solar Loan Balance equal to the Initial Component 2 Percentage Interest of the Aggregate Solar Loan Balance in lieu of distributing cash proceeds of such sale to the Lender. The selection of a representative sample pursuant to this Section 9.15(f) shall be conducted by an Independent Accountant.

Section 9.16. Action on the Loan Note. The Agent’s right to seek and recover judgment on the Loan Note or under this Loan Agreement shall not be affected by the seeking, obtaining or application of any other relief under or with respect to this Loan Agreement. Neither the Lien of this Loan Agreement nor any rights or remedies of the Agent or the Lender shall be impaired by the recovery of any judgment by the Agent against the Borrower or by the levy of any execution under such judgment upon any portion of the Collateral or upon any of the assets of the Borrower.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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ARTICLE X

SUPPLEMENTAL LOAN AGREEMENTS

Section 10.01. Amendments Without Lender or Guarantor Approval. (a) Without the consent of the Lender or the Guarantor, the Borrower and the Agent, when authorized and directed by a Borrower Order, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more amendments hereto, in form satisfactory to the Agent, for any of the following purposes; provided that (x) the Borrower shall have provided written notice to the Rating Agency, the Lender and the Guarantor five Business Days prior to the execution of any such amendment, (y) the Agent, the Lender and the Guarantor shall have received an Opinion of Counsel that such amendment is permitted under the terms of this Loan Agreement and that all conditions precedent to the execution of such modification have been satisfied and (z) the Agent, the Lender and the Guarantor shall have received a Tax Opinion:

(i) to correct, amplify or add to the description of any property at any time subject to the Lien of this Loan Agreement, or better to assure, convey and confirm unto the Agent any property subject or required to be subjected to the Lien of this Loan Agreement, or to subject to the Lien of this Loan Agreement additional property; provided that such action pursuant to this clause (i) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Secured Parties in any respect;

(ii) to evidence the succession of another Person in accordance with the terms hereof, and the assumption by any such successor of the obligations of the prior Person contained herein or the applicable Transaction Document;

(iii) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein or to conform the provisions herein to the descriptions set forth in an offering document delivered in connection with the Capital Markets Documents; provided that if the Guarantor provides notice (together with reasonably supported detail) to the Borrower and the Agent within five (5) Business Days of such notice that the Guarantor believes it or its interests would be adversely affected by the proposed amendment, such amendment shall require the Guarantor’s prior written consent (not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed);

(iv) to add to the covenants of the Borrower or the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Borrower; or

(v) to effect any matter specified in Section 10.05.

(b) Promptly after the execution by the Borrower and the Agent of any amendment or pursuant to this Section 10.01, the Borrower shall make available to the Lender, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Guarantor and the Rating Agency a copy of such amendment. Any failure of the Borrower to make available such copy shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment.

Section 10.02. Amendments with Consent of the Lender and the Guarantor. (a) With the prior written consent of the Lender and the Guarantor, prior written notice to the Rating Agency and receipt by the Agent of a Tax Opinion, the Borrower, the Lender, the Agent, when authorized and directed by a Borrower Order, and the Guarantor at any time and from time to time, may enter into an amendment hereto for a purpose other than those specified in Section 10.01.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

61


(b) Promptly after the execution by the Borrower, the Lender, the Agent and the Guarantor of any amendment pursuant to this Section 10.02, the Borrower shall make available to the Capital Markets Issuer, the Rating Agency and Fitch a copy of such amendment. Any failure of the Borrower to make available such copy shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment.

Section 10.03. Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Loan Agreements. In executing any amendment permitted by this Article X or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Loan Agreement, the Agent shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.02) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel (i) describing that the execution of such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Loan Agreement and (ii) in accordance with Section 3.06 hereof. The Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such amendment which affects the Agent’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Loan Agreement or otherwise.

Section 10.04. Effect of Amendments . Upon the execution of any amendment under this Article X, this Loan Agreement shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such amendment shall form a part of this Loan Agreement for all purposes and the Borrower, the Lender, the Agent and the Guarantor shall be bound thereby.

Section 10.05. Agent to Act on Instructions. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary (other than Section 10.02), in the event the Agent is uncertain as to the intention or application of any provision of this Loan Agreement or any other agreement to which it is a party, or such intention or application is ambiguous as to its purpose or application, or is, or appears to be, in conflict with any other applicable provision thereof, or if this Loan Agreement or any other agreement to which it is a party permits or does not prohibit any determination by the Agent, or is silent or incomplete as to the course of action which the Agent is required or is permitted or may be permitted to take with respect to a particular set of facts or circumstances, the Agent shall, at the expense of the Borrower, be entitled to request and rely upon the following: (a) written instructions of the Borrower directing the Agent to take certain actions or refrain from taking certain actions, which written instructions shall contain a certification that the taking of such actions or refraining from taking certain actions is in the best interest of the Controlling Party and (b) prior written consent of the Controlling Party. In such case, the Agent shall have no liability to the Borrower or the Lender for, and the Borrower shall hold harmless the Agent from, any liability, costs or expenses arising from or relating to any action taken by the Agent acting upon such instructions, and the Agent shall have no responsibility to the Lender with respect to any such liability, costs or expenses. The Borrower shall provide a copy of such written instructions to the Rating Agency, Fitch and the Controlling Party.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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ARTICLE XI

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01. Compliance Certificates and Opinions; Furnishing of Information. Upon any application or request by the Borrower to the Agent to take any action under any provision of this Loan Agreement (except with respect to ordinary course actions under this Loan Agreement and except as otherwise specifically provided in this Loan Agreement), the Borrower at the request of the Agent shall furnish to the Agent a certificate describing that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Loan Agreement relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel describing that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of certificates and Opinions of Counsel are specifically required by any provision of this Loan Agreement relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or Opinion of Counsel need be furnished.

Section 12.02. Form of Documents Delivered to the Agent. (a) If several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

(b) Any certificate or opinion of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by outside counsel, unless such Authorized Officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion or any Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Authorized Officer of any relevant Person, describing that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of such Person, unless such officer or counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Any Opinion of Counsel may be based on the written opinion of other counsel, in which event such Opinion of Counsel shall be accompanied by a copy of such other counsel’s opinion and shall include a statement to the effect that such counsel believes that such counsel and the Agent may reasonably rely upon the opinion of such other counsel.

(c) Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, notices, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Loan Agreement, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

63


(d) Wherever in this Loan Agreement, in connection with any application or certificate or report to the Agent, it is provided that the Borrower, the Servicer or the Manager shall deliver any document as a condition of the granting of such application, or as evidence of the Borrower’s, the Servicer’s or the Manager’s compliance with any term hereof, it is intended that the truth and accuracy, at the time of the granting of such application or at the effective date of such notice or report (as the case may be), of the facts and opinions stated in such document shall in such case be conditions precedent to the right of the Borrower to have such application granted or to the sufficiency of such notice or report. The foregoing shall not, however, be construed to affect the Agent’s right to rely upon the truth and accuracy of any statement or opinion contained in any such document as provided in Section 7.02(b)(ii).

(e) Wherever in this Loan Agreement it is provided that the absence of the occurrence and continuation of a Default, an Event of Default, a Servicer Termination Event or a Manager Termination Event is a condition precedent to the taking of any action by the Agent at the request or direction of the Borrower, then notwithstanding that the satisfaction of such condition is a condition precedent to the Borrower’s or the Agent’s right to make such request or direction, the Agent shall be protected in acting in accordance with such request or direction if a Responsible Officer of the Agent does not have actual knowledge of the occurrence and continuation of such Default, Event of Default, Servicer Termination Event or Manager Termination Event.

Section 12.03. Acts of the Lender. (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Loan Agreement to be given or taken by the Lender may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by the Lender in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Agent, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Borrower. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Lender signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Loan Agreement and (subject to Section 7.02) conclusive in favor of the Agent and the Borrower, if made in the manner provided in this Section 12.03.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Whenever such execution is by an officer of a corporation or a member of a limited liability company or a partnership on behalf of such corporation, limited liability company or partnership, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.

(c) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Controlling Party shall bind the Lender upon the registration or transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, with respect to anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Agent or the Borrower in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon the Loan Note.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

64


Section 12.04. Notices, Etc. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or act of the Lender or other documents provided or permitted by this Loan Agreement to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:

(a) the Agent by the Lender or by the Borrower, shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, by facsimile transmission or electronic transmission in PDF format or overnight delivery service, postage prepaid, and received by, a Responsible Officer of the Agent at its Corporate Trust Office listed below, or

(b) any other Person shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or by facsimile transmission, electronic transmission in PDF format or prepaid overnight delivery service at the address listed below or at any other address subsequently furnished in writing to the Agent by the applicable Person.

 

To the Agent:    Wilmington Trust, National Association
  

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

   Wilmington, Delaware 19890
   Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
   Phone: [***]
   Fax: [***]
To the Lender:    Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC
   20 Greenway Plaza, Suite 540
   Houston, Texas 77046
   Attention: Chief Financial Officer
   Email: [***]
   Phone: [***]
   Fax: [***]
To the Borrower:    Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC
   20 Greenway Plaza, Suite 540
   Houston, Texas 77046
   Attention: Chief Financial Officer
   Email: [***]
   Phone: [***]
   Fax: [***]
with a copy to:    Sunnova Energy Corporation
   20 Greenway Plaza, Suite 540
   Houston, Texas 77046
   Attention: Chief Financial Officer
   Email: [***]
   Phone: [***]
   Fax: [***]
To KBRA:    Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC
   805 Third Avenue, 29th Floor
   New York, New York 10022
   Attention: ABS Surveillance
   Email: [***]
   Phone: [***]

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

65


To Fitch:    Fitch Ratings, LLC
   70 W. Madison
   Chicago, Illinois 60602
   Attention: ABS Surveillance
   Phone: [***]
   Fax: [***]
To the Guarantor:    United States Department of Energy
  

Loan Programs Office

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

   Washington, D.C. 20585
   Attn: Director, Portfolio Management
   Email: [***]
   with a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):
  

Allen & Overy LLP

1221 Avenue of the Americas

   New York, NY 10020
   Attn: [***]
   Email: [***]

Notices delivered to the Rating Agency shall be by electronic delivery to the email address set forth above where information is available in electronic format. In addition, upon the written request of the Controlling Party, the Agent shall provide to the Controlling Party (or its duly authorized representatives or agents) copies of such notices, reports or other information delivered, in one or more of the means requested, by the Agent hereunder to other Persons as the Controlling Party may reasonably request.

Section 12.05. Notices and Reports to the Lender; Waiver of Notices. (a) Where this Loan Agreement provides for notice to the Lender of any event or the mailing of any report to the Lender, a copy of such notice or report shall be given to the Guarantor and such notice or report shall be written and shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if mailed, first-class, postage-prepaid, to the Lender and to the Guarantor or sent via electronic mail, at the address or electronic mail address of the Lender and the Guarantor, or an Authorized Officer thereof, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice or the mailing of such notice or report. In any case where a notice or report to the Lender or Guarantor is mailed in the manner provided above, neither the failure to mail such notice or report, nor any defect in any notice or report so mailed, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice or report with respect to the Lender or Guarantor, and any notice or report which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

66


(b) Where this Loan Agreement provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by any Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.

(c) The Agent shall promptly make available to the Guarantor, and shall promptly upon request make available to the Lender each Monthly Servicer Report and, unless directed to do so under any other provision of this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document (in which case no request shall be necessary), a copy of all reports, financial statements and notices received by the Agent pursuant to this Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided, however, the Agent shall have no obligation to provide such information described in this Section 12.05 until it has received the requisite information from the Borrower or the Servicer. The Agent shall make no representation or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of such documents and shall assume no responsibility therefor. The Agent’s internet website shall initially be located at www.wilmingtontrustconnect.com or at such other address as the Agent shall notify the parties to this Loan Agreement from time to time. In connection with providing access to the Agent’s website, the Agent may require registration and the acceptance of a disclaimer. The Agent shall not be liable for the dissemination of information in accordance with this Loan Agreement.

Section 12.06. Loan Note. The Agent shall have possession of the Loan Note until the termination of this Agreement, as provided in Section 13.01. The Lender, for itself and the Guarantor, is the payee on behalf of other Persons; in such capacity, it has no duty or other obligation to any person other than (a) the receipt and disbursement of payments on the Loan Note as provided in the Loan Documents, to the extent actually received by it as payee on behalf of other Persons and (b) upon the termination of this Agreement and its receipt of the Loan Note, to mark the Loan Note “Paid” or its equivalent and return the Loan Note to the Borrower.

Section 12.07. Borrower Obligation. Each of the Agent, the Secured Parties, the Guarantor and the Lender accepts that the enforcement against the Borrower under this Loan Agreement and under the Loan shall be limited to the assets of the Borrower, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal (including the Collateral) and the proceeds thereof. No recourse may be taken, directly or indirectly, against (a) any member, manager, officer, employee, trustee, agent or director of the Borrower or of any predecessor of the Borrower, (b) any member, manager, beneficiary, officer, employee, trustee, agent, director or successor or assign of a holder of a member or limited liability company interest in the Borrower, or (c) any incorporator, subscriber to capital stock, stockholder, officer, director, employee or agent of the Agent or any predecessor or successor thereof, with respect to the Borrower’s obligations with respect to the Loan or any of the statements, representations, covenants, warranties or obligations of the Borrower under this Loan Agreement or the Loan Note or other writing delivered in connection herewith or therewith.

Section 12.08. Enforcement of Benefits. The Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties shall be entitled to enforce and, at the written direction (electronic means shall be sufficient) of the Controlling Party, the Agent shall enforce the covenants and agreements of the Manager contained in the Management Agreement, the Servicer contained in the Servicing Agreement, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender and the Depositor contained in the Contribution Agreement, the Performance Guarantor in the Performance Guaranty and each other Transaction Document.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

67


Section 12.09. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Section and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 12.10. Successors and Assigns; Third-Party Beneficiaries. All covenants and agreements in this Loan Agreement by the Borrower, the Lender, and the Agent shall bind its respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. The Back-Up Servicer and the Transition Manager are third-party beneficiaries hereunder.

Section 12.11. Separability; Entire Agreement. If any provision in this Loan Agreement or in the Loan Note shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as part of this Loan Agreement, a provision as similar in its terms and purpose to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable. This Loan Agreement reflects the entire agreement with respect to the matters covered by this Loan Agreement and supersedes any prior agreements, commitments, drafts, communication, discussions and understandings, oral or written, with respect thereto.

Section 12.12. Benefits of this Loan Agreement. Subject to Section 12.19, nothing in this Loan Agreement or in the Loan Note, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Loan Agreement, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any co-agent or separate agent appointed under Section 7.13.

Section 12.13. Legal Holidays. If the date of any Payment Date or any other date on which principal of or interest on the Loan is proposed to be paid or any date on which mailing of notices by the Agent to any Person is required pursuant to any provision of this Loan Agreement, shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of the Loan Note or this Loan Agreement) payment or mailing of such notice need not be made on such date, but may be made or mailed on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made or mailed on the nominal date of any such Payment Date or other date for the payment of principal of or interest on the Loan, or as if mailed on the nominal date of such mailing, as the case may be, and in the case of payments, no interest shall accrue for the period from and after any such nominal date, provided such payment is made in full on such next succeeding Business Day.

Section 12.14. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) This Loan Agreement and the Loan Note shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the substantive laws of the State of New York (including New York General Obligations Laws §§ 5-1401 and 5-1402, but otherwise without regard to conflicts of law provisions thereof, except with regard to the UCC) applicable to agreements made and to be performed therein.

(b) The parties hereto agree to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Commercial Division, New York State Supreme Court, and federal courts in the borough of Manhattan in the City of New York in the State of New York.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

68


(c) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH PARTY HERETO AND THE LENDER BY ACCEPTANCE OF THE LOAN NOTE IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT OF TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BASED ON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS LOAN AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER DOCUMENT IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ANY MATTER ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER.

Section 12.15. Electronic Signatures and Counterparts. This Loan Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including electronic PDF), each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement. This Loan Agreement shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) an electronic signature that complies with the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, in each case to the extent applicable; (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature; provided, execution by electronic signature as contemplated in clause (i) above shall be limited to instances of force majeure or other circumstances that make execution by such means necessary, unless the parties otherwise agree. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature of any other party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. This Loan Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any notice provided for in this Loan Agreement or any instrument required or permitted to be delivered hereunder, any party hereto receiving or relying upon such notice or instrument shall be entitled to request execution thereof by original manual signature as a condition to the effectiveness thereof.

Section 12.16. Recording of Loan. If this Loan Agreement is subject to recording in any appropriate public recording offices, the Borrower shall effect such recording at its expense in compliance with an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such recording is necessary either for the protection of the Lender, the Secured Parties or any other person secured hereunder or for the enforcement of any right or remedy granted to the Agent under this Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Section 12.17. Further Assurances. The Borrower agrees to do and perform, from time to time, any and all acts and to execute any and all further instruments required or reasonably requested by the Agent to effect more fully the purposes of this Loan Agreement, including, without limitation, the execution of any financing statements or continuation statements relating to the Collateral for filing under the provisions of the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction.

Section 12.18. No Bankruptcy Petition Against the Borrower. The Agent, the Guarantor and the Lender agree that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all amounts payable with respect to the Loan, it shall not institute against the Borrower, or join any other Person in instituting against the Borrower, any Insolvency Proceedings or other Proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State of the United States. This Section 12.18 shall survive the termination of this Loan Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

69


Section 12.19. No Transfer and Assignment Without Consent. The Lender shall not transfer or assign the Loan Note (or any interest therein) and, other than as permitted hereunder, each of the Agent, the Borrower and the Lender shall not transfer or assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, in each case, without the prior written consent of the Controlling Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that the Lender intends to collaterally assign, among other things, all of the Lender’s rights and remedies under this Loan Agreement and the Loan Note to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the related Indenture. The Guarantor acknowledges and consents to any such assignment and pledge of all of the Lender’s rights under this Loan Agreement and the Loan Note (collectively, the “Assigned Rights”) to the Indenture Trustee on behalf of holders of ABS Notes. The parties hereto agree that to the extent the Lender assigns and pledges its rights under this Loan Agreement as described above, all the representations and warranties contained in this Loan Agreement and the rights of the Lender under this Loan Agreement and the Loan Note will benefit the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the holders of the ABS Notes. The Guarantor acknowledges that the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the holders of the ABS Notes may, in the exercise of its rights and remedies pursuant to the related Indenture and other transaction documents related to the related ABS Notes (the related “Capital Markets Documents”) make all demands, give all notices, take all actions and exercise all rights of the Lender in respect of the Assigned Rights and, to the extent the Lender would have been permitted by this Loan Agreement to make such demands, give such notices, take such actions and exercise such rights (including directly enforce, without making any prior demand on the Borrower, all the rights of the Lender hereunder).

Section 12.20. Guarantor Termination. In the event the Guarantee Issuance Agreement is terminated for any reason, the Guarantor shall cease to be a party hereto and any references to the Guarantor herein shall be of no force or effect.

Section 12.21. Multiple Roles. The parties expressly acknowledge and consent to Wilmington Trust, National Association, acting in the multiple roles of the Agent, the Indenture Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer and the Transition Manager. Wilmington Trust, National Association may, in such capacities, discharge its separate functions fully, without hindrance or regard to conflict of interest principles or other breach of duties to the extent that any such conflict or breach arises from the performance by Wilmington Trust, National Association of express duties set forth in this Loan Agreement in any of such capacities, all of which defenses, claims or assertions are hereby expressly waived by the other parties hereto except in the case of negligence (other than errors in judgment), bad faith or willful misconduct by Wilmington Trust, National Association.

Section 12.22. Rule 15Ga-1 Compliance.

(a) To the extent a Responsible Officer of the Agent receives a demand for the repurchase of a Solar Loan based on a breach of a representation or warranty made by Sunnova Hestia Holdings or the Depositor of such Solar Loan (each, a “Demand”), the Agent agrees (i) if such Demand is in writing, promptly to forward such Demand to the Capital Markets Issuer and Indenture Trustee, and (ii) if such Demand is oral, to instruct the requesting party to submit such Demand in writing to the Indenture Trustee and the Capital Markets Issuer.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

70


(b) In connection with the repurchase of a Solar Loan pursuant to a Demand, any dispute with respect to a Demand, or the withdrawal or final rejection of a Demand by Sunnova Hestia Holdings or the Depositor of such Solar Loan, the Agent agrees, to the extent a Responsible Officer of the Agent has actual knowledge thereof, promptly to notify the Capital Markets Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, in writing.

(c) The Agent will (i) notify the Capital Markets Issuer and the Indenture Trustee as soon as practicable and in any event within three Business Days of the receipt thereof and in the manner set forth in Exhibit D hereof, of all Demands and provide to the Capital Markets Issuer any other information reasonably requested to facilitate compliance by it with Rule 15Ga-1 under the Exchange Act (“Rule 15Ga-1 Information”), and (ii) if requested in writing by the Capital Markets Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, provide a written certification no later than ten days following any calendar quarter or calendar year that the Agent has not received any Demands for such period, or if Demands have been received during such period, that the Agent has provided all the information reasonably requested under clause (i) above with respect to such Demands. For purposes of this Loan Agreement, references to any calendar quarter shall mean the related preceding calendar quarter ending in January, April, July and October, as applicable. The Agent has no duty or obligation to undertake any investigation or inquiry related to any repurchases of Solar Loans, or otherwise assume any additional duties or responsibilities, other than those express duties or responsibilities of the Agent hereunder or under the Transaction Documents, and no such additional obligations or duties are otherwise implied by the terms of this Loan Agreement. The Capital Markets Issuer has full responsibility for compliance with all related reporting requirements associated with the transaction completed by the Transaction Documents and for all interpretive issues regarding this information. If the Indenture Trustee delivers notice pursuant to Section 12.20(c) of the Indenture, then the Agent shall not be required to deliver notice pursuant to Section 12.22(c) hereof.

Section 12.23. PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with the Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements established under the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Title III of Pub. L. 107 56 (signed into law October 26, 2001) and its implementing regulations (collectively, “USA PATRIOT Act”), the Agent in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Agent. Each party hereby agrees that it shall provide the Agent with such information as the Agent may request from time to time in order to comply with any applicable requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

71


ARTICLE XIII

TERMINATION

Section 13.01. Termination of Loan Agreement. (a) This Loan Agreement shall terminate on the Termination Date. The Servicer shall promptly notify the Agent and the Guarantor in writing of any prospective termination pursuant to this Article XIII. Upon termination of this Loan Agreement, the Agent shall notify the Lockbox Bank of the same pursuant to the Account Control Agreement, the Liens in favor of the Agent on the Collateral shall automatically terminate and the Agent shall convey and transfer of all right, title and interest in and to the Solar Loans and other property and funds in the Collateral to the Borrower.

(b) Notice of any prospective termination (other than pursuant to Section 6.01(a) with respect to Voluntary Prepayments in full), specifying the Payment Date for payment of the final payment and requesting the surrender of the Loan Note for cancellation, shall be given promptly by the Agent by letter to the Lender, the Rating Agency and the Guarantor upon the Agent receiving written notice of such event from the Borrower or the Servicer. The Borrower or the Servicer shall give such notice to the Agent and the Guarantor not later than the 5th day of the month of the final Payment Date describing (i) the Payment Date upon which final payment of the Loan shall be made, (ii) the amount of any such final payment, and (iii) the location for presentation and surrender of the Loan Note.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

72


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower, the Lender, the Agent and the Guarantor have caused this Loan Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC, as Borrower

By  

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Sunnova Hestia II Loan Agreement

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


SUNNOVA HESTIA II LENDER, LLC, as Lender

By  

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Sunnova Hestia II Loan Agreement

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent

By  

/s/ Clarice Wright

Name:   Clarice Wright
Title:   Vice President

 

Signature Page to Sunnova Hestia II Loan Agreement

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, as Guarantor
By  

/s/ Rupinder Kaur

Name:   Rupinder Kaur
Title:   Director, Portfolio Management Division
  Loan Programs Office

 

Signature Page to Sunnova Hestia II Loan Agreement

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED:

SUNNOVA ABS MANAGEMENT, LLC as Manager

By  

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer

SUNNOVA ABS MANAGEMENT, LLC

 as Servicer

By  

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Sunnova Hestia II Loan Agreement

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


SUNNOVA ENERGY CORPORATION with respect to Section 5.08

By  

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Sunnova Hestia II Loan Agreement

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


ANNEX A

STANDARD DEFINITIONS

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


FINAL

Annex A

Standard Definitions

Rules of Construction. In these Standard Definitions and with respect to the Transaction Documents (as defined below), (a) the meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms, (b) in any Transaction Document, the words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder” and similar words refer to such Transaction Document as a whole and not to any particular provisions of such Transaction Document, (c) any subsection, Section, Article, Annex, Schedule and Exhibit references in any Transaction Document are to such Transaction Document unless otherwise specified, (d) the term “documents” includes any and all documents, instruments, agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other writings, however evidenced (including electronically), (e) the term “including” is not limiting and (except to the extent specifically provided otherwise) shall mean “including (without limitation)”, (f) unless otherwise specified, in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” shall mean “from and including,” the words “to” and “until” each shall mean “to but excluding,” and the word “through” shall mean “to and including”, (g) the words “may” and “might” and similar terms used with respect to the taking of an action by any Person shall reflect that such action is optional and not required to be taken by such Person, and (h) references to an agreement or other document include references to such agreement or document as amended, restated, reformed, supplemented and/or otherwise modified or succeeded in accordance with the terms thereof.

“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including the rules and regulations thereunder.

“ABS Notes” means the notes issued under the Indenture.

“Account Control Agreement” means any blocked account agreement by and among the Borrower, the Agent and the Lockbox Bank with respect to any Lockbox Account.

“Account Property” means the Accounts and all proceeds of the Accounts, including, without limitation, all amounts and investments held from time to time in any Account (whether in the form of deposit accounts, book-entry securities, uncertificated securities, security entitlements (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(17) of the UCC as enacted in the State of New York), financial assets (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC), or any other investment property (as defined in Section 9-102(a)(49) of the UCC)).

“Accountant’s Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(a) of the Servicing Agreement.

“Accounts” means, collectively, the Lockbox Account, the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account, the Capitalized Interest Account and the Section 25D Interest Account.

Acquisition Price has the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.

“Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.03 of the Loan Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


“Administrative Fee Base Rate” means $[***] and on each annual anniversary of the initial Determination Date will be increased by [***]%.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person controlling or controlled by or under common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed to “control” another Person if the controlling Person owns 5% or more of any class of voting securities of the controlled Person or possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled Person, whether through ownership of stock, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. For purposes of any ERISA related representations, Affiliate shall refer to any entity under common control with such Person within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code.

“Agent” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of the Loan Agreement.

“Agent Fee” means, for each Payment Date (in accordance with and subject to the Priority of Payments) an amount equal to $[***].

“Aggregate Closing Date Collateral Balance” means an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Aggregate Solar Loan Balance as of the Initial Cut-Off Date and (ii) the maximum aggregate Cut-Off Date Solar Loan Balance of Subsequent Solar Loans that may be acquired during the Prefunding Period.

“Aggregate Collateral Balance” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Aggregate Solar Loan Balance and (ii) the Prefunding Loan Balance.

“Aggregate Solar Loan Balance” means the sum of the Solar Loan Balances for all Solar Loans (excluding Defaulted Solar Loans).

“Amortization Event” exists if, on any Determination Date, (a)(i) a Manager Termination Event has occurred, (ii) Servicer Termination Event has occurred, (iii)(A) if the ABS Notes issued on the Closing Date have not been refinanced pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing and the Outstanding Loan Balance has not been repaid in full by the Anticipated Repayment Date; or (B) if such ABS Notes have been refinanced pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing, the occurrence of an Anticipated Repayment Date for such Permitted Refinancing (if applicable) or (iv) an Event of Default has occurred; (b) as a condition to accepting its appointment as a Replacement Manager, such Replacement Manager requires an increase of at least [***]% to the existing O&M Fee Base Rate to perform the related duties; (c) as a condition to accepting its appointment as a Replacement Servicer, such Replacement Servicer (other than the Back-Up Servicer) requires an increase of at least [***]% to the existing Administrative Fee Base Rate to perform the related duties; or (d) the Cumulative Default Level as of the last day of any Collection Period specified below exceeds the corresponding level specified below:

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 2 -


Collection Period

   Cumulative Default Level

1 – 12

   [***]%

13 – 24

   [***]%

25 – 36

   [***]%

37 – 48

   [***]%

49 and thereafter

   [***]%

An Amortization Event of the type described in clause (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii)(B) above, will continue until the Loan has been paid in full. An Amortization Event of the type described in clause (a)(iii)(A) above, will continue until the earlier of (x) the date on which the Loan has been paid in full and (y) the date on which the ABS Notes issued on the Closing Date have been refinanced pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing. An Amortization Event of the type described in clause (a)(iv) above will continue until the Payment Date on which the relevant Event of Default is no longer continuing. An Amortization Event of the type described in clauses (b) and (c) above will continue until the next Determination Date on which the then existing O&M Fee Base Rate or Administrative Fee Base Rate, as applicable, is no longer [***]% greater than the O&M Fee Base Rate or [***]% greater than the Administrative Fee Base Rate, as applicable, on the Closing Date. An Amortization Event of the type described in clause (d) above will continue until the Cumulative Default Level as of the last day of any calendar month specified above no longer exceeds the corresponding level specified.

“Amortization Period” means the period commencing on the Determination Date upon which an Amortization Event occurs and ending on the earlier to occur of (i) the Determination Date upon which all existing Amortization Events have been cured and no longer continuing and (ii) the day the Loan has been paid in full and all other amounts due and payable under the Loan Agreement have been paid in full.

“Ancillary Customer Agreement” means, in respect of each Solar Loan, all agreements and documents ancillary to the Customer Agreement associated with such Solar Loan, which are entered into with a Consumer Obligor in connection therewith.

“Ancillary PV System Components” means main panel upgrades, generators, critter guards, snow guards, electric vehicle chargers, roofing and landscaping materials, automatic transfer switches, load controllers and Energy Efficiency Upgrades.

“Anticipated Repayment Date” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

“Applicable Law” means all applicable laws of any Governmental Authority, including, without limitation, laws relating to consumer finance and protection and any ordinances, judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs and orders or like actions of any Governmental Authority and rules and regulations of any federal, regional, state, county, municipal or other Governmental Authority.

“Assigned Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.19 of the Loan Agreement.

“Authorized Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman, Co-Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President, any Assistant Vice President, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer or any other authorized officer of the Person who is authorized to act for the Person and whose name appears on a list of such authorized officers furnished by the Person to an Agent (containing the specimen signature of such officers), as such list may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 3 -


“Back-Up Servicer” means Wilmington Trust, in its capacity as Back-Up Servicer under the Servicing Agreement.

“Back-Up Servicer Expenses” means (i) any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred in taking any actions required in its role as Back-Up Servicer and (ii) any indemnities owed to the Back-Up Servicer in accordance with the Servicing Agreement.

“Back-Up Servicing and Transition Manager Fee” means on each Payment Date (in accordance with and subject to the Priority of Payments), an amount equal to $[***].

“Bankruptcy Code” means the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 101, et seq., as amended.

“BESS Solar Loan” means a Solar Loan used solely to finance the acquisition and installation of a BESS System, and, if applicable, related Ancillary PV System Components and the licensing of an Insight Engine License.

“BESS System” means a battery energy storage system capable of delivering electricity to the location where installed without regard to connection to or operability of the electric grid in such location and to be used in connection with a PV System, including all equipment related thereto (including any battery management system, wiring, conduits and any replacement or additional parts included from time to time).

“Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of the Loan Agreement.

Borrower Available Funds means (i) all Collections with respect to the Solar Loans (including net recoveries on Defaulted Solar Loans not repurchased and Insurance Proceeds received) deposited in or transferred to the Collection Account with respect to the related Collection Period, (ii) all amounts received from the Depositor upon its repurchase of Solar Loans during or with respect to the related Collection Period or from the Performance Guarantor pursuant to the Performance Guaranty to the extent deposited in the Collection Account, (iii) all amounts received as investment earnings on balances in the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account, the Capitalized Interest Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account and the Section 25D Interest Account during the such Collection Period, (iv) amounts transferred to the Collection Account from therein from the Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account, the Capitalized Interest Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Section 25D Interest Account or the Consumer Obligor Security Deposit Account, (v) if a Voluntary Prepayment Date is the same date as a Payment Date, amounts received in connection with a Voluntary Prepayment, in each case on deposit in the Collection Account, (vi) any Permitted Equity Contribution Amount and (vii) amounts retained in the Collection Account from previous Payment Dates pursuant to clause (xix) of the Priority of Payments; provided, however, that any amounts due during a Collection Period but deposited into the Collection Account within ten Business Days after the end of such Collection Period may, at the Servicer’s option upon notice to the Agent, be treated as if such amounts were on deposit in the Collection Account as of the end

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 4 -


of such prior Collection Period and if so treated, such amounts shall not be considered Borrower Available Funds for any other Payment Date. For the avoidance of doubt, Consumer Obligor Security Deposits on deposit in the Consumer Obligor Security Deposit Account (and not transferred to the Collection Account) and amounts received relating to Grid Services are not Borrower Available Funds.

“Borrower Financing Statement” means a UCC-1 financing statement naming the Agent as the secured party and the Borrower as the debtor.

“Borrower Operating Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Borrower dated the Closing Date.

“Borrower Order” means a written order or request signed in the name of the Borrower by an Authorized Officer and delivered to the Agent, as the context requires.

“Borrower Secured Obligations” means all amounts and obligations which the Borrower may at any time owe to or on behalf of the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties under the Loan Agreement or the Loan Note, including:

 

  (i)

all loans, advances, debts, liabilities, indemnities, penalties and obligations, howsoever arising, owed by the Borrower under the Loan Documents (to the extent any Secured Party is a subrogee in respect thereof), or otherwise to any Secured Party (whether or not evidenced by any note or instrument and whether or not for the payment of money), direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, including (a) all interest, fees and Periodic Expenses chargeable to the Borrower and payable by the Borrower thereunder, and (b) any obligation to reimburse the Guarantor for any payment pursuant to the terms of a Loan Agreement;

 

  (ii)

any and all sums advanced by any Secured Party in order to preserve the Collateral or preserve the Secured Parties’ security interest in the Collateral; and

 

  (iii)

in the event of any proceeding for the collection or enforcement of the obligations after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the expenses of retaking, holding, preparing for sale or lease, selling or otherwise disposing of or realizing on the Collateral, or of any exercise by any Secured Party of its rights under the Loan Documents, together with any Periodic Expenses, including attorney’s fees and court costs.

“Borrowing Date” means the date on which the Loan is made.

“Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for the Loan in the form set forth in Exhibit B to the Loan Agreement.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday, or any day which is a federal holiday or any day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

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Capital Markets Documents means the Indenture and any of the “Transaction Documents” identified therein.

“Capital Markets Issuer” means Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or any other indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of Sunnova Energy designated by Sunnova Energy as the Capital Markets Issuer” in connection with a Permitted Refinancing.

“Capital Markets Issuer Financing Statement” means a UCC-1 financing statement naming the Lender as the secured party and the initial Capital Markets Issuer as debtor.

“Capital Markets Issuer Voluntary Prepayment” has the meaning of “Issuer Voluntary Prepayment” set forth in Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture.

“Capital Markets Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date” has the meaning of “Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date” set forth in Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture.

“Capital Markets Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Servicer Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(b) of the Servicing Agreement.

“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents, including membership interests (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) of equity of such Person, including, if such Person is a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, such partnership, but in no event will Capital Stock include any debt securities convertible or exchangeable into equity unless and until actually converted or exchanged.

“Capitalized Interest Account” means the segregated trust account with that name established with the Agent (or such successor bank, if applicable) in the name of the Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties and maintained pursuant to Section 5.01(a) of the Loan Agreement.

“Capitalized Interest Account Deposit” means $[***].

“Certifications” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(d) of the Custodial Agreement.

“Closing Date” means June 5, 2024.

“Closing Date Certification” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) of the Custodial Agreement.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any successor or amendatory statutes.

“Collateral” means has the meaning set forth in the Granting clause of the Loan Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

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“Collection Account” means the segregated trust account with that name established with the Agent (or such successor bank, if applicable) in the name of the Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties and maintained pursuant to Section 5.01(a) of the Loan Agreement.

“Collection Period” means, with respect to each Payment Date, the immediately preceding calendar month; provided, however, the Collection Period for the initial Payment Date shall be the period from the Initial Cut-Off Date to and including the last day of the calendar month prior to the initial Payment Date.

“Collections” means, with respect to any Solar Loan, all Consumer Obligor Payments and any other cash proceeds thereof and all Rebates. Without limiting the foregoing, Collections” shall include any amounts payable to the Borrower (i) with respect to the Solar Loans (including, all contractual payments (including, for the avoidance of doubt, principal, interest, and fees), liquidation proceeds, insurance proceeds, distributions and other proceeds payable under or in connection with any such Solar Loan and all proceeds from any sale or disposition of any Related Property or proceeds of indemnities or other rights related thereto), (ii) in connection with the sale or disposition of any such Solar Loans, (iii) any indemnities, proceeds or other payments made by a third party with respect to such Solar Loans. For the avoidance of doubt, Collections” shall not include Service Incentives, Service Incentives Rebates or Grid Services Revenue, if any, so long as such Service Incentives, Service Incentives Rebates or Grid Services Revenue is not and may not be used to offset the Solar Loan Balance with respect to the related Solar Loan.

“Component” means Component 1, Component 2 or the DOE Component, as applicable.

“Component 1” means, with respect to the Loan, the portion of the Outstanding Loan Balance thereof that is guaranteed by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee Issuance Agreement.

“Component 1 Parity Principal Payments” has the meaning attributed to Loan Component 1 Parity Principal Payments set forth in the Guarantee Issuance Agreement.

“Component 1 Parity Ratio” has the meaning attributed to Loan Component 1 Parity Ratio set forth in the Guarantee Issuance Agreement.

“Component 1 Principal Distribution Amount” means, with respect to any Payment Date, an amount equal to the product of (i) the Principal Distribution Amount and (ii) the Percentage Interest for Component 1 for such Payment Date.

“Component 1 Rate” means 5.63%.

“Component 1/DOE Component Principal Distribution Amount” means, with respect to any Payment Date, an amount equal the product of (i) the Principal Distribution Amount for such Payment Date and (ii) the sum of the Percentage Interests for Component 1 and the DOE Component for such Payment Date.

“Component 2” means, with respect to the Loan, the portion of the Outstanding Loan Balance thereof that is not guaranteed by the Guarantor.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

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“Component 2 Principal Distribution Amount” means, with respect to any Payment Date, an amount equal to the product of (i) the Principal Distribution Amount and (ii) the Percentage Interest for Component 2 for such Payment Date.

“Component A-1 Interest Distribution Amount “ means with respect to Component 1 and any Payment Date, an amount equal to the sum of (a) interest accrued during the related Interest Accrual Period at the Component 1 Rate on the Outstanding Component 1 Balance immediately prior to such Payment Date and (b) the amount of unpaid Component A-1 Interest Distribution Amount for Component 1 from prior Payment Dates plus, to the extent permitted by law, interest thereon at the related Component 1 Rate.

“Component A-2 Interest Distribution Amount “ means with respect to Component 2 and any Payment Date, an amount equal to the sum of (a) interest accrued during the related Interest Accrual Period at the Component 2 Rate on the Outstanding Component 2 Balance immediately prior to such Payment Date and (b) the amount of unpaid Component A-2 Interest Distribution Amount for Component 2 from prior Payment Dates plus, to the extent permitted by law, interest thereon at the related Component 2 Rate.

“Component 2 Rate” means 9.50%.

“Consumer Obligor” means an obligor under a Solar Loan.

“Consumer Obligor Payments” means with respect to a Solar Loan, all principal, interest, fees and other payments due from a Consumer Obligor under or in respect of such Solar Loan.

“Consumer Obligor Security Deposit” means any security deposit that a Consumer Obligor must provide in accordance with such Consumer Obligor’s Customer Contract or Sunnova Energy’s Transfer Policy.

“Consumer Obligor Security Deposit Account” means the segregated trust account with that name established with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (or such successor bank, if applicable) in the name of the Originator and maintained pursuant to Section 5.01(a) of the Loan Agreement.

“Consumer Protection Law” means all Applicable Laws and implementing regulations protecting the rights of consumers, including but not limited to those Applicable Laws enforced or administered by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, and any other federal or state Governmental Authority (such as, by way of example, the California Department of Consumer Affairs) empowered with similar responsibilities.

“Contribution Agreement” means the Sale and Contribution Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, LLC, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender and the Borrower.

“Controlling Party” means (i) to the extent the Guarantee Issuance Agreement has not been terminated, the Guarantor and (ii) to the extent the Guarantee Issuance Agreement has been terminated, the Lender.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 8 -


“Conveyed Property” has the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Agent at which its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office on the Closing Date shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 19890, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or such other address as shall be designated by the Agent in a written notice to the Borrower, the Lender, and the Servicer.

“Cumulative Default Level” means, for any Determination Date, the quotient (expressed as a percentage) of (i) (A) the aggregate Solar Loan Balances of all Solar Loans that became Defaulted Solar Loans since the Closing Date (other than Defaulted Solar Loans for which the Originator has exercised its option to repurchase or substitute for Defaulted Solar Loans), minus (B) any net liquidation proceeds received in respect of Defaulted Solar Loans for which the Originator did not exercise its option to repurchase or substitute since the Closing Date, divided by (ii) the Aggregate Closing Date Collateral Balance.

“Custodial Agreement” means that certain Custodial Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Custodian, the Borrower, the Servicer, and the Agent.

“Custodian” means U.S. Bank National Association, a national association, in its capacity as provider of services under the Custodial Agreement.

“Custodian Fee” means, for each Payment Date (in accordance with and subject to the Priority of Payments) an amount equal to $[***].

“Custodian File” means (i) either (a) for Customer Contracts not held in an Electronic Vault, a PDF copy of the related Customer Contract signed by a Consumer Obligor, including any amendments thereto, or (b) the single authoritative copy of an electronic Customer Contract signed by a Consumer Obligor, including any amendments thereto, provided for both clauses (a) and (b) that if an amendment to a Customer Contract is not fully signed, the Custodian File shall only be deemed to contain such Customer Contract without giving effect to such amendment, (ii) regulatory disclosure statements to the applicable Solar Loan required by Consumer Protection Law, if any, including “truth in lending”, “Graham-Leach-Bliley” and “ECOA and FCRA” disclosures, (iii) to the extent not incorporated within the related Customer Contract, a fully executed copy of the related Production Guaranty and/or Customer Limited Warranty Agreement, if any, (iv) an executed electronic copy of the related Interconnection Agreement to which Sunnova Energy is a party, if any, (v) an executed copy of the related Net Metering Agreement to which Sunnova Energy is a party, if separate from the Interconnection Agreement, (vi) documents evidencing Permits to operate the related PV System, if any, (vii) all customer information with respect to ACH payments, if any, and (viii) any other documents the Manager routinely keeps on file, in accordance with its customary procedures, relating to such Solar Loan or the related Consumer Obligor, which may include documents evidencing permission to operate a PV System from the related utility, or Governmental Authority, as applicable, or rebates, if any. For purposes of clause (i) of this definition “executed by a Consumer Obligor” does not require the signature of any co-owner.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 9 -


“Customer Collections Policy” means the Servicer’s internal collection policy attached as Exhibit G to the Servicing Agreement.

“Customer Contract” means, in respect of a Solar Loan, a loan and security agreement or retail installment sale and security agreement or other substantially similar agreement extending consumer credit entered into by the applicable Consumer Obligor and the Originator (or its approved Dealer) and all ancillary agreements and documents related thereto, including any related amendments thereto, but excluding any Production Guaranty or Customer Limited Warranty Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the term “Customer Contract” include any Grid Services Agreement, Net Metering Agreements or Interconnection Agreements.

“Customer Limited Warranty Agreement” means (i) with respect to a PV System and/or BESS System, any separate warranty agreement provided by Sunnova Energy to a Consumer Obligor (which may be an exhibit to a Customer Contract) in connection with the performance and installation of the related PV System and/or BESS System (which, in the case of a PV System, may include a Production Guaranty) and (ii) with respect to a BESS System, any separate warranty agreement provided by Sunnova Energy to a Consumer Obligor pursuant to which Sunnova Energy or its agents have agreed to repair or replace a BESS System in accordance with the terms of the Manufacturer’s Warranty attached to such agreement.

“Cut-Off Date” means the Initial Cut-Off Date or each Subsequent Cut-Off Date.

“Cut-Off Date Solar Loan Balance” means, for a Solar Loan, the outstanding principal balance due under or in respect of such Solar Loan as of the related Cut-Off Date.

“Dealer” means a third party with whom the Originator or any of its Affiliates contracts with that sells, designs, installs and/or services PV Systems, BESS Systems and/or Ancillary PV System Components.

“Dealer Warranty” means a Dealer’s workmanship warranty under which the Dealer is obligated, at its sole cost and expense, to correct defects in its installation work for a period of at least ten years and provide a roof warranty of at least five years, in each case, from the date of installation.

“Default” means any event which results, or which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would result, in an Event of Default, a Manager Termination Event or a Servicer Termination Event.

“Defaulted Solar Loan” means a Solar Loan for which (i) the related Consumer Obligor is more than one hundred eighty (180) days past due from the original due date on [***]% or more of a contractual payment due under the related Solar Loan, (ii) an Insolvency Event has occurred with respect to a Consumer Obligor, (iii) the related PV System or BESS System has been turned off due to a Consumer Obligor delinquency under the related Customer Contract or repossessed by the Servicer or Manager, or (iv) the Servicer has determined that all or any portion of the Solar Loan has been, in accordance with the Customer Credit and Collection Policy, placed on a “non-accrual” status or is “non-collectible”, a charge-off has been taken or any or all of the principal amount due under such Solar Loan has been reduced or forgiven.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 10 -


“Defective Solar Loan” means a Solar Loan with respect to which it is determined by the Agent (acting at the written direction of the Controlling Party) or the Manager, at any time, that Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings or the Depositor breached one or more of the applicable representations or warranties regarding eligibility of such Solar Loan contained in Exhibit A to the Contribution Agreement as of the related Cut-Off Date (or as of the Closing Date or related Transfer Date, as so provided in Exhibit A to the Contribution Agreement), which breach has a material adverse effect on the Secured Parties and has not been cured within the applicable grace period or waived, in writing, by the Agent, acting at the direction of the Controlling Party.

“Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(c) of the Loan Agreement.

“Delinquent Solar Loan” means a Solar Loan for which the related Consumer Obligor is more than thirty (30) days past due from the original due date on [***]% or more of a contractual payment due under the related Solar Loan.

“Delivery” when used with respect to Account Property means:

(i)(A) with respect to bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper, negotiable certificates of deposit and other obligations that constitute “instruments” within the meaning of Section 9-102(a)(47) of the UCC, transfer thereof:

(1) by physical delivery to the Agent, indorsed to, or registered in the name of, the Agent or its nominee or indorsed in blank;

(2) by the Agent continuously maintaining possession of such instrument; and

(3) by the Agent continuously indicating by book-entry that such instrument is credited to the related Account;

(B) with respect to a “certificated security” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(4) of the UCC), transfer thereof:

(1) by physical delivery of such certificated security to the Agent, provided that if the certificated security is in registered form, it shall be indorsed to, or registered in the name of, the Agent or indorsed in blank;

(2) by the Agent continuously maintaining possession of such certificated security; and

(3) by the Agent continuously indicating by book-entry that such certificated security is credited to the related Account;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 11 -


(C) with respect to any security issued by the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National Mortgage Association that is a book-entry security held through the Federal Reserve System pursuant to Federal book entry regulations, the following procedures, all in accordance with Applicable Law, including applicable federal regulations and Articles 8 and 9 of the UCC, transfer thereof:

(1) by (x) book-entry registration of such property to an appropriate book-entry account maintained with a Federal Reserve Bank by a securities intermediary which is also a “depositary” pursuant to applicable federal regulations and issuance by such securities intermediary of a deposit advice or other written confirmation of such book-entry registration to the Agent of the purchase by the securities intermediary on behalf of the Agent of such book-entry security; the making by such securities intermediary of entries in its books and records identifying such book-entry security held through the Federal Reserve System pursuant to Federal book-entry regulations as belonging to the Agent and continuously indicating that such securities intermediary holds such book-entry security solely as agent for the Agent or (y) continuous book-entry registration of such property to a book-entry account maintained by the Agent with a Federal Reserve Bank; and

(2) by the Agent continuously indicating by book-entry that property is credited to the related Account;

(D) with respect to any asset in the Accounts that is an “uncertificated security” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(18) of the UCC) and that is not governed by clause (C) above or clause (E) below:

(1) transfer thereof:

(a) by registration to the Agent as the registered owner thereof, on the books and records of the issuer thereof; or

(b) by another Person (not a securities intermediary) who either becomes the registered owner of the uncertificated security on behalf of the Agent, or having become the registered owner, acknowledges that it holds for the Agent; or

(2) the issuer thereof has agreed that it will comply with instructions originated by the Agent with respect to such uncertificated security without further consent of the registered owner thereof; or

(E) in the case of each security in the custody of or maintained on the books of a clearing corporation (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(5) of the UCC) or its nominee, by causing:

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 12 -


(1) the relevant clearing corporation to credit such security to a securities account of the Agent at such clearing corporation; and

(2) the Agent to continuously indicate by book-entry that such security is credited to the related Account;

(F) with respect to a “security entitlement” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(17) of the UCC) to be transferred to or for the benefit of a collateral agent and not governed by clauses (C) or (E) above: if a securities intermediary (1) indicates by book entry that the underlying “financial asset” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC) has been credited to be the Agent’s “securities account” (as defined in Section 8-501(a) of the UCC), (2) receives a financial asset from the Agent or acquires the underlying financial asset for the Agent, and in either case, accepts it for credit to the Agent’s securities account or (3) becomes obligated under other law, regulation or rule to credit the underlying financial asset to the Agent’s securities account, the making by the securities intermediary of entries on its books and records continuously identifying such security entitlement as belonging to the Agent; and continuously indicating by book-entry that such securities entitlement is credited to the Agent’s securities account; and by the Agent continuously indicating by book-entry that such security entitlement (or all rights and property of the Agent representing such securities entitlement) is credited to the related Account; and/or

(ii) in the case of any such asset, such additional or alternative procedures as are now or may hereafter become appropriate to effect the complete transfer of ownership of, or control over, any such assets in the Accounts to the Agent free and clear of any adverse claims, consistent with changes in Applicable Law or the interpretation thereof.

In each case of Delivery contemplated by the Loan Agreement or other Transaction Documents, the Agent shall make appropriate notations on its records, and shall cause the same to be made on the records of its nominees, indicating that securities are held in trust pursuant to and as provided by the Loan Agreement or other Transaction Documents.

“Delivery of Custodian Files” means, with respect to documents in PDF Form, actual receipt by the Custodian of the Custodian Files via electronic transmission, and, with respect to documents in Electronic Form, delivery of Custodian Files through the Electronic System and actual receipt of such Custodian Files within that portion of the Custodian’s Electronic Vault partitioned and dedicated to the Borrower, and in all cases, the actual receipt by the Custodian of the Schedule of Solar Loans relating to Custodian Files so delivered at its designated office.

“Depositor” means Sunnova Hestia II Depositor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or any other indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of Sunnova Energy designated as the “Depositor” in connection with a Permitted Refinancing.

“Depositor Financing Statement” means a UCC-1 financing statement naming the Capital Markets Issuer as the secured party and the initial Depositor as debtor.

“Determination Date” means, with respect to any Payment Date, the close of business on the fourth Business Day prior to such Payment Date.

“DOE” means the United States Department of Energy.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

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“DOE Component” means, with respect to the Loan, the Component thereof reflecting principal payments made by the Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee Issuance Agreement.

“DOE Component Rate” means 5.63%.

“Dollar,” “Dollars,” “U.S. Dollars” and the symbol “$” mean the lawful currency of the United States.

“Due Date” means each date on which any payment is due on a solar loan in accordance with its terms.

“Easy Own Plan Equipment Purchase Agreement” means a Customer Contract pursuant to which the related Consumer Obligor purchases a PV System from a Dealer using financing provided by Sunnova Energy and for which the related Consumer Obligor is not required to make interest payments on the portion of the Solar Loan Balance equal to the related Section 25D Credit Amount until a scheduled prepayment date, typically 18 months from the date on which the related PV System achieves PTO.

“Easy Own Plan Solar Loan” means a Solar Loan governed by an Easy Own Plan Equipment Purchase Agreement or a SunSafe Easy Own Plan Equipment Purchase Agreement.

“Electronic Form” means a document delivered and maintained in electronic form via the Electronic System.

“Electronic System” means the system provided and operated by eOriginal, or such other electronic document storage provider as may be mutually agreed upon by the Borrower, the Agent and the Custodian, that enables electronic contracting and the transfer of documents maintained in Electronic Form into Physical Form.

“Electronic Vault” means the electronic “vault” created and maintained by eOriginal in order to store documents in Electronic Form pursuant to an agreement between the Custodian and eOriginal, or any other such electronic “vault” maintained by a provider mutually agreed upon by the Borrower, the Agent and the Custodian, in which the Borrower’s electronic original documents reside.

“Electronic Vault Agreement” means the agreement relating to the Electronic Vault between U.S. Bank National Association and the entity that operates and maintains the Electronic Vault.

“Eligible Account” means either (i) a segregated account or accounts maintained with an institution whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, (x) the unsecured and uncollateralized long-term debt obligations of which institution shall be rated at least investment grade by S&P and the short-term debt obligations of which are at least investment grade by S&P and (y) the unsecured and uncollateralized long-term debt obligations of which institution shall be rated at least “[***]” by Fitch or the short-term debt obligations of which are at least “[***]” by Fitch, and which is (A) a federal savings and loan association duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the federal banking laws, (B) an institution duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the applicable banking laws of any State, (C) a national banking association duly

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 14 -


organized, validly existing and in good standing under the federal banking laws or (D) a subsidiary of a bank holding company, and as to which the Rating Agency has indicated that the use of such account shall not cause the withdrawal of its rating on the Loan, (ii) a segregated trust account or accounts, which account(s) is governed by Title 12 section 9.10(b) of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, or a similar U.S. state law, and which is maintained with or by the trust department of a federal or State chartered depository institution, having capital and surplus of not less than $[***], acting in its fiduciary capacity, and acceptable to the Rating Agency or (iii) with respect to the Consumer Obligor Security Deposit Account, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

“Eligible Investments” means any one or more of the following obligations or securities:

(i) (A) direct interest-bearing obligations of, and interest-bearing obligations guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by, the United States or any agency or instrumentality of the United States the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; (B) direct interest-bearing obligations of, and interest-bearing obligations guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by, the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, but only if, at the time of investment, such obligations are assigned the highest credit rating by S&P and Fitch; and (C) evidence of ownership of a proportionate interest in specified obligations described in (A) and/or (B) above;

(ii) demand, time deposits, money market deposit accounts, certificates of deposit of, and federal funds sold by, depository institutions or trust companies (including the Agent acting in its commercial capacity) incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof (or domestic branches of foreign banks), subject to supervision and examination by federal or state banking or depository institution authorities, and having, at the time of the Borrower’s investment or contractual commitment to invest therein, a short term unsecured debt rating of “[***]” by S&P and “[***]” by Fitch, and a maturity of no more than 365 days;

(iii) securities bearing interest or sold at a discount issued by any corporation incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which have a rating of no less than “[***]” by S&P and “[***]” or “[***]” by Fitch and a maturity of no more than 365 days;

(iv) commercial paper (including both non-interest bearing discount obligations and interest-bearing obligations payable on demand or on a specified date not more than one year after the closing date thereof) of any corporation (other than the Borrower, but including the Agent, acting in its commercial capacity), incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof, that, at the time of the investment or contractual commitment to invest therein, a rating of “[***]” by S&P and “[***]” or “[***]” by Fitch, and a maturity of no more than 365 days;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 15 -


(v) money market mutual funds, including, without limitation, those of the Agent or any Affiliate thereof, or any other mutual funds registered under the 1940 Act which invest only in other Eligible Investments, having a rating, at the time of such investment, in the highest rating category by S&P and Fitch, including any fund for which the Agent or an Affiliate thereof serves as an investment advisor, administrator, shareholder servicing agent, and/or custodian or subcustodian, notwithstanding that (A) the Agent or an Affiliate thereof, charges and collects fees and expenses from such funds for services rendered, (B) the Agent or an affiliate thereof, charges and collects fees and expenses for services rendered under the Transaction Documents and (C) services performed for such funds and pursuant to the Transaction Documents may converge at any time;

(vi) repurchase agreements with respect to obligations of, or guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof when such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America; provided, however, that the unsecured obligations of the party agreeing to repurchase such obligations at the time have a credit rating of no less than “[***]” by S&P and “[***]” or “[***]” by Fitch and a maturity of no more than 365 days; and

(vii) any investment agreement (including guaranteed investment certificates, forward delivery agreements, repurchase agreements or similar obligations) with an entity which on the date of acquisition has a credit rating of no less than “[***]” by S&P and “[***]” or “[***]” by Fitch and a maturity of no more than 365 days.

The Agent, or an Affiliate thereof may charge and collect such fees from such funds as are collected customarily for services rendered to such funds (but not to exceed investments earnings thereon). The Agent may purchase from or sell to itself or an Affiliate, as principal or agent, the Eligible Investments listed above. All Eligible Investments in an Account shall be made in the name of the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

“Eligible Letter of Credit Bank” means a financial institution having total assets in excess of $[***] and with a long term rating of at least “[***]” by S&P and a short term rating of at least “[***]” by S&P and a long term rating of at least “[***]” by Fitch or a short term rating of at least “[***]” by Fitch. If the issuer of the Letter of Credit fails to be an Eligible Letter of Credit Bank on any date, the Agent will be required, upon written direction of the Borrower, the Manager or the Controlling Party, to draw on the full amount of the Letter of Credit and deposit the proceeds into the Reserve Account or Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, as applicable.

“Eligible Solar Loan” means a Solar Loan meeting, as of the related Cut-Off Date (or as of the Closing Date or related Transfer Date where so provided), all of the requirements set forth in Exhibit A of the Contribution Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Minimum Eligibility Criteria (as defined in the Loan Guarantee Agreement)).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 16 -


“Energy Efficiency Upgrades” means energy efficiency upgrades offered to Consumer Obligors in connection with Customer Contracts, including thermostats, LED or other energy efficient light bulbs, showerheads, power strips, faucet aerators, staircase covers, blown attic insulation, water heater insulation and attic baffles.

“Entrenched Conditions” means, with respect to the Loan Documents, the provisions set forth in Exhibit G of the Loan Agreement.

“eOriginal” means eOriginal, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors in interest or such other electronic document storage provider as may be mutually agreed upon by the Borrower, the Agent (acting at the direction of the Controlling Party) and the Custodian.

“Equipment Replacement Reserve Account” means the segregated trust account with that name established with the Agent (or such successor bank, if applicable) in the name of the Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties and maintained pursuant to Section 5.01(a) of the Loan Agreement.

“Equipment Replacement Reserve Deposit” means (i) prior to the Anticipated Repayment Date, $[***] and (ii) on and after the Anticipated Repayment Date, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the sum of: (i) the product of (A) one-twelfth of $[***] and (B) the aggregate DC nameplate capacity (measured in kW) of all the PV Systems related to the Solar Loans owned by the Borrower (excluding Defaulted Solar Loans in respect of PV Systems related to PV Solar Loans or PV/BESS Solar Loans that are not operational and not in the process of being removed) on the related Determination Date and (ii) the product of (A) one-twelfth of $[***] and (B) the aggregate storage capacity (measured in kWh) of the batteries included in BESS Systems related to Solar Loans owned by the Borrower (excluding Defaulted Solar Loans in respect of BESS Systems related to PV/BESS Solar Loans or BESS Solar Loans that are not operational and not in the process of being removed) on the related Determination Date; and (b) (1) the Equipment Replacement Reserve Required Balance as of the related Determination Date, minus (2) the amount on deposit in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account as of the related Determination Date, provided that the Equipment Replacement Reserve Deposit shall not be less than $[***].

Equipment Replacement Reserve Required Balance” means, for any Payment Date, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the product of (1) $[***] and (2) the aggregate DC nameplate capacity (measured in kW) of all PV Systems related to the Solar Loans owned by the Borrower (excluding Defaulted Solar Loans in respect of PV Systems related to PV Solar Loans or PV/BESS Solar Loans that are not operational and not in the process of being removed) on the related Determination Date that have related Customer Contracts with remaining terms that exceed the remaining terms of the related Manufacturer Warranty for the Inverter associated with such PV System and (b) the product of (1) $[***] and (2) the aggregate storage capacity (measured in kWh) of the batteries included in BESS Systems related to Solar Loans owned by the Borrower (excluding Defaulted Solar Loans in respect of BESS Systems related to PV/BESS Solar Loans or BESS Solar Loans that are not operational and not in the process of being removed) on the related Determination Date that have related Customer Contracts with remaining terms that exceed the remaining terms of the related Manufacturer Warranty for such BESS System.

“Equity Distribution Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit D to the Loan Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 17 -


“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended or supplemented.

“ESIGN Act” means the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, as such act may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01 of the Loan Agreement.

“Event of Loss” means, with respect to a PV System or BESS System, a loss that is deemed to have occurred with respect to a PV System or BESS System if such PV System or BESS System, as applicable, is damaged or destroyed by fire, theft or other casualty and such PV System or BESS System, as applicable, has become inoperable because of such events.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Extraordinary Expenses” means, in connection with any technical, financial, legal or other difficulty experienced by the Borrower or its affiliates (e.g., engineering failure or financial workouts) that requires the Guarantor to incur time or expenses (including third-party expenses) beyond standard monitoring and administration of the Transaction Documents and the Guarantee Issuance Agreement, the amounts that the Guarantor reasonably determines are required to: (i) reimburse the Guarantor’s additional internal administrative costs (including any costs to determine whether an amendment or modification would be required that could constitute a “modification” (as defined in section 502(9) of FCRA)); and (ii) any related fees and expenses of the Guarantor Consultants to the extent not paid directly by on or behalf of the Borrower.

“Facility” means the Loan Agreement together with all other Transaction Documents.

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of the Loan Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, and any intergovernmental agreements between the United States and another country which modify the provisions of the forgoing.

FATCA Withholding Tax” means any withholding or deduction made pursuant to FATCA in respect of any payment.

“FCRA” means the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, P.L. 101-508, 104 Stat. 1388-609 (1990), as amended by P.L. 105-33, 111 Stat. 692 (1997).

“Financing Statements” means, collectively, the Sunnova Intermediate Holdings Financing Statement, the Sunnova Hestia Holdings Financing Statement, the Depositor Financing Statement, the Capital Markets Issuer Financing Statement, the Lender Financing Statement and the Borrower Financing Statement.

“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc. and its successors and assigns.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 18 -


“Force Majeure Event” means any event or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of and without the fault or negligence of the Person claiming such Force Majeure Event. It shall include, without limitation, failure or interruption of the production, delivery or acceptance of electricity due to: an act of god; war (declared or undeclared); sabotage; riot; insurrection; civil unrest or disturbance; military or guerilla action; terrorism; economic sanction or embargo; civil strike, work stoppage, slow-down, or lock-out; explosion; fire; epidemic; pandemic; earthquake; abnormal weather condition or actions of the elements; hurricane; flood; lightning; wind; drought; the binding order of any Governmental Authority (provided that such order has been resisted in good faith by all reasonable legal means); the failure to act on the part of any Governmental Authority (provided that such action has been timely requested and diligently pursued); unavailability of electricity from the utility grid, equipment, supplies or products (but not to the extent that any such availability of any of the foregoing results from the failure of the Person claiming such Force Majeure Event to have exercised reasonable diligence); and failure of equipment not utilized by or under the control of the Person claiming such Force Majeure Event.

“GAAP” means (i) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, consistently applied and (ii) upon mutual agreement of the parties, internationally recognized generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

“Governmental Authority” means any national, State or local government (whether domestic or foreign), any political subdivision thereof or any other governmental, quasi-governmental, judicial, public or statutory instrumentality, authority, body, agency, bureau or entity, (including any zoning authority, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the relevant State commissions, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Comptroller of the Currency or the Federal Reserve Board, any central bank or any comparable authority) or any arbitrator with authority to bind a party at law.

“Grant” means to pledge, create and grant a Lien on and with regard to property. A Grant of a Solar Loan or of any other instrument shall include all rights, powers and options of the granting party thereunder, including without limitation the immediate and continuing right to claim for, collect, receive and give receipts for principal and interest payments in respect of such collateral and all other moneys payable thereunder, to give and receive notices and other communications, to make waivers or other agreements, to exercise all rights and options, to bring proceedings in the name of the granting party or otherwise, and generally to do and receive anything which the granting party is or may be entitled to do or receive thereunder or with respect thereto.

“Grid Services” means any grid services (including, but not limited to, resource adequacy, operating reserves, and load relief), energy services (including, but not limited to, demand reduction, energy injection, and energy consumption) and ancillary services (including, but not limited to, primary and secondary frequency response, frequency regulation, and voltage support); provided, however, that Grid Services shall not include the sale of energy to a Consumer Obligor pursuant to any Customer Contract.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 19 -


“Grid Services Agreement” means any grid services or similar agreement or addendum providing for Grid Services Revenue entered into by a Consumer Obligor, the Servicer or its Affiliates.

“Grid Services Revenue” means any payments or revenue received from the sale or provision of Grid Services from a Consumer Obligor’s PV System or BESS System to public utilities, independent power producers, retail energy providers, regional transmission organizations, energy trading companies, or other entities from time to time, including, without limitation, pursuant to the Sunnova Connected Solutions program.

“Guarantee Demand Request” means a demand for the Guarantor to pay Guaranteed Amounts, in the form of Exhibit C to the Guarantee Issuance Agreement.

“Guarantee Issuance Agreement” means that certain Guarantee Issuance Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Guarantor, the Lender, the Borrower, Sunnova Management, Sunnova Energy and the Agent.

“Guaranteed Amount” has the meaning set forth in the Guarantee Issuance Agreement.

“Guaranteed Excess Interest Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.14(e) of the Loan Agreement.

Guaranteed Interest Amount means an amount equal to the product of (i) the Initial Guarantee Percentage Interest and (ii) the sum of the Interest Distribution Amount for Component 1 and the Interest Distribution Amount for Component 2.

“Guaranteed Interest Amounts (Component 1)” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.14(e) of the Loan Agreement.

“Guaranteed Principal Amount” means (i) any repayment of principal with respect to Component 1 (a) upon the Maturity Date or (b) upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and acceleration under the Loan Agreement and (ii) any required Component 1 Parity Principal Payments.

“Guarantor” means the DOE.

“Guarantor Consultants” has the meaning set forth in the Guarantee Issuance Agreement.

“Guarantor Payment Account” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

“Guarantor Reimbursable Amounts” means amounts due to the Guarantor in respect of (i) the DOE Component and (ii) reimbursement for any amounts paid under the Guarantee Issuance Agreement in respect of Guaranteed Interest Amounts plus, to the extent permitted by law, interest on such amounts described in clauses (i) and (ii) at the DOE Component Rate.

“Highest Lawful Rate” has the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 20 -


“Indenture” means (i) that certain indenture, dated as of the Closing Date, between the initial Capital Markets Issuer and the Indenture Trustee or (ii) any debenture entered into between a subsequent Capital Markets Issuer and the Indenture Trustee in connection with a Permitted Refinancing.

“Indenture Trustee” means Wilmington Trust, until a successor Person shall have become the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture, and thereafter “Indenture Trustee” means such successor Person in its capacity as indenture trustee.

“Indenture Trustee Fee” means, for each Payment Date (in accordance with and subject to the Priority of Payments) an amount equal to $[***].

“Independent Accountant” means a nationally recognized firm of public accountants selected by the Servicer; provided that such firm is independent with respect to the Servicer within the meaning of the Securities Act.

“Independent Engineer” has the meaning set forth in the Guarantee Issuance Agreement.

Initial Advance Rate is equal to (i) the Initial Guaranteed Loan Balance divided by (ii) the Aggregate Closing Date Collateral Balance (expressed as a percentage).

“Initial Component 2 Percentage Interest” means 10%.

“Initial Cut-Off Date” means March 31, 2024.

“Initial Guarantee Percentage Interest” means 90%.

“Initial Outstanding Component 1 Balance” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01 of the Loan Agreement.

“Initial Outstanding Component 2 Balance” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01 of the Loan Agreement.

“Initial Outstanding DOE Component Balance” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01 of the Loan Agreement.

“Initial Outstanding Loan Balance” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01 of the Loan Agreement.

“Initial Percentage Interest Distribution Methodology” means a pro rata allocation of principal payments in respect Component 1 and Component 2 based on the Initial Guarantee Percentage Interest of such available amount and the Initial Component 2 Percentage Interest of such amounts.

“Initial Purchasers” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 21 -


“Initial Solar Loan” means a solar loan identified on the Schedule of Solar Loans conveyed to the Borrower on the Closing Date.

“Insight Engine License” means Sunnova Energy’s purpose-built behavior modification software designed to improve Consumer Obligor’s insights regarding their power usage and facilitate demand response behavior.

“Insolvency Event” means, with respect to a specified person, (a) the filing of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of such person or any substantial part of its property in an involuntary case under the bankruptcy code or any other applicable insolvency law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official for such person or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of such person’s affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) days; or (b) the commencement by such person of a voluntary case under any applicable insolvency law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by such person to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by such person to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official for such person or for any substantial part of its property, or the making by such person of any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure by such person generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the taking of action by such person in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

“Insolvency Proceeding” means any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, composition or other judicial proceedings.

“Insurance Policy” means, with respect to any PV System and/or BESS System, any insurance policy benefiting the Manager or the owner of such PV System and/or BESS System and providing coverage for loss or physical damage, credit life, credit disability, theft, mechanical breakdown, gap or similar coverage with respect to such PV System and/or BESS System or the related Consumer Obligor.

“Insurance Proceeds” means any funds, moneys or other net proceeds received by the Borrower as the payee in connection with the physical loss or damage to a PV System and/or BESS System, a loss of revenue associated with a PV System and/or BESS System or any other insurable event, including any incident that will be covered by the insurance coverage paid for and maintained by the Manager on the Borrower’s behalf.

“Interconnection Agreement” means, with respect to a PV System, a contractual obligation between a utility and a Consumer Obligor and/or an Affiliate of Sunnova Energy on behalf of a Consumer Obligor, as applicable, that allows the Consumer Obligor to interconnect such PV System and, if applicable, any related BESS System to the utility electrical grid.

“Interest Accrual Period” means for any Payment Date, the period from and including the immediately preceding Payment Date to but excluding such Payment Date and in each case will be deemed to be a period of 30 days, except that the Interest Accrual Period for the first Payment Date shall be the number of days (assuming twelve 30-day months) from and including the Closing Date to, but excluding, the first Payment Date.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 22 -


“Interest Distribution Amount” means with respect to each Component and any Payment Date, an amount equal to the sum of (a) interest accrued during the related Interest Accrual Period at the related Loan Component Rate on the Outstanding Loan Balance of such Component immediately prior to such Payment Date and (b) the amount of unpaid Interest Distribution Amount for such Component from prior Payment Dates plus, to the extent permitted by law, interest thereon at the related Loan Component Rate. For the avoidance of doubt, Interest Distribution Amounts do not include any Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts or Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts.

“Intermediate Company” means each of Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings and the Depositor.

“Inverter” means, with respect to a PV System, the necessary device(s) required to convert the variable direct electrical current (DC) output from a Solar Photovoltaic Panel into a utility frequency alternating electrical current (AC) that can be used by a Consumer Obligor’s home or property, or that can be fed back into a utility electrical grid pursuant to an Interconnection Agreement.

“KBRA” means Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC, and its successors and assigns.

“Lender” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of the Loan Agreement.

“Lender Account” means the Notes Distribution Account.

“Lender Financing Statement” means a UCC-1 financing statement naming the Borrower as the secured party and the Lender as debtor.

“Lender Tax Identification Information” means properly completed, duly executed and valid tax certifications (generally, in the case of U.S. federal income tax, IRS Form W-9 (or applicable successor form) in the case of a person that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or the appropriate IRS Form W-8 (or applicable successor form) in the case of a person that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code).

“Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued by an Eligible Letter of Credit Bank and provided by the Borrower to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in lieu of or in substitution for moneys otherwise required to be deposited in the Reserve Account or the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, as applicable, which Letter of Credit is to be as held an asset of the Reserve Account or the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, as applicable.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, easement or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected or effective under Applicable Law.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 23 -


“Loan” has the meaning set forth in recitals of the of the Loan Agreement.

“Loan Agreement” means that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Borrower, the Lender, the Agent and the Guarantor.

“Loan Component Rate” means the Component 1 Rate, the Component 2 Rate or the DOE Component Rate, as applicable.

“Loan Documents” means, collectively, the Loan Agreement, the Loan Note, the Management Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Custodial Agreement, the Performance Guaranty, the Guarantee Issuance Agreement, the Account Control Agreement, and the Contribution Agreement and any other agreements, instruments, certificates or documents delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, and “Loan Document” shall mean any of the Loan Documents.

“Loan Guarantee Agreement” means that certain Loan Guarantee Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2023, by and between the Guarantor and Sunnova Energy.

“Loan Note” means the Loan Note of the Borrower in the form of Exhibit A to the Loan Agreement, payable to the order of the Lender for the benefit of itself and the Guarantor pursuant to the Loan Agreement, in the aggregate face amount of the Initial Outstanding Loan Balance, evidencing the aggregate indebtedness of the Borrower to the Lender.

“Lockbox Account” means that certain account established at the Lockbox Bank and maintained in the name of the Borrower (subject to the Account Control Agreement) and to which the Servicer has instructed all Consumer Obligors to direct any and all payments required to be made pursuant to the related Customer Contract or in connection with the related Solar Loan.

“Lockbox Account Retained Balance” means the amount as set forth in the Account Control Agreement for the payment of Lockbox Bank Fees and Charges.

“Lockbox Bank” means, initially, (i) J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and (ii) thereafter any institution that has opened an Eligible Account in the name of the Borrower (subject to the Account Control Agreement) to which the Servicer has instructed all Consumer Obligors to direct any and all payments required to be made pursuant to the related Customer Contract or in connection with the related Solar Loan.

“Lockbox Bank Fees and Charges” means those debits from the Lockbox Account expressly permitted under the Account Control Agreement.

“Maintenance Fee” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Guarantee Agreement.

“Maintenance Log” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A of the Management Agreement.

“Management Agreement” means that certain management agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Borrower, the Manager, Transition Manager and the Agent.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 24 -


“Management Services” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of the Management Agreement.

“Management Standard” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of the Management Agreement.

“Manager” means Sunnova Management as the initial Manager or any other Replacement Manager acting as Manager pursuant to the Management Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, “Manager” also refers to any Replacement Manager appointed pursuant to the Management Agreement.

“Manager Extraordinary Expenses” means (a) extraordinary expenses incurred by the Manager in accordance with the Management Standard in connection with (i) its performance of maintenance and operations services on a PV System or BESS System on an emergency basis in order to prevent serious injury, loss or damage to persons or property (including any injury, loss or damage to a PV System or BESS System caused by the Consumer Obligor), (ii) any litigation, arbitration or enforcement proceedings pursued by the Manager in respect of Manufacturer Warranties or Dealer Warranties, (iii) any litigation, arbitration or enforcement proceeding pursued by the Manager in respect of a Customer Contract, or (iv) the replacement of Inverters or BESS Systems (or components thereof) that do not have the benefit of a Manufacturer Warranty or Dealer Warranty, to the extent not reimbursed from the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account; (b) to the extent (i) a PV System or BESS System suffers an Event of Loss, (ii) Insurance Proceeds are reduced by any applicable deductible and (iii) the Manager incurs costs related to the repair, restoration, replacement or rebuilding of such PV System or BESS System in excess of the Insurance Proceeds that the Manager receives, an amount equal to the lesser of such excess and the applicable deductible; and (c) all fees, expenses and other amounts that are paid by the Manager on behalf of the Borrower and incurred in connection with the operation or maintenance of the Solar Loans or the Transaction Documents, including (i) fees, expenses and other amounts paid to attorneys, accountants and other consultants and experts retained by the Borrower and (ii) any sales, use, franchise or property taxes that the Manager pays on behalf of the Borrower.

“Manager Fee” means for each Payment Date (in accordance with and subject to the Priority of Payments) an amount equal to the product of (i) one-twelfth of the O&M Fee Base Rate and (ii) the sum of (1) the aggregate DC nameplate capacity (measured in kW) of all PV Systems related to the Solar Loans owned by the Borrower as of the first day of the related Collection Period (excluding PV Systems related to Defaulted Solar Loans that are not operational and not in the process of being removed, repaired or replaced) and (2) [***] kW multiplied by the number of BESS Solar Loans owned by the Borrower as of the first day of the related Collection Period (excluding Defaulted Solar Loans for which the related BESS System is not operational and not in the process of being removed, repaired or replaced).

“Manager Termination Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 of the Management Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

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“Manufacturer Warranty” means any warranty given by a manufacturer of a PV System or BESS System relating to such PV System or BESS System or, in each case any part or component thereof.

“Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to any Person, any event or circumstance, individually or in the aggregate, having a material adverse effect on any of the following: (i) the business, property, operations or financial condition of such Person or the Collateral, (ii) the ability of such Person to perform its respective obligations under the Transaction Documents (including the obligation to make any payments) or (iii) the priority or enforceability of any Lien in favor of the Agent.

“Maturity Date” means the Payment Date occurring in April 2051.

“Merchant Processing Amounts” means amounts charged against all collected funds in the Lockbox Account by third party merchant processing service providers with respect to processing fees and Consumer Obligor chargebacks.

“Monthly Manager Report” means a report substantially in the form of Exhibit D to the Management Agreement, delivered to the Borrower, the Agent, the Servicer, the Back-Up Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Rating Agency and the Guarantor by the Manager pursuant to the Management Agreement.

“Monthly Risk-Based Charge” means, for each Payment Date, an amount equal to: the product of (i) one-twelfth, (ii) [***]% and (iii) the Outstanding Component 1 Balance (after giving effect to the application of Borrower Available Funds on such Payment Date).

“Monthly Servicer Report” means a report substantially in the form of Exhibit D to the Servicing Agreement, delivered to the Borrower, the Agent, the Manager, the Back-Up Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Rating Agency and the Guarantor by the Servicer pursuant to the Servicing Agreement.

“Net Metering Agreement” means, with respect to a PV System, a contractual obligation between a utility and a Consumer Obligor and/or an Affiliate of Sunnova Energy on behalf of a Consumer Obligor, as applicable, that allows the Consumer Obligor to offset its regular utility electricity purchases by receiving a bill credit at a specified rate for energy generated by such PV System that is exported to the utility electrical grid and not consumed by the Consumer Obligor on its property. A Net Metering Agreement may be embedded or acknowledged in an Interconnection Agreement.

“New York UCC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(g)(ii)(f) of the Loan Agreement.

“Notes” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

“Notes Distribution Account” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 26 -


“Notice of Voluntary Prepayment” means the notice in the form of Exhibit C to the Loan Agreement.

“O&M Fee Base Rate” means $[***] and on each annual anniversary of the initial Determination Date will be increased by [***]%.

“Offering Circular” means (i) that certain confidential offering circular dated May 22, 2024 related to the Notes or (ii) any confidential offering circular relating to notes offered by a subsequent Capital Markets Issuer in connection with a Permitted Refinancing.

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer or a Responsible Officer, as the case may be.

“Ongoing Expenses” means ongoing documented third-party fees and expenses paid, including all Periodic Expenses, or incurred in connection with: (i) any ongoing due diligence of the Sponsor and the transactions contemplated by the Loan Guarantee Agreement; (ii) the administration, preservation in full force and effect, enforcement and monitoring of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Guarantee Agreement throughout the term of the Loan Guarantee Agreement; (iii) any waiver, consent, amendment or modification to, or the preservation of any right or claim under the Program Documents; (iv) the administration, preservation and enforcement of the Program Documents and the Guarantor’s rights thereunder, including during any distressed asset scenario experienced by the Borrower or its affiliates or the Loan relating to technical, financial, or legal matters or other events; (v) any Permitted Refinancing; (vi) any Extraordinary Expenses; and (vii) any other fees or expenses not contemplated in the Loan Guarantee Agreement and incurred in the Guarantor’s reasonable discretion for the purposes of its ongoing involvement with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Guarantee Agreement, in each case, such fees and expenses to include all fees and expenses of the Independent Engineer and other independent consultants and advisors (including legal counsel) retained at the Guarantor’s discretion.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel who may be outside counsel for the Borrower or the Agent or other counsel and who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, which shall comply with any applicable requirements of Section 12.02 of the Loan Agreement and which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

“Ordinary Course of Business” means the ordinary conduct of business consistent with custom and practice for, as the context may require, the rooftop and ground mounted solar businesses (including with respect to quantity and frequency) of the Borrower and its Affiliates.

“Originator” means Sunnova Energy in its capacity as originator of Solar Loans.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 27 -


“Outstanding Component 1 Balance” means, as of any date of determination, (i) the Initial Outstanding Component 1 Balance minus (ii) all principal payments made on Component 1 as of such date of determination including, for the avoidance of doubt, all payments made by the Guarantor as principal under the Guarantee Issuance Agreement and any portion of Voluntary Prepayments attributable to the Outstanding Component 1 Balance plus (iii) any amounts reinstated pursuant to Section 2.05 of the Loan Agreement.

“Outstanding Component 2 Balance” means, as of any date of determination, (i) the Initial Component 2 Balance minus (ii) all principal payments made on Component 2 as of such date of determination including, for the avoidance of doubt, any portion of Voluntary Prepayments attributable to the Outstanding Component 2 Balance.

“Outstanding DOE Component Balance” means, as of any date of determination, (i) the Initial DOE Component Balance plus (ii) all principal payments made by the Guarantor under the Guarantee Issuance Agreement with respect to the Loan as of such date of determination minus (iii) all principal payments made towards repayment of the DOE Component as of such date of determination, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any portion of Voluntary Prepayments attributable to the Outstanding DOE Component Balance minus (iv) any reductions made pursuant to Section 2.05 of the Loan Agreement.

“Outstanding Loan Balance” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of the Outstanding Component 1 Balance, the Outstanding Component 2 Balance and the Outstanding DOE Component Balance, in each case, as of such date of determination.

“Parts” means components of a PV System and/or BESS System.

“Payment Date” means the 20th day of each calendar month during which the Loan remains Outstanding, beginning in July 2024; provided, however, that if any such day is not a Business Day, then the payments due thereon shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day.

“PDF Form” means those documents in “portable document format” delivered to the Custodian via electronic transmission.

“Percentage Interest” means, as of any date of determination, (i) with respect to Component 1, an amount equal to (a) the Outstanding Component 1 Balance as of such date of determination, divided by (b) the sum of the Outstanding Component 1 Balance and the Outstanding DOE Component Balance (expressed as a percentage), in each case, as of such date of determination multiplied by (c) the Initial Guarantee Percentage Interest, (ii) with respect to Component 2, the Initial Component 2 Percentage Interest and (iii) with respect to the DOE Component, an amount equal to: (a) the Outstanding DOE Component Balance as of such date of determination, divided by (b) the sum of the Outstanding Component 1 Balance and the Outstanding DOE Component Balance (expressed as a percentage), in each case, as of such date of determination multiplied by (c) the Initial Guarantee Percentage Interest.

“Perfection UCCs” means, with respect to the Conveyed Property and the Collateral, (i) the date-stamped copy of the filed Sunnova Intermediate Holdings Financing Statement, Sunnova Hestia Holdings Financing Statement, Depositor Financing Statement, Capital Markets Issuer Financing Statement and Lender Financing Statement covering such Solar Loan and the related Conveyed Property and (ii) the date-stamped copy of the filed Borrower Financing Statement covering the Collateral and (iii) the date-stamped copy of the filed Termination Statements releasing the Liens held by creditors of Sunnova Energy, its Affiliates or any other Person (other

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 28 -


than as expressly contemplated by the Transaction Documents) covering such Solar Loan and the related Conveyed Property, or, in the case of (iii) above, a copy of search results performed and certified by a national search company indicating that such Termination Statements have been filed in the UCC filing offices of the States in which the Financing Statements being terminated were originally filed.

“Performance Guarantor” means Sunnova Energy in its capacity as Performance Guarantor under the Performance Guaranty.

“Performance Guaranty” means the performance guaranty, dated as of the Closing Date, made by the Performance Guarantor for the benefit of the Agent, the Lender, and the Borrower.

“Periodic Expenses” means all of the following amounts from time to time due under or in connection with the Program Documents or the loan documents related to any Guarantee Issuance Agreement: (i) recordation and other costs, fees and charges in connection with the execution, delivery, filing, registration, or performance of the Program Documents or the loan documents related to any Guarantee Issuance Agreement or the perfection of the security interests in the collateral; (ii) fees, charges, and expenses of any Guarantor Consultants; (iii) other fees, charges, expenses and other amounts from time to time due under or in connection with the Program Documents or the loan documents related to any Guarantee Issuance Agreement; and (iv) Extraordinary Expenses.

“Permits” means, with respect to any PV System or BESS System, the applicable permits, franchises, leases, orders, licenses, notices, certifications, approvals, exemptions, qualifications, rights or authorizations from or registration, notice or filing with any Governmental Authority required to operate such PV System or BESS System.

“Permitted Equity Contribution Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.08(a) of the Loan Agreement.

“Permitted Equity Distribution” means a distribution made in accordance with Section 5.07(xix)(a) of the Loan Agreement.

“Permitted Liens” means (i) any lien for taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies not yet due and payable, already paid or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (ii) any other lien or encumbrance arising under or permitted by the Transaction Documents, (iii) to the extent a PV System or BESS System constitutes a fixture, any conflicting interest of an encumbrancer or owner of the real property that has or would have priority over the applicable UCC fixture filing and (iv) any rights of Consumer Obligors under the Customer Contracts.

“Permitted Refinancing” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Guarantee Agreement.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, joint stock company, trust (including any beneficiary thereof), unincorporated organization or Governmental Authority.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 29 -


“Physical Form” means a document maintained in physical paper form or a document previously maintained in Electronic Form which has been transferred to Physical Form.

“Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(c) of the Loan Agreement.

Post-ARD Additional Interest Rate” means, for Component 1 and Component 2, an annual rate corresponding to the “Post-ARD Additional Interest Rate” of the related ABS Notes.

Post-ARD Spread” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

“Post-Closing Date Certification” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b) of the Custodial Agreement.

“Post-Transfer Date Certification” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(d) of the Custodial Agreement.

“Potential Default” means any event or condition which with notice, passage of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

“PR Easy Own Plan Solar Loan” means an Easy Own Plan Solar Loan originated after June 30, 2018 for a home located in Puerto Rico for which there is no Section 25D Credit Payment Date.

“Prefunding Account” means the segregated trust account with that name established with the Agent (or such successor bank, if applicable) in the name of the Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties and maintained pursuant to Section 5.01(a) of the Loan Agreement.

“Prefunding Account Initial Deposit” means an amount equal to $[***].

“Prefunding Certificate” means an Officer’s Certificate relating to a Subsequent Solar Loan Transfer substantially in the form of Exhibit E to the Loan Agreement.

“Prefunding Loan Balance” means the excess of the maximum aggregate Cut-Off Date Solar Loan Balances of Subsequent Solar Loans that may be purchased during the Prefunding Period over the Cut-Off Date Solar Loan Balances of Subsequent Solar Loans that have been purchased during the Prefunding Period; provided, the Prefunding Loan Balance shall equal zero on and after the Prefunding Termination Date.

“Prefunding Notice” means a notice in the form of Exhibit F to the Loan Agreement.

“Prefunding Period” means the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the Prefunding Termination Date.

“Prefunding Termination Date” means the Determination Date immediately following the earliest of (i) the date that is [***] ([***]) months following the Closing Date, (ii) the date on which the amount on deposit in the Prefunding Account is less than $[***], (iii) the date on which an Amortization Event occurs, or (iv) the date on which an Event of Default occurs.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 30 -


“Prepayment Lockout Period” means the period from and including the Closing Date through and including the Payment Date occurring in December 2029.

Principal Distribution Amount means (i) with respect to any Payment Date during a Regular Amortization Period, the sum of (a) the amount by which (1) the sum of (x) the Outstanding Loan Balance as of the last day of the related Collection Period and (y) the Target Overcollateralization Amount exceeds (2) the Aggregate Collateral Balance as of the last day of the related Collection Period plus (b) on the first Payment Date after the Prefunding Termination Date, the amount deposited into the Collection Account from the Prefunding Account; or (ii) with respect to any Payment Date during an Amortization Period, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the entire amount of remaining Borrower Available Funds after making provisions for payments and distributions required under clauses (i) through (vii) of the Priority of Payments on such Payment Date and (b) the Outstanding Loan Balance; provided, however, in each case, the Principal Distribution Amount shall not exceed the Outstanding Loan Balance as of such Payment Date prior to any distributions made on such Payment Date; provided, further, if the sum of Borrower Available Funds plus the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account and the Section 25D Interest Account is greater than or equal to the sum of (a) the payments and distributions required under clauses (i) through (vii) of the Priority of Payments, (b) the Outstanding Loan Balance as of such Payment Date prior to any distributions made on such Payment Date and (c) all Loan Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts and Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts, then the Principal Distribution Amount shall equal the Outstanding Loan Balance as of such Payment Date prior to any distributions made on such Payment Date. For the avoidance of doubt, where an Amortization Event has occurred and is continuing, Principal Distribution Amounts will only be due to the extent there are Borrower Available Funds remaining after application of clauses (i) through (vii) of the Priority of Payments on such Payment Date.

“Priority of Payments” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.07 of the Loan Agreement.

“Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans” means all Subsequent Solar Loans acquired by the Borrower during the Prefunding Period.

“Proceeding” means any suit in equity, action at law or other judicial or administrative proceeding.

“Production Guaranty” means, with respect to a PV System, an agreement in the form of a production warranty between the Consumer Obligor and Sunnova Energy (which may be an exhibit to a Customer Contract), in connection with the performance and installation of the related PV System (which, may include a production guaranty that specifies a minimum level of solar energy production, as measured in kilowatt hours (“kWh”), for a specified time period for the PV Systems related to the Solar Loan and compensates the Consumer Obligor for a shortfall).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 31 -


“Program Documents” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Guarantee Agreement.

Project” means a PV System and/or BESS System, the associated Real Property Rights, rights under the applicable Customer Contracts and all other related rights to the extent applicable thereto including, without limitation, all Parts and manufacturers’ warranties and rights to access Consumer Obligor data.

“Prudent Industry Practices” means the practices, methods, acts and equipment (including but not limited to the practices, methods, acts and equipment engaged in or approved by a prudent, experienced participant in the renewable energy electric generation industry operating in the United States) that, at a particular time, in the exercise of reasonable judgment in light of the facts known or that reasonably should have been known at the time a decision was made, would have been expected to accomplish the desired result in a manner that complies with, and is otherwise consistent with, Applicable Law (including, for the avoidance of doubt all Consumer Protection Laws), Permits, codes and standards, equipment manufacturer’s recommendations, reliability, safety and environmental protection.

“PTO” means, with respect to a PV System, the receipt of permission to operate from the related local utility or Governmental Authority in writing or in such other form as is customarily given by the related local utility or Governmental Authority.

“PV Solar Loan” means a Solar Loan used to finance the acquisition and installation of a PV System, and, if applicable, related Ancillary PV System Components and the licensing of an Insight Engine License.

“PV System” means, a photovoltaic system, including Solar Photovoltaic Panels, Inverters, Racking Systems, wiring and other electrical devices, as applicable, conduits, weatherproof housings, hardware, remote monitoring equipment, connectors, meters, disconnects and over current devices (including any replacement or additional parts included from time to time).

“PV/BESS Solar Loan” means a Solar Loan used to finance the acquisition and installation of a PV System and BESS System, and, if applicable, related Ancillary PV System Components and the licensing of an Insight Engine License.

“Qualified Service Provider” means an Independent Accountant or other service provider.

“Qualified Service Provider Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(b) of the Servicing Agreement.

“Qualified Substitute Solar Loan” means a Solar Loan that meets each of the following criteria as of the related Transfer Date: (i) qualifies as an Eligible Solar Loan, (ii) the Consumer Obligors related to the Qualified Substitute Solar Loans transferred to the Borrower on such Transfer Date have a weighted average credit score (as of the date of origination of such Qualified Substitute Solar Loans) greater than or equal to the weighted average credit score of the Consumer Obligors related to the related Replaced Solar Loans (as of the date of origination of such Replaced Solar Loans), (iii) the Qualified Substitute Solar Loans transferred to the Borrower on such Transfer Date have a weighted average current interest rate that is greater than or equal to the

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 32 -


weighted average current interest rate of the related Replaced Solar Loans, (iv) the Qualified Substitute Solar Loans transferred to the Borrower on such Transfer Date shall not cause the percentage concentration (measured by Solar Loan Balance as a percentage of the Aggregate Solar Loan Balance) of all Solar Loans owned by the Borrower on such Transfer Date (including for the avoidance of doubt, any Qualified Substitute Solar Loans transferred to the Borrower on such Transfer Date) for which the Related Property is located in any one state or territory (including Puerto Rico) to exceed [***]%, (v) the Qualified Substitute Solar Loans transferred to the Borrower on such Transfer Date shall not cause the percentage (measured by Solar Loan Balance as a percentage of the Aggregate Solar Loan Balance) of all Solar Loans (including for the avoidance of doubt, any Qualified Substitute Solar Loans transferred to the Borrower on such Transfer Date) that are PV/BESS Solar Loans or BESS Solar Loans to exceed [***]%, (vi) does not have a remaining term to maturity later than the Maturity Date and (vii) if the Section 25D Credit Payment Date for such Qualified Substitute Solar Loan shall not have occurred prior to such Transfer Date, the necessary amount shall have been deposited into the Section 25D Interest Account.

“Racking System” means, with respect to a PV System, the hardware required to mount and securely fasten a Solar Photovoltaic Panel onto the site where the PV System is located.

“Rating Agency” means KBRA.

“Real Property Rights” means all real property rights contained in the Customer Contracts, if any.

“Rebate” means any rebate by an electric distribution company, or state or local governmental authority or quasi-governmental agency as an inducement to install or use a PV System, paid upon such PV System being placed in service.

“Regular Amortization Period” means any period which is not an Amortization Period.

Related Property” means, with respect to a Solar Loan, the real property on which the related PV System and/or BESS System is installed.

“Removal Policy” means the Manager’s internal removal policy attached as Exhibit B to the Management Agreement.

“Replaced Solar Loan” means a Defective Solar Loan or a Defaulted Solar Loan for which the Depositor has substituted a Qualified Substitute Solar Loan pursuant to the Contribution Agreement.

“Replacement Manager” means any Person appointed to replace the Manager and to assume the obligations of Manager under the Management Agreement.

“Replacement Servicer” means any Person appointed to replace the Servicer and to assume the obligations of Servicer under the Servicing Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 33 -


“Repurchase Price” means for a Defective Solar Loan or Defaulted Solar Loan an amount equal to sum of (i) the Solar Loan Balance of such Solar Loan immediately prior to becoming a Defective Solar Loan or Defaulted Solar Loan and (ii) any accrued and unpaid interest then due and payable on such Defective Solar Loan or Defaulted Solar Loan through the date such Defective Solar Loan or Defaulted Solar Loan is repurchased.

“Reserve Account” means the segregated trust account with that name established with the Agent (or such successor bank, if applicable) in the name of the Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties and maintained pursuant to Section 5.01(a) of the Loan Agreement.

“Reserve Account Floor Amount” means the product of [***]% and the initial aggregate outstanding balance of the outstanding ABS Notes.

“Reserve Account Required Balance” means, for any Payment Date or any date on which the Borrower acquires any Subsequent Solar Loan, the greater of (i) [***]% of the Aggregate Collateral Balance as of the last day of the related Collection Period and (ii) the Reserve Account Floor Amount. On and after the Payment Date on which the Outstanding Loan Balance has been reduced to zero, the Reserve Account Required Balance will be equal to zero.

“Responsible Officer” means when used with respect to (i) the Agent, the Transition Manager and the Back-Up Servicer, any President, Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer or Corporate Trust Officer, or any other officer in the Corporate Trust Office customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and (ii) the Custodian, any President, Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer, or any other officer customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers, in each case having direct responsibility for the administration of the Transaction Documents. When used with respect to any Person other than the Agent, the Transition Manager or the Back-Up Servicer and the Custodian that is not an individual, the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Treasurer, any Vice President, Assistant Vice President or the Controller of such Person, or any other officer or employee having similar functions.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a business unit of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC, and its successors and assigns.

“Schedule of Solar Loans” means, as the context may require, the schedule of solar loans owned by the Borrower and pledged to the Agent, as such schedule may be supplemented from time to time for Qualified Substitute Solar Loans or Subsequent Solar Loans (in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents).

“Scheduled Payment” means, with respect to a solar loan for each Due Date, a scheduled payment of principal and/or interest due on such Due Date.

“Section 25D Credit Amount” means, with respect to each Section 25D Easy Own Plan Solar Loan, the portion of the related Solar Loan Balance equal to the anticipated investment tax credit for the related PV System and, as applicable, BESS System.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 34 -


“Section 25D Credit Payment Date” means the date on which a Consumer Obligor in respect of a Section 25D Easy Own Plan Solar Loan is scheduled to pay the related Section 25D Credit Amount.

“Section 25D Easy Own Plan Solar Loan” means an Easy Own Plan Solar Loan other than a PR Easy Own Plan Solar Loan.

“Section 25D Interest Account” means the segregated trust account with that name established with the Agent (or such successor bank, if applicable) in the name of the Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties and maintained pursuant to Section 5.01(a) of the Loan Agreement.

“Section 25D Interest Account Required Amount” means the sum of the Section 25D Interest Amounts for all Solar Loans that are Section 25D Easy Own Plan Solar Loans.

“Section 25D Interest Amount” for a Section 25D Easy Own Plan Solar Loan means (i) on the Closing Date or a Transfer Date, the amount of interest that accrues on the related Section 25D Credit Amount from the related Cut-Off Date at such Section 25D Easy Own Plan Solar Loan’s interest rate until the Section 25D Credit Payment Date (assuming that no prepayment is made) and (ii) on each Payment Date, the amount of interest that accrues on the related Section 25D Credit Amount on and after such Payment Date at such Solar Loan’s interest rate until the Section 25D Credit Payment Date (assuming no prepayment is made).

“Secured Parties” means the Agent, the Lender and the Guarantor.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“SEI” means Sunnova Energy International Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Service Incentives” means payments paid by a state or local Governmental Authority, a utility or grid operator, a community choice aggregator or any other Person that administers a program or arrangement similar to those described herein in respect of any PV System or BESS System, as applicable, in connection with any demand response programs, grid services, or any other program or arrangement utilized for the purpose of maintaining the reliability of the electrical grid to the owner thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, Service Incentives do not include Grid Services.

“Service Incentives Rebates” means any amounts credited to or paid to a Customer Obligor in exchange for such Customer Obligor permitting the related PV System and/or BESS System to participate in a program or arrangement pursuant to which Service Incentives are generated, as set forth in the related Customer Contract.

“Servicer” means Sunnova Management as the initial Servicer or any other Replacement Servicer acting as Servicer pursuant to the Servicing Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, “ Servicer “ also refers to any Servicer Manager appointed pursuant to the Servicing Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 35 -


“Servicer Extraordinary Expenses” means (a) extraordinary expenses incurred by the Servicer in accordance with the Servicing Standard in connection with any litigation, arbitration or enforcement proceeding pursued by the Servicer in respect of a Customer Contract and (b) all fees, expenses and other amounts that are paid by the Servicer on behalf of the Borrower and incurred in connection with the financing or servicing of the Solar Loans or the Transaction Documents, including (i) fees, expenses and other amounts paid to attorneys, accountants and other consultants and experts retained by the Borrower and (ii) any sales, use, franchise or property taxes that the Servicer pays on behalf of the Borrower.

“Servicer Fee” means on each Payment Date (in accordance with and subject to the Priority of Payments) the amount equal to the product of (a) one-twelfth of the Administrative Fee Base Rate and (b) the sum of (1) the aggregate DC nameplate capacity (measured in kW) of all the PV Systems related to the Solar Loans owned by the Borrower as of the first day of the related Collection Period (excluding PV Systems related to Defaulted Solar Loans that are not operational and not in the process of being removed, repaired or replaced) and (2) [***] kW multiplied by the number of BESS Solar Loans owned by the Borrower as of the first day of the related Collection Period (excluding Defaulted Solar Loans for which the related BESS System is not operational and not in the process of being removed, repaired or replaced).

“Servicer Termination Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 of the Servicing Agreement.

“Servicing Agreement” means that certain servicing agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Borrower, the Servicer and the Back-Up Servicer.

“Servicing Services” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of the Servicing Agreement.

“Servicing Standard” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of the Servicing Agreement.

“Settlement Statement” means a settlement statement in the form of Exhibit C to the Contribution Agreement.

“Solar Loan” means an Initial Solar Loan, a Subsequent Solar Loan or a Qualified Substitute Solar Loan.

“Solar Loan Balance” means, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal balance due under or in respect of a Solar Loan (including a Defaulted Solar Loan).

“Solar Loan File” means, with respect to a Solar Loan, the documents maintained by the Originator or the Servicer in connection with such Solar Loan, which includes each of the documents in the Custodian File with respect to such Solar Loan.

“Solar Loan Management Files” means such files, documents, and computer files (including those documents comprising the Custodian File) necessary for the Manager to perform the Management Services.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 36 -


“Solar Loan Servicing Files” means such files, documents, and computer files (including those documents comprising the Custodian File) necessary for the Servicer to perform the Servicing Services.

“Solar Photovoltaic Panel” means, with respect to a PV System, the necessary hardware component that uses wafers made of silicon, cadmium telluride, or any other suitable material, to generate a direct electrical current (DC) output using energy from the sun’s light.

“Sponsor” means Sunnova Energy.

“State” means any one or more of the states comprising the United States and the District of Columbia.

“Subcontractor” means any person to whom the Manager subcontracts any of its obligations under the Management Agreement, and any person to whom such obligations are further subcontracted of any tier.

“Subsequent Cut-Off Date” means, with respect to any Subsequent Solar Loan or Qualified Substitute Solar Loan, (i) the close of business on the last day of the calendar month immediately preceding the related Transfer Date or (ii) such other date designated by the Servicer.

“Subsequent Solar Loan” means a solar loan meeting the criteria specified in Section 2.09(a) of the Loan Agreement and acquired by the Borrower on a Transfer Date during the Prefunding Period.

“Subsequent Solar Loan Assignment” means an assignment in the form of Exhibit D to the Contribution Agreement.

“Subsequent Solar Loan Criteria” means a Solar Loan which satisfies, as of the related Transfer Date, certain criteria identified in the Loan Agreement, including but not limited to:

 

  (i)

qualifies as an Eligible Solar Loan as of the related Transfer Date,

 

  (ii)

such Solar Loan does not have a Production Guaranty that guaranties more than [***]% of expected energy production by the related PV System at the time of origination of such Solar Loan,

 

  (iii)

such Solar Loan, when aggregated together with all Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans does not cause (with respect to clauses (a) and (b), weighted by Solar Loan Balance, and with respect to clauses (c) through (j), measured by the aggregate Solar Loan Balance of the related Solar Loans as a percentage of the aggregate Solar Loan Balance of the Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans):

 

  (a)

the weighted average current interest rate of the Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans to be less than [***]%,

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 37 -


  (b)

the weighted average FICO® score (determined as of the date of origination of the related Solar Loan Agreement) of the Consumer Obligors of the Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans to be less than [***],

 

  (c)

the percentage of the Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans with Consumer Obligors that have FICO® scores (determined as of the date of origination of the related Solar Loan Agreement) from and including [***] to and including [***] to exceed [***]%,

 

  (d)

the percentage of the Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans with Consumer Obligors that have FICO® scores (determined as of the date of origination of the related Solar Loan Agreement) from and including [***] to and including [***] to exceed [***]%,

 

  (e)

the percentage of the Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans with Consumer Obligors that have FICO® scores (determined as of the date of origination of the related Solar Loan Agreement) from and including [***] to and including [***] to exceed [***]%,

 

  (f)

the percentage of the Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans for which the related PV System includes a string Inverter to exceed [***]%,

 

  (g)

the percentage of the Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans that are PV/BESS Solar Loans or BESS Solar Loans to exceed [***]%,

 

  (h)

the percentage of the Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans with Production Guaranties that guaranty more than [***]% of expected energy production by the related PV System to exceed [***]%,

 

  (i)

the percentage of the Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans with Production Guaranties that guaranty more than [***]% of expected energy production by the related PV System to exceed [***]%,

 

  (j)

the percentage of the Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans which are Roof Replacement Agreements to exceed [***]%, and

 

  (k)

the average Solar Loan Balance of the Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans to be greater than $[***],

 

  (iv)

such Solar Loan when aggregated with all Solar Loans owned by the Issuer (including all other Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans), does not cause (with respect to clauses (a) and (b), the percentage of the Solar Loans measured by the aggregate Solar Loan Balance of the related Solar Loans as a percentage of the aggregate Solar Loan Balance of all Solar Loans owned by the Issuer (including all other Pro Forma Subsequent Solar Loans)):

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 38 -


  (a)

the percentage of the Solar Loans for which the Related Property is located in any one state or territory to exceed [***]%, and

 

  (b)

the percentage of the Solar Loans for which the Related Property is located in Puerto Rico to exceed [***]%, and

 

  (v)

such Solar Loan does not have any Related Property located in Minnesota.

“Subsequent Solar Loan Prefunding Withdrawal Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.09(b) of the Loan Agreement.

“Subsequent Solar Loan Transfer” means the transfer of Subsequent Solar Loans to the Borrower on a Transfer Date pursuant to the Contribution Agreement.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person at any time, (i) any corporation or trust of which 50% or more (by number of shares or number of votes) of the outstanding Capital Stock or shares of beneficial interest normally entitled to vote for the election of one or more directors, managers or trustees (regardless of any contingency which does or may suspend or dilute the voting rights) is at such time owned directly or indirectly by such Person or one or more of such Person’s subsidiaries, or any partnership of which such Person or any of such Person’s Subsidiaries is a general partner or of which 50% or more of the partnership interests is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person or one or more of such Person’s subsidiaries, and (ii) any corporation, trust, partnership or other entity which is controlled or capable of being controlled by such Person or one or more of such Person’s subsidiaries.

“Substitution Shortfall Amount” means for any Qualified Substitute Solar Loan, an amount equal to the excess of the Solar Loan Balance of the substituted Solar Loan over the Solar Loan Balance of the Qualified Substitute Solar Loan. In the event more than one Solar Loan is substituted for, the Substitution Shortfall Amount shall be calculated on an aggregate basis for all substitutions made on such date.

“Sunnova Energy” means Sunnova Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

“Sunnova Entity” means each of the Borrower, the Lender, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Sponsor, each Intermediate Company, the Performance Guarantor, the Servicer, the Manager and any other Affiliate of the Borrower that is a party to a Transaction Document.

“Sunnova Hestia Holdings” means Sunnova Hestia II Holdings, LLC a Delaware limited liability company, or any other indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of Sunnova Energy designated as “Sunnova Hestia Holdings” in connection with a Permitted Refinancing.

“Sunnova Hestia Holdings Financing Statement” means a UCC-1 financing statement naming the initial Depositor as the secured party and the initial Sunnova Hestia Holdings as debtor.

“Sunnova Intermediate Holdings” means Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 39 -


“Sunnova Intermediate Holdings Financing Statement” means a UCC-1 financing statement naming the initial Sunnova Hestia Holdings as the secured party and Sunnova Intermediate Holdings as debtor.

“Sunnova Management” means Sunnova ABS Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“SunSafe Easy Own Plan Equipment Purchase Agreement” means a Customer Contract pursuant to which the related Consumer Obligor finances the purchase of a PV System and a BESS System is integrated with the PV System for which the related Consumer Obligor is not required to make interest payments on the portion of the Solar Loan Balance equal to the related Section 25D Credit Amount until a scheduled prepayment date, typically 18 months from the date on which the related PV System achieves PTO.

“Target Overcollateralization Amount” means, on any Payment Date, an amount equal to the greater of (i) the product of (x) [***]% and (y) the Aggregate Collateral Balance as of the last day of the related Collection Period and (ii) the product of [***]% and (y) the Aggregate Closing Date Collateral Balance.

“Tax Opinion” means an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that an amendment or modification of the Agreement will not materially adversely affect the federal income tax characterization of the Loan or the ABS Notes, or adversely affect the federal tax classification status of the Borrower, the Lender or the Capital Markets Issuer.

“Tax Return” means any return, report or similar statement required to be filed with respect to any Taxes (including attached schedules), including any information return, claim for refund, amended return or declaration of estimated Tax.

“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, and including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

“Termination Date” means the date on which the Borrower Secured Obligations have been paid in full.

“Termination Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.09 (a)(iv) of the Loan Agreement.

“Transaction Documents” means, collectively, the Loan Documents, the Capital Markets Documents, and any other agreements, instruments, certificates or documents delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, and “Transaction Document” shall mean any of the Transaction Documents.

“Transfer” means any direct or indirect transfer or sale of any ownership interest in the Loan Note.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 40 -


“Transfer Date” means, with respect to a Subsequent Solar Loan or Qualified Substitute Solar Loan, the date upon which the Borrower acquires such Solar Loan pursuant to the Contribution Agreement.

“Transfer Date Certification” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) of the Custodial Agreement.

“Transition Manager” means Wilmington Trust in its capacity as the Transition Manager under the Management Agreement.

“Transition Manager Expenses” means (i) any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred in taking any actions required in its role as Transition Manager and (ii) any indemnities owed to the Transition Manager in accordance with the Management Agreement.

“U.S. Bank” means U.S. Bank National Association.

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of New York or in any other State having jurisdiction over the assignment, transfer, pledge of (i) the Solar Loans from Sunnova Intermediate Holdings to Sunnova Hestia Holdings, from Sunnova Hestia Holdings to the Depositor, from the Depositor to the Capital Markets Issuer, from the Capital Markets Issuer to the Lender or (ii) the Lender to the Borrower or of the Collateral from the Borrower to the Agent.

“UCC Fixture Filing” means a “fixture filing” as defined in Section 2-A-309 of the UCC covering a PV System naming the initial Servicer as secured party on behalf of the Borrower.

“Underwriting and Reassignment Credit Policy” means the Manager’s internal reassignment policy attached as Exhibit F to the Servicing Agreement.

“UETA” means the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, as such act may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

“United States” means the United States of America.

“Vice President” means, with respect to Sunnova Energy, any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president.”

“Voluntary Prepayment” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(a) of the Loan Agreement.

“Voluntary Prepayment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(a) of the Loan Agreement.

“Voluntary Prepayment Servicer Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(a) of the Servicing Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 41 -


“Waiver, Consent or Amendment Fees” means any fees deemed appropriate and reasonable by the Guarantor in connection with its grant of any waiver, consent, or amendment under the Loan Guarantee Agreement and required to be paid by the Sponsor.

“Wilmington Trust” means Wilmington Trust, National Association.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 42 -


SCHEDULE I

SCHEDULE OF SOLAR LOANS

[see attached]

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF LOAN NOTE

SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC

LOAN NOTE

 

ORIGINAL ISSUE

DATE

   MATURITY DATE
June 5, 2024    April 20, 2051

Owner: Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC, for the benefit of itself and the Guarantor pursuant to the Loan Agreement

Initial Principal Balance: $168,900,000

THIS CERTIFIES THAT Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter called the “Borrower”), which term includes any successor entity under the Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Loan Agreement”), by and among the Borrower, Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC, as lender (the “Lender”), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as agent (together with any successor thereto, hereinafter called the “Agent”) and the U.S. Department of Energy, as guarantor (the “Guarantor”), for value received, hereby promises to pay to the Owner, subject to the provisions hereof and of the Loan Agreement, (A) the interest based on the Interest Accrual Period at the interest rate specified in the Loan Agreement, on each Payment Date beginning in July 2024 (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), and (B) principal on each Payment Date in the manner and subject to the Priority of Payments, as set forth in the Loan Agreement; provided, however, that the Loan is subject to prepayment as set forth in the Loan Agreement. This note (this “Loan Note”) is one of the duly authorized Loan Notes of the Borrower (the “Loan Notes”). The Loan Agreement provides that the holder of this Loan Note (on behalf of the Secured Parties) will be entitled to receive payments in reduction of the Outstanding Loan Balance, in the amounts, from the sources, and at the times more specifically as set forth in the Loan Agreement. This Loan Note is secured by the Collateral (as defined in the Loan Agreement).

Reference is hereby made to the Loan Agreement for a statement of the respective rights thereunder of the Borrower, the Lender, the Agent and the Guarantor and the terms upon which this Loan Note is to be delivered. All terms used in this Loan Note which are not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Loan Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1


THE OBLIGATION OF THE BORROWER TO REPAY THE LOAN IS A LIMITED, NONRECOURSE OBLIGATION SECURED ONLY BY THE COLLATERAL. All payments of principal of and interest on this Loan Note shall be made only from the Collateral, and the Owner, by its acceptance of this Loan Note on behalf of the Secured Parties, agrees that it shall be entitled to payments solely from such Collateral pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement. The actual Outstanding Loan Balance on this Loan Note may be less than the principal balance indicated on the face hereof. The actual Outstanding Loan Balance on this Loan Note at any time may be obtained from the Agent.

With respect to payment of principal of and interest on the Loan Note, the Loan Agreement provides the following:

(a) Until fully paid, principal payments on the Loan Note will be made on each Payment Date in an amount, at the time, and in the manner provided in the Loan Agreement. The Outstanding Loan Balance of the Loan shall be payable no later than the Maturity Date thereof unless the Outstanding Loan Balance of the Loan becomes due and payable at an earlier date pursuant to this Loan Agreement, and in each case such payment shall be made in an amount and in the manner provided in the Loan Agreement.

(b) This Loan Note shall bear interest on the Outstanding Loan Balance thereof and accrued but unpaid interest thereon, at the applicable interest rate set forth in the Loan Agreement. The Interest Distribution Amounts with respect to this Loan Note shall be payable on each Payment Date to the extent that the Collection Account then contains sufficient amounts to pay such Interest Distribution Amounts pursuant to Section 5.07 of the Loan Agreement. Each Interest Distribution Amount will accrue on the basis of a 360 day year consisting of twelve 30 day months.

All payments of interest and principal on this Loan Note on the applicable Payment Date shall be paid to the Lender on behalf of the Secured Parties. All reductions in the Outstanding Loan Balance of the Loan effected by full or partial payments of installments of principal shall be binding upon all past, then current, and future holders of this Loan Note, whether or not such payment is noted on this Loan Note.

The Maturity Date of this Loan Note is the Payment Date in April 20, 2051 unless the Loan is earlier prepaid in whole or accelerated pursuant to the Loan Agreement. The Lender will pay to the Persons entitled to amounts under the Priority of Payments by wire transfer, in immediately available funds to the account of each such Person at a bank or other entity having appropriate facilities therefor, if such Person shall have provided to the Lender appropriate written instructions at least five Business Days prior to the related Payment Date (which instructions may remain in effect for subsequent Payment Dates unless revoked by such Person).

This Loan Note shall be subject to voluntary prepayment at the option of the Borrower in the manner and subject to the provisions of the Loan Agreement. Whenever by the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Borrower is required to prepay this Loan Note, and subject to and in accordance with the terms of Article VI of the Loan Agreement, the Borrower shall give notice of the prepayment in the manner prescribed by the Loan Agreement.

The final payment on this Loan Note shall be made only upon presentation and surrender of this Loan Note at the Corporate Trust Office of the Agent.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2


The Agent shall have no right to enforce the provisions of the Loan Agreement or to institute action to enforce the covenants therein, or to take any action with respect to any Event of Default, or to institute, appear in or defend any Proceedings with respect thereto, except as provided in the Loan Agreement.

The Loan Note may be exchanged, and its transfer may be registered, by the holder of the Loan Note in person or by their attorneys duly authorized in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the Agent only in the manner, subject to the limitations provided in the Loan Agreement, and upon surrender and cancellation of the Loan Note. Upon exchange or registration of such transfer, a new Loan Note or Loan Notes evidencing the same outstanding principal amount will be executed in exchange therefor.

All amounts collected as payments on the Collateral or otherwise shall be applied in the order of priority specified in the Loan Agreement.

Each Person who has or who acquires the Loan Note or an interest thereon shall be deemed by the acceptance or acquisition such interest to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Loan Agreement. The holder of the Loan Note may not sell, offer for sale, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise transfer or encumber all or any part of its interest in the Loan Note, except in accordance with the Loan Agreement.

Prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all amounts payable with respect to the Loan Note, each Person who has or acquires an interest in this Loan Note agrees that such Person will not institute against the Borrower, or join any other Person in instituting against the Borrower, any Insolvency Proceedings or other Proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State. This covenant shall survive the termination of the Loan Agreement.

Before the due presentment for registration of transfer of this Loan Note, the Borrower, the Owner and any agent of the Borrower or the Owner may treat the person in whose name this Loan Note is registered as the owner hereof, whether or not this Loan Note be overdue, and neither the Borrower, the Owner nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Loan Note and all obligations with respect thereto, including obligations under the Loan Agreement, will be limited recourse obligations of the Borrower payable solely from the Collateral. Neither the Borrower, the Lender (in its individual capacity or as the Owner), the Guarantor, the Performance Guarantor, the Depositor, the Manager, the Transition Manager, the Servicer, the Back-Up Servicer, the Custodian, the Agent in its individual capacity or in its capacity as Agent, nor any of their respective Affiliates, agents, partners, beneficiaries, officers, directors, stockholders, stockholders of partners, employees or successors or assigns, shall be personally liable for any amounts payable, or performance due, under this Loan Note or the Loan Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, each Secured Party and any other Person with an interest in this Loan Note by its acceptance thereof, shall be deemed to have agreed (i) that it shall look only to the Collateral to satisfy the Borrower’s obligations under or with respect to this Loan Note or the Loan Agreement, including but not limited to liabilities under Article V of the Loan Agreement and liabilities arising (whether at common law or equity) from breaches by the Borrower of any

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-3


obligations, covenants and agreements herein or, to the extent enforceable, for any violation by the Borrower of applicable State or federal law or regulation, provided that, the Borrower shall not be relieved of liability hereunder with respect to any misrepresentation in the Loan Agreement or any Loan Document, or fraud, of the Borrower and (ii) to waive any rights it may have to obtain a deficiency or other monetary judgment against either the Borrower or any of its principals, directors, officers, beneficial owners, employees or agents (whether disclosed or undisclosed) or their respective assets (other than the Collateral). The foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall not (i) prevent recourse to the Collateral or any Person (other than the Borrower) for the sums due or to become due under any security, instrument or agreement which is part of the Collateral; (ii) constitute a waiver, release or discharge of any indebtedness or obligation evidenced by this Loan Note or secured by the Loan Agreement, but the same shall continue until paid or discharged; or (iii) prevent the Agent from exercising its rights with respect to the Grant, pursuant to the Loan Agreement, of the Borrower’s rights under the Loan Documents. It is further understood that the foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall not limit the right of any Person to name the Lender in its capacity as the Owner, the Agent in its capacity as Agent under the Loan Agreement or the Borrower as a party defendant in any action or suit or in the exercise of any remedy under the Loan Note or the Loan Agreement, so long as no judgment in the nature of a deficiency judgment or seeking personal liability shall be asked for or (if obtained) enforced. It is expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released to the extent provided herein as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of the Loan Agreement and the issuance of the Loan Note.

The remedies of the Secured Parties as provided herein, in the Loan Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, shall be cumulative and concurrent and may be pursued solely against the assets of the Collateral. No failure on the part of the Secured Parties in exercising any right or remedy hereunder or thereunder shall operate as a waiver or release thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy preclude any other further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy hereunder.

Reference is hereby made to the Loan Agreement, a copy of which is on file with the Agent, for the provisions, among others, with respect to (i) the nature and extent of the rights, duties and obligations of the Agent, the Borrower and the other Secured Parties; (ii) the terms upon which this Loan Note is executed and delivered; (iii) the collection and disposition of payments or proceeds in respect of the Conveyed Property; (iv) a description of the Collateral; (v) the modification or amendment of the Loan Agreement; (vi) other matters; and (vii) the definition of capitalized terms used in this Loan Note that are not defined herein; to all of which the Secured Parties and any other Person with an interest in this Loan Note assents by the acceptance of this Loan Note.

THIS LOAN NOTE IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE LOAN AGREEMENT AND IT AND THE LOAN AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, §5-1401 AND §5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT OTHERWISE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-4


REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AS IF FULLY SET FORTH HEREIN.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this instrument to be duly executed as of the date set forth below.

 

SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC, as Borrower
By  

 

  Name:   Robert L. Lane
  Title:   Executive Vice President,
    Chief Financial Officer

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-6


[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

(PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR

TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

OF ASSIGNEE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address of Assignee)

 

 

the within Loan Note, and all rights thereunder, and hereby does irrevocably constitute and appoint

 

 

Attorney to transfer the within Loan Note on the books kept for registration thereof, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Date:___________________

 

                    

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as it appears upon the face of the within Loan Note in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-7


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF BORROWING REQUEST

__________ ___, 20__

 

To:

Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Agent

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Phone: [***]

Fax: [***]

and

Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC, as Lender

20 Greenway Plaza, Suite 540

Houston, Texas 77046

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Email: [***]

Phone: [***]

Fax: [***]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2024 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), by and among Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC, as borrower (the “Borrower”), Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC, as lender (the “Lender”), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as agent (the “Agent”), and the U.S. Department of Energy as guarantor (the “Guarantor”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Loan Agreement.

In accordance with Section 2.02 of the Loan Agreement, the Borrower hereby requests that the Lender provide the Loan based on the following criteria:

 

1.    Initial Outstanding Loan Balance:    $[________________]
2.    Initial Component 1 Balance:    $[________________]
3.    Initial Component 2 Balance:    $[________________]
4.    Initial DOE Component Balance:    $0

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

B-1


5.    Date of Borrowing:    [DATE]

$[_______________], should be transferred to the Lender Account.

The Borrower requests that the proceeds of the Loan be distributed in accordance with the instructions set forth in the flow of funds attached hereto.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

B-2


In accordance with Section 2.08 of the Loan Agreement, the Borrower hereby certifies that all conditions precedent set forth in Section 2.08 have been satisfied.

 

Very truly yours,

SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC, as Borrower
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

B-3


[FLOW OF FUNDS TO BE ATTACHED]

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

B-4


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT

SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC

NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT

[DATE]

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

Attn: Corporate Trust Administration

Sunnova Energy Corporation

20 East Greenway Plaza, Suite 540

Houston, TX 77046

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Section 6.01 of the Loan and Security Agreement dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Loan Agreement”), by and among Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC (the “Lender”), Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC (the “Borrower”), Wilmington Trust, National Association (the “Agent”) and the U.S. Department of Energy (the “Guarantor”), the Agent is hereby directed to prepay in [whole][part] the Loan on [_______ __, 20__] (the “Voluntary Prepayment Date”).

[FOR PREPAYMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING LOAN: On or prior to the Voluntary Prepayment Date, as required by Section 6.01 of the Loan Agreement, the Borrower shall deposit into the Collection Account an amount equal to (i) the sum of (A) the Outstanding Loan Balance, (B) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (C) Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts, if any and (D) all amounts owed to the Guarantor, the Agent, the Manager, the Servicer, the Back-Up Servicer, the Transition Manager and any other parties to the Loan Documents, minus (ii) the sum of the amounts then on deposit in the Reserve Account, the Section 25D Interest Account, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account (the “Prepayment Amount”).]

[FOR PREPAYMENT IN PART: On or prior to the Voluntary Prepayment Date, as required by Section 6.01 of the Loan Agreement, the Borrower shall deposit into the Collection Account, the sum of (i) the amount of outstanding principal of the Loan being prepaid and (ii) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (the “Prepayment Amount”).]

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

C-1


On the specified Voluntary Prepayment Date, provided that the Agent has received the Prepayment Amount, on or prior to such specified Voluntary Prepayment Date, the Agent is directed to (x) withdraw the Prepayment Amount from the Collection Account and disburse such amounts in accordance with the Priority of Payments (without giving effect to clauses (vi) through (x) thereof) and (y) to the extent the Outstanding Loan Balance is prepaid and all other obligations of the Borrower under the Loan Documents have been paid, release any remaining assets in the Collateral to, or at the direction of, the Borrower.

You are hereby instructed to provide all notices of prepayment required by Section 6.02 of the Loan Agreement. All terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Loan Agreement.

[signature page follows]

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

C-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of Voluntary Prepayment on the ___ day of _________, _____.

 

SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC, as Borrower
By  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

C-3


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF EQUITY DISTRIBUTION CERTIFICATE

Date of this Certificate: [____________], 20[___]

Requested Equity Distribution Date: [____________], 20[___]

[●]

United States Department of Energy

Loan Programs Office

1000 Independence Ave., SW

Washington, D.C. 20585

Attention: Director, Portfolio Management

Re: DOE Loan Guarantee, LGPO Loan #1426

Email Address: [***]

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Re: Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to (i) the Loan Guarantee Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2023, among Sunnova Energy Corporation (“Sunnova Energy”), a Delaware corporation, in its capacity as “Sponsor” the U.S. Department of Energy, acting by and through the Secretary of Energy, as the guarantor (the “Guarantor”) (as amended, modified or otherwise supplemented as of the date hereof, the “Loan Guarantee Agreement” and (ii) the Loan Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2024, among Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Eligible Lender”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) and collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”) (as amended, modified or otherwise supplemented as of the date hereof, the “Loan Agreement”. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein (whether directly or by reference to another agreement) shall have the meanings set forth for such terms in the Loan Guarantee Agreement or the Loan Agreement, as applicable.

1. The undersigned is an Authorized Officer of the Sponsor and is delivering this equity distribution certificate (this “Equity Distribution Certificate”) pursuant to Section 5.07(xix) of the Loan Agreement in connection with the proposed distribution of funds to or at the direction of the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.07(xix) of the Loan Agreement with respect to the Payment Date on [______] (the “Relevant Payment Date”) (the “Proposed Equity Distribution”).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

D-1


2. The Sponsor hereby certifies for the benefit of each of the Guarantor and the Administrative Agent that as of the date hereof, each of the following conditions have been or will be satisfied as of the Relevant Payment Date:

 

  (a)

no Loan Early Amortization Event or Loan Event of Default exists or would exist after giving effect to the Proposed Equity Distribution;

 

  (b)

with respect to any of the Sponsor’s securitization transactions:

 

  (i)

there has been no resignation or removal of a servicer or manager (regardless of any waivers, modifications or amendments); or

 

  (ii)

there has been no event of default, turbo amortization or similar event (regardless of any waivers, modifications or amendments);

 

  (c)

no Adverse Judgment Event shall have occurred;

 

  (d)

no Guarantee Suspension Event pursuant to clauses (b) or (c) in the definition thereof shall have occurred and is ongoing with respect to the Loan;

 

  (e)

no breach of the covenant set forth in Section 1.1.2 of Schedule 2 of the Loan Guarantee Agreement has occurred and is continuing; and

 

  (f)

the Sponsor is in compliance with the Software Improvement Metrics set forth in Exhibit M of the Loan Guarantee Agreement (the “Software Improvement Metrics”) or is utilizing reasonable efforts to achieve such compliance by, among other things, at all times (i) maintaining sufficient staffing, including external consultants, as needed, with the requisite experience to achieve compliance with the Software Improvement Metrics and for software development, maintenance and optimization, (ii) incurring expenses reasonable and necessary to achieve compliance with the Software Improvement Metrics and (iii) developing and maintaining software quality assurance and quality control processes that are in line with industry standards.

3. The Sponsor hereby reaffirms, as of the date hereof, each of the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 1.1.1 through 1.1.8 of Schedule 1 of the Loan Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of each of the Guarantor and the Administrative Agent; provided that, this reaffirmation of the representation and warranty set forth in (i) Section 1.1.3 of Schedule 1 of the Loan Guarantee Agreement shall exclude matters relating to the Davis Bacon Act so long as the Sponsor is engaging in good faith discussions with the Guarantor to remedy any breach of Davis Bacon Act obligations and (ii) Section 1.1.5 of Schedule 1 of the Loan Guarantee Agreement shall exclude Actions that are threatened (in writing) since the date of the publication of Sponsor’s most recent 10-K or 10-Q filings.

[signature pages follow]

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

D-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Sponsor and the Borrower has caused this Equity Distribution Certificate to be duly executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer of the Sponsor and the Borrower as of the date first written above.

 

SUNNOVA ENERGY CORPORATION as Sponsor
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

D-3


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF PREFUNDING CERTIFICATE

To:

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

Attn: Corporate Trust Administration

This Prefunding Certificate is being issued in accordance with Section 2.09(a)(i)(C) of that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Loan Agreement”), by and among Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC, as lender, Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC, as borrower (the “Borrower”), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as agent, and the U.S. Department of Energy, as guarantor. Terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement.

The Borrower hereby certifies that:

(a) the Solar Loans to be acquired by the Borrower on the Transfer Date to occur on [_______ __], 20[_] (the “Transfer Date”) are listed on Exhibit A hereto;

(b) all representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of such Transfer Date, as though made on and as of such Transfer Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty will be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date);

(c) on and as of such Transfer Date, the Borrower is not in default under any of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the acquisition of such Solar Loans by it will not result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a material default under, its organizational documents or any other constituent documents or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any Proceeding to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject; and

(d) the conditions precedent described in the Loan Agreement and in the other Loan Documents to the acquisition of such Solar Loans, if any, have been satisfied.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

E-1


Date: [______________ __], 20[_]     SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC, as Borrower
    By  

 

      Name:  

 

      Title:  

 

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

E-2


EXHIBIT A

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

E-3


EXHIBIT F

FORM OF PREFUNDING NOTICE

In accordance with the Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Loan Agreement”), by and among Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC, as lender, Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC, as borrower (the “Borrower”), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as agent, and the U.S. Department of Energy, as guarantor, the undersigned hereby gives notice of the Transfer Date to occur on or before [_______ __], 20[_] for each of the Subsequent Solar Loans listed on the Schedule of Solar Loans attached hereto as Exhibit A. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms have the meanings set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Such Subsequent Solar Loans represent the following amounts:

 

1.  Aggregate outstanding balance of Subsequent Solar Loans as of the related Cut-Off Date:

   $__________________

2.  Initial Advance Rate:

   A percentage equal to (i) the aggregate Initial Outstanding Loan Balance of the Loan Note divided by (ii) the Aggregate Closing Date Collateral Balance.

3.  Amount to be wired to the Depositor in payment for such Subsequent Solar Loans (equal to (i) line 1 times line 2 or (ii) such lesser amount as is on deposit in the Prefunding Account, in accordance with Section 2.09(b)(i) of the Loan Agreement):

   $__________________

The amount in line 3 above shall be wired to the following account:

[ACCOUNT INFORMATION]

The undersigned hereby certifies that, in connection with the Transfer Date specified above, the undersigned has complied with all terms and provisions specified in Section 2.09 of the Loan Agreement, including, but not limited to, delivery of the Prefunding Certificate, as specified therein.

Date: [______________ __], 20[_]†

† To be at least 5 Business Days prior to such Transfer Date.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

F-1


  SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC, as Borrower
By  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

F-2


EXHIBIT A

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

F-3


EXHIBIT G

Entrenched Conditions

 

Servicing Agreement

[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]   
[***]    [***]   
[***]    [***]   
[***]    [***]   

 

Management Agreement

[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]

 

Custodial Agreement

[***]    [***]
[***]    [***]
[***]    [***]
[***]    [***]
[***]    [***]
[***]    [***]

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

G-1


Sale and Contribution Agreement

[***]   [***]
[***]   [***]
[***]   [***]
[***]   [***]
[***]   [***]
[***]   [***]

[***]

 

 

Performance Guarantee

[***]    [***]
[***]    [***]
[***]    [***]
[***]    [***]
[***]    [***]
[***]   

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

G-2

Exhibit 10.2

Execution Version

GUARANTEE ISSUANCE AGREEMENT

dated as of June 5, 2024

among

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

as Guarantor

SUNNOVA ENERGY CORPORATION

as Sponsor

SUNNOVA ABS MANAGEMENT, LLC

as Servicer and Manager

SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC

as Borrower

SUNNOVA HESTIA II LENDER, LLC

as Lender

and

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Agent

Up to $152,010,000

PROJECT HESTIA, SERIES 2024-GRID1

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS

     4  

Section 1.1.

  Definitions and Interpretation      4  

ARTICLE 2 GUARANTEE

     4  

Section 2.1.

  The Guarantee      4  

Section 2.2.

  Scope of the Guarantee      4  

Section 2.3.

  Conditions of Guarantee      4  

Section 2.4.

  Guarantee Absolute      4  

Section 2.5.

  Set-Off      5  

ARTICLE 3 TERMINATION

     6  

Section 3.1.

  Guarantee Termination      6  

ARTICLE 4 PAYMENTS; REFINANCINGS

     6  

Section 4.1.

  Place and Manner of Payments      6  

Section 4.2.

  Permitted Refinancing      6  

Section 4.3.

  Guarantor Fees      7  

Section 4.4.

  Application of DOE Guaranteed Interest Amounts      8  

ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     8  

Section 5.1.

  Representations and Warranties of the Securitization Entities      8  

Section 5.2.

  Organization      9  

Section 5.3.

  Authorization; No Conflict      9  

Section 5.4.

  Compliance with Laws      9  

Section 5.5.

  Legality; Validity; Enforceability      9  

Section 5.6.

  Security Interests; Liens      10  

Section 5.7.

  Taxes      10  

Section 5.8.

  Business; Contracts; Powers of Attorney; Other Transactions      10  

Section 5.9.

  Guarantee Request      10  

Section 5.10.

  Investment Company Act      10  

Section 5.11.

  Margin Regulations      10  

Section 5.12.

  PUHCA      11  

Section 5.13.

  Accounts      11  

Section 5.14.

  Insolvency Proceedings      11  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- i -


Section 5.15.

  Solar Loans      11  

Section 5.16.

  Allocation of Loan Guarantee Commitment Authority      11  

ARTICLE 6 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     11  

Section 6.1.

  Maintenance of Existence      11  

Section 6.2.

  SAM Registration      11  

Section 6.3.

  Performance of Obligations      12  

Section 6.4.

  Transfer Restriction      12  

Section 6.5.

  Separateness and Bankruptcy Remoteness      12  

Section 6.6.

  Books, Records and Inspections      13  

Section 6.7.

  Taxes, Duties, Expenses and Liabilities      14  

Section 6.8.

  Contractual Remedies      14  

ARTICLE 7 NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     14  

Section 7.1.

  Restrictions on Operations      15  

Section 7.2.

  Amendment of and Notices under Series Securitization Documents and Refinancing Documents      15  

Section 7.3.

  Organizational Documents; Legal Form; Capital Structure      15  

Section 7.4.

  Margin Regulations      15  

Section 7.5.

  Environmental Laws      16  

Section 7.6.

  Investment Company Act      16  

ARTICLE 8 GUARANTEE TERMINATION EVENT

     16  

Section 8.1.

  Non-Permitted Refinancing      16  

ARTICLE 9 GUARANTEE CLAIM PROCEDURES

     16  

Section 9.1.

  Failure to Pay      16  

Section 9.2.

  Demand on Guarantor      16  

Section 9.3.

  Subrogation and Assignment to Guarantor      17  

Section 9.4.

  Payment by Guarantor      18  

Section 9.5.

  No Discharge      18  

ARTICLE 10 MISCELLANEOUS

     19  

Section 10.1.

  Addresses      19  

Section 10.2.

  Further Assurances      20  

Section 10.3.

  Waiver and Amendment      20  

Section 10.4.

  Entire Agreement      21  

Section 10.5.

  Governing Law      21  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- ii -


Section 10.6.

  Severability      21  

Section 10.7.

  Limitation on Liability      21  

Section 10.8.

  Waiver of Jury Trial      21  

Section 10.9.

  Consent to Jurisdiction      22  

Section 10.10.

  Successors and Assigns      23  

Section 10.11.

  Reinstatement      23  

Section 10.12.

  No Partnership; Etc.      23  

Section 10.13.

  Acting Reasonably and in Good Faith; Discretion      23  

Section 10.14.

  Indemnification      23  

Section 10.15.

  Payments      25  

Section 10.16.

  Counterparts      25  

Section 10.17.

  No Petition      25  

Section 10.18.

  Agent      26  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- iii -


Schedules and Exhibits to the Guarantee Issuance Agreement

 

Schedule 1    Minimum Eligibility Criteria
Exhibit A    Definitions
Exhibit B    Rules of Interpretation
Exhibit C    Form of Demand Letter

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 1 -


GUARANTEE ISSUANCE AGREEMENT

This GUARANTEE ISSUANCE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 5, 2024, is by and among: (i) SUNNOVA ABS MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as Servicer and Manager; (ii) SUNNOVA ENERGY CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Sponsor” or “SEC”); (iii) the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (“DOE” or “Guarantor”), acting by and through the Secretary of Energy (or appropriate authorized representative thereof); (iv) SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”); (v) SUNNOVA HESTIA II LENDER, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Lender”); and (vi) WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (the “Agent”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109 58, as amended by Section 406 of Div. A of Title IV of Pub. L. 111 5, and as further amended from time to time (“Title XVII”), the Guarantor is authorized to issue “guarantees” with respect to “obligations” financing “eligible projects,” in each case as defined in Title XVII;

WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to the Loan Guarantee Agreement, the Loan Guarantee Commitment Authority for Project Hestia (Loan No. 1426) with the Sponsor was approved for the loans to be guaranteed with full principal amount not to exceed $3,333,333,333.33;

WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to this Agreement, the Sponsor shall partially allocate a portion of its Loan Guarantee Commitment Authority to the Lender;

WHEREAS, the Guarantor, the Sponsor, the Servicer and the Manager have entered into a loan guarantee agreement, dated September 27, 2023 (the “Loan Guarantee Agreement”) relating to the program under which the Guarantor provides guarantees related to indebtedness issued by certain Sponsor’s special purpose subsidiaries and authorizing of guarantee issuance agreements and the execution of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, (a) the Sponsor directly owns 100% of the Equity Interests of Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Intermediate Holdings”); (b) Intermediate Holdings directly owns 100% of the Equity Interests in Sunnova Hestia Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Hestia Holdings”); (c) Hestia Holdings directly owns 100% of the Equity Interests of Sunnova Hestia II Depositor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Depositor”); (d) the Depositor directly owns 100% of the Equity Interests of the Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Capital Markets Issuer”); (e) the Capital Markets Issuer directly owns 100% of the Equity Interests of the Lender; and (f) the Lender directly owns 100% of the Equity Interests of the Borrower;

WHEREAS, Intermediate Holdings, Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender and the Borrower have entered into a sale and contribution agreement (the “Sale and Contribution Agreement”), dated the date hereof, pursuant to which: (a) Intermediate Holdings sold, transferred and assigned all of Intermediate Holdings’ right, title and interest in and

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 2 -


to a portfolio of Solar Loans and related property, and may sell, transfer and assign Subsequent Solar Loans and related property, to Hestia Holdings; (b) Hestia Holdings sold, transferred and assigned all of Hestia Holdings’ right, title and interest in and to such portfolio of Solar Loans and related property, and may sell, transfer and assign such Subsequent Solar Loans and related property, to the Depositor; (c) the Depositor sold, transferred and assigned all of the Depositor’s right, title and interest in and to such portfolio of Solar Loans and related property, and may sell, transfer and assign such Subsequent Solar Loans and related property, to the Capital Markets Issuer; (d) the Capital Markets Issuer sold, transferred and assigned all of the Capital Markets Issuer’s right, title and interest in and to such portfolio of Solar Loans and related property, and may sell, transfer and assign such Subsequent Solar Loans and related property to the Lender; and (e) the Lender sold, transferred and assigned all of the Lender’s right, title and interest in and to such portfolio of Solar Loans and related property, and may sell, transfer and assign such Subsequent Solar Loans and related property, to the Borrower;

WHEREAS, (i) the Capital Markets Issuer has issued two classes of notes designated as (i) the Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1 (the “ABS Notes”) and contributed the proceeds therefrom to the Lender, and (ii) pursuant to a loan and security agreement, dated June 5, 2024 (the “Loan Agreement”), the Lender has made a term loan to the Borrower secured by all the assets of the Borrower, including without limitation, the portfolio of Solar Loans and related property (such term loan, the “Guaranteed Loan”);

WHEREAS, the Guaranteed Loan will have an initial outstanding loan balance of $168,900,000 (the “Initial Outstanding Guaranteed Loan Balance”) and will be comprised of three loan components (each, a “Loan Component”), designated as (i) Hestia II, Loan Component 1 (“Loan Component 1”), (ii) Hestia II, Loan Component 2 (“Loan Component 2”) and (iii) Hestia II, DOE Component (the “DOE Component”);

WHEREAS, (i) Loan Component 1 represents 90.00% of the Initial Outstanding Guaranteed Loan Balance, (ii) Loan Component 2 represents 10.00% of the Initial Outstanding Guaranteed Loan Balance and (iii) the DOE Component represents the Guarantor’s entitlement to repayment with respect to principal payments made by the Guarantor to or at the direction of the Lender under this Agreement;

WHEREAS, (a) pursuant to Section 1705 of Title XVII, a complete application, dated January 18, 2022, was made for the issuance by the Guarantor of a guarantee of a portion of one or more guaranteed loans and (b) pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Guarantor has agreed to guarantee the Borrower’s payment of the Guaranteed Amounts on the Guaranteed Loan;

WHEREAS, the execution of this Agreement is a condition precedent to the Lender’s execution of the Series Securitization Documents;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valid consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby expressly acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 3 -


ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1. Definitions and Interpretation. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in Exhibit A, and the rules of interpretation set forth in Exhibit B shall apply to this Agreement, except, in each case, as otherwise expressly provided herein.

ARTICLE 2

GUARANTEE

Section 2.1. The Guarantee. This Agreement is a “Guarantee Issuance Agreement” as defined under the Loan Guarantee Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, as of the date hereof, the Guarantor (acting through the Secretary of Energy) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees (such guarantee with respect to the Guaranteed Loan, the “Guarantee”) to the Lender, in respect of the Guaranteed Loan, the payment of (a) any DOE Guaranteed Principal Amounts, and (b) any DOE Guaranteed Interest Amounts (collectively such amounts, the “Guaranteed Amounts”).

Section 2.2. Scope of the Guarantee. Pursuant to Section 1702(j) of Title XVII, the Guarantee is entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States of America. The Guarantee constitutes a guarantee of payment and not of collection. In no event shall the liability of the Guarantor on the Guarantee extend to any amount which is not a Guaranteed Amount. The Guarantee shall not extend to the repayment, in whole or in part, of any fees, costs, expenses, make-whole amounts, liquidation costs, prepayment premiums, breakage costs, indemnified liabilities, default interest, Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts or any other non-specified amounts (in each case, other than the Guaranteed Amounts) payable to the Lender under the Guaranteed Loan, the Loan Note or any other Series Securitization Document (“Excluded Amounts”).

Section 2.3. Conditions of Guarantee. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives diligence, presentment, protest, demand, notice and any requirement that the Agent or the Lender exhaust any right or remedy or take any action against or give notice to the Borrower or the Guarantor, except for the written Demand for payment by the Agent on the Guarantor required under Section 9.2. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Guarantor irrevocably waives and agrees that it will not assert against the Lender any defense to payment under the Guarantee (including, without limitation, fraud in the inducement) which it might otherwise have based solely upon the conduct of the Borrower, the Sponsor or the Lender.

Section 2.4. Guarantee Absolute. Guarantor agrees that this Guarantee shall be continuing, and Guarantor guarantees that the Guaranteed Amounts will be paid and performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The obligations of the Guarantor shall be continuing and irrevocable, absolute and unconditional, primary and original and immediate and not contingent and shall remain in full force and effect without regard to and not be released, discharged or in any way affected by any circumstance or condition (other than by payment in full of the Guaranteed Amounts) including, without limitation, the occurrence of any one or more of the following:

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 4 -


2.4.1. any lack of validity or enforceability of any of the Guaranteed Amounts under this Agreement or any other Series Securitization Document or any document entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby, any provision thereof, or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto or the absence of any action to enforce the same;

2.4.2. any failure, omission, delay or lack on the part of any party to enforce, assert or exercise any right, power, privilege or remedy conferred under Series Securitization Documents;

2.4.3. any change in the time, manner or place of performance or of payment, or in any other term of, all or any of the Guaranteed Amounts, or any other modification, supplement, amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from the terms and conditions of any of the Series Securitization Documents or any document entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby, provided that such change, modification supplement, amendment, waiver or consent to departure have been entered into or provided in accordance with the terms of such Series Securitization Document (or any document entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby);

2.4.4. any bankruptcy, suspension of payments, insolvency, sale of assets, winding up, dissolution, liquidation, receivership or reorganization of, or similar proceedings involving the Borrower or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any of the Guaranteed Amounts;

2.4.5. any failure or delay in the enforcement of the Guaranteed Amounts of any Person under the Series Securitization Documents or any document entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Series Securitization Documents or any provision thereof; or

2.4.6. any set off, counterclaim, deduction, defense, abatement, suspension, deferment, diminution, recoupment, limitation or termination available with respect to any Guaranteed Amounts and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstances that might otherwise limit recourse by or against either Guarantor or any other Person.

Section 2.5. Set-Off. Guarantor shall not be entitled to set off any amounts payable by any party hereunder as a result of any breach by such party of its obligations under this Agreement against any valid request made for a payment by the Agent, on behalf of the Lender, under this Agreement, it being understood and agreed that Guarantor’s sole remedy for such claim is a separate claim made by Guarantor.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 5 -


ARTICLE 3

TERMINATION

Section 3.1. Guarantee Termination. The Lender may at any time terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the Guarantor; provided that, the DOE Reimbursable Amount is equal to zero and such termination does not violate the terms and conditions of the Capital Markets Documents.

ARTICLE 4

PAYMENTS; REFINANCINGS

Section 4.1. Place and Manner of Payments.

4.1.1. Prohibited uses of Payments. In accordance with Section 609.13(a) of the Title XVII Regulations, the Borrower shall not: (i) request that the Guaranteed Loan or any portion or proceeds derived thereof be used; or (ii) use any other funds obtained from the U.S. federal government or from a loan or other instrument guaranteed by the U.S. federal government, in either case for the payment of any Guarantor Fees, except to the extent explicitly authorized by the U.S. Congress.

4.1.2. Tax. The Borrower understands and agrees that the Guarantor is an agency or instrumentality of the United States and that all payments hereunder or under the Series Securitization Documents are payable, and shall in all cases be paid, free and clear of all Taxes.

Section 4.2. Permitted Refinancing. So long as the Lender benefits from this Guarantee:

(a) unless the Guarantor shall have consented in its sole discretion, the Lender and the Agent shall not enter into any Refinancing other than a Permitted Refinancing;

(b) in connection with any Permitted Refinancing, to the extent the Sponsor proposes any amendments to currently effective Series Securitization Documents, the Guarantor agrees to reasonably negotiate Refinancing Documents that reflect the terms and conditions of such Permitted Refinancing, including, but not limited to, changes to the Borrower Priority of Payments that relate to payments that are subordinated to DOE Reimbursable Amounts (or immaterial to items that are senior in payment of any DOE Reimbursable Amounts) and/or that relate to any other amounts payable to the Guarantor, or to reflect market changes to payment terms and reserves, as well as any changes to the Equipment Replacement Reserve Deposit and the Equipment Replacement Reserve Required Balance;

(c) in connection with any Permitted Refinancing, the Guarantor agrees to reasonably cooperate and participate in review, preparation, furnishing of relevant information relating to itself or the Project and drafting of any Marketing Materials;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 6 -


(d) if the Sponsor reasonably requests that the Guarantor be present (in person or remotely) on a reasonable basis at customary rating agencies meetings or other marketing activities related to any Permitted Refinancing, the Guarantor shall be present at such customary rating agencies meetings or other marketing activities, as applicable, in the Guarantor’s capacity in respect of the Project;

(e) so long as the Sponsor and/or its Affiliates own, directly or indirectly, the equity interests of the Eligible Lender following any Balance Sheet Refinancing, such equity interests may not, in whole or in part, be pledged, transferred or encumbered (synthetically or otherwise) other than pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing; and

(f) in connection with any proposed Refinancing, by or before the proposed closing date thereof, the Guarantor shall have received a certificate of the Sponsor to the effect that such Refinancing is a Permitted Refinancing.

Section 4.3. Guarantor Fees. The following fees and expenses shall be due to the Guarantor (such fees, “Guarantor Fees”); provided that the failure to pay any of the Guarantor Fees set forth below or in the Loan Guarantee Agreement shall not affect the existence of the Guarantee, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder or the rights and remedies of the Lender or its assignees with respect to the Guarantee and without prejudice to the Guarantor’s rights and remedies under the Program Documents, the Series Securitization Documents or in law:

4.3.1. Fees and Expenses Payable by the Borrower.

(a) Monthly Risk-Based Charge. With respect to the Guaranteed Loan, the Borrower shall, on each Loan Payment Date, subject to Borrower Available Funds and the Borrower Priority of Payments in the Loan Agreement, pay to the Guarantor an amount equal to the product of: (i) one-twelfth; (ii) [***]%; and (iii) the outstanding Loan Component 1 Balance (after giving effect to payments made on the prior Loan Payment Date) (the “Monthly Risk-Based Charge”).

(b) Amendment, Waiver and Other Expenses. Subject to the Borrower Available Funds and the Borrower Priority of Payments in the Loan Agreement, on each Loan Payment Date, the Borrower shall pay or reimburse the Guarantor (or such other party or parties as the Guarantor may direct) for payment of all documented third-party fees and expenses paid or incurred in connection with: (i) any waiver, consent, or amendment of any Series Securitization Document; and (ii) the administration, preservation and enforcement of any Series Securitization Document, and the Guarantors’ rights thereunder, such fees and expenses to include all fees and expenses of the Independent Engineer and other independent consultants and advisors (including legal counsel) retained at the Guarantors’ discretion (“Ongoing Expenses”).

4.3.2. Payment of Fees

(a) All fees under this Section 4.3 shall be paid in accordance with the Borrower Priority of Payments on the dates due, in immediately available funds in Dollars to the Guarantor (or such other party or parties as the Guarantor may direct).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 7 -


(b) All amounts payable to the Guarantor under this Section 4.3 shall be paid by wire transfer to the following account, or to such other account as may be specified by the Guarantor from time to time:

 

Fedwire Field Tag

  

Fedwire Field Name

  

Required Information

[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]
[***]    [***]    [***]

Section 4.4. Application of DOE Guaranteed Interest Amounts

4.4.1. DOE Guaranteed Interest Amounts deemed to be paid by the Guarantor on any Loan Payment Date will be applied in the following order of priority: (i) first, to the Lender in satisfaction of any Borrower shortfalls in the Component 1 Interest Distribution Amount on such Loan Payment Date, and (ii) second, any remaining amounts to be applied as a contribution from the Lender to the Borrower and distributed to the Lender as a pro rata payment of principal on Loan Component 1 and Loan Component 2 (based on the Initial Percentage Interest Distribution Methodology) on such Loan Payment Date, in each case after giving effect to the Borrower Priority of Payments.

ARTICLE 5

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 5.1. Representations and Warranties of the Securitization Entities. Unless otherwise stated, each Securitization Entity makes each of the following representations and warranties to and in favor of the Guarantor, as of the date hereof, and with respect to the Series Securitization Documents, except as such representations and warranties are expressly made as to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties will be true as of such earlier date:

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 8 -


Section 5.2. Organization. (a) Each Securitization Entity is a limited liability company duly formed and existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; (b) each Securitization Entity possesses all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform each of the Series Securitization Documents to which it is party and to carry out the transactions contemplated therein; (c) the execution, delivery and performance of each of the Series Securitization Documents to which each Securitization Entity is party has been duly authorized and each of the Series Securitization Documents to which it is party has been duly executed and delivered and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable and other legal principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law) pertaining to creditor’s rights; (d) except as already obtained or otherwise contemplated herein, no material consent or approvals are required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by each Securitization Entity of each of the Series Securitization Documents to which it is party; (e) the execution, delivery and performance by each Securitization Entity of each of the Series Securitization Documents to which it is party will not (i) violate any Applicable Law applicable to it or (ii) result in any breach of, or constitute any default under, any contractual obligation of it, which breach or default would result in a Material Adverse Effect on it.

Section 5.3. Authorization; No Conflict. Each Securitization Entity has duly authorized, executed and delivered the Series Securitization Documents (and all certificates, general deliverables or similar documents entered into in connection therewith) to which it is a party, and neither its execution and delivery thereof nor its consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby nor its compliance with the terms of this Agreement or thereof does or will: (a) contravene its Organizational Documents or any Applicable Laws; (b) contravene or result in any breach or constitute any default under any Governmental Judgment; (c) contravene or result in any breach or constitute any default under, or result in or require the creation of any Lien upon any of its assets under any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets may be bound, except for any Permitted Liens; or (d) require the consent or approval of any Person and any other consents or approvals that have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

Section 5.4. Compliance with Laws. Each Securitization Entity has conducted and is conducting its business in compliance with all Applicable Laws and its Organizational Documents.

Section 5.5. Legality; Validity; Enforceability. Each Series Securitization Document to which each Securitization Entity is (or will be when executed) a party constitutes a valid, legal and binding obligations of each Securitization Entity, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 9 -


Section 5.6. Security Interests; Liens.

(a) Pursuant to the Series Securitization Documents, the Agent has a legal, valid, enforceable and perfected first priority Lien in the Collateral subject only to Permitted Liens.

(b) All Taxes (including stamp taxes) and filing fees that are due and payable in connection with the execution, delivery or recordation of any other Series Securitization Document have been, or will promptly, be paid.

Section 5.7. Taxes. No withholding Taxes are payable by the Securitization Entities to any Governmental Authority other than the United States in connection with any amounts payable by the Securitization Entities under or in respect of the Series Securitization Documents.

Section 5.8. Business; Contracts; Powers of Attorney; Other Transactions.

(a) No Securitization Entity has conducted any business other than those necessary for, incidental to, connected with or arising out of the business contemplated by the Series Securitization Documents and such other business as may be related to the Project, except as permitted by the Series Securitization Documents and by any such Securitization Entity’s Organizational Documents.

(b) No Securitization Entity is a party to, or bound by, any contract other than those contracts permitted under the Series Securitization Documents and except as permitted by any such Securitization Entity’s Organizational Documents.

(c) Except as provided in the Series Securitization Documents, no Securitization Entity has any subsidiaries and does not legally or beneficially own any Equity Interests of any other Person.

Section 5.9. Guarantee Request. The statements and information contained in the Guarantee Request are true and correct in all material respects and do not contain any material misstatements of fact or omit to state a material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading at the time they were made.

Section 5.10. Investment Company Act. The Borrower is not, and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of the Guaranteed Loan will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act. In making this determination, the Borrower is relying primarily on the exclusion from the definition of “investment company” contained in section 3(c)(5)(A) of the Investment Company Act, although additional exclusions or exemptions may be available to the Borrower at the Loan Closing Date or in the future.

Section 5.11. Margin Regulations. No part of the proceeds of the Guaranteed Loan will be used directly or indirectly to purchase or carry any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve of the United States, or any regulations, interpretations or rulings thereunder, or for any purpose that violates any regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 10 -


Section 5.12. PUHCA. The Borrower either (a) is not subject to, or is exempt from, regulation as a “holding company” under PUHCA in accordance with 18 C.F.R. § 366.3; or (b) is, and has notified FERC of its status as, a “holding company” under 18 C.F.R. § 366.4 or is an “associate company” under 18 C.F.R. § 366.1, and is in material compliance with all relevant requirements of PUHCA, the FPA, and FERC’s regulations In addition, the Borrower either is (i) not subject to, or is exempt from, rate, financial, and/or organizational regulation as a “public utility,” “public service company,” an “electric company,” or similar entity under the laws of any State or territory of the United States in which the Project is located (provided that the Borrower is, or may be, subject to regulation of contracting or marketing by a public utility commission) or (ii) subject to such rate, financial and/or organizational regulation and compliant in all material respects with the laws of the relevant State or territory of the United States and the regulations of the relevant PUC to which Borrower is subject.

Section 5.13. Accounts. The Borrower does not own or maintain any accounts with a bank or financial institution other than the Transaction Accounts.

Section 5.14. Insolvency Proceedings. No Securitization Entity is the subject of any pending, or to each Securitization Entity’s Knowledge, threatened, Insolvency Proceedings.

Section 5.15. Solar Loans. The Borrower has received a representation from the Depositor that the Solar Loans it has acquired from the Depositor satisfy the Minimum Eligibility Criteria and the Eligibility Criteria set forth in the Series Securitization Documents.

Section 5.16. Allocation of Loan Guarantee Commitment Authority. The Sponsor has partially allocated an amount equal to $168,900,000 to the Lender in accordance with the Loan Guarantee Agreement, and the cumulative amount of any partial allocations of the Loan Guarantee Commitment Authority by the Sponsor do not exceed $3,333,333,333.33.

ARTICLE 6

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Each Securitization Entity (and, with respect to Section 6.2 below, the Agent) covenants and agrees that until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms:

Section 6.1. Maintenance of Existence. Each Securitization Entity will keep in full force and effect its existence and rights as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware and will obtain and preserve its qualification to do business in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is or shall be necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of each Series Securitization Document to which it is party, or material to the conduct of its business and the Project. Each Securitization Entity shall maintain its existence separate from each other Securitization Entity.

Section 6.2. SAM Registration. Each of the Securitization Entities and the Agent shall maintain their respective SAM database registration at all times.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 11 -


Section 6.3. Performance of Obligations. Each Securitization Entity shall perform and observe all of its covenants and obligations contained in any Series Securitization Document or Required Approval.

Section 6.4. Transfer Restriction. The Capital Markets Issuer shall include transfer restrictions in the Equity Interests issued by it, prohibiting, without the prior written consent of the Guarantor, the transfer of any Equity Interest in the Capital Markets Issuer except pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing.

Section 6.5. Separateness and Bankruptcy Remoteness. Each Securitization Entity shall be organized as a bankruptcy-remote, single-purpose entity at all times and shall do all things necessary to maintain its corporate existence separate and apart from any other party, and shall each, except as otherwise permitted or contemplated by the Series Securitization Documents:

(a) maintain books and records separate and apart from any other person;

(b) maintain its accounts separate and apart from those of any other person;

(c) not commingle its assets with those of any other person;

(d) conduct its own functions and business in its own name and comply with all organizational formalities;

(e) provide for the payment of its operating expenses and liabilities from its own funds;

(f) allocate fairly and reasonably any overhead for expenses that are shared with another person or entity;

(g) hold itself out as a separate entity;

(h) not mislead others as to its separate identity;

(i) not guarantee or become obligated for the debts of any other affiliated or unaffiliated third party, hold out its credit as being available to satisfy the obligations of others, or pledge its assets to support the obligations of others;

(j) not engage in any business other than those necessary for, incidental to, connected with or arising out of those permitted pursuant to the Series Securitization Documents;

(k) not make or permit to remain outstanding any loans or advances to any third party; and

(l) maintain adequate capitalization to engage in the transactions and activities contemplated in its organizational documents and the Series Securitization Documents.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 12 -


Section 6.6. Books, Records and Inspections. Each Securitization Entity shall (including, to the extent they are affiliates of the Sponsor, through the Manager or the Servicer):

(a) keep proper records and books of account in which full, true and correct entries in accordance with GAAP and all Applicable Laws are made in respect of all dealing and transactions relating to the business and activities of the Securitization Entities;

(b) maintain adequate internal controls, reporting systems and cost control systems that are designed to ensure that the Borrower satisfies its obligations under the Series Securitization Documents:

(i) for overseeing the financial operations of the Borrower, including its cash management, accounting and financial reporting; and

(ii) for facilitating the effective and accurate audit and performance evaluation of the Project pursuant to the Title XVII Regulations.

(c) upon reasonable request and advanced notice, consult and co-operate with the Guarantor and the Guarantor Consultants regarding the Project upon the Guarantor’s request;

(d) upon reasonable request and advanced notice, permit officers and designated representatives of the Guarantor, its agents, and the Guarantor Consultants to visit and inspect the Project and any other facilities of the Borrower;

(e) upon reasonable request and advanced notice, provide to officers and designated representatives of the Guarantor, its agents, the Comptroller General and the Guarantor Consultants access to any pertinent books, documents, papers and records of the Securitization Entity for the purpose of audit, examination, inspection and monitoring upon reasonable notice in writing and at reasonable times during normal business hours, and to examine and discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Securitization Entity with the representatives of the Securitization Entities;

(f) upon reasonable request and advanced notice, afford proper facilities for such inspection, and shall make copies (at the Borrower’s expense) of any records that are subject to such inspection;

(g) upon reasonable request and advanced notice, make available such information related to the Project as is reasonably requested, including all patents, technology and proprietary rights owned or controlled by the Securitization Entities and utilized in the operation of the Project, as may be reasonably necessary in order to determine the technical progress, soundness of financial condition, management stability, compliance with environmental requirements, adequacy of health and safety conditions and all other matters with respect to the Project;

(h) maintain and upon reasonable request and advanced notice, make available to the Guarantor (or its duly authorized representatives or agents), all documentation associated with each Solar Loan, including each Customer Contract and all Customer Limited Warranty Agreements;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 13 -


(i) record, store, maintain, and operate its records, systems, controls, data and information using means (including any electronic, mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not) that are under its exclusive ownership and direct control (including all means of access thereto and therefrom); and

(j) retain all records relating to expenditures with respect to this Agreement for five (5) years after the date hereof.

Section 6.7. Taxes, Duties, Expenses and Liabilities.

(a) The Borrower shall pay or cause to be paid on or before the date payment is due: (i) all Taxes (including stamp taxes), duties, fees, or other charges payable on or in connection with the execution, issue, delivery, registration, or notarization, or for the legality, validity, or enforceability, of the Series Securitization Documents (other than those Taxes that it is contesting in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which reserves have been established to the extent required by GAAP); provided that the Borrower shall promptly pay any valid, final judgment rendered upon the conclusion of any relevant Action enforcing any Tax and cause it to be satisfied of record, and (ii) all claims, levies, or liabilities (including claims for labor, services, materials and supplies), for sums that have become due and payable and that have or, if unpaid, might become a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon the property of the Borrower (or any part thereof).

(b) The Borrower shall file all tax returns required by Applicable Laws to be filed by it and shall pay or cause to be paid on or before the date payment is due: (i) all income Taxes required to be paid by it; and (ii) all other material Taxes and assessments required to be paid by it (other than those Taxes that it contests in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, for which reserves are established to the extent required by GAAP and permitted by the Title XVII Regulations).

(c) The Borrower shall duly and punctually pay and discharge its Secured Obligations in respect of any indebtedness permitted under the Series Securitization Documents when due, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Series Securitization Documents.

Section 6.8. Contractual Remedies. Each Securitization Entity shall diligently pursue all contractual remedies available to it to cause each Transaction Party to comply with and conduct its property, business and operations in compliance with all Applicable Laws.

ARTICLE 7

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Each Securitization Entity covenants and agrees that until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms:

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 14 -


Section 7.1. Restrictions on Operations.

(a) Ordinary Course of Conduct; No Other Business. Each Securitization Entity shall not: (i) engage in any business other than those necessary for, incidental to, connected with or arising out of the Project in accordance with and as contemplated by the Series Securitization Documents; (ii) create, incur or suffer, or permit to be created or incurred or to exist any Lien on any of the Collateral or permit the Lien created by the Loan Agreement not to constitute a valid first priority, perfected Lien on the Collateral, in each case subject to Permitted Liens; or (iii) fail to maintain its existence and its right to carry on its business.

(b) Accounts. Except as otherwise permitted or contemplated by the Series Securitization Documents, the Borrower shall not establish or maintain any bank accounts other than the Transaction Accounts.

Section 7.2. Amendment of and Notices under Series Securitization Documents and Refinancing Documents. Other than correcting typographical errors, adjusting formatting or correcting minor or technical errors that do not change any Person’s rights or obligations, each of the Securitization Entities shall not, without the prior notice to and written consent of the Guarantor:

(a) agree, directly or indirectly, to any amendment, modification, termination, replacement, supplement, consent or waiver or waive any right to consent to any amendment, modification, termination, replacement, supplement or waiver of any right with respect to, or assign any of the respective duties or obligations under:

(i) any Governmental Approval or other Required Approval, the effect of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

(ii) any Series Securitization Document or any Refinancing Document, as applicable; or

(b) enter into any agreement other than any Series Securitization Document or any Refinancing Document, as applicable, restricting its ability to amend or otherwise modify any of the Series Securitization Documents or any other Refinancing Documents, as applicable.

Section 7.3. Organizational Documents; Legal Form; Capital Structure. None of the Securitization Entities shall (a) amend or modify its Organizational Documents, or (b) amend or modify its legal form, its capital structure (including the issuance of any options, warrants or other rights with respect thereto), except as required under any Applicable Law and with prior written notice of such amendment or modification to the Guarantor.

Section 7.4. Margin Regulations. Each of the Securitization Entities shall not directly or indirectly apply any part of the proceeds of the Guaranteed Loan or other revenues to the purchasing or carrying of any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve of the United States, or any regulations, interpretations or rulings thereunder, or for any purpose that violates any regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 15 -


Section 7.5. Environmental Laws. The Borrower shall not (a) undertake or authorize or (b) knowingly permit, in either case, (x) any action or Release any Hazardous Substances in connection with the Project in material violation of any Environmental Law or (y) that is reasonably likely to result in material harm to human health or the environment as a result of such action or the Release of any Hazardous Substance. In addition, the Borrower shall ensure that the Project (a) shall be operated in material compliance with all Environmental Laws and (b) shall not be operated by the Borrower, its Affiliates or agents in any manner in material violation of any Environmental Law or that is reasonably likely to result in a hazard to public health or safety or to the environment as a result of the Release of any Hazardous Substance.

Section 7.6. Investment Company Act. The Borrower shall not take any action that would result in the Borrower becoming an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.

ARTICLE 8

GUARANTEE TERMINATION EVENT

Section 8.1. Non-Permitted Refinancing. If a Securitization Entity completes a refinancing transaction of the ABS Notes that is not a Permitted Refinancing (such event, a “Guarantee Termination Event”), this Agreement and the Guarantee shall immediately, upon the closing of such refinancing and the repayment of the existing ABS Notes, terminate and the Guarantor shall cease to have any future obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Loan.

ARTICLE 9

GUARANTEE CLAIM PROCEDURES

Section 9.1. Failure to Pay. In the event that the Borrower, for any reason, fails to pay in full when and as due under the Guaranteed Loan any Guaranteed Amounts on any Loan Payment Date, then the Agent, on behalf of the Lender, may make a demand on the Guarantor under this Agreement satisfying the requirements of Section 9.2 below (a “Demand”) for payment of all Guaranteed Amounts pursuant to Section 9.4 (regardless of whether any Guaranteed Amounts have then become due and owing from the Borrower by reason of acceleration of the Guaranteed Loan or otherwise).

Section 9.2. Demand on Guarantor. The Demand shall:

(a) be in the form of Exhibit C and delivered in accordance with Section 10.1 (the date of such delivery, or if not delivered on a Business Day the next succeeding Business Day, the “Demand Date”);

(b) be made by the Agent on behalf of the Lender;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 16 -


(c) state the Loan Payment Date and the aggregate past due Dollar amount of Guaranteed Amounts referred to in Section 9.1;

(d) state the aggregate amount of DOE Guaranteed Principal Amounts due and unpaid as claimed under Section 2.1 as of such Demand Date;

(e) state the outstanding DOE Guaranteed Interest Amounts due and unpaid and its basis for determination, as claimed under Section 2.1 as of the Demand Date;

(f) attach the latest monthly servicing report and account statement of the Collection Account as evidence supporting the claim;

(g) certify that, on and as of the Demand Date, the Guaranteed Amounts claimed under the clauses above remain unpaid and the Borrower’s payment default has remained unremedied past the period allowed for cure under the terms of the Loan Agreement; and

(h) identify the bank and the account of the Agent (in the name of the Lender) located in the United States to which payment is to be made.

The Lender (or the Agent acting at the direction of the Lender) shall thereafter promptly provide to the Guarantor (or its duly authorized representatives or agents) any further information, documentation or calculations relating to the Guaranteed Amounts as may be reasonably requested by the Guarantor in writing within five (5) Business Days of such request, it being understood and agreed that the provision of such further information shall not be a condition to the Guarantor’s obligation to pay any Guaranteed Amount in accordance with this Article 9.

Section 9.3. Subrogation and Assignment to Guarantor.

(a) To the extent not otherwise owed to the Guarantor under the terms of the Series Securitization Documents, on and as of the Demand Date, the Guarantor shall become subrogated to, and the Lender shall have assigned to the Guarantor, without recourse and without need of any further action by any party, an undivided interest in all of the Lender’s right, title and interest in, to and under: (i) the principal, interest and any other amounts constituting the Guaranteed Amounts; (ii) any applicable default interest, make whole amount, liquidation cost or prepayment premium in respect of the Guaranteed Amounts; and (iii) the Series Securitization Documents in respect of the Guaranteed Amounts notwithstanding that, pursuant to Section 9.4(a), the Guarantor shall not be obligated to make payment under the Guarantee for a period of sixty (60) days from the Demand Date. Such subrogated amounts shall be classified as provided in the Loan Agreement and shall only be payable in accordance with the term Borrower Priority of Payments.

(b) To the extent of such subrogation and assignment, the Guarantor shall have the right, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement, to enforce or participate in any claim (including, without limitation, any claim in bankruptcy), right or remedy that the Lender may then have or thereafter acquire against a Borrower under the Series Securitization Documents.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 17 -


(c) The Agent and the Lender shall, upon request by the Guarantor, promptly execute and deliver such documents and take such other actions as the Guarantor may reasonably request to evidence or give effect to such subrogation and assignment, which shall reflect the manner in which such amounts are required to be characterized under the Loan Agreement, pursuant to the Borrower Priority of Payments, it being understood and agreed that the execution and delivery of any such document or the taking of any such action shall not be a condition to the Guarantor’s obligation to pay any Guaranteed Amount in accordance with this Article 9.

(d) The rights of the Guarantor obtained by subrogation and assignment pursuant to the foregoing shall be in addition to, and not to the exclusion of or prejudice to, all other rights of the Guarantor set out in any of the Series Securitization Documents, which shall be exercisable by the Guarantor without regard to or need of any Demand, subrogation or assignment under this Guarantee Agreement.

Section 9.4. Payment by Guarantor.

(a) The Guarantor shall pay to the Agent, by payment to the account designated in a Demand satisfying the requirements of Section 9.2 above, for the benefit of the Lender, promptly, but in no event not later than the 60th day from the Demand Date (the “Guarantee Payment Date”), the Guaranteed Amounts designated in the Demand (the “Guarantee Payment”).

(b) The Agent, on behalf of the Lender, upon delivery of a valid Demand to the Guarantor, shall deem all Guaranteed Amounts subject to the Demand, as fully and timely paid by the Borrower on the Loan Payment Date upon which they were due pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement.

(c) All calculations made by the Lender, and provided to the Agent for purposes of the Demand, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Payment shall be made on or prior to the Guarantee Payment Date in immediately available Dollars to the bank and the account designated for such purpose in the Demand. Payment by the Guarantor of all Guaranteed Amounts due under this Guarantee Agreement shall be made by the Guarantor pursuant to the Demand, for the benefit of the Lender, and such payment shall discharge fully and completely the Guarantor’s liability to the Lender under this Agreement with respect to the Guaranteed Amounts.

(d) For the avoidance of doubt, Guarantee Payments made by the Guarantor may only be used to pay the Guaranteed Amounts and shall not cover any Excluded Amounts.

Section 9.5. No Discharge. Any statute or judicial decision to the contrary notwithstanding, no payment by the Guarantor to the Agent as Agent on behalf of the Lender under this Agreement shall, or shall be deemed to, reduce, discharge, satisfy or terminate any obligation of the Borrower or any other party under the Series Securitization Documents.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 18 -


ARTICLE 10

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.1. Addresses.

(a) Any communications, including any notices, between or among the parties to the Series Securitization Documents shall be provided using the addresses listed below for the Securitization Entities or, for any other party, as otherwise listed in schedule 8 of the Loan Guarantee Agreement.

 

  (i)

Borrower:

Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC

20 East Greenway Plaza, Suite 540

Houston, Texas 77046

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Telephone: [***]

Email: [***]

 

  (ii)

Lender:

Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC

20 East Greenway Plaza, Suite 540

Houston, Texas 77046

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Telephone: [***]

Email: [***]

 

  (iii)

Depositor:

Sunnova Hestia II Depositor, LLC

20 East Greenway Plaza, Suite 540

Houston, Texas 77046

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Telephone: [***]

Email: [***]

 

  (iv)

Capital Markets Issuer:

Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC

20 East Greenway Plaza, Suite 540

Houston, Texas 77046

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Telephone: [***]

Email: [***]

 

  (v)

Agent:

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 19 -


Wilmington, Delaware 19890

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Telephone: [***]

Email: [***]

(b) All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given under the Series Securitization Documents shall be in writing and shall be considered as properly given: (i) if delivered in person; (ii) if sent by overnight delivery service for domestic delivery or international courier for international delivery; (iii) in the event overnight delivery service or international courier service is not readily available, if mailed by first class mail (or airmail for international delivery), postage prepaid, registered or certified with return receipt requested; (iv) if sent by facsimile or telecopy with transmission verified; or (v) if transmitted by electronic mail, to the electronic mail address set forth in this Section 10.1 or in schedule 8 of the Loan Guarantee Agreement. Notice so given shall be effective upon delivery to the addressee, except that communication or notice so transmitted by facsimile or telecopy or other direct written electronic means shall be deemed to have been validly and effectively given on the day (if a Business Day and, if not, on the following Business Day) on which it is validly transmitted if transmitted before 5:00 p.m., recipient’s time, and if transmitted after that time, on the next following Business Day. Any party has the right to change its address for notice under any of the Series Securitization Documents to any other location by giving prior written notice to each of the other parties in the manner set forth hereinabove.

Section 10.2. Further Assurances. The Securitization Entities shall execute and deliver to the Guarantor (or its duly authorized representatives or agents) such additional documents and take such additional actions as the Guarantor may reasonably request to carry out the purposes of the Series Securitization Documents, or that the Guarantor may reasonably request in order to protect any right or interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or by the Series Securitization Documents or to enable the Guarantor to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder or thereunder.

Section 10.3. Waiver and Amendment.

(a) No failure or delay by the Guarantor in exercising any right or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy hereunder.

(b) The rights and remedies provided for herein are, to the extent permitted by law, cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law or in any other Series Securitization Document. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion of any other appropriate right or remedy.

(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated unless such change, waiver, discharge or termination is in writing and executed by each party hereto.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 20 -


(d) Any amendment to, or waiver of, this Agreement or any other Series Securitization Document or any provision hereof or thereof that constitutes a ‘modification’ (as defined in section 502(9) of FCRA) that increases the amount of the Credit Subsidy Cost (as calculated in accordance with FCRA and OMB Circulars A-11 and A-129) shall, at the Guarantor’s discretion, be conditioned upon: increase to the Credit Subsidy Cost by the Sponsor; or (ii) the availability to the Guarantor of funds appropriated by the U.S. Congress to meet any such increase.

Section 10.4. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including any agreement, document or instrument attached to this Agreement or referred to herein, integrates all the terms and conditions mentioned herein or incidental to this Agreement and supersedes all prior drafts, discussions, term sheets, commitments, negotiations, agreements and understandings, oral or written of the parties to this Agreement in respect to the subject matter of this Agreement made.

Section 10.5. Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the Federal law of the United States. To the extent that Federal law does not specify the appropriate rule of decision for a particular matter at issue, it is the intention and agreement of the parties to this Agreement that the law of the State of New York (without giving effect to its conflict of laws principles (except Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law)) shall be adopted as the governing Federal rule of decision.

Section 10.6. Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and the parties hereto shall enter into good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision with a provision as similar in its terms and purpose to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

Section 10.7. Limitation on Liability. No claim shall be made by any Securitization Entity against any the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates, directors, employees, attorneys or agents, including the Guarantor Consultants, for any indirect, exemplary or punitive damages (whether or not the claim therefor is based on contract, tort or duty imposed by law), in connection with, arising out of or in any way related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Series Securitization Documents or any act or omission or event occurring in connection therewith, except in the case of fraud, gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct; and each Securitization Entity hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any such claim for any such damages (except for claims arising out of fraud, gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct), whether or not accrued, and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

Section 10.8. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, INTENTIONALLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY DISPUTE BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN), OR ACTIONS OF THE BORROWER. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR EACH PARTY TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER SERIES SECURITIZATION DOCUMENTS.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 21 -


Section 10.9. Consent to Jurisdiction. By execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of the Agent, each Securitization Entity and the Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding against it arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any other Series Securitization Document, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of: (i) the courts of the United States for the District of Columbia; (ii) the courts of the United States in and for the Southern District of New York; (iii) any other federal court of competent jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction where it or any of its property may be found; and (iv) appellate courts from any of the foregoing;

(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in or removed to such courts, and waives any objection, or right to stay or dismiss any action or proceeding, that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

(c) agrees to irrevocably designate and appoint an agent satisfactory to the Guarantor for service of process in New York under this Agreement and any other Series Securitization Document governed by the laws of the State of New York, with respect to any action or proceeding in New York, as its authorized agent to receive, accept and confirm receipt of, on its behalf, service of process in any such proceeding. The Agent and each Securitization Entity each agrees that service of process, writ, judgment or other notice of legal process upon said agent shall be deemed, and held in every respect, to be of effective personal service upon it, and each such party shall maintain such appointment (or that of a successor satisfactory to the Guarantor) continuously in effect at all times while such party is obligated under this Agreement;

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall: (i) affect the right of the Guarantor to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law; or (ii) limit the right of the Guarantor to commence proceedings against or otherwise sue the Agent or any Securitization Entity or any other Person in any other court of competent jurisdiction nor shall the commencement of proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the commencement of proceedings in any other jurisdiction (whether concurrently or not) if, and to the extent, permitted by the Applicable Laws; and

(e) agrees that any Non-Appealable judgment against it in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction within or outside the U.S. by suit on the judgment or otherwise as provided by law, a certified or exemplified copy of which judgment shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and amount of each Securitization Entity’s obligation.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 22 -


Section 10.10. Successors and Assigns.

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to this Agreement and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

(b) No party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or under any Series Securitization Document without the prior written consent of the Guarantor, except for (i) a collateral assignment to a Capital Markets Trustee in connection with a Capital Markets Issuance, and (ii) a collateral assignment to a trustee, collateral agent, or other person acting in a similar role in connection with a Permitted Refinancing.

Section 10.11. Reinstatement. This Agreement shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of any Securitization Entity’s obligations hereunder, or any part thereof, is, pursuant to Applicable Laws, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by Guarantor. In the event that any payment or any part thereof is so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, such obligations shall be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

Section 10.12. No Partnership; Etc. Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any other Series Securitization Document shall be deemed or construed to create a partnership, tenancy-in-common, joint tenancy, joint venture or co-ownership by, between or among the Guarantor, on one hand, and the Agent, any Securitization Entity or any other Person, on the other. The Guarantor shall not be in any way responsible or liable for the indebtedness, losses, obligations or duties of any Person with respect to the Project or otherwise.

Section 10.13. Acting Reasonably and in Good Faith; Discretion. Each party shall act reasonably and in good faith in the exercise of its rights under this Agreement, except where such party has the right to act in its “discretion” by the express terms of this Agreement. When a party has “discretion,” such party shall have the sole, absolute and unfettered discretion, with no obligation to act reasonably or provide reasons unless specifically required under the provisions of this Agreement. A party may exercise any termination right hereunder in its discretion.

Section 10.14. Indemnification.

(a) The Borrower (the “Indemnifying Party”) shall, whether or not the transactions herein contemplated are consummated, indemnify the Guarantor and its officers, directors, employees, representatives, attorneys and agents (each an “Indemnified Party”) from and hold each of them harmless against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements incurred by any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to, or by reason of, any investigation, litigation or other proceeding or inquiry (whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto) arising out of or related to the entering into and performance of this Agreement or the disbursement of, or use of the proceeds of, the Guarantee or the consummation of any transactions contemplated herein, including the fees and expenses of counsel selected by such Indemnified Party incurred in connection with any such investigation, litigation or other proceeding or in connection with enforcing the provisions of this Section 10.14 (but excluding any such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements to the extent incurred by reason of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Indemnified Party or its officers, directors, employees, representatives, attorneys or agents, as the case may be, as determined pursuant to a final, Non-Appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction) (collectively, “Indemnity Claims”).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 23 -


(b) Without limitation to the provisions of clause (a) above, each Indemnifying Party agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party and each of its respective directors, officers, shareholders, agents, employees, participants, successors and assigns, from and against any and all Indemnity Claims.

(c) All sums paid and costs incurred by any Indemnified Party with respect to any matter indemnified hereunder shall (i) bear interest at the Late Charge Rate applicable to this Agreement from the date an Indemnifying Party receives notice thereof from such Indemnified Party, until reimbursed by the Indemnifying Party, (ii) be added to the Secured Obligations, (iii) be secured by the Series Securitization Documents, and (iv) subject to the Borrower Priority of Payments, be immediately due and payable on demand. Each such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party in a timely manner of any such amounts payable by the Indemnifying Party hereunder; provided that, any failure to provide such notice shall not affect the Indemnifying Party’s obligations under this Section 10.14.

(d) Each Indemnified Party within seven Business Days after the receipt of notice of the commencement of any action for which indemnity may be sought by it, or by any Person Controlling it, from an Indemnifying Party on account of the agreements contained in this Section 10.14, shall notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the failure of such Indemnified Party to so notify the Indemnifying Party of any such action shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any liability that it may have to such Indemnified Party.

(e) To the extent that the undertaking in the preceding clauses of this Section 10.14 may be unenforceable because it is violative of any law or public policy, the Indemnifying Party shall contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy, under Applicable Laws to the payment and satisfaction of such undertakings.

(f) The provisions of this Section 10.14 shall survive foreclosure under the Series Securitization Documents and satisfaction or discharge of the Secured Obligations, and shall be in addition to any other rights and remedies of any Indemnified Party.

(g) Any amounts payable by an Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Section 10.14 shall, subject to the Borrower Priority of Payments, be payable not later than the later of (i) ten (10) Business Days after the Indemnifying Party receives an invoice for such amounts from any applicable Indemnified Party, and (ii) five (5) Business Days prior to the date on which such Indemnified Party expects to pay such costs on account of which the Indemnifying Party’s indemnity hereunder is payable, and if not paid by such applicable date shall bear interest at the Late Charge Rate from and after such applicable date until paid in full.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 24 -


(h) The Indemnifying Party shall be entitled, at its expense, to participate in the defense thereof; provided that, such Indemnified Party has the right to retain its own counsel, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, and such participation by the Indemnifying Party in the defense thereof shall not release the Indemnifying Party of any liability that it may have to such Indemnified Party. Any Indemnified Party against whom any Indemnity Claim is made shall be entitled, after consultation with the Indemnifying Party and upon consultation with legal counsel wherein such Indemnified Party is advised that such Indemnity Claim is meritorious, to compromise or settle any such Indemnity Claim. Any such compromise or settlement shall be binding upon the Indemnifying Party for purposes of this Section 10.14.

(i) Upon payment of any Indemnity Claim by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Section 10.14, the Indemnifying Party, without any further action, shall be subrogated to any and all claims that such Indemnified Party may have relating thereto, and such Indemnified Party shall at the request and expense of the Indemnifying Party co-operate with the Indemnifying Party and give at the request and expense of the Indemnifying Party such further assurances as are necessary or advisable to enable the Indemnifying Party vigorously to pursue such claims.

(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 10.14, the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to any: (i) notice; (ii) participation in the defense of; (iii) consent rights with respect to any compromise or settlement; or (iv) subrogation rights, in each case except as otherwise provided for pursuant to this Section 10.14 with respect to any action, suit or proceeding against the Indemnifying Party.

Section 10.15. Payments. (a) The Guarantor agrees that (i) the sole source of payment for any claim made under Section 10.14 or for on any other basis for a breach by any Securitization Entity under this Agreement shall be the funds deposited into the Collections Account (as defined in the Loan Agreement), (ii) the sole source of the funds described in clause (i) above shall be amounts available pursuant to the Borrower Priority of Payments set forth in section 5.07 of the Loan Agreement on such Loan Payment Date, which priorities of payments are hereby deemed to apply to the corresponding obligations owed or deemed owned by to the Guarantor hereunder.

(b) Guarantor agrees that its claims for payment for any breach of any Securitization Entity against Guarantor under this Agreement are subordinate to any claims deemed to rank senior in priority thereto as set forth in the Borrower Priority of Payments.

(c) Nothing in this Section 10.15 shall preclude Guarantor for making a separate claim against any other party under the Loan Guarantee Agreement to the extent such claim is not precluded from being paid under the Program Documents or the Series Securitization Documents.

Section 10.16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more duplicate counterparts and, when executed by all of the parties, shall constitute a single binding agreement. The delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by electronic means, including by telecopy, facsimile or by portable document format (PDF) attachment to email, shall be as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 10.17. No Petition. The Guarantor, the Agent and each Securitization Entity each agree that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all amounts payable with respect to the Guaranteed Loan, it shall not institute against the Capital Markets Issuer, the Borrower or the Lender, or join any other Person in instituting against the Capital Markets Issuer, the Borrower or the Lender, any Insolvency Proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State of the United States. This Section 10.17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 25 -


Section 10.18. Agent.

(a) The Lender hereby directs the Agent to execute this Agreement.

(b) The rights, benefits, protections, immunities and obligations of the “Agent” (as defined under the Loan Agreement) shall apply to the Agent, in such capacity, under this Agreement.

[signature pages follow]

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 26 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Agreement have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their respective officers or representatives hereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
as Guarantor
 

/s/ Rupinder Kaur

Name:   Rupinder Kaur
Title:   Director, Portfolio Management Division Loan Programs Office

 

[Signature Page to Guarantee Issuance Agreement]

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Agent
 

/s/ Clarice Wright

Name:   Clarice Wright
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Guarantee Issuance Agreement]

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


SUNNOVA ABS MANAGEMENT, LLC
as Servicer and Manager
 

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer
SUNNOVA ENERGY CORPORATION
as Sponsor
 

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Guarantee Issuance Agreement]

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


SUNNOVA HESTIA II LENDER, LLC
as Lender
 

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer
SUNNOVA HESTIA II BORROWER, LLC
as Borrower
 

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer
SUNNOVA HESTIA II DEPOSITOR, LLC
as Depositor
 

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer
SUNNOVA HESTIA II ISSUER, LLC
as Capital Markets Issuer
 

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Guarantee Issuance Agreement]

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


SCHEDULE 1

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

 

1.

Accuracy of Schedule of Eligible Solar Loans. Each entry with respect to the Solar Loan set forth on a schedule of Eligible Solar Loans is complete, accurate, true and correct in all material respects and does not omit any necessary information that makes such entry misleading.

 

2.

Form of Customer Contract. The related Customer Contract is evidenced and governed by (i) loan documentation in substantially the form of one of the Originator’s then applicable standard forms of Customer Contracts and (ii) a corresponding Customer Limited Warranty Agreement. The related Customer Contract contains enforceable provisions that render the rights and remedies of the lender thereunder adequate for the realization against the related PV System or BESS System of the benefits of the security provided thereby.

 

3.

Modifications to Customer Contract. Since origination, the terms of the related Customer Contract have not been amended, waived, extended, or modified from its original terms in any manner inconsistent with the Originator’s Credit and Underwriting Policies.

 

4.

Obligor Payments in U.S. Dollars. The Solar Loan is denominated and payable solely in dollars.

 

5.

Absolute and Unconditional Obligation; Non-cancelable. The Consumer Obligor with respect to the related Customer Contract does not have any statutory or other right under such Customer Contract or such Customer Contract’s ancillary agreements to cancel such Customer Contract (or such statutory or other cancellation right is no longer exercisable).

 

6.

Freely Assignable. The Customer Contract, its related ancillary agreements and the rights with respect to the PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, are freely assignable and a security interest in the PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, may be granted by the Borrower without the consent of any person, except any such consent which may have been obtained. Such Customer Contract does not contain any provision that purports to restrict the ability of any party to exercise its rights thereunder or under any other Series Securitization Documents.

 

7.

Legal Compliance. The Customer Contract, together with its ancillary agreements related thereto, was originated and is as of the related Cut-Off Date in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws (including, without limitation, laws, rules and regulations relating to usury, the Federal Trade Commission Trade Regulation Rule Concerning the Preservation of Consumer’s Claims and Defenses that appears in 16 C.F.R. Part 433, credit protection and privacy laws).

 

8.

Legal, Valid and Binding Agreement. Each Customer Contract and each related ancillary agreement is in full force and effect, is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the related Consumer Obligor or other obligor and is enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by applicable insolvency laws and except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity (whether considered in a suit at law or in equity).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Sch. 1-1


9.

No Defaults or Terminations. The Solar Loan is not a defaulted Solar Loan.

 

10.

No Delinquencies. The Solar Loan is not a delinquent Solar Loan.

 

11.

Minimum Payments Made. With respect to any Solar Loan, either a minimum of one payment due under the related Customer Contract has been made prior to the Loan Closing Date, as applicable, or the first payment under the related Customer Contract has not been made because such payment is not yet due but such payment is due not later than the last day of the first full calendar month following the related Cut-Off Date. With respect to any substituted Solar Loan, a minimum of one payment due under the related Customer Contract has been made prior to the related date of substitution.

 

12.

Obligor FICO Score. The FICO score with respect to (i) the related initial Consumer Obligor was at least [***] and (ii) any subsequent Consumer Obligor with respect to the related PV System or BESS System was at least [***] or such Consumer Obligor has provided a security deposit in accordance with the Credit and Underwriting Policy, in each case, at the time such Solar Loan was originated.

 

13.

Upon Home Sale. The Customer Contract provides that, upon the sale of the residence connected to the related PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, the Consumer Obligor of such Customer Contract must pre-pay the Customer Contract unless the purchaser of the residence: (a) meets Originator’s (or the related approved Dealer’s) underwriting criteria; (b) executes and delivers to the Servicer a written assumption of the Customer Contract; and (c) begins timely performance of the obligations thereunder.

 

14.

Ordinary Course of Business/Due Authorization. The related Customer Contract was: (a) originated in accordance with the Originator’s Credit and Underwriting Policies in effect at the time of origination (including the approval of the related Consumer Obligor in accordance with the Originator’s credit approval parameters); (b) acquired by the Depositor in the ordinary course of its business; and (c) sold to the Borrower for fair value pursuant to the relevant agreement.

 

15.

PV System and BESS System.

 

  (a)

The related PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, securing such Solar Loan was sold by and has been properly delivered to and designed, procured and installed for the related Consumer Obligor by a Dealer using solar photovoltaic panels, inverters, battery storage and battery management systems, as applicable, manufactured by a vendor set forth on the Originator’s approved list of vendors at the time of installation.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Sch. 1-2


  (b)

At the time of installation, such Dealer was properly licensed to design, procure and install the related PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable. The related Consumer Obligor has accepted the PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, and has not notified the Originator, the Manager or any affiliate thereof of any existing defects therein which is not in the process of being investigated, addressed or repaired by such approved installer, the Originator, the Manager or an affiliate thereof.

 

  (c)

The related PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, with respect to such Customer Contract is installed on a single-family residence, condominium or a duplex or townhouse with less than four units.

 

  (d)

To the Manager’s knowledge, after due inquiry, the related PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, is in good repair, without defects and in satisfactory order.

 

  (e)

All parts and materials furnished in connection with the related PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, which are material to the solar energy production or storage performance of such PV System, including but not limited to the solar photovoltaic panels and inverters, and/or BESS System were newly manufactured with a manufacturer date no more than 24 months prior to the date the Solar Loan was originated (excluded parts and materials related to Solar Loans comprising no more than a specified percentage of the Aggregate Collateral Balance that were acquired under an investment tax credit safe harbor program) and such parts and materials were unused prior to installation.

 

  (f)

The related PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, is not currently turned off due to a Consumer Obligor delinquency under the related Customer Contract.

 

16.

No Right of Set-Off. The related Customer Contract is by its terms an absolute and unconditional obligation of the Consumer Obligor to pay the amounts due thereunder and the Customer Contract does not provide the Consumer Obligor with any right of set-off for any reason.

 

17.

No Defenses Asserted. The related Customer Contract has not been satisfied, subordinated or rescinded. To the knowledge of the applicable Sponsor Entity: (a) there are no actions, lawsuits, litigation or other proceedings existing against or threatened in writing, against or affecting the Sponsor Entities before any governmental authority that materially and adversely affect the validity or enforceability of such Solar Loan; and (b) there are no actions, lawsuits, litigation or other proceedings existing or threatened in writing, against or affecting the Sponsor Entities, wherein the related Consumer Obligor or any governmental authority has alleged in writing that such Solar Loan is illegal or unenforceable or that the related Consumer Obligor has a right to exercise any right of rescission, cancellation, set off, counterclaim or defense.

 

18.

Insurance. The related Consumer Obligor is required to maintain or, in the case of PV Systems and/or BESS Systems located in Puerto Rico, the Sponsor maintains liability insurance and property insurance and the coverage limits are sufficient to cover the full replacement and installation cost of the PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Sch. 1-3


19.

Taxes and Governmental Charges. The transfer, assignment and pledge of the Collateral by the Borrower pursuant to the Loan Agreement is not subject to and will not result in any tax, fee or governmental charge payable by the Borrower to any federal, state or local government except as paid. No tax is owed in connection with the sale or contribution to the Borrower except as paid.

 

20.

Governing Law of Customer Contract. The related Customer Contract is governed by the laws of a state or territory of the United States and was not originated in, nor is it subject to the laws of, any jurisdiction, the laws of which would make unlawful the sale, transfer, pledge or assignment of the related Customer Contract under the applicable Series Securitization Documents, including any repurchase in accordance with the Series Securitization Documents.

 

21.

No Unpaid Fees. There are no unpaid fees owed to third parties relating to the origination of the related Solar Loan and installation of the related in-service PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable. The Customer Contract does not contain any provisions: (a) pursuant to which monthly loan payments are paid by any source other than the Consumer Obligor; or (b) that require or permit the Originator or any affiliate thereof to make a monthly loan payment on behalf of the related Consumer Obligor.

 

22.

Payment Terms of Customer Contract. The Customer Contract is a term loan that requires scheduled payments that amortize principal plus interest to be paid monthly, no portion of which may be re-borrowed once repaid.

 

23.

Obligor. The Solar Loan is an obligation of a Consumer Obligor: (a) that is an individual that is not deceased and is not a governmental entity, a business, a corporation, institution or other legal entity (a “natural person”); provided, that no more than a specified percentage of the Aggregate Collateral Balance may relate to Consumer Obligors that are a limited liability company, corporation, trust, partnership or other legal entity if: (i) the Originator has determined that the controlling member of the limited liability company, controlling stockholder of the corporation, trustee of the trust, general partner of the partnership or other equivalent controlling person the legal entity is a natural person; and (ii) the Originator has performed the same underwriting process in connection with such natural person as it applies to Consumer Obligors that are individuals; (b) that voluntarily entered into such Solar Loan and not as a result of fraud or identity theft; and (c) who owns the residence where the PV System is installed; provided that in the case where the Consumer Obligor is a natural person, the residence may be owned by a limited liability company, corporation, trust, partnership or other legal entity for which the Originator has determined that the Consumer Obligor is the controlling member, controlling stockholder, trustee, general partner or other equivalent controlling person.

 

24.

Equipment Warranties. All manufacturer warranties relating to the related Customer Contract and the related PV System and/or BESS System are in full force and effect and can be enforced by the Borrower or the Manager, as applicable, in accordance with their terms, except with respect to those manufacturer warranties that are no longer being honored by the relevant manufacturer with respect to all customers generally, and except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, now or hereafter in effect, and except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity (whether considered at law or in equity).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Sch. 1-4


25.

UCC. The agreement that evidences the Customer Contract constitutes “chattel paper” within the meaning of the UCC in all applicable jurisdictions and either: (a) the single authoritative electronic copy of such chattel paper has been delivered to the Custodian’s electronic vault; or (b) for Customer Contracts never included in an electronic vault at eOriginal, Inc. the single authoritative copy (if any) has been destroyed (or, if not destroyed, no other person has or could obtain possession or control thereof in a manner that would enable such person to claim priority over the lien of the Agent) and a pdf copy has been delivered to the Custodian, and in either case the Custodian has confirmed receipt together with the related ancillary agreements, if any, for such Customer Contract. The Agent has a first priority perfected security interest in the Customer Contracts.

 

26.

Fixture Filing. With respect to the related PV System and BESS System (if any), a precautionary fixture filing has been submitted for recordation in the applicable county records or real property registry.

 

27.

Obligor Solvency; Obligor Challenges. To the knowledge of the Originator, the Consumer Obligor: (a) with respect to the Customer Contract, is not a debtor in a bankruptcy case; and (b) has not commenced any litigation or asserted any claim challenging the validity or enforceability of the related Customer Contract.

 

28.

No Impairment. Neither of the Intermediate Companies, the Borrower or the Manager has done anything to impair the rights of the Borrower, the Agent, the Capital Markets Trustee or the Guarantor in the Collateral or payments with respect thereto.

 

29.

Ownership. Depositor had legal, equitable and marketable title thereto at the time of the sale of such Solar Loan to the Borrower and the Borrower will acquire legal title thereto free and clear of all liens (other than any liens permitted under the Series Securitization Documents or liens released concurrently with the transfer to the Borrower under the relevant agreement). The Solar Loan is secured by a valid first priority perfected security interest and lien (subject to liens permitted under the Series Securitization Documents) on the PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, securing the Consumer Obligor’s obligations under the related Customer Contract, subject only to liens permitted under the Series Securitization Documents and the terms of the Customer Contract provide that the parties thereto agree that the related PV System and/or BESS System, is not a fixture under the applicable UCC.

 

30.

Upkeep Obligations. As between the applicable Sponsor Entity and the Consumer Obligor, a Sponsor Entity is responsible for the payment of all expenses in connection with the maintenance and repair for the related PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, and the Consumer Obligor is responsible for the payment of all expenses in connection with the insurance and taxes (except where prohibited by law) for the related PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, and all payments with respect to the related Customer Contract are payable without condition and notwithstanding any casualty, loss or other

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Sch. 1-5


  damage to such PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, and the Customer Contract, or related ancillary agreements with respect to such Solar Loan, provide for acceleration of payments and repossession of the related PV System and/or BESS System, as applicable, securing such Solar Loan upon a default by the related Consumer Obligor beyond any applicable notice and cure periods provided in the related Customer Contract or ancillary agreement.

 

31.

Delivery of Customer Contract. The related Customer Contract and any amendments or modifications have been converted into an electronic form and the related original Customer Contract and any amendments or modifications have been destroyed on or before the related Cut-Off Date in compliance with Borrower’s document storage policies.

 

32.

Interconnecting PV System. The related PV System in respect of such Solar Loan has received permission to interconnect and operate from the interconnecting utility and is operating and connected to such interconnecting utility.

 

33.

Proceeds.

 

  (a)

The proceeds of the Solar Loan are used solely to finance the acquisition and/or installation of a PV System on or at a residence, along with, if applicable, the Ancillary Equipment so long as the costs relating to Ancillary Equipment are incurred in combination with the installation of such PV System; and/or

 

  (b)

the proceeds of which are used solely to finance the acquisition and/or installation of a BESS System on or at a residence, along with, if applicable, Ancillary Equipment so long as the costs of Ancillary Equipment are incurred in combination with the installation of such BESS System.

 

34.

Original Solar Loan Balance. The original outstanding principal balance due under or in respect of a Solar Loan (i) for a PV System, does not exceed $[***], (ii) for PV System and BESS System, does not exceed $[***] and (iii) for a BESS System, does not exceed $[***].

 

35.

Location. The property securing such Solar Loan is located in a state of the United States or, if such property includes a BESS System, in a state of the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam.

 

36.

Term. The Solar Loan has an original term to maturity of either [***], [***] or [***] months (and in no event more than 300 months).

 

37.

Subsequent Solar Loans. If such Solar Loan is a Subsequent Solar Loan, it satisfies the Subsequent Solar Loan Criteria.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Sch. 1-6


EXHIBIT A

Definitions

ABS Notes” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Account Bank” means J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, National Association, a national banking association, in its capacity as the account bank under the Account Control Agreement, or such other Qualified Bank appointed pursuant to the Account Control Agreement, as the Guarantor may approve.

Account Control Agreement” means (i) initially, the Account Control Agreement, dated as of the related Loan Closing Date, among a Borrower, the Agent and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, National Association and (ii) thereafter, an Account Control Agreement, substantially in the form of the Account Control Agreement described in clause (i) of this definition among the Borrower, the Agent and an Account Bank.

Action” means (a) any action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority; (b) any investigation by a Governmental Authority; or (c) any arbitral proceeding.

Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly Controls, or is under common Control with, or is Controlled by, such Person; provided that, in any event and for all purposes of the Program Documents and the Series Securitization Documents, the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall be deemed an “Affiliate” of the Borrower.

Agent” means Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, in its capacity as the collateral agent under the Guaranteed Loan, or such other successor entity appointed pursuant to the Account Control Agreement, as the Guarantor may approve.

Aggregate Collateral Balance” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Ancillary Equipment” means energy efficiency equipment and materials.

Anticipated Repayment Date” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Applicable Law” means, with respect to any Person, any constitution, statute, law, rule, regulation, code, ordinance, treaty, judgment, order or any published directive, guideline, requirement or other governmental rule or restriction which has the force of law, by or from a court, arbitrator or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Person or any of its properties, whether in effect as of the date of this Agreement or as of any date hereafter.

Backup Servicer” means Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association in its capacity as the backup servicer under a Backup Servicing Agreement, or such other successor entity as the Guarantor may approve.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-1


Backup Servicing Agreement” means the backup servicing agreement entered into from time to time between the Backup Servicer and a Borrower, as may be set forth in the applicable Servicing Agreement.

Balance Sheet Refinancing” means any Refinancing pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition thereof with respect to all of the equity interests of the Eligible Lender.

BESS System” means a battery energy storage system, together with its related equipment.

Borrower” has the meaning specified in the Preamble.

Borrower Available Funds” shall have the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Borrower Priority of Payments” shall have the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Business Day” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Capital Lease” means, for any Person, any lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) any property of such Person that would be required, in accordance with GAAP, to be capitalized and accounted for as a capital lease on a balance sheet of such Person.

Capital Markets Documents” means all agreements entered into by each Capital Markets Issuer in connection with the issuance of ABS Notes and the funding of a Guaranteed Loan extended by an Eligible Lender to the related Borrower.

Capital Markets Issuance” means certain securitization transactions from time to time that finance the extension of Eligible Solar Loans relating to the Project.

Capital Markets Issuer” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

Capital Markets Trustee” means, with respect to a Capital Markets Issuance related to the making of a Guaranteed Loan, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, in its capacity as the trustee under the Capital Markets Documents, or such other entity as the Guarantor may approve.

Collateral” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Collection Account” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Component 1 Interest Distribution Amount” means the Interest Distribution Amount (as described in the Loan Agreement) with respect to Loan Component 1.

Consumer Obligor” means a borrower under a Customer Contract.

Control” means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management or business or policies of a Person (whether through the ownership of voting securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract, or otherwise); and the words “Controlling”, “Controlled”, and similar constructions shall have corresponding meanings.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-2


Credit and Underwriting Policies” means the credit and underwriting policies and procedures applied by the Originator to Eligible Solar Loans held by the Borrower.

Credit Subsidy Cost” means the “cost of a loan guarantee”, as defined in section 502(5)(C) of FCRA.

Custodian” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Customer Contract” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Customer Limited Warranty Agreement” means, (i) with respect to a PV System related to an Eligible Solar Loan, any separate warranty agreement provided by the Originator to a Consumer Obligor (which may be an exhibit to a Customer Contract) in connection with the performance and installation of the related PV System and/or BESS System (which, in the case of a PV System, includes a minimum production guaranty level of [***]% solar energy production, as measured in kilowatt hours, for a specified time period for the PV System) related to the Eligible Solar Loan and compensates the Consumer Obligor for a shortfall and (ii) with respect to a PV System and/or BESS System related to the Eligible Solar Loan, any limited warranty agreement provided by the Originator to a Consumer Obligor pursuant to which the Originator or its agents have agreed to repair or replace the PV System and/or BESS System in accordance with the terms of the manufacturer’s warranty attached to such agreement and cover labor costs and certain out of warranty components for the relevant warranty term.

Cut-Off Date” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Dealer” means a third party with whom the Originator or any of its affiliate’s contracts to source potential customers and to design, install and service PV Systems and/or BESS Systems.

Debarment Regulations” means all of the following:

 

  (i)

Subpart 9.4 (Debarment, Suspension, and Ineligibility) of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, 48 C.F.R. 9.400 – 9.409; and

 

  (ii)

the Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement) regulations (Common Rule), 2 C.F.R. 200.214 implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, and 2 C.F.R. Part 180, as supplemented by 2 C.F.R. Part 901.

Demand” has the meaning specified in Section 9.1.

Demand Date” has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(a).

Depositor” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-3


DOE” has the meaning specified in the Preamble.

DOE Component” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

DOE Component Balance” means, with respect to the DOE Component of the Guaranteed Loan, $0.00 plus all principal payments made by the Guarantor as of such date of determination minus all principal payments made towards repayment of the DOE Component as of such date of determination.

DOE Guaranteed Interest Amount” means, with respect to the Guaranteed Loan, the Guaranteed Loan Percentage of the outstanding interest due and unpaid on Loan Component 1 and Loan Component 2.

DOE Guaranteed Principal Amounts” means with respect to the Guaranteed Loan, (a) any repayment of principal with respect to Loan Component 1 (i) upon the Loan Maturity Date, or (ii) upon the occurrence of a Loan Event of Default and acceleration thereunder; and (b) any required Loan Component 1 Parity Principal Payments.

DOE Reimbursable Amounts” mean the amounts reimbursable to the Guarantor in respect of: (i) DOE Guaranteed Principal Amounts reflected in the outstanding DOE Component Balance of the DOE Component; and (ii) DOE Guaranteed Interest Amounts.

Dollars” or “$” means the lawful currency of the United States.

Eligibility Criteria” means, with respect to any Guaranteed Loan, the criteria set forth in the applicable Loan Agreement relating to Solar Loans.

Eligible Lender” means each special purpose limited liability company formed from time to time in the state of Delaware extending a Guaranteed Loan having satisfied each condition of an “Eligible Lender” as set out in Section 609.2 of the of the Title XVII Regulations.

Eligible Solar Loans” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Environmental Laws” means any Applicable Law in effect as of the relevant Loan Closing Date or thereafter, and in each case as amended, regulating, relating to or imposing obligations, liability or standards of conduct concerning or otherwise relating to (a) pollution, protection of human or animal health or safety or the environment, including flora and fauna, or Releases or threatened Releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, radiation or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes, including Hazardous Substances, or (b) the generation, manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, recycling, disposal, transport, or handling of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes, including Hazardous Substances.

Equipment Replacement Reserve Deposit” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Equipment Replacement Reserve Required Balance” has, with respect to any Guaranteed Loan, the meaning ascribed to such term in the applicable Loan Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-4


Equity Interest” means any and all shares, interest, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) the common or preferred equity or preference share capital of an entity, including partnership interests, voting interests, limited liability interests and trust beneficial interests; provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, no ABS Note will be considered an Equity Interest under this definition.

Excluded Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

FCRA” means the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, P.L. 101-508, 104 Stat. 1388-609 (1990), as amended by P.L. 105-33, 111 Stat. 692 (1997).

FERC” means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or any successor agency.

Governmental Approval” means any approval, consent, authorization, license, permit, order, certificate, qualification, waiver, exemption, or variance, or any other action of a similar nature, of or by a Governmental Authority, including any of the foregoing that under Applicable Law are or may be deemed given or withheld by failure to act within a specified time period.

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, county, municipal, or regional authority, or any other entity of a similar nature, exercising any executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, or administrative function of government.

Governmental Judgment” means with respect to any Person, any judgment, order, decision, or decree, or any act of a similar nature, of or by a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Person or any of its properties.

Guarantee” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

Guarantee Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4.

Guarantee Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4.

Guarantee Request” means the written request in compliance with the Borrower’s obligations pursuant to Article 2 and attached as Exhibit DD to the Loan Guarantee Agreement.

Guarantee Termination Event” has the meaning set forth in Article 8.

Guaranteed Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

Guaranteed Loan” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Guaranteed Loan Percentage” means, initially, 90.00% of the Initial Outstanding Guaranteed Loan Balance.

Guarantor” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Guarantor Consultants” means, collectively, the Independent Engineer, Allen & Overy LLP, as legal counsel to the Guarantor, and any other advisor or consultant retained by the Guarantor from time to time in connection with each Guaranteed Loan, the Project, the Program Documents, the Series Securitization Documents or the Marketing Materials.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-5


Guarantor Extraordinary Expenses” means, in connection with any technical, financial, legal or other difficulty experienced by the Project (e.g., engineering failure or financial workouts) that requires the Guarantor to incur time or expenses (including third-party expenses) beyond standard monitoring and administration of the Program Documents and the Series Securitization Documents, the amounts that the Guarantor reasonably determines are required to: (i) reimburse the Guarantor’s additional internal administrative costs (including any costs to determine whether an amendment or modification would be required that could constitute a “modification” (as defined in section 502(9) of FCRA)); and (ii) any related fees and expenses of the Guarantor Consultants to the extent not paid directly by on or behalf of the Borrower.

Guarantor Fees” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

Hazardous Substance” means any hazardous or toxic substances, chemicals, materials, pollutants or wastes defined, listed, classified or regulated as such in or under any Environmental Laws, including: (i) any petroleum or petroleum products (including gasoline, crude oil or any fraction thereof), flammable explosives, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation and polychlorinated biphenyls; (ii) any chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “extremely hazardous wastes,” “restricted hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” “toxic pollutants,” “contaminants” or “pollutants,” or words of similar import, under any applicable Environmental Law; and (iii) any other chemical, material or substance, import, storage, transport, use or disposal of, or exposure to or Release of which is prohibited, limited or otherwise regulated under, or for which liability is imposed pursuant to, any Environmental Law.

Hedging Agreement” means any agreement or instrument (including a cap, swap, collar, option, forward purchase agreement or other similar derivative instrument) relating to the hedging of any interest under any Indebtedness.

Hestia Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Indebtedness” means as to any Person, and at any date, without duplication:

 

  (i)

all Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of such Person;

 

  (ii)

all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, letters of credit, or other similar instruments;

 

  (iii)

all obligations of such Person to purchase securities (or other property) that arise out of or in connection with the sale or acquisition of the same or similar securities (or property);

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-6


  (iv)

all obligations of such Person issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services other than trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (v)

all obligations of such Person under leases that are or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as Capital Leases in respect of which such Person is liable;

 

  (vi)

all deferred obligations of such Person to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid or advanced under a letter of credit or other instrument;

 

  (vii)

the currently available amount of all surety bonds, performance bonds, letters of credit or other similar instruments issued for the account of such Person;

 

  (viii)

all liabilities secured by (or for which the holder of such liabilities has an existing right, contingent, or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such liabilities;

 

  (ix)

all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of any default are limited to repossession or sale of such property);

 

  (x)

obligations pursuant to any agreement to purchase materials, supplies or other property if such agreement provides that payment shall be made regardless of whether delivery of such materials, supplies or other property is ever made or tendered;

 

  (xi)

all obligations in respect of any Hedging Agreement or similar arrangement between such Person and a financial institution providing for the transfer or mitigation of interest risks either generally or under specific contingencies (but without regard to any notional principal amount relating thereto); and

 

  (xii)

all contingent obligations of such Person with respect to Indebtedness of the types specified in clauses (i) through (xi) above.

Indebtedness for Borrowed Money” means as to any Person, without duplication, (i) all indebtedness (including principal, interest, fees and charges) of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than any deferral (x) in connection with the provision of credit in the ordinary course of business by any trade creditor or utility, or (y) of any amounts payable under the Program Documents or the Series Securitization Documents); or (ii) the aggregate amount required to be capitalized under any Capital Lease under which such Person is the lessee.

Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.14.

Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.14.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-7


Indemnity Claims” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.14.

Independent Engineer” means Sargent & Lundy LLC, acting as engineering advisor to the Guarantor, or a replacement thereof retained at the Guarantor’s discretion.

Initial Outstanding Guaranteed Loan Balance” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Initial Percentage Interest Distribution Methodology” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Insolvency Proceeding” means any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, company reorganization, restructuring, controlled management, suspension of payments, scheme of arrangement, appointment of provisional liquidator, receiver or administrative receiver, notification, resolution, or petition for winding up or similar proceeding, under any Applicable Law, in any jurisdiction and whether voluntary or involuntary.

Intermediate Companies” means each of the Sponsor, Intermediate Holdings, Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer and the Eligible Lender.

Intermediate Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Investment Company Act” means The United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

KBRA” means Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC, so long as it is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or any successor entity.

Knowledge” means with respect to any Person, the actual knowledge of any Principal Persons of such Person or any knowledge that should have been obtained by any Principal Person of such Person upon reasonable investigation and inquiry.

Late Charge Rate” means, with respect to any Indemnity Claim, the rate of interest determined in this Agreement with respect to the related Guaranteed Loan.

Lender” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Lender Account” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, easement or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected or effective under Applicable Law.

Loan Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Loan Closing Date” means June 5, 2024.

Loan Component” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-8


Loan Component 1” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Loan Component 1 Balance” means, with respect to Loan Component 1 of the Guaranteed Loan, the Initial Outstanding Guaranteed Loan Balance applicable to such Loan Component 1 minus all principal payments made on such Loan Component 1 as of such date of determination, including, for the avoidance of doubt, all payments made by the Guarantor as principal.

Loan Component 1 Parity Principal Payment” means with respect to any Loan Payment Date, if, after giving effect to the application of Borrower Available Funds pursuant to the Borrower Priority of Payments, the Loan Component 1 Parity Ratio is greater than 100%, an amount that would, if paid in respect of Loan Component 1, cause the Loan Component 1 Parity Ratio to be equal to 100%

Loan Component 1 Parity Ratio” means as of any date of determination, a fraction expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the outstanding Loan Component 1 Balance and the denominator of which is the product of: (a) 90.00%; and (b) the Aggregate Collateral Balance, in each case, as of such date.

Loan Component 2” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Loan Event of Default” means each “Event of Default” determined pursuant to the Loan Agreement.

Loan Guarantee Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

Loan Guarantee Commitment Authority” the loan guarantee commitment authority for Project Hestia (Loan No. 1426) with the Sponsor, evidenced by the OMB-approved “Apportionment and Reapportionment Schedule (Standard Form 132)” received by the Guarantor.

Loan Maturity Date” means the “Maturity Date” determined pursuant to the Loan Agreement.

Loan Note” means the promissory note issued by a Borrower to evidence a Guaranteed Loan.

Loan Payment Date” means the “Payment Date” determined pursuant to the Loan Agreement.

Management Agreement” means the management agreement, dated as of the Loan Closing Date between the Manager and the Borrower.

Manager” means Sunnova ABS Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned direct subsidiary of the Sponsor, in its capacity as manager under a Management Agreement, or such other successor entity as the Guarantor may approve.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-9


Market Refinancing” means any Refinancing carried out on arms’ length terms and collateralized by all of the equity interests of the Eligible Lender and with respect to which the cashflows of the indebtedness issued or incurred in such Refinancing are primarily dependent upon the Guaranteed Loan, involving (i) the issuance of securities (or incurrence by the issuer or borrower, as the case may be, of indebtedness in whatever form) in a bona fide securitization or similar debt capital markets transaction and marketed by an investment bank acting as placement agent, underwriter or initial purchaser to institutional investors pursuant to Rule 144A and/or Regulation S, in each case under the Securities Act, with respect to which an offering document is provided to investors in advance of pricing of the transaction and such investors accept risk which is linked indirectly to the Guaranteed Loan, (ii) the issuance of securities (or incurrence by the issuer or borrower, as the case may be, of indebtedness in whatever form) in a bona fide securitization or similar debt transaction carried out as a private placement pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, with respect to which investors accept risk which is linked indirectly to the Guaranteed Loan, (iii) any asset-backed or warehouse credit facility the lender(s) of which is or are any commercial bank, financial institution or other entity (including asset-backed commercial paper conduits of the foregoing) that is engaged in the business of making or purchasing solar loans or similar financial assets, with respect to which such lenders accept risk which is linked directly or indirectly to the Guaranteed Loan.

Marketing Materials” means the preliminary offering circular and the final offering circular, any term sheets, any investor presentation, any material furnished to the Rating Agencies and all other disclosure documents or other written marketing materials used by the Capital Markets Issuer, the Sponsor or their agents in connection with the issuance of ABS Notes and the funding of a Guaranteed Loan extended by an Eligible Lender to the related Borrower.

Material Adverse Effect” means, as of any date of determination, in the sole discretion of the Guarantor, a material and adverse effect on: (i) the Project; (ii) the ability of the Borrower or any other Transaction Party to observe and perform its material obligations in a timely manner under any Program Document or Series Securitization Document to which it is a party; (iii) the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or property of the Borrower or any other Transaction Party; (iv) the validity or enforceability of any material provision of any Program Document or Series Securitization Document; (v) any material right or remedy of the Guarantor under the Program Documents or Series Securitization Documents; or (vi) the security or Liens of the Secured Parties on any of the Collateral under any Series Securitization Document.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria” means the criteria set forth in Schedule 1 hereto.

Monthly Risk-Based Charge” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.1(a).

Non-Appealable” means, with respect to any judgment or finding, unless otherwise agreed by the Guarantor, (a) such judgment or finding is not subject to any pending appeal, intervention or similar proceeding or any unsatisfied condition which may result in modification or revocation, and (b) all applicable appeal periods have expired (except for any judgment or finding which does not have any limit on an appeal period under Applicable Law).

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control, agency of the United States Department of the Treasury under the auspices of the Under-Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-10


Ongoing Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.1(b).

Open Refinancing Period” means the period from and after the date that is six months prior to the Anticipated Repayment Date (or equivalent with respect to the immediately preceding consummated Market Refinancing, if any).

Organizational Documents” means with respect to any Person: (i) to the extent such Person is a corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the by-laws of such Person; (ii) to the extent such Person is a limited liability company, the certificate of formation or articles of formation or organization and operating or limited liability company agreement of such Person; and (iii) to the extent such Person is a partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business, the partnership, joint venture, trust or other applicable agreement of formation or organization, and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization or formation of such Person.

Originator” means Sunnova Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

Performance Guarantor” means Sunnova Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation, in its capacity as the performance guarantor under the Performance Guaranty, or such other successor entity as the Guarantor may approve.

Performance Guaranty” means the limited performance guaranty, dated as of the Loan Closing Date, between the Performance Guarantor and the Borrower, pursuant to which the Performance Guarantor will guarantee: (a) certain obligations of the Servicer under the Servicing Agreement; (b) certain obligations of the Manager under the Management Agreement; and (c) certain obligations of the Depositor under the Sale and Contribution Agreement.

Periodic Expenses” means all of the following amounts from time to time due under or in connection with the Program Documents or Series Securitization Documents: (i) recordation and other costs, fees and charges in connection with the execution, delivery, filing, registration, or performance of the Program Documents or Series Securitization Documents or the perfection of the security interests in the Collateral; (ii) fees, charges, and expenses of any Guarantor Consultants; (iii) other fees, charges, expenses and other amounts from time to time due under or in connection with the Program Documents or Series Securitization Documents; and (iv) Guarantor Extraordinary Expenses.

Permitted Liens” means:

 

  (i)

any Liens securing the Secured Obligations;

 

  (ii)

any Lien for taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies not yet due and payable, already paid or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-11


  (iii)

any other lien or encumbrance arising under or permitted by the Program Documents or the Series Securitization Documents;

 

  (iv)

to the extent a PV System or BESS System constitutes a fixture, any conflicting interest of an encumbrancer or owner of the real property that has or would have priority over the applicable UCC fixture filing; and

 

  (v)

Liens (not securing Indebtedness) of depository institutions and securities intermediaries (including rights of set-off or similar rights) with respect to deposit accounts or securities accounts.

Permitted Refinancing” means a Balance Sheet Refinancing or a Market Refinancing with respect to which all of the following conditions have been satisfied as of the closing date of such Refinancing:

 

  (i)

the DOE Reimbursable Amount shall be $0;

 

  (ii)

other than with respect to any Market Refinancing pursuant to clause (i) of the definition thereof, no Prohibited Person shall be acting, directly or indirectly, as a party providing the financing or credit support for such Refinancing;

 

  (iii)

the consummation of such Refinancing and the fulfilment of the obligations of the parties thereunder shall not result in a breach of Applicable Law (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Title XVII) by the Guarantor, the Sponsor, the Borrower, the Eligible Lender, the Servicer, the Manager or any other Transaction Party;

 

  (iv)

(x) if such Refinancing is a Market Refinancing, no prior Market Refinancing has occurred with respect to such Guaranteed Loan and (y) if such Refinancing is a Balance Sheet Refinancing, no more than one (1) Balance Sheet Refinancing has occurred with respect to such Guaranteed Loan;

 

  (v)

if such Refinancing is a Balance Sheet Refinancing or a Market Refinancing following a Balance Sheet Refinancing, the closing date (with respect to such Market Refinancing) or the date when the then-outstanding financing backed by or secured by the equity interests of the Eligible Lender or the Guaranteed Loan is repaid (with respect to such Balance Sheet Refinancing) shall, in each case, be during the Open Refinancing Period;

 

  (vi)

if such Refinancing is a Market Refinancing, the Guarantor shall have received:

 

  (i)

(1) no later than seven (7) Business Days prior to the proposed closing date of the Refinancing, drafts of all relevant Refinancing Documents (and all opinions and certificates provided or entered into in connection therewith), (2) no later than two (2) Business Days after the pricing date of the Permitted Refinancing (if applicable), revised drafts of all Refinancing Documents, and (3) no later than one (1) Business Day prior to the closing date of the Refinancing, executed versions of all Refinancing Documents (and all opinions and certificates provided or entered into in connection therewith), together with redline comparisons against any prior drafts delivered to the Guarantor;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-12


  (ii)

if the Refinancing is a Market Refinancing pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) of that definition, (1) no later than seven (7) Business Days prior to distribution to investors, drafts of any preliminary offering circular or other offering document for the applicable Refinancing, (2) no later than one (1) Business Day prior to distribution to investors, any final versions of such preliminary offering circular or offering memorandum; in each case together with redline comparisons against prior drafts previously circulated, (3) no later than the date of distribution to investors, the final offering circular, any pricing term sheet or any related pricing addendum with respect to such Refinancing, (4) no later than two (2) Business Days prior to the distribution to investors or the Rating Agencies (as the case may be), drafts of any other Marketing Materials and (5) no later than one (1) Business Day prior to distribution to investors or the Rating Agencies (as the case may be), any final versions of any Marketing Materials described in clause (4) above, in each case together with redline comparisons against prior drafts;

 

  (vii)

immediately following the closing of the Refinancing, the Equipment Replacement Reserve Deposit and the Equipment Replacement Reserve Required Balance shall be at an amount agreed to by the Guarantor;

 

  (viii)

if the Guaranteed Loan has not been assigned a credit rating prior to the Refinancing, either the Guaranteed Loan or, if the Refinancing involves the issuance of ABS Notes, the ABS Notes issued in connection with the Refinancing shall have received the Required Rating; and

 

  (ix)

(A) the Sponsor shall have (or concurrent with the closing of the Refinancing will have) paid all fees and expenses due to the Guarantor (1) under the Loan Guarantee Agreement and (2) in connection with the Refinancing; and (B) the Borrower shall have (or concurrent with closing of the Refinancing will have) paid all accrued and unpaid fees and expenses due to the Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.3.1 of the Agreement.

Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, company, voluntary association, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority, committee, department, authority or any other body, incorporated or unincorporated, whether having distinct legal personality or not.

Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Principal Persons” means any officer, director, beneficial owner of 10% or more of the Equity Interests that are not publicly traded securities, other natural persons (whether or not an employee) with executive responsibilities over a Securitization Entity or Intermediate Company or who has practical control over a Securitization Entity or Intermediate Company, and each of their respective successors or assigns.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-13


Program Documents” means, (a) the Loan Guarantee Agreement and (b) all other documents entered into by a Transaction Party in connection with the Loan Guarantee Agreement which is not a Series Securitization Document.

Prohibited Person” means any Person that is:

 

  (i)

named, identified, or described on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” (Appendix A to 31 CFR chapter V) as published by OFAC at its official website, http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn/, or at any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list;

 

  (ii)

named, identified or described on any other blocked persons list, designated nationals list, denied persons list, entity list, debarred party list, unverified list, sanctions list or other list of individuals or entities with whom U.S. persons may not conduct business maintained by an agency or instrumentality of the United States, including lists published or maintained by OFAC, lists published or maintained by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and lists published or maintained by the U.S. Department of State;

 

  (iii)

debarred or suspended from contracting with the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof;

 

  (iv)

the subject of Sanctions by reason of being owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf of, any governments that are the subject of Sanctions;

 

  (v)

otherwise the subject or target of Sanctions;

 

  (vi)

debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment with a final determination still pending, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded (as such terms are defined in any of the Debarment Regulations) from contracting with any U.S. federal government department or any agency or instrumentality thereof or otherwise participating in procurement or nonprocurement transactions with any U.S. federal government department or agency pursuant to any of the Debarment Regulations;

 

  (vii)

indicted, convicted or had a Governmental Judgment rendered against it for any of the offenses listed in any of the Debarment Regulations;

 

  (viii)

subject to U.S. or multilateral economic or Sanctions in which the U.S. participates; or

 

  (ix)

owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf of, any governments, corporations, entities or individuals that are subject to U.S. or multilateral economic or Sanctions in which the U.S. participates.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-14


Project” means, collectively, the (a) Eligible Solar Loans and (b) digital engagement technologies that will integrate with the consumer’s PV Systems and BESS Systems that the Sponsor designs and installs at the residential homes of its customers throughout the United States and its Territories as part of its distributed energy business, and will allow consumers to review their energy costs and consumption to provide them the ability to change energy use behaviors, resulting in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and providing the ability to enhance home electrification, integrate load controls and smart appliances and support grid stability support through demand-side management.

PV System” means solar photovoltaic electric generation systems.

Qualified Bank” means a bank or branch office in New York, New York organized under or licensed as a branch under the laws of the United States or any state thereof with outstanding unguaranteed and unsecured long-term Indebtedness that is rated “[***]” or better by S&P and/or “[***]” or better by Moody’s (and if the applicable rating is “[***]” by S&P or “[***]” by Moody’s, such rating is not on negative watch).

Rating Agency” means KBRA or, if KBRA is not a Rating Agency providing a rating on both the Guaranteed Loans and the ABS Notes for such issuance, any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization requested by the Sponsor and consented to by the Guarantor (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld). For the avoidance of doubt, if KBRA is rating both the ABS Notes and the Guaranteed Loans, no consent shall be required for any additional rating agencies.

Refinancing” means any transaction (including any Permitted Refinancing) entered into after the Loan Closing Date involving (i) the issuance or incurrence of new indebtedness (including a refinancing of the ABS Notes) either directly or indirectly backed by or secured by the equity interests of the Eligible Lender or the Guaranteed Loan and/or (ii) a transaction where the then-outstanding financing backed by or secured by the equity interests of the Eligible Lender or the Guaranteed Loan is repaid and the Guaranteed Loan remains outstanding following such repayment.

Refinancing Documents” means (a) for any Permitted Refinancing that involves the issuance of ABS Notes, the Series Securitization Documents of the type described in clause (a) through (i) of such definition and (b) for any Permitted Refinancing that does not involve the issuance of ABS Notes, the applicable loan agreement, indenture, servicing documents, asset transfer documents, and security documents governing such Permitted Refinancing.

Release” means disposing, discharging, injecting, spilling, leaking, leaching, dumping, pumping, pouring, emitting, escaping, emptying, seeping, placing and the like, into or upon any land or water or air, or otherwise entering into the environment.

Required Approvals” means all Governmental Approvals and other consents and approvals of third parties necessary or required under Applicable Law or any contractual obligation for: (i) the due execution, delivery recordation, filing or performance by any Securitization Entity or Transaction Party of any Program Document or Series Securitization Document to which such Securitization Entity or Transaction Party is or is to be a party; (ii) the grant by the Borrower of

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-15


the Liens granted pursuant to the Series Securitization Documents; (iii) the perfection or maintenance of the Liens created under the Series Securitization Documents (including the first priority nature thereof); (iv) the exercise by any Secured Party of its rights under any of the Program Documents or Series Securitization Documents or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to the Series Securitization Documents; (v) the operation or maintenance of the Project; or (vi) the Borrower’s ownership of the Project.

Required Rating” means, with respect to either the Guaranteed Loans or the ABS Notes corresponding to Loan Component 2, a long-term credit rating of no less than BB (or equivalent) from the Rating Agency.

Sale and Contribution Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Sanctions” means any economic or financial sanctions, or trade embargoes or restrictive measures, implemented, administered or enforced by OFAC or any other agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government, including through rules, regulations or directives, and any U.S. Executive Orders imposing economic or financial sanctions on any individuals, entities or foreign countries or regimes.

Secured Obligations” means all amounts, without duplication, owing to any Secured Party under the Series Securitization Documents, including:

 

  (i)

all loans, advances, debts, liabilities, indemnities, penalties and obligations, howsoever arising, owed by the Borrower under the Series Securitization Documents (to the extent any Secured Party is a subrogee in respect thereof), this Agreement or otherwise to any Secured Party (whether or not evidenced by any note or instrument and whether or not for the payment of money), direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, pursuant to any of the Series Securitization Documents, including (a) all interest, fees and Periodic Expenses chargeable to the Borrower and payable by the Borrower hereunder or thereunder, and (b) any obligation to reimburse the Guarantor for any Guarantee Payment pursuant to the terms of a Loan Agreement;

 

  (ii)

any and all sums advanced by any Secured Party in order to preserve the Collateral or preserve the Secured Parties’ security interest in the Collateral; and

 

  (iii)

in the event of any proceeding for the collection or enforcement of the obligations after a Loan Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the expenses of retaking, holding, preparing for sale or lease, selling or otherwise disposing of or realizing on the Collateral, or of any exercise by any Secured Party of its rights under the Series Securitization Documents, together with any Periodic Expenses, including attorney’s fees and court costs.

Secured Parties” means the Guarantor, the Agent and the related Eligible Lender or their successors or assigns, as their respective interests may appear.

Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-16


Securitization Entities” or “Securitization Entity” means the Depositor, the Capital Markets Issuer, the Lender and the Borrower.

Series Securitization Documents” means, (a) this Agreement; (b) the Loan Agreement; (c) the Loan Note; (d) the Sale and Contribution Agreement; (e) the Servicing Agreement; (f) the Management Agreement; (g) the Backup Servicing Agreement; (h) the Performance Guaranty; (i) the Capital Markets Documents; (j) all documents necessary or appropriate to create and perfect a first-priority security interest over all of the Collateral, including the security agreements and the account agreement(s); (k) all consents and agreements in respect of the Servicing Agreement; and (l) any other document, certificate, filing instrument or agreement entered into by a Transaction Party after the date hereof that is designated as a “Series Securitization Document” by the Guarantor (but in each case excluding any legal opinions, certificates, general deliverables or similar documents).

Servicer” means (i) initially, Sunnova ABS Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned direct subsidiary of the Sponsor, in its capacity as servicer under a Servicing Agreement, (ii) if a servicer termination event has occurred, the Backup Servicer, or (iii) such other entity as the Guarantor may approve.

Servicing Agreement” means the servicing agreement, dated as of the Loan Closing Date between the Servicer and the Borrower, pursuant to which the Servicer will act as the servicer of the Customer Contracts owned by the Borrower.

Solar Loans” means consumer loans deployed by the Sponsor.

Sponsor” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Sponsor Entities” means any Securitization Entity and each of the Sponsor, any Intermediate Companies, the Performance Guarantor, the Servicer, the Manager and any of their Affiliates party to a Program Document or Securitization Document, and each of their respective successors and assigns.

Subsequent Solar Loan” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Subsequent Solar Loan Criteria” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Taxes” means all taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, penalties or additions thereto imposed in respect thereof.

Title XVII” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

Title XVII Regulations” means the regulations with respect to Title XVII, at 10 CFR Part 609, and any other applicable regulations from time to time promulgated to implement Title XVII.

Transaction Accounts” means the accounts established pursuant to a Loan Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-17


Transaction Party” means each party to all documents (other than legal opinions) relating to the Loan Guarantee Agreement, the Capital Markets Issuance and each Guaranteed Loan, including, for the avoidance of doubt, each Program Document and Series Securitization Document.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. A-18


EXHIBIT B

Rules of Interpretation

For all purposes of this Agreement, including Exhibits, Schedules, Annexes and Appendices hereto, unless otherwise indicated or required by the context:

 

1.

Plurals and Gender. Defined terms in the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, and the masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include all genders.

 

2.

Use of Or. The word “or” is not exclusive.

 

3.

Change of Law. Each reference to an Applicable Law includes any amendment, supplement or modification of such Applicable Law, as the case may be, and all regulations, rulings and other Applicable Laws promulgated thereunder, including with respect to any successor Applicable Law or Environmental Law.

 

4.

Successor and Assigns. A reference to a Person includes its successors and permitted assigns.

 

5.

Including. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” are not limiting and mean include, includes and including “without limitation”, “without limitation by specification” and “but not limited to.”

 

6.

Hereof, Herein, Hereunder. The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in any document shall refer to such document as a whole and not to any particular provision of such document.

 

7.

Articles, Sections, Exhibits. A reference in a document to an Article, Section, Exhibit, Schedule, Annex or Appendix is to the Article, Section, Exhibit, Schedule, Annex or Appendix of such document unless otherwise indicated.

 

8.

Attachments, Replacements, Amendments. References to any document, instrument or agreement (a) shall include all Exhibits, schedules, annexes and appendices thereto, and all Exhibits, schedules, annexes or appendices to any document shall be deemed incorporated by reference in such document, (b) shall include all documents, instruments or agreements issued or executed in replacement thereof and (c) shall mean such document, instrument or agreement, or replacement thereto, as amended, modified and supplemented from time to time and in effect at any given time to the extent that any such amendment, modification, or supplement is permitted under the terms of such document, instrument or agreement and under the terms of the Series Securitization Documents.

 

9.

Periods and Time. Unless otherwise specified, references to “days”, “weeks”, “months” and “years” shall mean calendar days, weeks, months and years, respectively. References to a time of day shall mean such time in Washington, D.C.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. B-1


10.

Ambiguities. The Series Securitization Documents are the result of negotiations among, and have been reviewed by each party to the Series Securitization Documents and their respective counsel. Accordingly, the Series Securitization Documents shall be deemed to be the product of all parties thereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against any Person.

 

11.

Continuing Definitions. With respect to any term that is defined by reference to any document, for purposes hereof, such term shall continue to have the original definition notwithstanding any termination, expiration or modification of such document.

 

12.

Headings. The table of contents and article and section headings and other captions have been inserted as a matter of convenience for the purpose of reference only and do not limit or affect the meaning of the terms and provisions thereof.

 

13.

Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined shall be construed in accordance with GAAP.

 

14.

Reasonable Efforts. The expression “reasonable efforts” and expressions of like import, when used in connection with an obligation of either party, means taking in good faith and with due diligence all commercially reasonable steps to achieve the objective and to perform the obligation, including doing all that can reasonably be done in the circumstances taking into account each party’s obligations hereunder to mitigate delays and additional costs to the other party, and in any event taking no less steps and efforts than those that would be taken by a commercially reasonable and prudent person in comparable circumstances, where the whole of the benefit of the obligation and where all the results of taking such steps and efforts accrued solely to that person’s own benefit.

 

15.

Conflict. Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, in the case of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any Series Securitization Document, the terms of this Agreement, as between the Borrower and the Guarantor, shall prevail.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. B-2


EXHIBIT C

Form of Demand Letter

[Project Number 1426 A]

Date: [     ], 20[]

United States Department of Energy

Loan Programs Office

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20585

Attn: Director, Portfolio Management

Email: [***]

with a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):

Allen & Overy LLP

1221 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

Attn: [***]

Email: [***]

Re: Project Hestia (LPO Loan Number 1426)

1. Reference is made to the Guarantee Issuance Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Agreement”), by and among Sunnova ABS Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Servicer and Manager, the U.S. Department of Energy, acting by and through the Secretary of Energy, (the “Guarantor”), as Guarantor, Sunnova Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation, as Sponsor, Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (the “Borrower”) as Borrower, Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (the “Lender”) as Lender, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, (the “Agent”) as Agent.

2. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Agreement.

3. Pursuant to Section 9.4 of the Agreement, we submit to you this Demand Letter and hereby certify that, on and as of the date hereof, the Guaranteed Amounts remain unpaid and the Borrower’s payment default has remained unremedied past the period allowed for cure under the terms of the Loan Agreement.

4. The aggregate amount of DOE Guaranteed Principal Amounts due and unpaid as of the date hereof is $[].

5. The outstanding DOE Guaranteed Interest Amounts due and unpaid, as determined by [insert basis for determination], as of the date hereof is $[   ].

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. C-1


6. The amount thereof remaining outstanding is $[  ] (the “Guaranteed Amounts”)

The Guarantor is hereby requested and instructed to pay to the Agent, for the benefit of the Lender, by payment to the bank and the account referred to below, promptly, but in no event later than the 60th day following the date of delivery of this Demand Letter (or, if not delivered on a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), the above Guaranteed Amounts.

Bank: Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co/Wilmington Trust N.A.

Account Number: [***]

ABA Number: [***]

Code: [  ]

Beneficiary: Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Agent

To induce you to make such payment and as provided in the Agreement, we further certify that (i) the payment requested under this Demand Letter complies with Section 9.2 of the Agreement, (iii) we have complied with all terms and conditions of the Agreement; (iv) no Guarantee Termination Event has occurred; (v) attached hereto as Appendix A is a true, correct and complete copy of the latest monthly servicing report; (vi) attached hereto as Appendix B is a true, correct and complete copy of the Collection Account statement; and (vii) the making and submission of this Demand Letter by the Agent has been duly authorized by and on behalf of the Lender, through all appropriate action.

 

Very truly yours,

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Agent

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

Exh. C-2

EXHIBIT 10.3

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

SUNNOVA HESTIA II ISSUER, LLC

ISSUER

and

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

INDENTURE TRUSTEE

INDENTURE

Dated as of June 5, 2024

$168,900,000

SUNNOVA HESTIA II ISSUER, LLC

SOLAR LOAN BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2024-GRID1

 

 

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION   HEADING    PAGE  
ARTICLE I   
DEFINITIONS   

Section 1.01.

  General Definitions and Rules of Construction      2  

Section 1.02.

  Calculations      2  
ARTICLE II   
THE NOTES; RECONVEYANCE   

Section 2.01.

  General      2  

Section 2.02.

  Forms of Notes      3  

Section 2.03.

  Payment of Interest      6  

Section 2.04.

  Payments to Noteholders      6  

Section 2.05.

  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating      6  

Section 2.06.

  Temporary Notes      7  

Section 2.07.

  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange      8  

Section 2.08.

  Transfer and Exchange      14  

Section 2.09.

  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes      18  

Section 2.10.

  Persons Deemed Noteholders      19  

Section 2.11.

  Cancellation of Notes      19  

Section 2.12.

  Conditions to Closing      19  

Section 2.13.

  Definitive Notes      24  

Section 2.14.

  Access to List of Noteholders’ Names and Addresses      25  

Section 2.15.

  Recharacterized Notes      25  
ARTICLE III   
COVENANTS; COLLATERAL; REPRESENTATIONS; WARRANTIES   

Section 3.01.

  Performance of Obligations      25  

Section 3.02.

  Negative Covenants      27  

Section 3.03.

  Money for Note Payments      27  

Section 3.04.

  Restriction of Issuer Activities      28  

Section 3.05.

  Protection of Trust Estate      29  

Section 3.06.

  Opinions and Officer’s Certificate as to Trust Estate      31  

Section 3.07.

  Statement as to Compliance      32  

Section 3.08.

  [Reserved]      32  

Section 3.09.

  Recording      32  

Section 3.10.

  Agreements Not to Institute Bankruptcy Proceedings; Additional Covenants; Covenants with Respect to the Guaranteed Loan Lender      33  

Section 3.11.

  Providing of Notice      36  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- i -


Section 3.12.

  Representations and Warranties of the Issuer      36  

Section 3.13.

  Representations and Warranties of the Indenture Trustee      41  

Section 3.14.

  Knowledge      42  

Section 3.15.

  Capital Contributions      42  

Section 3.16.

  Rule 144A Information      42  
ARTICLE IV   
ADMINISTRATION OF THE ISSUER   

Section 4.01.

  Servicing Agreement      42  
ARTICLE V   
ACCOUNTS, COLLECTIONS, PAYMENTS OF INTEREST   
AND PRINCIPAL, RELEASES, AND STATEMENTS TO NOTEHOLDERS   

Section 5.01.

  Accounts      43  

Section 5.02.

  [Reserved]      46  

Section 5.03.

  Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account      46  

Section 5.04.

  Notes General Reserve Account      47  

Section 5.05.

  Guarantor Payment Account      48  

Section 5.06.

  Notes Distribution Account      48  

Section 5.07.

  Distribution of Funds in the Notes Distribution Account      48  

Section 5.08.

  [Reserved]      49  

Section 5.09.

  Note Payments      49  

Section 5.10.

  Statements to Noteholders; Tax Returns      51  

Section 5.11.

  Reports by Indenture Trustee      51  

Section 5.12.

  Final Balances      51  
ARTICLE VI   
ISSUER VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT OF NOTES AND RELEASE OF COLLATERAL   

Section 6.01.

  Issuer Voluntary Prepayment      51  

Section 6.02.

  Notice of Issuer Voluntary Prepayment      52  

Section 6.03.

  Cancellation of Notes      52  

Section 6.04.

  Release of Collateral      53  
ARTICLE VII   
THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE   

Section 7.01.

  Duties of Indenture Trustee      53  

Section 7.02.

  Event of Default      55  

Section 7.03.

  Rights of Indenture Trustee      55  

Section 7.04.

  Not Responsible for Recitals, Issuance of Notes or Application of Moneys as Directed      57  

Section 7.05.

  May Hold Notes      58  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- ii -


Section 7.06.

  Money Held in Trust      58  

Section 7.07.

  Compensation and Reimbursement      58  

Section 7.08.

  Eligibility; Disqualification      59  

Section 7.09.

  Indenture Trustee’s Capital and Surplus      60  

Section 7.10.

  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor      60  

Section 7.11.

  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor      61  

Section 7.12.

  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Indenture Trustee      61  

Section 7.13.

  Co-trustees and Separate Indenture Trustees      61  

Section 7.14.

  Books and Records      63  

Section 7.15.

  Control      63  

Section 7.16.

  Suits for Enforcement      64  

Section 7.17.

  Compliance with Applicable Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Regulations      64  
ARTICLE VIII   
[RESERVED]   
ARTICLE IX   
EVENT OF DEFAULT   

Section 9.01.

  Events of Default      64  

Section 9.02.

  Actions of Indenture Trustee      65  

Section 9.03.

  Indenture Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      66  

Section 9.04.

  Indenture Trustee May Enforce Claim Without Possession of Notes      67  

Section 9.05.

  Knowledge of Indenture Trustee      67  

Section 9.06.

  Limitation on Suits      67  

Section 9.07.

  Unconditional Right of Noteholders to Receive Principal and Interest      68  

Section 9.08.

  Restoration of Rights and Remedies      68  

Section 9.09.

  Rights and Remedies Cumulative      68  

Section 9.10.

  Delay or Omission; Not Waiver      68  

Section 9.11.

  Control by Noteholders      68  

Section 9.12.

  Waiver of Certain Events by Less Than All Noteholders      69  

Section 9.13.

  Undertaking for Costs      69  

Section 9.14.

  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws      69  

Section 9.15.

  Sale of Trust Estate      70  

Section 9.16.

  Action on Notes      71  

Section 9.17.

  Application of Proceeds Upon Foreclosure      71  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- iii -


ARTICLE X   
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES   

Section 10.01.

  Supplemental Indentures Without Noteholder Approval      71  

Section 10.02.

  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Noteholders      72  

Section 10.03.

  Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures      73  

Section 10.04.

  Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures      73  

Section 10.05.

  Reference in Notes to Amendments and Supplemental Indentures      74  

Section 10.06.

  Indenture Trustee to Act on Instructions      74  
ARTICLE XI   
[RESERVED]   
ARTICLE XII   
MISCELLANEOUS   

Section 12.01.

  Compliance Certificates and Opinions; Furnishing of Information      74  

Section 12.02.

  Form of Documents Delivered to Indenture Trustee      75  

Section 12.03.

  Acts of Noteholders      76  

Section 12.04.

  Notices, Etc.      76  

Section 12.05.

  Notices and Reports to Noteholders; Waiver of Notices      78  

Section 12.06.

  Rules by Indenture Trustee      78  

Section 12.07.

  Issuer Obligation      79  

Section 12.08.

  [Reserved]      79  

Section 12.09.

  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents      79  

Section 12.10.

  Successors and Assigns      79  

Section 12.11.

  Separability      79  

Section 12.12.

  Benefits of Indenture      79  

Section 12.13.

  Legal Holidays      79  

Section 12.14.

  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial      80  

Section 12.15.

  Electronic Signatures and Counterparts      80  

Section 12.16.

  Recording of Indenture      80  

Section 12.17.

  Further Assurances      81  

Section 12.18.

  No Bankruptcy Petition Against the Issuer      81  

Section 12.19.

  [Reserved] 79      81  

Section 12.20.

  Rule 15Ga-1 Compliance      81  

Section 12.21.

  Multiple Roles      82  

Section 12.22.

  PATRIOT Act      82  
ARTICLE XIII   
TERMINATION   

Section 13.01.

  Termination of Indenture      82  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- iv -


ANNEX A       Standard Definitions   
EXHIBIT A-1       Form of Class 1-A Note    A-1-1
EXHIBIT A-2       Form of Class 2-A Note    A-2-1
EXHIBIT B       Forms of Transferee Letters    B-1
EXHIBIT C       Form of Notice of Issuer Voluntary Prepayment    C-1
EXHIBIT D       Rule 15Ga-1 Information    D-1

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- v -


THIS INDENTURE (as amended or supplemented from time to time, this “Indenture”) is dated as of June 5, 2024 between Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, as issuer (the “Issuer”), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as indenture trustee (together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Indenture Trustee”).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

Pursuant to this Indenture, there is hereby duly authorized the execution and delivery of two classes of notes designated as the Issuer’s 5.63% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 1-A (the “Class 1-A Notes”) and the Issuer’s 9.50% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 2-A (the “Class 2-A Notes” and together with the Class 1-A Notes, the “Notes”). All covenants and agreements made by the Issuer herein are for the benefit and security of the Holders of the Notes. The Issuer is entering into this Indenture, and the Indenture Trustee is accepting the trusts created hereby, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged.

GRANTING CLAUSE

The Issuer hereby Grants to the Indenture Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, as their interests may appear, all of the rights, title, interest and benefits of the Issuer whether now existing or hereafter arising in and to (i) the Guaranteed Loan Lender Membership Interests; (ii) all rights and remedies under the Transaction Documents, (iii) amounts deposited from time to time into the Notes Distribution Account (including all payments in respect of the Guaranteed Loan and payments by the Guarantor under the Guarantee Issuance Agreement), the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account and the Notes General Reserve Account and all amounts deposited from time to time and all Eligible Investments in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account and the Notes General Reserve Account, (iv) all other assets of the Issuer and (v) the proceeds of any and all of the foregoing including all proceeds of the conversion, voluntary or involuntary, of any of the foregoing into cash or other property (collectively, the “Trust Estate”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust Estate shall not include any Excluded Collateral or any amounts received relating to grid services.

Such Grant is made in trust, to secure payments of amounts due with respect to the Notes ratably and without prejudice, priority or distinction between or among the Notes, and to secure (i) the payment of all amounts on the Notes as such amounts become due in accordance with their terms; (ii) the payment of all other sums payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; and (iii) compliance with the provisions of this Indenture, all as provided in this Indenture.

The Indenture Trustee acknowledges such Grant, accepts the trusts hereunder in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and agrees to perform the duties herein required pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Indenture and subject to the conditions hereof.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01. General Definitions and Rules of Construction. Except as otherwise specified or as the context may otherwise require, capitalized terms used in this Indenture shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Standard Definitions attached hereto as Annex A, which is hereby incorporated by reference into this Indenture as if set forth fully in this Indenture. The rules of construction set forth in Annex A shall apply to this Indenture and are hereby incorporated by reference into this Indenture as if set forth fully in this Indenture.

Section 1.02. Calculations. Calculations required to be made pursuant to this Indenture shall be made on the basis of information or accountings as to payments on each Note furnished by the Servicer. Except to the extent they are incorrect on their face, such information or accountings may be conclusively relied upon in making such calculations, but to the extent that it is later determined that any such information or accountings are incorrect, appropriate corrections or adjustments will be made.

ARTICLE II

THE NOTES; RECONVEYANCE

Section 2.01. General. (a) The Notes shall be designated as the “Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, 5.63% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 1-A” and the “Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, 9.50% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 2-A”.

(b) All payments of principal and interest with respect to the Notes shall be made only from the Trust Estate on the terms and conditions specified herein. Each Noteholder and each Note Owner, by its acceptance of a Note, agrees that it will have recourse solely against such Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral.

(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, all Notes shall be substantially identical in all respects. Except as specifically provided herein, all Notes issued, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture shall be in all respects equally and ratably entitled to the benefits hereof without preference, priority or distinction on account of the actual time or times of authentication and delivery, all in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Indenture.

(d) The Initial Outstanding Note Balance of the Class 1-A Notes and the Class 2-A Notes that may be executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Indenture Trustee and Outstanding at any given time under this Indenture is limited to $152,010,000 and $16,890,000, respectively.

(e) Holders of the Notes shall be entitled to payments of interest and principal as provided herein. Each Class of Notes shall have a final maturity on the Rated Final Maturity. All Notes of the same Class shall be secured on parity with one another, with no Note of any Class having any priority over any other Note of that same Class.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

2


(f) The Notes that are authenticated and delivered to the Noteholders by the Indenture Trustee upon an Issuer Order on the Closing Date shall be dated as of the Closing Date. Any Note issued later in exchange for, or in replacement of, any Note issued on the Closing Date shall be dated the date of its authentication.

(g) Each Class of Notes is issuable in the applicable Minimum Denomination and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; provided that one Note of each Class of Notes may be issued in an amount equal to the applicable Minimum Denomination plus any remaining portion of the Initial Outstanding Note Balance of such Class of Notes; provided, further, that the foregoing shall not restrict or prevent the transfer in accordance with the last sentence of Section 2.07 hereof of any Note with a remaining Outstanding Note Balance of less than the applicable Minimum Denomination.

Section 2.02. Forms of Notes. The Notes shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2, as applicable, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Issuer, as evidenced by its execution thereof.

The Definitive Notes shall be typewritten, printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods, all as determined by the officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such Notes.

Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Notes are set forth in Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2 and are part of the terms of this Indenture.

(a) Global Notes. The Underwritten Notes are being offered and sold by the Issuer to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and the Placed Notes are being sold directly by the Issuer to certain institutional accredited investors (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1),(2),(3),(7) or (9) of the Securities Act) pursuant to the Placed Notes Purchase Agreement.

The Underwritten Notes offered and sold within the United States to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of Rule 144A Global Notes and the Placed Notes shall be issued initially in the form of Rule 144A Global Notes, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Indenture Trustee, as custodian for the Securities Depository, and registered in the name of the Securities Depository or a nominee of the Securities Depository, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Indenture Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Outstanding Note Balance of the Rule 144A Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Indenture Trustee and the Securities Depository or its nominee as hereinafter provided. The Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for any error or omission by the Securities Depository in making such record adjustments and the records of the Indenture Trustee shall be controlling with regard to outstanding principal amount of Notes hereunder.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

3


Notes offered and sold outside of the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act shall initially be issued in the form of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Indenture Trustee, as custodian for the Securities Depository, and registered in the name of the Securities Depository or the nominee of the Securities Depository for the investors’ respective accounts at Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) or Clearstream Banking société anonyme (“Clearstream”), duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Indenture Trustee as hereinafter provided. Beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Notes may be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream.

Within a reasonable period of time following the expiration of the “40-day distribution compliance period” (as defined in Regulation S), beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in Regulation S Permanent Global Notes upon the receipt by the Indenture Trustee of (i) a written certificate from the Securities Depository, together with copies of certificates from Euroclear and Clearstream, certifying that they have received certification of non-United States beneficial ownership of 100% of the Outstanding Note Balance of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an interest therein pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and who will take delivery of a beneficial ownership interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, all as contemplated by Section 2.08(a)(ii)), and (ii) an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuer. The Regulation S Permanent Global Notes will be deposited with the Indenture Trustee, as custodian, and registered in the name of a nominee of the Securities Depository. Simultaneously with the authentication of the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes, the Indenture Trustee shall cancel the Regulation S Temporary Global Note. The Outstanding Note Balance of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Indenture Trustee and the Securities Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided. The Indenture Trustee shall incur no liability for any error or omission of the Securities Depository in making such record adjustments and the records of the Indenture Trustee shall be controlling with regard to outstanding principal amount of Regulation S Global Notes hereunder.

Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and prepayments. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Indenture Trustee, or by the Note Registrar at the direction of the Indenture Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.08.

The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “Management Regulations” and “Instructions to Participants” of Clearstream shall be applicable to interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by the members of, or participants in, the Securities Depository (“Agent Members”) through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

4


Except as set forth in Section 2.08, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Securities Depository or to a successor of the Securities Depository or its nominee.

(b) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.02(b) shall apply only to the Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of the Securities Depository.

The Issuer shall execute and the Indenture Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.02(b), authenticate and deliver one Global Note for each Class of Notes which (i) shall be registered in the name of the Securities Depository or the nominee of the Securities Depository and (ii) shall be delivered by the Indenture Trustee to the Securities Depository or pursuant to the Securities Depository’s instructions or held by the Indenture Trustee as custodian for the Securities Depository.

Agent Members shall have no rights either under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Securities Depository or by the Indenture Trustee as custodian for the Securities Depository or under such Global Note, and the Securities Depository may be treated by the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Securities Depository or impair, as between the Securities Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Securities Depository governing the exercise of the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

The Note Registrar and the Indenture Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Securities Depository for all purposes of this Indenture (including the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes and the giving of instructions or directions hereunder) as the sole Holder of the Notes, and shall have no obligation to the Note Owners.

The rights of Note Owners shall be exercised only through the Securities Depository and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such Note Owners and the Securities Depository and/or the Agent Members pursuant to the Note Depository Agreement. The initial Securities Depository will make book-entry transfers among the Agent Members and receive and transmit payments of principal of and interest on the Notes to such Agent Members with respect to such Global Notes.

Whenever this Indenture requires or permits actions to be taken based upon instructions or directions of Holders of Notes evidencing a specified percentage of the Outstanding amount of the Notes, the Securities Depository shall be deemed to represent such percentage only to the extent that it has received instructions to such effect from Note Owners and/or Agent Members owning or representing, respectively, such required percentage of the beneficial interest in the Notes and has delivered such instructions to the Indenture Trustee.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

5


(c) Definitive Notes. Except as provided in Sections 2.08 and 2.13, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated definitive, fully registered Notes (the “Definitive Notes”).

Section 2.03. Payment of Interest. (a) Noteholders shall, as set forth in the Issuer Pass-Through Distributions, be entitled to receive payments of interest and principal on each Payment Date. Any payment of interest or principal payable with respect to the Notes on the applicable Payment Date shall be made to the Person in whose name such Note is registered as of the Record Date for such Payment Date in the manner provided in Section 5.09.

(b) On each Payment Date, the Notes Interest Distribution Amount for each Class of Notes will be distributed to the registered Noteholders of the applicable Class of Notes as of the related Record Date to the extent Available Funds are sufficient for such distribution and such purpose in accordance with the Issuer Pass-Through Distributions. Interest on the Notes with respect to any Payment Date will accrue at the applicable Note Rate based on the Interest Accrual Period.

(c) If the Aggregate Outstanding Note Balance has not been paid in full on or before the Anticipated Repayment Date, additional interest (the “Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts”) will begin to accrue during each Interest Accrual Period thereafter on each outstanding Class of Notes at the related Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Rate. The Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts, if any, for a Class of Notes will only be due and payable (i) after the Aggregate Outstanding Note Balance has been paid in full or (ii) on the date on which an Issuer Voluntary Prepayment of the Aggregate Outstanding Note Balance of the Notes is being made. Prior to such time, the Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts accruing on a Class of Notes will be deferred and added to any Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts previously deferred and remaining unpaid (“Deferred Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts”). Deferred Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts will not bear interest.

Section 2.04. Payments to Noteholders. (a) Principal payments and interest on a Class of Notes will be made on each Payment Date to the Noteholders of each Class as of the related Record Date pursuant to the Issuer Pass-Through Distributions. The remaining Outstanding Note Balance of each Class of Notes, if any, shall be payable no later than the Rated Final Maturity.

(b) All reductions in the principal balance of a Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) effected by payments of principal made on any Payment Date shall be binding upon all Holders of such Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, whether or not such payment is noted on such Note.

Section 2.05. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. (a) The Notes shall be executed by the Issuer. The signature of such Authorized Officer on the Notes may be manual or facsimile. Notes bearing the manual or facsimile signature of any individual who was, at the time of execution thereof, an Authorized Officer of the Issuer shall bind the Issuer, notwithstanding the fact that such individual ceased to hold such office prior to the authentication and delivery of such Notes or did not hold such office at the date of issuance of such Notes.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

6


(b) On the Closing Date, the Issuer shall, and at any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer may deliver Notes executed by the Issuer to the Indenture Trustee for authentication, and the Indenture Trustee, upon receipt of the Notes and of an Issuer Order, shall authenticate and deliver such Notes; provided, however, that the Indenture Trustee shall not authenticate the Notes on the Closing Date unless and until it shall have received the documents listed in Section 2.12.

(c) Each Note authenticated and delivered by the Indenture Trustee to or upon an Issuer Order on or prior to the Closing Date shall be dated the Closing Date. All other Notes that are authenticated after the Closing Date for any other purpose under this Indenture shall be dated the date of their authentication.

(d) Notes issued upon transfer, exchange or replacement of other Notes shall be issued in authorized denominations reflecting the Outstanding Note Balance so transferred, exchanged or replaced, but shall represent only the Outstanding Note Balance so transferred, exchanged or replaced. In the event that any Note is divided into more than one Note in accordance with this Article II, such Outstanding Note Balance shall be divided among the Notes delivered in exchange therefor.

(e) No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Note a certificate of authentication, substantially in the form provided for herein, executed by the Indenture Trustee by the manual signature of a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee, and such executed certificate upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered.

Section 2.06. Temporary Notes. Except for the Notes maintained in book-entry form, temporary Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Definitive Notes but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Issuer. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Indenture Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Definitive Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer will execute and deliver to the Indenture Trustee Definitive Notes (other than in the case of Notes in global form) and thereupon any or all temporary Notes (other than in the case of Notes in global form) may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at the Corporate Trust Office, and the Indenture Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes. Such exchange shall be made by the Issuer at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Definitive Notes authenticated and delivered hereunder.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

7


Section 2.07. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. (a) The Indenture Trustee (in such capacity, the “Note Registrar”) shall cause to be kept at its Corporate Trust Office a register (the “Note Register”), in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Note Registrar shall provide for the registration of the Notes and the registration of transfers of such Notes. The Notes are intended to be obligations in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f), Section 871(h)(2) and Section 881(c)(2) of the Code.

(b) Each Person who has or who acquires any Ownership Interest in a Note shall be deemed by the acceptance or acquisition of such Ownership Interest to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of this Section 2.07 and Section 2.08. Any transfer of any Ownership Interest in violation of any of the provisions of this Section 2.07 and Section 2.08 will be of no force and effect and void ab initio.

(c) Each purchaser of Global Notes, other than the Initial Purchasers, by its acceptance thereof, will be deemed to have acknowledged, represented and agreed as follows:

(i) The purchaser (A)(1) is a QIB, (2) is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and (3) is acquiring the Notes or interests therein for its own account (and not for the account of others) or as a fiduciary agent for others (which others are also QIBs and have executed an agreement containing substantially the same representations as provided herein); (B)(i) is not a U.S. Person (as defined in Regulation S) and is purchasing the Notes or interests therein in an offshore transaction pursuant to Regulation S and (ii) with respect to the Class 2-A Notes only (x) is a QIB and (y) is acquiring the Notes or interests therein for its own account (and not for the account of others) or as a fiduciary agent for others (which others are also QIBs and have executed an agreement containing substantially the same representations as provided herein) or (C) solely with respect to the issuance of the Placed Notes on the Closing Date, is an institutional accredited investor (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7) or (9) of the Securities Act). The purchaser is aware that it (or any account of a QIB for which it is purchasing) may be required to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Notes for an indefinite period, and it (or such account) is able to bear such risk for an indefinite period.

(ii) The purchaser understands that the Notes and interests therein are being offered in a transaction not involving any public offering in the United States within the meaning of the Securities Act, that the Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any other applicable securities laws and that (A) if in the future it decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer any of the Notes or any interests therein, such Notes (or the interests therein) may only be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred in the applicable Minimum Denomination and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, and only (i) in the United States to a person whom the seller reasonably believes is a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A (acting for its own account and not for the account of others, or as a fiduciary or agent for other QIBs to whom notice is given that the sale, pledge or transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A), (ii) outside the United States in a transaction complying with the provisions of Regulation S under the Securities Act and, with respect to the

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

8


Class 2-A Notes only, to a person whom the seller reasonably believes is a QIB, or (iii) pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act (if available and evidenced by an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee), in each of cases (i) through (iii) in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the U.S. and any other applicable jurisdiction, and that (B) the purchaser will, and each subsequent holder is required to, notify any subsequent purchaser of such Notes or interests therein from it of the resale restrictions referred to above. Notwithstanding the foregoing restriction, any Note that has originally been properly issued in an amount no less than the applicable Minimum Denomination, or any interest therein, may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred in a denomination less than such Minimum Denomination if such lesser denomination is solely a result of a reduction of principal due to payments made in accordance with this Indenture.

(iii) The purchaser acknowledges that none of the Issuer, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Guaranteed Loan Lender, the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, the Manager, the Servicer, the Backup Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Indenture Trustee, the Initial Purchasers or the Structuring Agent or any person representing the Issuer, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Guaranteed Loan Lender, the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, the Manager, the Servicer, the Backup Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Indenture Trustee, the Initial Purchasers or the Structuring Agent has made any representation to it with respect to the Issuer, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Guaranteed Loan Lender, the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, the Manager, the Servicer, the Backup Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Indenture Trustee, the Initial Purchasers or the Structuring Agent or the sale of any Notes, other than the information contained in the Offering Circular, which Offering Circular has been delivered to it and upon which it is relying in making its investment decision with respect to the Notes; accordingly, it acknowledges that no representation or warranty is made by the Issuer, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Guaranteed Loan Lender, the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, the Manager, the Servicer, the Backup Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Indenture Trustee, the Initial Purchasers or the Structuring Agent as to the accuracy or completeness of such materials; and it has had access to such financial and other information concerning the Issuer, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Guaranteed Loan Lender, the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, the Manager, the Servicer, the Backup Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Indenture Trustee and the Notes as it has deemed necessary in connection with its decision to purchase any of the Notes, including an opportunity to ask questions and request information from the Issuer, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Guaranteed Loan Lender, the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, the Manager, the Servicer, the Backup Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Indenture Trustee, the Initial Purchasers and the Structuring Agent. It acknowledges that the delivery of the Offering Circular at any time does not imply that information herein is correct as of any time subsequent to this date.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

9


(iv) The purchaser understands that the applicable Notes will, until such Notes may be resold pursuant to Rule 144(b)(1) of the Securities Act, unless otherwise agreed by the Issuer and the holder thereof, bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED OR QUALIFIED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ANY FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE OR INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

[EACH PURCHASER AND TRANSFEREE (AND IF THE PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE IS A BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR OR PLAN SUBJECT TO SIMILAR LAW, ITS FIDUCIARY) BY ITS PURCHASE OF THIS NOTE OR INTEREST HEREIN IS DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (1) IT IS NOT, AND IS NOT ACQUIRING THE NOTE OR INTEREST THEREIN FOR, ON BEHALF OF, OR WITH THE ASSETS OF, ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”) THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA OR ANY “PLAN” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 4975(E)(1) OF THE CODE THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR ANY ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE PLAN ASSETS BY REASON OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN’S OR PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN SUCH ENTITY (EACH A “BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR”), OR ANY PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO ANY LAW SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE (“SIMILAR LAW”), OR (2) IF PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE IS A BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR OR A PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO SIMILAR LAW, THE PURCHASE, HOLDING AND DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE OR INTEREST HEREIN DOES NOT RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A VIOLATION OF SIMILAR LAW AND WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH ANY APPLICABLE FIDUCIARY DUTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED UPON THE PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE.] [FOR CLASS 1-A NOTES]

[EACH PURCHASER AND TRANSFEREE (AND IF THE PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE IS A BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR OR PLAN SUBJECT TO SIMILAR LAW, ITS FIDUCIARY) BY ITS PURCHASE OF THIS NOTE OR INTEREST HEREIN IS DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT IT IS NOT, AND IS NOT ACQUIRING THE NOTE OR INTEREST THEREIN FOR OR ON BEHALF OF OR WITH THE ASSETS OF, ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN AS

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

10


DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”) THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA OR ANY “PLAN” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 4975(E)(1) OF THE CODE THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR ANY ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE PLAN ASSETS BY REASON OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN’S OR PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN SUCH ENTITY (EACH A “BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR”), OR ANY PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO ANY LAW SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE.] [FOR CLASS 2-A NOTES]

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS NOTE AND ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY ONLY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN DENOMINATIONS (THE “MINIMUM DENOMINATION”) OF [$100,000 – FOR CLASS 1-A NOTES][$250,000 – FOR CLASS 2-A NOTES] AND IN INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF, AND ONLY (I) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A (ACTING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AND NOT FOR THE ACCOUNT OF OTHERS, OR AS A FIDUCIARY OR AGENT FOR OTHER QIBS TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE SALE, PLEDGE OR TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A), (II) OUTSIDE THE U.S. IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND, WITH RESPECT TO THE CLASS 2-A NOTES ONLY, TO A PERSON WHOM THE TRANSFEROR REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), OR (III) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE AND EVIDENCED BY AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER AND THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE), IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO ABOVE. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING RESTRICTION, ANY NOTE THAT HAS ORIGINALLY BEEN PROPERLY ISSUED IN AN AMOUNT NO LESS THAN THE MINIMUM DENOMINATION, OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN A DENOMINATION LESS THAN THE MINIMUM DENOMINATION IF SUCH LESSER DENOMINATION IS SOLELY A RESULT OF A REDUCTION OF PRINCIPAL DUE TO PAYMENTS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE.

The purchaser understands that the Issuer may receive a list of participants holding positions in the Notes from the Securities Depository.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

11


(v) The purchaser understands that any Note offered in reliance on Regulation S will, during the 40-day distribution compliance period commencing on the day after the later of the commencement of the offering and the date of original issuance of the Notes, bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

THIS NOTE IS A TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE FOR PURPOSES OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT WHICH IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR A REGULATION S PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE.

PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE OFFERING AND THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE NOTES, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO A U.S. PERSON (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

Following the 40-day distribution compliance period, interests in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note will be exchanged for interests in a Regulation S Permanent Global Note.

(vi) Each purchaser and transferee (and if the purchaser or transferee is a Benefit Plan Investor or plan subject to Similar Law, its fiduciary) by its purchase of a Note or Ownership Interest therein shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that (a) for the Class 2-A Notes, it is not, and is not acquiring such Note or interest therein for or on behalf of or with the assets of, any employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act, as amended (“ERISA”) that is subject to Title I of ERISA or any “plan” as defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code that is subject to Section 4975 of the Code or any entity whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of an employee benefit plan’s or plan’s investment in such entity (each a “Benefit Plan Investor”), or any plan that is subject to any law substantially similar to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (each a “Similar Law”) and (b) for the Class 1-A Notes (i) it is not, and is not acquiring such Note or interest therein for or on behalf of or with the assets of, any Benefit Plan Investor or any plan that is subject to any Similar Law or (ii) if the purchaser and transferee and the fiduciary of such Benefit Plan Investor or plan by its purchase of the Note or interest therein will be deemed to have represented and warranted that the purchase, holding and disposition of the Note or interest therein will not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a violation of Similar Law and will be consistent with any applicable fiduciary duties that may be imposed upon the purchaser or transferee.

(vii) Each purchaser and transferee by its purchase of a Note or interest therein shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that at the time of its purchase and throughout the period that it holds such Note or interest therein, that it will not sell or otherwise transfer the Note or interest therein to any person without first obtaining the same foregoing representations, warranties and covenants from that person.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

12


(viii) Each purchaser and transferee (other than to an Affiliate of Sunnova Energy that is disregarded as separate from Sunnova Energy for U.S. federal income tax purposes) by its purchase of a Note or interest therein shall be deemed to have agreed to treat such Note as indebtedness and indicate on all federal, state and local income tax and information returns and reports required to be filed with respect to such Note, under any applicable federal, state or local tax statute or any rule or regulation under any of them, that such Note is indebtedness unless otherwise required by Applicable Law.

(ix) The purchaser acknowledges that the Issuer, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Guaranteed Loan Lender, the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, the Manager, the Servicer, the Backup Servicer, the Transition Manager, the Indenture Trustee, the Initial Purchasers, the Structuring Agent and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing acknowledgments, representations, warranties, and agreements and agrees that, if any of the acknowledgments, representations, warranties and agreements deemed to have been made by its purchase of the Notes are no longer accurate, it shall promptly notify the Initial Purchasers and the Structuring Agent. If it is acquiring any Notes as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, it represents that it has sole investment discretion with respect to each such investor account and that it has full power to make the foregoing acknowledgments, representations and agreements on behalf of each such investor account.

(x) The purchaser understands that the Issuer may receive a list of participants holding positions in the Notes from the Securities Depository.

(d) Other than with respect to Notes maintained in book-entry form, at the option of a Noteholder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like Outstanding Note Balance and Class upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at the Corporate Trust Office. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and the Indenture Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Notes which the Noteholder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

(e) Other than with respect to Notes maintained in book-entry form, any Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange of Notes shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee duly executed. All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same rights, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Class of Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any Tax or other governmental charge as may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 2.08 not involving any transfer.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

13


The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or securities laws of any jurisdiction. Consequently, the Notes are not transferable other than pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and satisfaction of provisions set forth in this Indenture.

(f) Each purchaser and transferee by its purchase of a Class 2-A Note or a beneficial interest therein shall be deemed to have made all of the certifications, representations, warranties and covenants set forth therein (which shall include those set forth in Section 2.07(c)(i)-(x) and Section 2.08(e)). Any transfer of a beneficial interest in a Class 2-A Note in violation of any of the foregoing will be of no force and effect and void ab initio.

Section 2.08. Transfer and Exchange. (a) The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Securities Depository, in accordance with this Indenture and the procedures of the Securities Depository therefor, which shall include restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred to persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the legends in subsections of Section 2.07(c), as applicable. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes to persons required or permitted to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest in another Global Note shall be permitted as follows:

(i) Rule 144A Global Note to Regulation S Global Note. If, at any time, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note deposited with the Securities Depository (or the Indenture Trustee as custodian for the Securities Depository) wishes to transfer its interest in such Rule 144A Global Note to a person who is required or permitted to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, such owner shall, subject to compliance with the applicable procedures described herein (the “Applicable Procedures”), exchange or cause the exchange of such interest for an equivalent beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note as provided in this Section 2.08(a)(i). Upon receipt by the Indenture Trustee of (1) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures from an Agent Member directing the Indenture Trustee to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note to be exchanged, (2) a written order given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Securities Depository and the Euroclear or Clearstream account to be credited with such increase, and (3) a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto given by the Note Owner of such beneficial interest stating that the transfer of such interest has been made in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S, then the Indenture Trustee, as Note Registrar, shall instruct the Securities Depository to reduce or cause to be reduced the initial Outstanding Note Balance of the applicable Rule 144A Global Note and to increase or cause to be increased the initial Outstanding Note Balance of the applicable Regulation S Global Note by the initial principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note to be exchanged, to credit or cause to be credited to the account of the person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note equal to the reduction in the initial Outstanding Note Balance of the Rule 144A Global Note, and to debit, or cause to be debited, from the account of the person making such exchange or transfer the beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note that is being exchanged or transferred.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

14


(ii) Regulation S Global Note to Rule 144A Global Note. If, at any time an owner of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note deposited with the Securities Depository or with the Indenture Trustee as custodian for the Securities Depository wishes to transfer its interest in such Regulation S Global Note to a person who is required or permitted to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, such owner shall, subject to the Applicable Procedures, exchange or cause the exchange of such interest for an equivalent beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note as provided in this Section 2.08(a)(ii). Upon receipt by the Indenture Trustee of (1) instructions from Euroclear or Clearstream, if applicable, and the Securities Depository, directing the Indenture Trustee, as Note Registrar, to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note equal to the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note to be exchanged, such instructions to contain information regarding the participant account with the Securities Depository to be credited with such increase, (2) a written order given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Securities Depository and (3) if such transfer is being effected prior to the expiration of the “40-day distribution compliance period” (as defined by Regulation S under the Securities Act), a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-2 attached hereto given by the Note Owner of such beneficial interest stating (A) if the transfer is pursuant to Rule 144A, that the person transferring such interest in a Regulation S Global Note reasonably believes that the person acquiring such interest in a Rule 144A Global Note is a QIB and is obtaining such beneficial interest in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and any applicable blue sky or securities laws of any State, (B) that the transfer complies with the requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky or securities laws of any State or (C) if the transfer is pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, that the transfer of such interest has been made in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the requirements of the exemption claimed, such statement to be supported by an Opinion of Counsel from the transferee or the transferor in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and to the Indenture Trustee, then the Indenture Trustee, as Note Registrar, shall instruct the Securities Depository to reduce or cause to be reduced the initial Outstanding Note Balance of such Regulation S Global Note and to increase or cause to be increased the initial Outstanding Note Balance of the applicable Rule 144A Global Note by the initial principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note to be exchanged, and the Indenture Trustee, as Note Registrar, shall instruct the Securities Depository, concurrently with such reduction, to credit or cause to be credited to the account of the person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the applicable Rule 144A Global Note equal to the reduction in the Outstanding Note Balance at maturity of such Regulation S Global Note and to debit or cause to be debited from the account of the person making such transfer the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note that is being transferred.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

15


(b) Transfer and Exchange from Definitive Notes to Definitive Notes. When Definitive Notes are presented by a Holder to the Note Registrar with a request:

(i) to register the transfer of Definitive Notes in the form of other Definitive Notes; or

(ii) to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations,

the Note Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested; provided, however, that the Definitive Notes presented or surrendered for register of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Note Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing; and

(i) if such Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A or in an offshore transaction pursuant to Regulation S, a certification to that effect from such Holder (in the form of Exhibit B-3 hereto); or

(ii) if such Definitive Note is being transferred in reliance on any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, a certification to that effect from such Holder (in the form of Exhibit B-3 hereto) and an Opinion of Counsel from such Holder or the transferee reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and to the Indenture Trustee to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act.

(c) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, a Global Note may not be transferred except by the Securities Depository to a nominee of the Securities Depository or by a nominee of the Securities Depository to the Securities Depository or another nominee of the Securities Depository or by the Securities Depository or any such nominee to a successor Securities Depository or a nominee of such successor Securities Depository.

(d) Initial Issuance of the Notes. The Initial Purchasers shall not be required to deliver, and neither the Issuer nor the Indenture Trustee shall demand therefrom, any of the certifications or opinions described in this Section 2.08 in connection with the initial issuance of the Notes and the delivery thereof by the Issuer.

(e) Transfer Restrictions for the Class 2-A Notes. By its acceptance of an Ownership Interest in a Class 2-A Note, each transferee shall be deemed to have represented and agreed as follows:

(i) Either (a) it is not and will not become, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a partnership, S corporation, grantor trust or an entity that is disregarded as separate from any of the foregoing (each such entity a “flow-through entity”) or (b) if it is or becomes a flow-through entity, then (1) none of the direct or indirect beneficial owners of any of the interests in such flow-through entity has or ever will have 50% or more of the value of its interest in such flow-through entity attributable to the beneficial interest

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

16


of such flow-through entity in any Class 2-A Note, other interest (direct or indirect) in the Issuer, or any interest created under this Indenture and (2) it is not and will not be a principal purpose of the arrangement involving the flow-through entity’s beneficial interest in any Class 2-A Note to permit any entity to satisfy the 100-partner limitation of Section 1.7704-1(h)(1)(ii) of the Treasury Regulations necessary for such entity not to be classified as a publicly traded partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(ii) It will not (a) acquire, sell, transfer, assign, participate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any of its interests in any Class 2-A Note (or any interest therein that is described in Section 1.7704-1(a)(2)(i)(B) of the Treasury Regulations), or attempt to do any of the foregoing, on or through an “established securities market” within the meaning of Section 1.7704-1(b) of the Treasury Regulations (an “Exchange”), including, without limitation, any of the following: (x) a U.S. national, regional or local securities exchange, (y) a foreign securities exchange or (z) an inter-dealer quotation system that regularly disseminates firm buy or sell quotations by identified brokers or dealers (including, without limitation, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System) or (b) cause any of its interests in any Class 2-A Note (or any interest therein that is described in Section 1.7704-1(a)(2)(i)(B) of the Treasury Regulations) to be marketed on or through an Exchange.

(iii) It will not cause any beneficial interest in any Class 2-A Note to be traded or otherwise marketed on or through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof),” each within the meaning of Section 7704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, an interdealer quotation system that regularly disseminates firm buy or sell quotations.

(iv) Its beneficial interest in any Class 2-A Note is not and will not be in an amount that is less than the Minimum Denomination (which for this purpose includes a lesser denomination if such denomination is solely a result of a reduction of principal due to payments made in accordance with this Indenture), and it does not and will not hold any beneficial interest in any Class 2-A Note on behalf of any person whose beneficial interest in any Class 2-A Note is in an amount that is less than the Minimum Denomination. It will not sell, transfer, assign, participate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any beneficial interest in any Class 2-A Note or enter into any financial instrument or contract the value of which is determined by reference in whole or in part to any Class 2-A Note, in each case, if the effect of doing so would be that the beneficial interest of any person in any Class 2-A Note would be in an amount that is less than the Minimum Denomination.

(v) It will not enter into any financial instrument the payment on which, or the value of which, is determined in whole or in part by reference to an interest in any Class 2-A Note (including the amount of payments on any Class 2-A Note, the value of any Class 2-A Note or any contract that otherwise is described in Section 1.7704-1(a)(2)(i)(B) of the Treasury Regulations).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

17


(vi) It will not use any Class 2-A Note as collateral for the issuance of any securities that could cause the Issuer to become subject to taxation as a corporation or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(vii) It will not take any action that could cause, and will not omit to take any action, which omission could cause, the Issuer to become taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(viii) It will treat each Class 2-A Note as indebtedness and indicate on all federal, state and local income tax and information returns and reports required to be filed with respect to any Class 2-A Note, under any applicable federal, state or local tax statute or any rule or regulation under any of them, that each Class 2-A Note is indebtedness unless otherwise required by Applicable Law.

(ix) It acknowledges that the Issuer may prohibit any transfer of any Class 2-A Note if it reasonably believes that such transfer would violate any of these representations, warranties, and covenants.

(x) It acknowledges that Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, the Depositor, the Guaranteed Loan Lender, the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, the Manager, the Servicer, the Initial Purchasers, the Structuring Agent, the Indenture Trustee, the Note Registrar, the Issuer and others will rely on the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, warranties and covenants and agrees that if it becomes aware that any of the foregoing are no longer accurate, it will notify the Issuer.

The Issuer may refuse to recognize, and treat as void ab initio, any transfer of a Class 2-A Note that it reasonably believes would violate any of the foregoing representations, warranties, and covenants.

Section 2.09. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. (a) If (i) any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Indenture Trustee or the Indenture Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, and (ii) there is delivered to the Indenture Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by the Indenture Trustee to hold each of the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee harmless, then, in the absence of actual notice to the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee that such Note has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Issuer shall execute, and the Indenture Trustee shall authenticate and deliver upon an Issuer Order, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note, a new Note or Notes of the same tenor and Class and principal balance bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding; provided, however, that if any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall have become subject to receipt of payment in full, instead of issuing a new Note, the Indenture Trustee may make a payment with respect to such Note without surrender thereof, except that any mutilated Note shall be surrendered. If, after the delivery of such new Note or payment with respect to a destroyed, lost or stolen Note pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, a protected purchaser of the original Note in lieu of which such new Note was issued presents for receipt of payments such original Note, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee shall be entitled to recover such new Note (or such payment) from the Person to whom it was delivered or any Person taking such new Note from such Person, except a protected purchaser, and each of the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee shall be entitled to recover upon the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage or cost incurred by the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee in connection therewith.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

18


(b) Upon the issuance of any new Note under this Section 2.09, the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any Tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto.

(c) Every new Note issued pursuant to this Section 2.09 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not such destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

(d) The provisions of this Section 2.09 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment with respect to mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.

Section 2.10. Persons Deemed Noteholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the owner of such Note (a) on the applicable Record Date for the purpose of receiving payments with respect to principal and interest on such Note and (b) on any date for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note be overdue, and none of the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

Section 2.11. Cancellation of Notes. All Definitive Notes surrendered for payment, registration of transfer, exchange or prepayment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Indenture Trustee, be delivered to the Indenture Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Issuer may at any time deliver to the Indenture Trustee for cancellation any Note previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Issuer may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Notes so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Indenture Trustee. No Notes shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Notes canceled as provided in this Section 2.11 except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Notes shall be held and disposed of by the Indenture Trustee in accordance with its standard retention and disposal policy.

Section 2.12. Conditions to Closing. The Notes shall be executed, authenticated and delivered on the Closing Date in accordance with Section 2.05 and, upon receipt by the Indenture Trustee of the following:

(a) an Issuer Order authorizing the authentication and delivery of such Notes by the Indenture Trustee;

(b) the original Notes executed by the Issuer and true and correct copies of the Transaction Documents;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

19


(c) Opinions of Counsel addressed to the Indenture Trustee, the Initial Purchasers, the Structuring Agent and the Rating Agencies in form and substance satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, the Structuring Agent and the Rating Agencies addressing corporate, security interest, bankruptcy and other matters;

(d) an Officer’s Certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Issuer, stating that:

(i) all representations and warranties of it contained in the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents are true and correct and no defaults exist under the Transaction Documents or the Guaranteed Loan Documents;

(ii) the issuance of the Notes will not result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other Transaction Document, any Guaranteed Loan Document, the Issuer Operating Agreement or any other constituent documents of the Issuer or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any Proceeding to which the Issuer is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject, and that all conditions precedent provided in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of the Notes have been fully satisfied; and

(iii) all conditions precedent described in this Indenture and in the other Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents have been satisfied;

(e) an Officer’s Certificate dated as of the Closing Date, of an Authorized Officer of the Guaranteed Loan Lender that:

(i) all representations and warranties of it contained in the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents are true and correct and no defaults exist under the Transaction Documents or the Guaranteed Loan Documents;

(ii) the Guaranteed Loan Lender is not in default under any of the Transaction Documents or Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the performance by the Guaranteed Loan Lender under the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, will not result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a material default under, its organizational documents or any other constituent documents of it or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any Proceeding to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject; and

(iii) all conditions precedent described in this Indenture and in the other Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents have been satisfied;

(f) an Officer’s Certificate dated as of the Closing Date, of an Authorized Officer of the Guaranteed Loan Borrower that:

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

20


(i) all representations and warranties of it contained in the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents are true and correct and no defaults exist under the Transaction Documents or the Guaranteed Loan Documents;

(ii) the Guaranteed Loan Borrower is not in default under any of the Transaction Documents or Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the performance by the Guaranteed Loan Borrower under the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, will not result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a material default under, its organizational documents or any other constituent documents of it or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any Proceeding to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject; and

(iii) all conditions precedent described in this Indenture and in the other Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents have been satisfied;

(g) an Officer’s Certificate dated as of the Closing Date, of an Authorized Officer of Sunnova Energy that:

(i) all representations and warranties of it contained in the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents are true and correct and no defaults exist under the Transaction Documents or the Guaranteed Loan Documents;

(ii) Sunnova Energy is not in default under any of the Transaction Documents or Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the performance by Sunnova Energy under the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, will not result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a material default under, its organizational documents or any other constituent documents of it or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any Proceeding to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject; and

(iii) all conditions precedent described in this Indenture and in the other Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents have been satisfied;

(h) an Officer’s Certificate dated as of the Closing Date, of an Authorized Officer of Sunnova Intermediate Holdings that:

(i) all representations and warranties of it contained in the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents are true and correct and no defaults exist under the Transaction Documents or the Guaranteed Loan Documents;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

21


(ii) Sunnova Intermediate Holdings is not in default under any of the Transaction Documents or Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the performance by Sunnova Intermediate Holdings under the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, will not result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a material default under, its organizational documents or any other constituent documents of it or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any Proceeding to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject; and

(iii) all conditions precedent described in this Indenture and in the other Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents have been satisfied;

(i) an Officer’s Certificate dated as of the Closing Date, of an Authorized Officer of Sunnova Hestia Holdings that:

(i) all representations and warranties of it contained in the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents are true and correct and no defaults exist under the Transaction Documents or the Guaranteed Loan Documents;

(ii) Sunnova Hestia Holdings is not in default under any of the Transaction Documents or Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the performance by Sunnova Hestia Holdings under the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, will not result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a material default under, its organizational documents or any other constituent documents of it or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any Proceeding to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject; and

(iii) all conditions precedent described in this Indenture and in the other Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents have been satisfied;

(j) an Officer’s Certificate dated as of the Closing Date, of an Authorized Officer of the Depositor that:

(i) all representations and warranties of it contained in the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents are true and correct and no defaults exist under the Transaction Documents or the Guaranteed Loan Documents;

(ii) the Depositor is not in default under any of the Transaction Documents or Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the performance by the Depositor under the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, will not result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a material default under, its organizational documents or any other constituent documents of it or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any Proceeding to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject; and

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

22


(iii) all conditions precedent described in this Indenture and in the other Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents have been satisfied;

(k) an Officer’s Certificate dated as of the Closing Date, of an Authorized Officer of Sunnova Management that:

(i) all representations and warranties of it contained in the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents are true and correct and no defaults exist under the Transaction Documents or the Guaranteed Loan Documents;

(ii) Sunnova Management is not in default under any of the Transaction Documents or Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the performance by Sunnova Management under the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents to which it is a party, will not result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a material default under, its organizational documents or any other constituent documents of it or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any Proceeding to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject; and

(iii) all conditions precedent described in this Indenture and in the other Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents have been satisfied;

(l) a Secretary’s Certificate dated as of the Closing Date of each of Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, Sunnova Management, the Depositor, the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the Guaranteed Loan Borrower regarding certain organizational matters and the incumbency of the signatures of Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, Sunnova Management, the Depositor, the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the Guaranteed Loan Borrower;

(m) the assignment to Sunnova Hestia Holdings by Sunnova Intermediate Holdings of its right, title and interest in the Initial Solar Loans, the assignment to the Depositor by Sunnova Hestia Holdings of its right, title and interest in the Initial Solar Loans, the assignment to the Issuer by the Depositor of its right, title and interest in the Initial Solar Loans, the assignment to the Guaranteed Loan Lender by the Issuer of its right, title and interest in the Initial Solar Loans and the assignment to the Guaranteed Loan Borrower by the Guaranteed Loan Lender of its right, title and interest in the Initial Solar Loans, each pursuant to the Contribution Agreement duly executed by Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the Guaranteed Loan Borrower;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

23


(n) presentment of all applicable UCC termination statements or partial releases (collectively, the “Termination Statements”) terminating the Liens of creditors of Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, any of their Affiliates or any other Person with respect to any part of the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral (except as expressly contemplated by the Transaction Documents) and the Financing Statements (which shall constitute all of the Perfection UCCs with respect to the Closing Date) to the proper Person for filing to perfect the Indenture Trustee’s first priority Lien on the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral, subject to Permitted Liens;

(o) (i) delivery by KBRA to the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee of its rating letter assigning to the Class 1-A Notes a rating of “[***]” and to the Class 2-A Notes a rating of at least “[***]” and (ii) and delivery by Fitch to the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee of its rating letter assigning to the Class 1-A Notes a rating of at least “[***]”;

(p) evidence that the Indenture Trustee has established the Notes Distribution Account, the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account and the Notes General Reserve Account;

(q) the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account Initial Deposit shall have been deposited into the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account;

(r) the Notes General Reserve Account Initial Deposit shall have been deposited into the Notes General Reserve Account;

(s) the Guaranteed Loan shall have been issued and each of the Guaranteed Loan Documents shall be in full force and effect; and

(t) any other certificate, document or instrument reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers, the Structuring Agent or the Indenture Trustee.

Section 2.13. Definitive Notes. The Notes will be issued as Definitive Notes, rather than to DTC or its nominee, only if (a) the Securities Depository notifies the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee that it is unwilling or unable to continue as the Securities Depository with respect to any or all of the Notes or (b) at any time the Securities Depository shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation, as required, and in either case a successor Securities Depository is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receives notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be. Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Issuer will issue the Notes of each Class in the form of Definitive Notes and thereafter the Indenture Trustee will recognize the holders of such Definitive Notes as Noteholders of each such Class under this Indenture. In connection with any proposed transfer outside the book entry system or exchange of beneficial interest in a Note for Notes in definitive registered form, the Issuer shall be required to provide or cause to be provided to the Indenture Trustee all information reasonably available to it that is reasonably requested by the Indenture Trustee and is otherwise necessary to allow the Indenture Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The Indenture Trustee may rely on any such information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information. The Indenture Trustee shall not have any responsibility or liability for any actions taken or not taken by DTC.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

24


Section 2.14. Access to List of Noteholders’ Names and Addresses. The Indenture Trustee shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Servicer within 15 days after receipt by the Indenture Trustee of a request therefor from the Servicer in writing, a list, in such form as the Servicer may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Noteholders as of the most recent Record Date.

Section 2.15. Recharacterized Notes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if (1) any taxing authority asserts that any of the Notes are not properly classifiable as indebtedness for income Tax purposes (“Recharacterized Notes”) and (2) either (A) the Issuer determines that it will not challenge the assertion of such taxing authority or (B) any such challenge is unsuccessful, the Issuer and the Noteholders agree that (i) the Holders of the Recharacterized Notes shall be treated for all income Tax purposes as partners of a partnership from the issuance of the Notes, (ii) payments on the Recharacterized Notes shall be treated as “guaranteed payments” under Section 707 of the Code and (iii) all items of taxable income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of the partnership for such taxable year and any separately allocable items thereof shall be allocated to the member(s) of the Issuer under the Issuer Operating Agreement. In the event it is determined that payments on the Recharacterized Notes are not properly treated as “guaranteed payments” in accordance with clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, then, prior to the application of clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, taxable income or items of gross income of the partnership for each taxable year of the partnership, in an amount corresponding to the aggregate distributions of interest to the Holders of Recharacterized Notes made pursuant to the terms of this Indenture during such taxable year, shall be specially allocated to the Holders of the Recharacterized Notes pro rata in the proportion that the amount of distributions received by each such Holder during such taxable year bears to the aggregate amount of distributions of interest received by all Holders of Recharacterized Notes pursuant to the terms of this Indenture during such taxable year; provided that to the extent that distributions of interest to the Holders of Recharacterized Notes pursuant to the terms of this Indenture during any taxable year exceed the taxable income or gross income of the partnership during such taxable year, the amount of such excess shall be specially allocated to such Holders in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section 2.15 in any subsequent taxable year or years of the partnership to the extent of the taxable income or gross income of the partnership in such subsequent taxable year or years. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.15 are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, the “qualified income offset” requirement of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and the partner minimum gain chargeback provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2, and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent therewith.

ARTICLE III

COVENANTS; COLLATERAL; REPRESENTATIONS; WARRANTIES

Section 3.01. Performance of Obligations. (a) The Issuer will not take any action or permit any action to be taken by others which would release any Person from any of such Person’s covenants or obligations in any Transaction Document or under any instrument or agreement included in the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral or that would result in the amendment, hypothecation, subordination, termination or discharge of, or impair the validity or effectiveness of, any such instrument or agreement, except as ordered by any bankruptcy or other court or as permitted by, or expressly provided in this Indenture, the Transaction Documents, the Guaranteed Loan Documents or such other instrument or agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

25


(b) To the extent consistent with the Issuer Operating Agreement, the Issuer may contract with other Persons to assist it in performing its duties hereunder, and any performance of such duties shall be deemed to be action taken by the Issuer. To the extent that the Issuer contracts with other Persons which include or may include the furnishing of reports, notices or correspondence to the Indenture Trustee, the Issuer shall identify such Persons in a written notice to the Indenture Trustee.

(c) The Issuer shall and shall require that the Depositor, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings and Sunnova Hestia Holdings characterize (i) the Grant of the Trust Estate by the Issuer under this Indenture and the Grant of the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral under the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement, in each case, as a pledge for financial accounting purposes, and (ii) the Notes as indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes (unless otherwise required by Applicable Law) and for financial accounting purposes. In this regard, the financial statements of SEI and its consolidated subsidiaries will show the Solar Loans as owned by the consolidated group and the Notes as indebtedness of the consolidated group (and will contain appropriate footnotes stating that the assets of the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the Guaranteed Loan Borrower will not be available to creditors of SEI, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings or the Depositor or any other Person), and the U.S. federal income Tax Returns of SEI and its consolidated subsidiaries that are regarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes will indicate that the Notes are indebtedness unless otherwise required by Applicable Law. The Issuer will cause Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings and the Depositor to file all required Tax Returns and associated forms, reports, schedules and supplements thereto in a manner consistent with such characterizations unless otherwise required by Applicable Law.

(d) The Issuer covenants to pay, or cause to be paid, all Taxes or other similar charges levied by any governmental authority with regard to the Trust Estate, except to the extent that the validity or amount of such Taxes is contested in good faith, via appropriate Proceedings and with adequate reserves established and maintained therefor in accordance with GAAP.

(e) The Issuer hereby assumes liability for all liabilities associated with the Trust Estate or created under this Indenture, including but not limited to any obligation arising from the breach or inaccuracy of any representation, warranty or covenant of the Issuer set forth herein except as provided in the Transaction Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer has and shall have no liability with respect to the payment of principal and interest on the Notes, except as otherwise provided in this Indenture.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

26


(f) The Issuer will perform and observe all of its obligations and agreements contained in this Indenture, the Transaction Documents and in the instruments and agreements included in the Trust Estate, including, but not limited to, preparing (or causing to be prepared) and filing (or causing to be filed) all UCC financing statements and continuation statements required to be filed by the terms of this Indenture and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with and within the time periods provided for herein and therein. Except as otherwise expressly provided therein, the Issuer shall not waive, amend, modify, supplement or terminate any Transaction Document or any provision thereof without the consent of the Indenture Trustee (acting at the direction of the Majority Noteholders).

(g) [Reserved].

(h) If an Event of Default shall arise from the failure of the Servicer to perform any of its duties or obligations under the Servicing Agreement, the Issuer shall take all reasonable steps available to it to remedy such failure.

(i) The Issuer, or the Servicer on behalf of the Issuer, will supply to the Indenture Trustee for further distribution to the Noteholders, at the time and in the manner required by applicable Treasury Regulations, and to the extent required by applicable Treasury Regulations, information with respect to any original issue discount accruing on the Notes.

Section 3.02. Negative Covenants. In addition to the restrictions and prohibitions set forth in Sections 3.04 and 3.10 and elsewhere herein, the Issuer will not:

(a) sell, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of any portion of its interest in the Trust Estate except as expressly permitted by this Indenture or the Transaction Documents;

(b) permit the validity or effectiveness of this Indenture or any Grant hereunder to be impaired or permit any Person to be released from any covenants or obligations under this Indenture, except as may be expressly permitted hereby or under any other Transaction Document;

(c) create, incur or suffer, or permit to be created or incurred or to exist any Lien on any of the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral or permit the Lien created by this Indenture or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement not to constitute a valid first priority, perfected Lien on the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral, in each case subject to Permitted Liens;

(d) take any action or fail to take any action which action or failure to act may cause the Issuer to become classified as an association, a publicly traded partnership or a taxable mortgage pool that is taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or

(e) act in violation of its organization documents.

Section 3.03. Money for Note Payments. (a) All payments with respect to any Notes which are to be made from amounts withdrawn from the Notes Distribution Account pursuant to the Issuer Pass-Through Distributions shall be made on behalf of the Issuer by the Indenture Trustee, and no amounts so withdrawn from an Account for payments with respect to the Notes shall be paid over to the Issuer under any circumstances except as provided in this Section 3.03 and Article V.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

27


(b) When the Indenture Trustee is not also the Note Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish, or cause the Note Registrar to furnish, with respect to Global Notes, on each Record Date, and with respect to Definitive Notes, no later than the fifth calendar day after each Record Date, a list, in such form as the Indenture Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Noteholders and of the number of individual Notes and the Outstanding Note Balance held by each such Noteholder.

(c) Any money held by the Indenture Trustee in trust for the payment of any amount distributable but unclaimed with respect to any Note shall be held in a non-interest bearing trust account, and if the same remains unclaimed for two years after such amount has become due to such Noteholder, such money shall be discharged from such trust and paid to the Issuer upon an Issuer Order without any further action by any Person; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof (but only to the extent of the amounts so paid to the Issuer), and all liability of the Indenture Trustee with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease. The Indenture Trustee may adopt and employ, at the expense of the Issuer, any reasonable means of notification of such payment (including, but not limited to, mailing notice of such payment to Noteholders whose Notes have been called but have not been surrendered for prepayment or whose right to or interest in moneys due and payable but not claimed is determinable from the records of the Indenture Trustee, at the last address of record for each such Noteholder).

Section 3.04. Restriction of Issuer Activities. Until the date that is 365 days after the Termination Date, the Issuer will not on or after the date of execution of this Indenture:

(a) engage in any business or investment activities other than those necessary for, incident to, connected with or arising out of, owning and Granting the Trust Estate to the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the Noteholders, or contemplated hereby, in the Transaction Documents, the Guaranteed Loan Documents and the Issuer Operating Agreement;

(b) incur any indebtedness secured in any manner by, or having any claim against, the Trust Estate or the Issuer other than indebtedness arising hereunder and in connection with the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents and as otherwise expressly permitted in a Transaction Document or a Guaranteed Loan Document;

(c) incur any other indebtedness except as permitted in the Issuer Operating Agreement;

(d) amend, or propose to the member of the Depositor for their consent any amendment of, the Issuer Operating Agreement (or, if the Issuer shall be a successor to the Person named as the Issuer in the first paragraph of this Indenture, amend, consent to amendment or propose any amendment of, the governing instruments of such successor), without giving notice thereof in writing, 30 days prior to the date on which such amendment is to become effective, to the Rating Agencies;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

28


(e) except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Indenture, the Transaction Documents or the Guaranteed Loan Documents, sell, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of any of the properties or assets of the Issuer, including those included in the Trust Estate;

(f) claim any credit on, or make any deduction from the principal or interest payable in respect of, the Notes (other than amounts properly withheld from such payments under the Code) or assert any claim against any present or former Noteholder by reason of the payment of the Taxes levied or assessed upon any part of the Trust Estate;

(g) permit the validity or effectiveness of this Indenture to be impaired, or permit the Lien in favor of the Indenture Trustee created by this Indenture or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement to be amended, hypothecated, subordinated, terminated or discharged, or permit any Person to be released from any covenants or obligations with respect to the Notes under this Indenture except as may be expressly permitted hereby;

(h) permit the Lien of this Indenture or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement not to constitute a valid perfected first priority (other than with respect to a Permitted Lien) Lien on the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral; or

(i) dissolve, liquidate, merge or consolidate with any other Person, other than in compliance with Section 3.10 if any Notes are Outstanding.

Section 3.05. Protection of Trust Estate. (a) The Issuer intends the Lien Granted pursuant to this Indenture in favor of the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the Noteholders to be prior to all other Liens in respect of the Trust Estate, subject to Permitted Liens, and the Issuer shall take all actions necessary to obtain and maintain, in favor of the Indenture Trustee and the Noteholders, a first priority, perfected Lien on the Trust Estate, subject to Permitted Liens. The Issuer shall cause the Guaranteed Loan Lender to take all actions necessary to obtain and maintain, in favor of the Issuer, a first priority, perfected Lien on the Guaranteed Loan Collateral, subject to Permitted Liens. Subject to Section 3.05(f), the Issuer will (and will cause the Guaranteed Loan Lender) from time to time prepare, execute (or authorize the filing of) and deliver all such supplements and amendments hereto and all such financing statements, continuation statements, instruments of further assurance, and other instruments, and will take such other action as may be necessary or advisable to:

(i) provide (or cause to be provided) further assurance with respect to such Grant and/or Grant more effectively all or any portion of the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral;

(ii) (A) maintain and preserve (or cause to be maintained and preserved) the Lien (and the priority thereof) in favor of the Indenture Trustee created by this Indenture and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement and (B) enforce (or cause to be enforced) the terms and provisions of this Indenture and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement or carry out more effectively the purposes hereof or thereof;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

29


(iii) perfect or protect (or cause to be perfected and protected) the validity of, any Grant made or to be made by this Indenture and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement;

(iv) enforce its rights under the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents; or

(v) preserve and defend title to any asset included in the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral and the rights of the Indenture Trustee and of the Noteholders in the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral against the claims of all Persons.

The Indenture Trustee, as secured party of record, hereby authorizes the Issuer and its designees to file amendments to financing statements (other than any amendment terminating a financing statement or reducing the collateral covered thereby) and continuation statements necessary or advisable to accomplish the foregoing. The Issuer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Indenture Trustee file-stamped copies of, or filing receipts for, any document recorded, registered or filed as provided above, as soon as available following such recording, registration or filing. The Issuer shall cooperate fully with the Indenture Trustee in connection with the obligations set forth above and will execute (or authorize the filing of) any and all documents reasonably required to fulfill the intent of this Section 3.05.

(b) The Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints the Indenture Trustee as its agent and attorney-in-fact (such appointment being coupled with an interest) to execute, or authorize the filing of, upon the Issuer’s failure to do so, any financing statement or continuation statement required pursuant to this Section 3.05; provided, however, that such designation shall not be deemed to create any duty in the Indenture Trustee to monitor the compliance of the Issuer with the foregoing covenants; and provided further, that the Indenture Trustee shall only be obligated to execute or authorize such financing statement or continuation statement upon written direction of the Servicer and upon written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the provisions of Section 3.05(a); shall not be required to pay any fees, Taxes or other governmental charges in connection therewith; and shall not be required to prepare any financing statement or continuation statement required pursuant to this Section 3.05 (which shall in each case be prepared by the Issuer or the Servicer). The Issuer shall cooperate with the Servicer and provide to the Servicer any information, documents or instruments with respect to such financing statement or continuation statement that the Servicer may reasonably require. Neither the Indenture Trustee nor any of its officers, directors, employees, attorneys or agents will be responsible or liable for the existence, genuineness, value or protection of any collateral securing the Notes, for the legality, enforceability, effectiveness or sufficiency of the Transaction Documents or any financing statement or continuation statement for the creation, perfection, continuation, priority, sufficiency or protection of any of the liens, or for any defect or deficiency as to any such matters, for monitoring the status of any lien or performance of the collateral or for the accuracy or sufficiency of any financing statement or continuation statement prepared for its execution or authorization hereunder.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

30


(c) Except as necessary or advisable in connection with the fulfillment by the Indenture Trustee of its duties and obligations described herein or in any other Transaction Document, the Indenture Trustee shall not remove any portion of the Trust Estate that consists of money or is evidenced by an instrument, certificate or other writing from the jurisdiction in which it was held as described in the most recent Opinion of Counsel that was delivered pursuant to Section 3.06 (or from the jurisdiction in which it was held as described in the Opinion of Counsel delivered at the Closing Date pursuant to Section 2.12(c), if no Opinion of Counsel has yet been delivered pursuant to Section 3.06) unless the Indenture Trustee shall have first received an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Lien created by this Indenture with respect to such property will continue to be maintained after giving effect to such action or actions.

(d) No later than 30 days prior to either the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lender making any change in its or their name, identity, jurisdiction of organization or structure which would make any financing statement or continuation statement filed in accordance with Section 3.05(a) above seriously misleading within the meaning of Section 9-506 of the UCC as in effect in New York or wherever else necessary or appropriate under Applicable Law, or otherwise impair the perfection of the Lien on the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral, the Issuer shall give or cause to be given to the Indenture Trustee written notice of any such change and shall file such financing statements or amendments as may be necessary to continue the perfection of the Indenture Trustee’s Lien on the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral. Neither the Issuer nor the Guaranteed Loan Lender shall become or seek to become organized under the laws of more than one jurisdiction.

(e) The Issuer shall give the Indenture Trustee written notice at least 30 days prior to any relocation of the Issuer’s or the Guaranteed Loan Lender’s respective principal executive office or jurisdiction of organization and whether, as a result of such relocation, the applicable provisions of relevant law or the UCC would require the filing of any amendment of any previously filed financing or continuation statement or of any new financing statement and shall file such financing statements or amendments as may be necessary to continue the perfection of the Indenture Trustee’s Lien on the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral, as applicable. The Issuer shall at all times maintain its principal executive office and jurisdiction of organization within the United States of America.

Section 3.06. Opinions and Officers Certificate as to Trust Estate. (a) On the Closing Date and, if requested by the Indenture Trustee on the date of each supplemental indenture hereto, the Issuer shall furnish to the Indenture Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, in the opinion of such counsel, either (i) such action has been taken with respect to the recording and filing of the requisite documents (assuming the filing of any required financing statements and continuation statements) as are necessary to perfect and make effective the Lien on the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral in favor of the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the Noteholders, created by this Indenture and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement, subject to Permitted Liens, and reciting the details of such action or (ii) no such action is necessary to make such Lien effective.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

31


(b) On or before the thirtieth day prior to the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date and every five years thereafter until the earlier of the Rated Final Maturity or the Termination Date, the Issuer shall furnish to the Indenture Trustee an Officer’s Certificate either stating that, (i) such action has been taken with respect to the recording, filing, re-recording and re-filing of the requisite documents, including the filing of any financing statements and continuation statements as is necessary to maintain the Lien created by this Indenture with respect to the Trust Estate or created by the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement with respect to the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral and reciting the details of such action or (ii) no such action is necessary to maintain such Lien. The Issuer shall also provide the Indenture Trustee with a file stamped copy of any document or instrument filed as described in such Officer’s Certificate contemporaneously with the delivery of such Officer’s Certificate. Such Officer’s Certificate shall also describe the recording, filing, re-recording and re-filing of the requisite documents, including the filing of any financing statements and continuation statements that will be required to maintain the Lien of this Indenture with respect to the Trust Estate and the Lien of the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement with respect to the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral. If the Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Indenture Trustee hereunder specifies future action to be taken by the Issuer, the Issuer shall furnish a further Officer’s Certificate no later than the time so specified in such former Officer’s Certificate to the extent required by this Section 3.06.

Section 3.07. Statement as to Compliance. The Issuer will deliver to the Indenture Trustee, the Rating Agencies, the Initial Purchasers and the Structuring Agent, within 120 days after the end of each calendar year (beginning with calendar year 2025), an Officer’s Certificate of the Issuer stating, as to the signer thereof, that, (a) a review of the activities of the Issuer during the preceding calendar year and of its performance under this Indenture has been made under such officer’s supervision, (b) to the best of such officer’s knowledge, based on such review, the Issuer has fulfilled all its obligations under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default known to such officer and the nature and status thereof and remedies therefor being pursued, and (c) to the best of such officer’s knowledge, based on such review, no event has occurred and has been waived which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default hereunder or, if such an event has occurred and has not been waived, specifying each such event known to him or her and the nature and status thereof and remedies therefor being pursued.

Section 3.08. [Reserved].

Section 3.09. Recording. The Issuer will, upon the Closing Date and thereafter from time to time, prepare and cause financing statements and such other instruments as may be required with respect thereto, including without limitation, the Financing Statements to be filed, registered and recorded as may be required by present or future law (with file stamped copies thereof delivered to the Indenture Trustee) to create, perfect and protect the Lien hereof upon the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral, and protect the validity of this Indenture and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement. The Issuer shall, from time to time, perform or cause to be performed any other act as required by law and shall execute (or authorize, as applicable) or cause to be executed (or authorized, as applicable) any and all further instruments (including financing statements, continuation statements and similar statements with respect to any of said documents with file stamped copies thereof delivered to the Indenture Trustee) that are necessary or reasonably requested by the Indenture Trustee for such creation, perfection and protection. The Issuer shall pay, or shall cause to be paid, all filing, registration and recording taxes and fees incident thereto, and all expenses, Taxes and other governmental charges incident to or in connection with the preparation, execution, authorization, delivery or acknowledgment of the recordable documents, any instruments of further assurance, and the Notes.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

32


Section 3.10. Agreements Not to Institute Bankruptcy Proceedings; Additional Covenants; Covenants with Respect to the Guaranteed Loan Lender. (a) The Issuer shall only voluntarily institute any Proceedings to adjudicate the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lender as bankrupt or insolvent, consent to the institution of bankruptcy or Insolvency Events against the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lender, file a petition seeking or consenting to reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or State law relating to bankruptcy, consent to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Issuer or a substantial part of its property or admit its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or authorize any of the foregoing to be done or taken on behalf of the Issuer, in accordance with the terms of the Issuer Operating Agreement.

(b) So long as any of the Notes are Outstanding:

(i) The Issuer will keep in full effect its existence, rights and franchises as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware and will obtain and preserve its qualification to do business in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is or shall be necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes and each asset included in the Trust Estate.

(ii) The Issuer shall not consolidate or merge with or into any other entity or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any entity unless (A) the entity (if other than the Issuer) formed or surviving such consolidation or merger, or that acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Issuer substantially as an entirety, shall be organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof as a special purpose bankruptcy remote entity, and shall expressly assume in form satisfactory to the Rating Agencies the obligation to make due and punctual payments of principal and interest on the Notes then Outstanding and the performance of every covenant on the part of the Issuer to be performed or observed pursuant to this Indenture, (B) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default under this Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing, (C) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Rating Agencies and the Indenture Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of the Issuer and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer complies with this Indenture and (D) the Issuer shall have given prior written notice of such consolidation or merger to the Rating Agencies.

(iii) The funds and other assets of the Issuer shall not be commingled with those of any other Person except to the extent expressly permitted under the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

33


(iv) The Issuer shall not be, become or hold itself out as being liable for the debts of any other Person.

(v) The Issuer shall not form, or cause to be formed, any subsidiaries other than the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the Guaranteed Loan Borrower.

(vi) The Issuer shall act solely in its own name and through its Authorized Officers or duly authorized agents in the conduct of its business, and shall conduct its business so as not to mislead others as to the identity of the entity with which they are concerned. The Issuer shall not have any employees other than the Authorized Officers of the Issuer.

(vii) The Issuer shall maintain its records and books of account and shall not commingle its records and books of account with the records and books of account of any other Person. The books of the Issuer may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the applicable statutes) inside or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Issuer Operating Agreement.

(viii) All actions of the Issuer shall be taken by an Authorized Officer of the Issuer (or any Person acting on behalf of the Issuer).

(ix) The Issuer shall not amend its certificate of formation (except as required under Delaware law) or the Issuer Operating Agreement, without first giving prior written notice of such amendment to the Rating Agencies (a copy of which shall be provided to the Indenture Trustee).

(x) The Issuer maintains and will maintain the formalities of the form of its organization.

(xi) The annual financial statements of SEI and its consolidated subsidiaries will disclose the effects of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents in accordance with GAAP. Any consolidated financial statements which consolidate the assets and earnings of SEI, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings or the Depositor with those of the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender or the Guaranteed Loan Borrower will contain a footnote to the effect that the assets of the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the Guaranteed Loan Borrower will not be available to creditors of SEI, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings or the Depositor or any other Person other than creditors of the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender or the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, as applicable. The financial statements of the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, if any, will disclose that the assets of SEI, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings and the Depositor are not available to pay creditors of the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender or the Guaranteed Loan Borrower.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

34


(xii) Other than certain costs and expenses related to the Guaranteed Loan, the Guaranteed Loan Guarantee, the issuance of the Notes and pursuant to the Performance Guaranty, none of Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings or the Depositor shall pay the Issuer’s, the Guaranteed Loan Lender’s or the Guaranteed Loan Borrower’s expenses, guarantee the Issuer’s, the Guaranteed Loan Lender’s or the Guaranteed Loan Borrower’s obligations or advance funds to the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender or the Guaranteed Loan Borrower for payment of expenses except for costs and expenses for which Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings or Depositor is required to make payments, in which case the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender or the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, as applicable, will reimburse such Person for such payment.

(xiii) All business correspondences of the Issuer are and will be conducted in the Issuer’s own name.

(xiv) Other than as contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents, none of Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings or the Depositor acts or will act as agent of the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender or the Guaranteed Loan Borrower and none of the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender or the Guaranteed Loan Borrower does or will act as agent of Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings or the Depositor.

(xv) [Reserved].

(xvi) The Issuer shall not make any expenditure (by long-term or operating lease or otherwise) to acquire capital assets (either realty or personalty) other than pursuant to the Contribution Agreement.

(xvii) The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of all Applicable Laws, the non-compliance with which would have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Issuer.

(xviii) The Issuer shall not, directly or indirectly, (A) pay any dividend or make any distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise), whether in cash, property, securities or a combination thereof, to any owner of a beneficial interest in the Issuer or otherwise with respect to any ownership or equity interest or security in or of the Issuer, (B) redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for value any such ownership or equity interest or security or (C) set aside or otherwise segregate any amounts for any such purpose; provided, however, that the Issuer may make, or cause to be made, distributions to the Depositor to the extent such distributions are of Excluded Collateral and as otherwise permitted by, and to the extent funds are available for such purpose under, this Indenture and the other Transaction Documents. The Issuer will not, directly or indirectly, make payments to or distributions from the Notes Distribution Account or any other Account except in accordance with this Indenture and the other Transaction Documents.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

35


(c) So long as any of the Notes remain Outstanding, the Issuer agrees, as the sole member of the Guaranteed Loan Lender, that it will:

(i) cause the Guaranteed Loan Lender to comply with the provisions of its limited liability company agreement and not to take any action that would cause the Guaranteed Loan Lender to violate the provisions of its limited liability company agreement (including, to make any material amendment to its limited liability company agreement other than in accordance with the terms thereof);

(ii) cause the Guaranteed Loan Lender to comply with and, to the extent of its rights thereunder, enforce the provisions of the Guaranteed Loan Documents;

(iii) cause the Guaranteed Loan Lender to not voluntarily terminate the Guarantee Issuance Agreement;

(iv) to the extent the Guaranteed Loan Controlling Party’s consent is required, cause the Guaranteed Loan Lender to not effect or consent to any amendment or waiver to a Guaranteed Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Indenture Trustee (acting at the direction of the Majority Noteholders);

(v) cause the Guaranteed Loan Lender to maintain all material licenses and permits required to carry on its business as now conducted and in accordance with the provisions of the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents, except to the extent the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the interests of the Noteholders;

(vi) not permit or consent to the admission of any new member of the Guaranteed Loan Lender other than an independent member in accordance with the provisions of the limited liability company agreement of the Guaranteed Loan Lender; and

(vii) not permit or consent to the admission of any new member of the Guaranteed Loan Borrower other than an independent member in accordance with the provisions of the limited liability company agreement of the Guaranteed Loan Borrower.

Section 3.11. Providing of Notice. The Issuer, upon learning of any failure on the part of Sunnova Management to observe or perform in any material respect any covenant, representation or warranty set forth in the Servicing Agreement or upon learning of any Default, Event of Default or Servicer Termination Event, shall promptly notify, in writing, the Indenture Trustee and Sunnova Management, as applicable, of such failure or Default, Event of Default or Servicer Termination Event.

Section 3.12. Representations and Warranties of the Issuer. The Issuer hereby represents and warrants to the Indenture Trustee and the Noteholders that as of the Closing Date and each Transfer Date:

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

36


(a) The Issuer is duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with full power and authority to execute and deliver this Indenture, the Contribution Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party and to perform the terms and provisions hereof and thereof; the Issuer is duly qualified to do business as a foreign business entity in good standing, and has obtained all required licenses and approvals, if any, in all jurisdictions in which the ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualifications except those jurisdictions in which failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the business or operations of the Issuer, the Trust Estate or the Noteholders.

(b) All necessary action has been taken by the Issuer to authorize the Issuer, and the Issuer has full power and authority, to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Indenture, the Contribution Agreement and each other Transaction Document and each other Guaranteed Loan Document to which it is a party, and no consent or approval of any Person is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Issuer of this Indenture, the Contribution Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party except for any consent or approval that has previously been obtained.

(c) This Indenture, the Contribution Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party have been duly executed and delivered, and the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Contribution Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party by the Issuer and its performance and compliance with the terms hereof and thereof will not violate its certificate of formation or the Issuer Operating Agreement or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the breach of, any material contract or any other material agreement or instrument (including, without limitation, the Transaction Documents and the Guaranteed Loan Documents) to which the Issuer is a party or which may be applicable to the Issuer or any of its assets.

(d) This Indenture, the Contribution Agreement and each other Transaction Document and each other Guaranteed Loan Document to which it is a party constitute valid, legal and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a Proceeding at law or in equity).

(e) The Issuer is not in violation of, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Indenture, the Contribution Agreement and each other Transaction Document and each other Guaranteed Loan Document to which it is a party by the Issuer will not constitute a violation with respect to, any order or decree of any court or any order, regulation or demand of any federal, State, municipal or governmental agency, which violation might have consequences that would have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Issuer.

(f) No Proceeding of any kind, including but not limited to litigation, arbitration, judicial or administrative, is pending or, to the Issuer’s knowledge, threatened in writing against or contemplated by the Issuer which would have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Issuer.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

37


(g) Each of the representations and warranties of the Issuer set forth in the Contribution Agreement and each other Transaction Document and each other Guaranteed Loan Document to which it is a party is, as of the Closing Date, true and correct in all material respects.

(h) There are no ongoing material breaches or defaults under the Transaction Documents or any of the Guaranteed Loan Documents by the Issuer or any of its affiliates or, to its knowledge, as of the Closing Date, any of the other parties to the Guaranteed Loan Documents.

(i) The Issuer has not incurred debt or engaged in activities not related to the transactions contemplated hereunder or under the Transaction Documents except as permitted by the Issuer Operating Agreement or Section 3.04.

(j) The Issuer is not insolvent and did not become insolvent as a result of the Grant pursuant to this Indenture; the Issuer is not engaged and is not about to engage in any business or transaction for which any property remaining with the Issuer is unreasonably small capital or for which the remaining assets of the Issuer are unreasonably small in relation to the business of the Issuer or the transaction; the Issuer does not intend to incur, and does not believe or reasonably should not have believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay as they become due; and the Issuer has not made a transfer or incurred an obligation and does not intend to make such a transfer or incur such an obligation with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud any entity to which the Issuer was or became, on or after the date that such transfer was made or such obligation was incurred, indebted.

(k) The proceeds from the issuance of the Notes will be used by the Issuer to (i) pay certain expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of the Notes, (ii) make the required deposits into the Class 1-A Note Interest Reserve Account and the Notes General Reserve Account and (iii) contribute the any remaining amounts to the Guaranteed Loan Lender pursuant to the Cash Contribution Agreement. The Guaranteed Loan Lender will use the amounts received by it pursuant to the Cash Contribution Agreement to make the Guaranteed Loan to the Guaranteed Loan Borrower.

(l) (i) The Grant of the Trust Estate by the Issuer pursuant to the terms of this Indenture is a pledge for financial accounting purposes and (ii) the Notes will be treated by the Issuer as indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In this regard, (i) the financial statements of SEI and its consolidated subsidiaries will show (A) that the Notes are indebtedness of the consolidated group (and will contain appropriate footnotes describing that the assets of the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the Guaranteed Loan Borrower will not be available to creditors of SEI, Sunnova Energy, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings or the Depositor or any other Person other than creditors of the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the Guaranteed Loan Borrower) and (ii) the U.S. federal income Tax Returns of SEI and its consolidated subsidiaries that are regarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes will indicate that the Notes are indebtedness.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

38


(m) The legal name of the Issuer is as set forth in this Indenture; the Issuer has no trade names, fictitious names, assumed names or “doing business as” names.

(n) No item comprising the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral has been sold, transferred, assigned or pledged by the Issuer to any Person other than the Indenture Trustee; immediately prior to the pledge of the Trust Estate to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to this Indenture, the Issuer was the sole owner thereof and had good and indefeasible title thereto, free of any Lien other than Permitted Liens and immediately prior to the pledge of the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement, the Guaranteed Loan Lender was the sole owner thereof and had good and indefeasible title thereto, free of any Lien other than Permitted Liens.

(o) Upon the filing of the Perfection UCCs in accordance with applicable law and the delivery to the Indenture Trustee of the certificates evidencing the Guaranteed Loan Lender Membership Interests, together with instruments of transfer, the Indenture Trustee, for the benefit of the Noteholders, shall have a first priority perfected Lien on the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral and in the proceeds thereof, limited with respect to proceeds to the extent set forth in Section 9-315 of the UCC as in effect in the applicable jurisdiction, subject to Permitted Liens. All filings (including, without limitation, UCC filings) and other actions as are necessary in any jurisdiction to provide third parties with notice of and to give the Indenture Trustee a first priority perfected Lien on the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral (subject to Permitted Liens), and the payment of any fees, have been made or, with respect to Termination Statements, will be made within one Business Day of the Closing Date.

(p) Neither of (i) the Grant by the Issuer to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to this Indenture is subject to the bulk transfer or any similar statutory provisions in effect in any applicable jurisdiction or (ii) the Grant by the Guaranteed Loan Lender to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement is subject to the bulk transfer or any similar statutory provisions in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

(q) The Issuer is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Notes and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Offering Circular will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the 1940 Act. In making this determination, the Issuer is relying primarily on the exclusions from the definition of “investment company” contained in Section 3(c)(5)(A) and Section 3(c)(6) of the 1940 Act, although additional exclusions or exemptions may be available to the Issuer at the Closing Date or in the future.

(r) The Issuer is being structured so as not to constitute a “covered fund” for purposes of Section 619 of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, based on its current interpretations.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

39


(s) The principal place of business and the chief executive office of the Issuer are located in the State of Texas and the jurisdiction of organization of the Issuer is the State of Delaware, and there are no other such locations.

(t) Representations and warranties regarding the Lien made as of the Closing Date and each Transfer Date:

(i) The Grant contained in the “Granting Clause” of this Indenture creates a valid and continuing Lien on the Trust Estate in favor of the Indenture Trustee and the Grant contained in the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement creates a valid and continuing Lien on the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral in favor of the Indenture Trustee, which Liens are prior to all other Liens arising under the UCC (other than Permitted Liens), and is enforceable as such against creditors of the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lender, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a Proceeding at law or in equity).

(ii) The Issuer has taken all steps necessary to perfect its ownership interest in the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender has taken all steps necessary to perfect its ownership interest in the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral.

(iii) The Guaranteed Loan Lender Membership Interests constitute “investment property” within the meaning of the UCC and the rights to Guaranteed Loan Lender Distributions constitute “general intangibles”, “accounts” or “chattel paper” within the meaning of the UCC.

(iv) The Issuer owns and has good and marketable title to the Trust Estate free and clear of any Lien, claim or encumbrance of any Person, other than Permitted Liens.

(v) The Issuer has caused or will have caused, within ten days of the Closing Date, the filing of all appropriate financing statements in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under Applicable Law in order to perfect the Lien on the Trust Estate granted to the Indenture Trustee hereunder and the Lien on the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral granted to the Indenture Trustee under the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement.

(vi) [Reserved].

(vii) Other than Permitted Liens, neither the Issuer nor the Guaranteed Loan Lender has pledged, assigned, sold, granted a Lien on, or otherwise conveyed any portion of the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral. Neither the Issuer nor the Guaranteed Loan Lender has authorized the filing of or is aware of any financing statements against the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lender that include a description of collateral covering any portion of the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral other than any financing statement relating to the security interest granted to the Indenture Trustee hereunder or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement or that have been terminated. The Issuer is not aware of any judgment or tax lien filings against the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lender, except with respect to tax liens for amounts which have already been paid.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

40


(viii) The Issuer has taken all action required on its part for control (as defined in Section 8-106 of the UCC) to have been obtained by the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders over the Guaranteed Loan Lender Membership Interests with respect to which such control may be obtained pursuant to the UCC. No person other than the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders has control or possession of all or any part of the Guaranteed Loan Lender Membership Interests. Without limiting the foregoing, all certificates evidencing the Guaranteed Loan Lender Membership Interests in existence on the date hereof have been delivered to the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders.

The foregoing representations and warranties in Section 3.12(s)(i) – (viii) shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be waived or amended until the Notes are paid in full or otherwise released or discharged except in accordance with this Indenture.

Section 3.13. Representations and Warranties of the Indenture Trustee. The Indenture Trustee hereby represents and warrants to the Rating Agencies and the Noteholders that as of the Closing Date:

(a) The Indenture Trustee has been duly organized and is validly existing as a national banking association;

(b) The Indenture Trustee has full power and authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Indenture and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Indenture and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party;

(c) This Indenture and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the Indenture Trustee and constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of the Indenture Trustee, enforceable against the Indenture Trustee in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or similar laws affecting creditors’ or creditors of banks’ rights and/or remedies generally or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is sought in a Proceeding in equity or at law);

(d) The execution, delivery and performance of this Indenture and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party by the Indenture Trustee will not constitute a violation with respect to any order or decree of any court or any order, regulation or demand of any federal, State, municipal or governmental agency binding on the Indenture Trustee or such of its property which is material to it, which violation might have consequences that would materially and adversely affect the performance of its duties under this Indenture;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

41


(e) The execution, delivery and performance of this Indenture and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party by the Indenture Trustee do not require any approval or consent of any Person, do not conflict with the Articles of Association and Bylaws of the Indenture Trustee, and do not and will not conflict with or result in a breach which would constitute a material default under any agreement applicable to it or such of its property which is material to it; and

(f) No Proceeding of any kind, including but not limited to litigation, arbitration, judicial or administrative, is pending or, to the Indenture Trustee’s knowledge, threatened against or contemplated by the Indenture Trustee which would have a reasonable likelihood of having an adverse effect on the execution, delivery, performance or enforceability of this Indenture or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party by or against the Indenture Trustee.

Section 3.14. Knowledge. Any references herein to the knowledge, discovery or learning of the Issuer, the Servicer, or the Manager shall mean and refer to an Authorized Officer of the Issuer, the Servicer or the Manager, as applicable.

Section 3.15. Capital Contributions. Nothing herein shall prevent any direct or indirect member of the Issuer from making capital contributions to the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender or the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, which capital contribution shall be effected directly by such direct or indirect member to the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender or the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, and the Lien of this Indenture shall not attach to any such capital contribution.

Section 3.16. Rule 144A Information. So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, and the Issuer is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, upon the request of a Noteholder, the Issuer shall promptly furnish at such Noteholder’s expense to such Noteholder, and the prospective purchasers designated by such Noteholder, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4)(i) under the Securities Act in order to permit compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act in connection with the resale of such Notes by such Noteholder.

ARTICLE IV

ADMINISTRATION OF THE ISSUER

Section 4.01. Servicing Agreement. (a) The Servicing Agreement, duly executed counterparts of which have been received by the Indenture Trustee, set forth the covenants and obligations of the Servicer with respect to the Issuer and other matters addressed in the Servicing Agreement, and reference is hereby made to the Servicing Agreement for a detailed statement of the covenants and obligations of the Servicer thereunder. The Issuer agrees that the Indenture Trustee, in its name or (to the extent required by law) in the name of the Issuer, may (but is not, unless so directed and indemnified by the Majority Noteholders, required to) enforce all rights of the Issuer under the Servicing Agreement for and on behalf of the Noteholders whether or not a Default has occurred and has not been waived.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

42


(b) Promptly following a request from the Indenture Trustee (acting at the direction of the Majority Noteholders) to do so, the Issuer shall take all such commercially reasonable lawful action as the Indenture Trustee may request to compel or secure the performance and observance by the Servicer of each of its obligations to the Issuer under or in connection with the Servicing Agreement, in accordance with the terms thereof, and in effecting such request shall exercise any and all rights, remedies, powers and privileges lawfully available to the Issuer under or in connection with the Servicing Agreement to the extent and in the manner directed by the Indenture Trustee, including, without limitation, the transmission of notices of default on the part of the Servicer thereunder and the institution of Proceedings to compel or secure performance by the Servicer of each of its obligations under the Servicing Agreement.

(c) To the extent applicable, the Issuer shall not waive any default by the Servicer under the Servicing Agreement without the written consent of the Indenture Trustee (which shall be given at the written direction of the Majority Noteholders).

(d) The Indenture Trustee does not assume any duty or obligation of the Issuer under the Servicing Agreement, and the rights given to the Indenture Trustee thereunder are subject to the provisions of Article VII.

ARTICLE V

ACCOUNTS, COLLECTIONS, PAYMENTS OF INTEREST

AND PRINCIPAL, RELEASES, AND STATEMENTS TO NOTEHOLDERS

Section 5.01. Accounts. (a)(i) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Issuer shall cause the Indenture Trustee to open and maintain in the name of the Indenture Trustee, for the benefit of the Noteholders, an Eligible Account (the “Notes Distribution Account”), bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Noteholders. The Notes Distribution Account shall initially be established with the Indenture Trustee.

(ii) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Issuer shall cause the Indenture Trustee to open and maintain in the name of the Indenture Trustee, for the benefit of the Noteholders, an Eligible Account (the “Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account”), bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Class 1-A Noteholders. The Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account shall initially be established with the Indenture Trustee.

(iii) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Issuer shall cause the Indenture Trustee to open and maintain in the name of the Indenture Trustee, for the benefit of the Noteholders, an Eligible Account (the “Notes General Interest Reserve Account”), bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Noteholders. The Notes General Interest Reserve Account shall initially be established with the Indenture Trustee.

(iv) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Issuer, as owner of the Guaranteed Loan Lender, shall cause the Indenture Trustee to open and maintain in the name of the Guaranteed Loan Lender, an Eligible Account (the “Guarantor Payment Account”), bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Guaranteed Loan Lender. The Guarantor Payment Account shall initially be established with the Indenture Trustee.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

43


(b) Funds on deposit in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account, the Notes General Interest Reserve Account and the Guarantor Payment Account shall be invested by the Indenture Trustee (or any custodian with respect to funds on deposit in any such account) in Eligible Investments selected in writing by the Servicer (pursuant to standing instructions or otherwise). All such Eligible Investments shall be held by or on behalf of the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the Noteholders. Funds on deposit in the Notes Distribution Account shall not be invested.

(c) All investment earnings of moneys pursuant to Section 5.01(b) shall be deposited (or caused to be deposited) by the Indenture Trustee into the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account, the Notes General Interest Reserve Account or the Guarantor Payment Account, as applicable, and any loss resulting from such investments shall be charged to the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account, the Notes General Interest Reserve Account or the Guarantor Payment Account, as applicable. No investment of any amount held in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account, the Notes General Interest Reserve Account or the Guarantor Payment Account shall mature later than the Business Day immediately preceding the Payment Date which is scheduled to occur immediately following the date of investment. The Servicer, on behalf of the Issuer, will not direct the Indenture Trustee to make any investment of any funds held in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account, the Notes General Interest Reserve Account or the Guarantor Payment Account unless the security interest Granted and perfected in such account will continue to be perfected in such investment, in either case without any further action by any Person.

(d) The Indenture Trustee shall, upon written direction, not in any way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account, the Notes General Interest Reserve Account or the Guarantor Payment Account resulting from any loss on any Eligible Investment included therein except for losses attributable to the Indenture Trustee’s negligence or bad faith or its failure to make payments on such Eligible Investments issued by the Indenture Trustee, in its commercial capacity as principal obligor and not as Indenture Trustee, in accordance with their terms.

(e) Funds on deposit in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account, the Notes General Interest Reserve Account and the Guarantor Payment Account shall remain uninvested if (i) the Servicer shall have failed to give investment directions in writing for any funds on deposit in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account, the Notes General Interest Reserve Account and Guarantor Payment Account, as applicable, to the Indenture Trustee by 1:00 p.m. Eastern time (or such other time as may be agreed by the Servicer and the Indenture Trustee) on the Business Day on which such investment is to be made; or (ii) based on the actual knowledge of, or receipt of written notice by, a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee, a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the Notes but the Notes shall not have been declared due and payable, or, if such Notes shall have been declared due and payable following an Event of Default, amounts collected or receivable from the Trust Estate are being applied as if there had not been such a declaration.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

44


(f) [Reserved].

(g) (i) The Indenture Trustee shall possess all right, title and interest in all funds on deposit from time to time in the Accounts and in all proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, all investment earnings on the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account, the Notes General Interest Reserve Account and the Guarantor Payment Account) and all such funds, investments, proceeds and income shall be part of the Trust Estate. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Accounts shall be under the control (as defined in Section 9-104 of the UCC to the extent such account is a deposit account and Section 8-106 of the UCC to the extent such account is a securities account) of the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the Noteholders. If, at any time, any of the Accounts ceases to be an Eligible Account, the Indenture Trustee (or the Servicer on its behalf) shall within five Business Days (or such longer period as to which the Rating Agencies may consent) establish a new Account as an Eligible Account and shall transfer any cash and/or any investments to such new Account. The Servicer agrees that, in the event that any of the Accounts are not accounts with the Indenture Trustee, the Servicer shall notify the Indenture Trustee in writing promptly upon any of such Accounts ceasing to be an Eligible Account.

(ii) With respect to the Account Property, the Indenture Trustee agrees that:

(A) any Account Property that is held in deposit accounts shall be held solely in Eligible Accounts; and, except as otherwise provided herein, each such Eligible Account shall be subject to the exclusive custody and control of the Indenture Trustee, and the Indenture Trustee shall have sole signature authority with respect thereto;

(B) any Account Property that constitutes physical property shall be delivered to the Indenture Trustee in accordance with paragraph (i)(A) or (i)(B), as applicable, of the definition of “Delivery” and shall be held, pending maturity or disposition, solely by the Indenture Trustee or a securities intermediary (as such term is defined in Section 8-102(a)(14) of the UCC) acting solely for the Indenture Trustee;

(C) any Account Property that is a book-entry security held through the Federal Reserve System pursuant to federal book-entry regulations shall be delivered in accordance with paragraph (i)(C) or (i)(E), as applicable, of the definition of “Delivery” and shall be maintained by the Indenture Trustee, pending maturity or disposition, through continued book-entry registration of such Account Property as described in such paragraph;

(D) any Account Property that is an “uncertificated security” under Article 8 of the UCC and that is not governed by clause (C) above shall be delivered to the Indenture Trustee in accordance with paragraph (i)(D) of the definition of “Delivery” and shall be maintained by the Indenture Trustee, pending maturity or disposition, through continued registration of the Indenture Trustee’s (or its nominee’s) ownership of such security;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

45


(E) the Servicer shall have the power, revocable by the Indenture Trustee upon the occurrence of a Servicer Termination Event, to instruct the Indenture Trustee to make withdrawals and payments from the Accounts for the purpose of permitting the Servicer and the Indenture Trustee to carry out their respective duties hereunder; and

(F) any Account held by it hereunder shall be maintained as a “securities account” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in New York (the “New York UCC”), and that it shall be acting as a “securities intermediary” for the Indenture Trustee itself as the “entitlement holder” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(7) of the New York UCC) with respect to each such Account. The parties hereto agree that each Account shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, and regardless of any provision in any other agreement, the “securities intermediary’s jurisdiction” (within the meaning of Section 8-110 of the New York UCC) shall be the State of New York. The Indenture Trustee acknowledges and agrees that (1) each item of property (whether investment property, financial asset, security, instrument or cash) credited to the Accounts shall be treated as a “financial asset” within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(9) of the New York UCC and (2) notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if at any time the Indenture Trustee shall receive any order from the Indenture Trustee (in its capacity as securities intermediary) directing transfer or redemption of any financial asset relating to the Accounts, the Indenture Trustee shall comply with such entitlement order without further consent by the Issuer, or any other person. In the event of any conflict of any provision of this Section 5.01(g)(ii)(F) with any other provision of this Indenture or any other agreement or document, the provisions of this Section 5.01(g)(ii)(F) shall prevail.

Section 5.02. [Reserved].

Section 5.03. Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account. (a) On the Closing Date, the Issuer shall deposit or cause to be deposited the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account Initial Deposit into the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account.

(b) As set forth in Section 5.05 hereof, the Indenture Trustee shall deposit all amounts received in respect of Guaranteed Interest Amounts (Loan Component 1) in the Guarantor Payment Account into the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account.

(c) On the Business Day prior to each Payment Date, the Indenture Trustee shall, based on the Monthly Servicer Report, transfer funds on deposit in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account into the Notes Distribution Account to the extent that amounts to be received in respect of the Loan Component 1 Interest Distribution Amount for such Payment Date will be less than the Class 1-A Notes Interest Distribution Amount for such Payment Date.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

46


(d) If the amount on deposit in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account exceeds the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account Required Balance on any Payment Date, the amount of such excess will be released, based on the Monthly Servicer Report, to or at the direction of the Depositor.

(e) All amounts on deposit in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account shall be withdrawn and deposited into the Notes Distribution Account on the earliest of the Rated Final Maturity and an Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date.

Section 5.04. Notes General Reserve Account. (a) On the Closing Date, the Issuer shall deposit or cause to be deposited the Notes General Reserve Account Initial Deposit into the Notes General Reserve Account.

(b) On each Payment Date, if after giving effect to amounts received in respect of the Loan Component 2 Interest Distribution Amount, there will be a shortfall in the payment of the Class 2-A Notes Interest Distribution Amount due to the deemed application of Guaranteed Excess Interest Amounts as a principal payment on Loan Component 2, then on the Business Day prior to such Payment Date, the Indenture Trustee shall, upon written direction and based on the Monthly Servicer Report, withdraw the least of (i) the amount on deposit in the Notes General Reserve Account, (ii) the amount of such shortfall and (iii) an amount equal to the product of (A) 1/12, (B) the amount of Guaranteed Excess Interest Amounts deemed to be paid as principal on Loan Component 2 and (C) the Note Rate for the Class 2-A Notes, and deposit such amount into the Notes Distribution Account for payment to the Class 2-A Notes.

(c) To the extent the amount on deposit in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account has been reduced to zero and there will be a shortfall in the payment of the Class 1-A Notes Interest Distribution Amount, on the Business Day prior to such Payment Date, the Indenture Trustee shall, upon written direction and based on the Monthly Servicer Report, withdraw the lesser of the amount on deposit in the Notes General Reserve Account and such shortfall and deposit such amount into the Notes Distribution Account for payment to the Class 1-A Notes.

(d) The Indenture Trustee shall, if directed by the Majority Noteholders, with amounts on deposit in the Notes General Reserve Account, pay expenses of the Issuer, as directed by the Majority Noteholders.

(e) If amounts on deposit in the Notes General Reserve Account are not sufficient to pay the amount described in clause (b) – (d) on any Payment Date, amounts will be withdrawn from the Notes General Reserve Account pursuant to Section 5.04(b) until all interest shortfalls on the Class 2-A Notes are satisfied and then pursuant to Section 5.04(c) until all interest shortfalls on the Class 1-A Notes are satisfied and lastly, any remaining amounts will be applied pursuant to Section 5.04(d).

(f) All amounts on deposit in the Notes General Interest Reserve Account shall be withdrawn and deposited into the Notes Distribution Account on the earliest of the Rated Final Maturity and an Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

47


Section 5.05. Guarantor Payment Account. All amounts received from the Guarantor in respect of the Guarantee Issuance Agreement shall, based on the Monthly Servicer Report, be remitted by the Indenture Trustee as follows: (a) to the Class 1-A Interest Reserve Account, all Guaranteed Interest Amounts (Loan Component 1) received from the Guarantor, and (b) to the Notes Distribution Account, all amounts received from the Guarantor in respect of Guaranteed Excess Interest Amounts and Guaranteed Principal Amounts.

Section 5.06. Notes Distribution Account. (a) On the Closing Date, the Issuer as owner of the Guaranteed Loan Lender, shall have instructed (i) the Guaranteed Loan Agent to pay all amounts owed to the Guaranteed Loan Lender pursuant to the Guaranteed Loan Agreement directly to the Notes Distribution Account and (ii) the Guaranteed Loan Lender to remit all amounts received by it from any source (without duplication of amounts described in clause (i)) to the Notes Distribution Account. The Issuer shall cause all other amounts required to be deposited therein pursuant to the Transaction Documents, to be deposited within one Business Day of receipt thereof. The Indenture Trustee shall provide or make available electronically (or upon written request, by first class mail or email) monthly statements on all amounts received in the Notes Distribution Account to the Issuer and the Servicer.

(b) As set forth in Section 5.05 hereof, the Indenture Trustee shall deposit all amounts received in respect of Guaranteed Excess Interest Amounts and Guaranteed Principal Amounts in the Guarantor Payment Account into the Notes Distribution Account.

(c) The Indenture Trustee shall make distributions from the Notes Distribution Account as directed by the Servicer in accordance with each Monthly Servicer Report.

Section 5.07. Distribution of Funds in the Notes Distribution Account. On each Payment Date, solely as specified in the Monthly Servicer Report, Available Funds will be distributed as follows (the “Issuer Pass-Through Distributions”):

(i) to the Class 1-A Noteholders in respect of the Class 1-A Notes Interest Distribution Amount, the following: (A) 100% of amounts received in respect of the Loan Component 1 Interest Distribution Amount, (B) any amounts deposited in the Notes Distribution Account from the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account or the Notes General Reserve Account and (C) any interest payments received in respect of Loan Component 1 in connection with a Guaranteed Loan Borrower Voluntary Prepayment;

(ii) to the Class 1-A Noteholders, the following: (A) 100% of all Principal Distribution Amounts received in respect of Loan Component 1, (B) any principal payments received in respect of Loan Component 1 in respect of Guaranteed Excess Interest Amounts, (C) any Guaranteed Principal Amounts received in respect of Loan Component 1 and (D) any principal payments received in respect of Loan Component 1 in connection with a Guaranteed Loan Borrower Voluntary Prepayment;

(iii) to the Class 1-A Noteholders, in respect of the Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts and Deferred Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts for the Class 1-A Notes, 100% of amounts received in respect the Loan Component 1 Guaranteed Loan Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts and Loan Component 1 Guaranteed Loan Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

48


(iv) to the Class 2-A Noteholders in respect of the Class 2-A Notes Interest Distribution Amount, the following: (A) 100% of amounts received in respect of the Loan Component 2 Interest Distribution Amount, (B) any amounts deposited in the Notes Distribution Account from the Notes General Reserve Account and (C) any interest payments received in respect of Loan Component 2 in connection with a Guaranteed Loan Borrower Voluntary Prepayment;

(v) to the Class 2-A Noteholders, the following: (A) 100% of all Principal Distribution Amounts received in respect of Loan Component 2, (B) any principal payments received in respect of Loan Component 2 in respect of Guaranteed Excess Interest Amounts and (C) any principal payments received in respect of Loan Component 2 in connection with a Guaranteed Loan Borrower Voluntary Prepayment;

(vi) to the Class 2-A Noteholders, in respect of the Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts and Deferred Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts for the Class 2-A Notes, 100% of amounts received in respect the Loan Component 2 Guaranteed Loan Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts and Loan Component 2 Guaranteed Loan Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts; and

(vii) to or at the direction of the Depositor, any Permitted Equity Distribution received from the Guaranteed Loan Borrower.

Section 5.08. [Reserved].

Section 5.09. Note Payments. (a) The Indenture Trustee shall pay from amounts on deposit in the Notes Distribution Account in accordance with the Monthly Servicer Report and the Issuer Pass-Through Distributions, to each Noteholder of record as of the related Record Date either (i) by wire transfer, in immediately available funds to the account of such Noteholder at a bank or other entity having appropriate facilities therefor, if such Noteholder shall have provided to the Indenture Trustee appropriate written instructions at least five Business Days prior to the related Payment Date (which instructions may remain in effect for subsequent Payment Dates unless revoked by such Noteholder), or (ii) if not, by check mailed to such Noteholder at the address of such Noteholder appearing in the Note Register, the amounts to be paid to such Noteholder pursuant to such Noteholder’s Notes; provided, however, that so long as the Notes are registered in the name of the Securities Depository such payments shall be made to the nominee thereof in immediately available funds.

(b) In the event that any withholding Tax is imposed on the Issuer’s payment (or allocations of income) to a Noteholder, such withholding Tax shall reduce the amount otherwise distributable to the Noteholder in accordance with this Indenture. The Indenture Trustee is hereby authorized and directed to retain from amounts otherwise distributable to the Noteholders sufficient funds for the payment of any withholding Tax that is legally owed by the Issuer as instructed by the Servicer, in writing in a Monthly Servicer Report (but such authorization shall

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

49


not prevent the Indenture Trustee from contesting at the expense of the applicable Noteholder any such withholding Tax in appropriate Proceedings, and withholding payment of such withholding Tax, if permitted by law, pending the outcome of such Proceedings). The amount of any withholding Tax imposed with respect to a Noteholder shall be treated as cash distributed to such Noteholder at the time it is withheld by the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee (at the direction of the Servicer or the Issuer) and remitted to the appropriate taxing authority. If there is a withholding Tax payable with respect to a distribution (such as a distribution to a non-U.S. Noteholder), the Indenture Trustee may in its sole discretion withhold such amounts in accordance with this clause (b). In the event that a Noteholder wishes to apply for a refund of any such withholding Tax, the Indenture Trustee shall reasonably cooperate with such Noteholder in making such claim so long as such Noteholder agrees to reimburse the Indenture Trustee for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred.

(c) Each Noteholder and Note Owner, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have consented to the provisions of the Issuer Pass-Through Distributions and the Guaranteed Loan Borrower Priority of Payments.

(d) For all Tax purposes, each Noteholder and each Note Owner (other than to an Affiliate of Sunnova Energy that is disregarded as separate from Sunnova Energy for U.S. federal income tax purposes), by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to, and hereby instructs the Indenture Trustee to, treat the Notes as indebtedness.

(e) Each Noteholder and each Note Owner by its acceptance of a Note or an interest in a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to provide the Indenture Trustee or the Issuer, upon request, with the Noteholder Tax Identification Information and, to the extent FATCA Withholding Tax is applicable, the Noteholder FATCA Information. Each Noteholder and Note Owner shall update or replace its previously provided Noteholder Tax Identification Information and Noteholder FATCA Information promptly if requested by the Indenture Trustee; provided that nothing herein shall require the Indenture Trustee to make such request. In addition, each Noteholder and each Note Owner will be deemed to agree that the Indenture Trustee has the right to withhold from any amount of interest or other amounts (without any corresponding gross-up) payable to a Noteholder or Note Owner that fails to comply with the foregoing requirements. The Issuer hereby covenants with the Indenture Trustee that the Issuer will cooperate with the Indenture Trustee in obtaining sufficient information so as to enable the Indenture Trustee to (i) determine whether or not the Indenture Trustee is obliged to make any withholding, including FATCA Withholding Tax, in respect of any payments with respect to a Note and (ii) to effectuate any such withholding. The parties agree that the Indenture Trustee shall be released of any liability arising from properly complying with this Section 5.09 and FATCA. The Issuer agrees to provide to the Indenture Trustee copies of any Noteholder Tax Identification Information and any Noteholder FATCA Information received by the Issuer from any Noteholder or Note Owner. Upon reasonable request from the Indenture Trustee, the Issuer will provide such additional information that it may have to assist the Indenture Trustee in making any withholdings or informational reports.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 5.10. Statements to Noteholders; Tax Returns. Within the time period required by Applicable Law after the end of each calendar year, the Issuer shall cause the Indenture Trustee to furnish to each Person who at any time during such calendar year was a Noteholder of record and received any payment thereon any information required by the Code to enable such Noteholders to prepare their U.S. federal and state income Tax Returns. The obligation of the Indenture Trustee set forth in this paragraph shall be deemed to have been satisfied to the extent that information shall be provided by the Indenture Trustee, in the form of Form 1099 or other comparable form, pursuant to any requirements of the Code.

The Issuer shall cause Sunnova Management, at Sunnova Management’s expense, to cause a firm of Independent Accountants to prepare any Tax Returns required to be filed by the Issuer. The Indenture Trustee, upon reasonable written request, shall furnish the Issuer with all such information in the possession of the Indenture Trustee as may be reasonably required in connection with the preparation of any Tax Return of the Issuer.

Section 5.11. Reports by Indenture Trustee. Within five Business Days after the end of each calendar month, the Indenture Trustee shall provide or make available electronically (or upon written request, by first class mail or email) to the Servicer a written report (electronic means shall be sufficient) setting forth the amounts in the Notes Distribution Account, the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account and the Notes General Reserve Account and the identity of the investments included therein, as applicable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Indenture Trustee shall, upon the written request of the Servicer, promptly transmit or make available electronically to the Servicer, copies of all accountings of, and information with respect to, the Notes Distribution Account, the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account and the Notes General Reserve Account, investments thereof, as applicable, and payments thereto and therefrom.

Section 5.12. Final Balances. On the Termination Date, all moneys remaining in all Accounts, shall be, subject to applicable escheatment laws, remitted to, or at the direction of, the Issuer, and after the return of such funds (or disposition thereof pursuant to applicable escheatment laws), the Indenture Trustee will have no liability with respect to such funds, and holders should look solely only to the Issuer for such amounts.

ARTICLE VI

ISSUER VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT OF NOTES AND RELEASE OF COLLATERAL

Section 6.01. Issuer Voluntary Prepayment. (a) Prior to the Rated Final Maturity, the Issuer may, in its sole discretion, prepay the Notes (such prepayment, an “Issuer Voluntary Prepayment”), in whole but not in part on any Business Day following the end of the Prepayment Lockout Period (such date, the “Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date”). Any such Issuer Voluntary Prepayment is required to be made on no less than ten (10) days’ prior notice (or such shorter period, but not less than two Business Days, as is necessary to cure an Event of Default) by the Issuer sending the Notice of Issuer Voluntary Prepayment to the Indenture Trustee and the Servicer describing the Issuer’s election to prepay the Notes in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C. The Issuer may not prepay the Notes during the Prepayment Lockout Period.

(b) [Reserved].

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(c) With respect to any Issuer Voluntary Prepayment, on or prior to the related Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date, the Issuer will be required to deposit into the Notes Distribution Account an amount equal to (i) the sum of (A) the Aggregate Outstanding Note Balance, (B) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (C) the Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amount, if any, (D) the Deferred Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amount, if any, and (E) all amounts owed to the Indenture Trustee, minus (ii) the sum of the amounts then on deposit in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account and the Notes General Reserve Account. On the specified Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date, provided that the Indenture Trustee has received the Prepayment Amount, on or prior to such specified Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date, the Indenture Trustee is directed to (x) withdraw the Prepayment Amount from the Notes Distribution Account and all amounts on deposit in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account and the Notes General Reserve Account and disburse such amounts to the Noteholders and (y) release any remaining assets in the Trust Estate to, or at the direction of, the Issuer.

(d) If the Issuer elects to rescind the Issuer Voluntary Prepayment, it must give written notice to the Indenture Trustee of such determination at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date. If an Issuer Voluntary Prepayment of the Notes has been rescinded pursuant to this Section 6.01(e), the Indenture Trustee shall provide notice of such rescission to the registered owner of each Note which had been subject to the rescinded redemption at the address shown on the Note Register maintained by the Note Registrar with copies to the Issuer, Sunnova Energy, the Depositor and the Rating Agencies.

Section 6.02. Notice of Issuer Voluntary Prepayment. Any Notice of Issuer Voluntary Prepayment received by the Indenture Trustee from the Issuer shall be made available by the Indenture Trustee not less than twenty days and not more than thirty days prior to the date fixed for prepayment to the registered owner of each Note to be prepaid with copies to the Issuer, Sunnova Energy, the Servicer and the Rating Agencies. Failure to make such Notice of Issuer Voluntary Prepayment available to any Noteholder, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of any Proceedings for the prepayment of other Notes. If an Issuer Voluntary Prepayment has been rescinded pursuant to Section 6.01(e), and to the extent the Indenture Trustee had made notice of the Issuer Voluntary Prepayment available, the Indenture Trustee shall make available notice of such rescission to the registered owner of each Note which had been subject to the rescinded Issuer Voluntary Prepayment with copies to the Issuer, Sunnova Energy, the Servicer and the Rating Agencies.

Any notice made available as provided in this Section shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the registered owner of such Notes accesses the notice.

Section 6.03. Cancellation of Notes. All Notes which have been paid in full or retired or received by the Indenture Trustee for exchange shall not be reissued but shall be canceled and destroyed in accordance with its customary procedures.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 6.04. Release of Collateral. The Indenture Trustee shall, on or promptly after the Termination Date, release any remaining portion of the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral from the Lien created by this Indenture and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement and shall deposit into the Notes Distribution Account any funds then on deposit in any other Account. The Indenture Trustee shall release property from the Lien created by this Indenture and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement pursuant to this Section 6.04(a) only upon receipt by the Indenture Trustee of an Issuer Order accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel described in Section 314(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and meeting the applicable requirements of Section 12.02.

ARTICLE VII

THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01. Duties of Indenture Trustee. (a) If a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee has received notice pursuant to Section 7.02(a), or a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee shall otherwise have actual knowledge that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Indenture Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(b) Except during the occurrence and continuance of such an Event of Default:

(i) The Indenture Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and any other Transaction Document to which it is a party and no others and no implied covenants or obligations of the Indenture Trustee shall be read into this Indenture or any other Transaction Document.

(ii) In the absence of negligence or bad faith on its part, the Indenture Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Indenture Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture or any other Transaction Document. The Indenture Trustee shall, however, examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture or any other Transaction Document but the Indenture Trustee shall not be required to determine, confirm or recalculate information contained in such certificates or opinions.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Indenture Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) This paragraph does not limit the effect of subsection (b) of this Section 7.01.

(ii) The Indenture Trustee shall not be liable in its individual capacity for any action taken, or error of judgment made, in good faith by a Responsible Officer or other officers of the Indenture Trustee, unless it is proved that the Indenture Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(iii) The Indenture Trustee shall not be personally liable with respect to any action it takes, suffers or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it from the Noteholders in accordance with this Indenture or any other Transaction Document or for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture or any other Transaction Document, in each case unless it is proved that the Indenture Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

(iv) The Indenture Trustee shall have no responsibility for filing any financing or continuation statement in any public office at any time or otherwise to perfect or to maintain the perfection of any Lien on the Trust Estate or in any item comprising the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral.

(d) No provision of this Indenture or any other Transaction Document shall require the Indenture Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial or other liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or thereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

(e) The provisions of subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 7.01 shall apply to any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed by the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee pursuant to Section 7.13.

(f) The Indenture Trustee shall not in any way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency in any Account held by the Indenture Trustee resulting from any loss experienced on any item comprising the Trust Estate except as a result of the Indenture Trustee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(g) In no event shall the Indenture Trustee be required to take any action that conflicts with Applicable Law, any of the provisions of this Indenture or any other Transaction Document or with the Indenture Trustee’s duties hereunder or that adversely affect its rights and immunities hereunder.

(h) In no event shall the Indenture Trustee have any obligations or duties under or have any liabilities whatsoever to Noteholders under ERISA.

(i) In no event shall the Indenture Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities; it being understood that the Indenture Trustee shall resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

(j) With respect to any part of the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral released from the Lien of this Indenture or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement, as applicable, the Indenture Trustee shall assign, without recourse, representation or warranty, to the appropriate Person as directed by the Issuer in writing, prior to the Termination Date, all the Indenture Trustee’s right, title and interest in and to such assets, such assignment being in the form as prepared by the Servicer or the Issuer and acceptable to the Indenture

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

54


Trustee. Such Person will thereupon own such property and related rights appurtenant thereto free of any further obligation to the Indenture Trustee or the Noteholders with respect thereto. The Servicer or the Issuer will also prepare and the Indenture Trustee shall, upon written direction of the Issuer, also execute and deliver all such other instruments or documents as shall be reasonably requested by any such Person to be required or appropriate to effect a valid transfer of title to a Solar Loan and the related assets.

Section 7.02. Event of Default. (a) The Indenture Trustee shall not be required to take notice of or be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any default, Default, Servicer Termination Event, Event of Default, event or information, or be required to act upon any default, Default, Servicer Termination Event, Event of Default, event or information (including the sending of any notice) unless a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee is specifically notified in writing at the address set forth in Section 12.04 or until a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee shall have acquired actual knowledge of a default, a Default, a Servicer Termination Event, an Event of Default, an event or information and shall have no duty to take any action to determine whether any such default, Default, Servicer Termination Event, Event of Default, or event has occurred. In the absence of receipt of such notice or actual knowledge, the Indenture Trustee may conclusively assume that there is no such default, Default, Event of Default, Servicer Termination Event or event. If written notice of the existence of a default, a Default, an Event of Default, a Servicer Termination Event, an event or information has been delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee or a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee has actual knowledge thereof, the Indenture Trustee shall promptly provide paper or electronic notice thereof to the Issuer, the Transition Manager, the Backup Servicer, the Rating Agencies and each Noteholder, but in any event, no later than five days after such knowledge or notice occurs.

(b) In the event the Servicer does not make available to each Rating Agency all reports of the Servicer and all reports to the Noteholders, upon request of such Rating Agency, the Indenture Trustee shall make available promptly after such request, copies of such Servicer reports as are in the Indenture Trustee’s possession to each Rating Agency and the Noteholders.

Section 7.03. Rights of Indenture Trustee. (a) The Indenture Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Indenture Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any document. The Indenture Trustee need not investigate or re-calculate, evaluate, certify, verify or independently determine the accuracy of any numerical information, report, certificate, information, statement, representation or warranty or any fact or matter stated in any such document and may conclusively rely as to the truth of the statements and the accuracy of the information therein.

(b) Before the Indenture Trustee takes any action or refrains from taking any action under this Indenture or any other Transaction Document, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, the costs of which (including the Indenture Trustee’s reasonable and documented attorney’s fees and expenses) shall be paid by the party requesting that the Indenture Trustee act or refrain from acting. The Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

55


(c) The Indenture Trustee shall not be personally liable for any action it takes or omits to take or any action or inaction it believes in good faith to be authorized or within its rights or powers other than as a result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(d) The Indenture Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts of matters stated in any reports, certificates, payment instructions, opinion, notice, order or other paper or document unless requested in writing by 25% or more of the Noteholders, and such Noteholders have provided to the Indenture Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it.

(e) The Indenture Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, affiliates or attorneys or a custodian or nominee, and the Indenture Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed by it hereunder with due care. The Indenture Trustee may consult with counsel, accountants and other experts and the advice or opinion of counsel, accountants and other experts with respect to legal and other matters relating to any Transaction Document shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability with respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion of counsel.

(f) The Indenture Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety with respect to the execution of this Indenture or the powers granted hereunder.

(g) The Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for any action or inaction of the Issuer, the Servicer or any other party (or agent thereof) to this Indenture or any Transaction Document and may assume compliance by such parties with their obligations under this Indenture or any other Transaction Document, unless a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee shall have received written notice to the contrary at the Corporate Trust Office of the Indenture Trustee.

(h) The Indenture Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by this Indenture or to institute, conduct or defend any litigation hereunder or in relation hereto at the request, order or direction of any of the Noteholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Noteholders shall have offered to the Indenture Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities (including the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of the Indenture Trustee’s counsel and agents) which may be incurred therein or thereby.

(i) The Indenture Trustee shall have no duty (i) to maintain or monitor any insurance or (ii) to see to the payment or discharge of any tax, assessment, or other governmental charge or any lien or encumbrance of any kind owing with respect to, assessed or levied against, any part of the Trust Estate.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

56


(j) Delivery of any reports, information and documents to the Indenture Trustee provided for herein or any other Transaction Document is for informational purposes only (unless otherwise expressly stated), and the Indenture Trustee’s receipt of such or otherwise publicly available information shall not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Servicer’s or the Issuer’s compliance with any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder (as to which the Indenture Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates). The Indenture Trustee shall not have actual notice of any default or any other matter unless a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee receives actual written notice of such default or other matter.

(k) The Indenture Trustee does not have any obligation to investigate any matter or exercise any powers vested under this Indenture unless requested in writing by 25% or more of the Noteholders, and such Noteholders have provided to the Indenture Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it.

(l) Knowledge of the Indenture Trustee shall not be attributed or imputed to Wilmington Trust’s other roles in the transaction, if any, and knowledge of any such role shall not be attributed or imputed to each other or to the Indenture Trustee (other than those where the roles are performed by the same group or division within Wilmington Trust or otherwise share the same Responsible Officers), or any affiliate, line of business, or other division of Wilmington Trust (and vice versa).

(m) The right of the Indenture Trustee to perform any permissive or discretionary act enumerated in this Indenture or any related document shall not be construed as a duty.

(n) The Indenture Trustee shall not have a duty to conduct any investigation as to an actual or alleged breach of any representation or warranty by any Person, or the materiality thereof, pursuant to the Transaction Documents, or the eligibility of any Solar Loans for purposes of the Transaction Documents.

(o) In no event shall the Indenture Trustee have any obligation to oversee or any liability or responsibility to monitor compliance with or enforce compliance with U.S. Risk Retention Rules or other rules or regulations relating to risk retention. In no event shall that Indenture be charged with knowledge of such rules or regulations, nor shall it be liable to any investor or other party for violation of such rules or regulations now or hereafter in effect.

(p) The rights, benefits, protections, immunities and indemnities afforded to the Indenture Trustee hereunder shall extend to the Indenture Trustee (in any of its capacities) under any other Transaction Document or related agreement as though set forth therein in their entirety mutatis mutandis.

Section 7.04. Not Responsible for Recitals, Issuance of Notes or Application of Moneys as Directed. The recitals contained herein and in the Notes, except the certificates of authentication on the Notes, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Indenture Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Indenture Trustee makes no representations with respect to the Trust Estate or as to the validity or sufficiency of the Trust Estate or this Indenture or any other Transaction Document or of the Notes. The Indenture Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of the proceeds of the Notes. Subject to Section 7.01(b), the Indenture Trustee shall not be liable to any Person for any money paid to the Issuer upon an Issuer Order, Servicer instruction or order or direction provided in a Monthly Servicer Report contemplated by this Indenture or any other Transaction Document.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

57


Section 7.05. May Hold Notes. The Indenture Trustee or any agent of the Issuer, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or Sunnova Energy or any Affiliate of the Issuer or Sunnova Energy with the same rights it would have if it were not the Indenture Trustee or other agent.

Section 7.06. Money Held in Trust. The Indenture Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Issuer and except to the extent of income or other gain on investments which are obligations of the Indenture Trustee hereunder.

Section 7.07. Compensation and Reimbursement. (a) The Issuer agrees:

(i) Subject to clause (b) below, to pay the Indenture Trustee the Indenture Trustee Fee. The Indenture Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law with respect to compensation of a trustee of an express trust and the payments to the Indenture Trustee shall constitute payments due with respect to the applicable fee agreement or letter;

(ii) to reimburse the Indenture Trustee upon request for all reasonable and documented expenses and disbursements incurred or made by the Indenture Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including, but not limited to, the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel and allocable costs of in-house counsel); provided, however, in no event shall the Issuer pay or reimburse the Indenture Trustee or the agents or counsel, including in-house counsel of either, for any expenses or disbursements incurred or made by the Indenture Trustee in connection with any negligent action or negligent inaction on the part of the Indenture Trustee;

(iii) to indemnify the Indenture Trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any fee, loss, liability, damage, cost or expense (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses and court costs) incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Indenture Trustee, to the extent such matters have been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, arising out of, or in connection with, the acceptance or administration of this trust and its obligations under the Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim, action or suit in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder and defending itself against any claim, action or suit (including a successful defense, in whole or in part, of a breach of its standard of care) or bringing any claim, action or suit to enforce the indemnification or other obligations of the relevant transaction parties; provided, however, that:

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

58


(A) with respect to any such claim the Indenture Trustee shall have given the Issuer and the Servicer written notice thereof promptly after the Indenture Trustee shall have actual knowledge thereof, provided, that failure to notify shall not relieve the parties of their obligations hereunder;

(B) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.07(a)(iii), neither the Issuer nor the Servicer shall be liable for settlement of any such claim by the Indenture Trustee entered into without the prior consent of the Issuer or the Servicer, as the case may be, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; and

(C) the Indenture Trustee, its officers, directors, employees and agents, as a group, shall be entitled to counsel separate from the Issuer and the Servicer; to the extent the Issuer’s and the Servicer’s interests are not adverse to the interests of the Indenture Trustee, its officers, directors, employees or agents, the Indenture Trustee may agree to be represented by the same counsel as the Issuer and the Servicer and the Manager.

Such payment obligations and indemnification shall survive the resignation or removal of the Indenture Trustee as well as the discharge, termination or assignment hereof. The Indenture Trustee’s expenses are intended as expenses of administration.

Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Indenture Trustee be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Indenture Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 7.07, but subject to the provisions of Section 9.17, all amounts payable by the Issuer to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to this Indenture or any other Transaction Documents shall be payable solely from funds received from the Guaranteed Loan Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the Guaranteed Loan Borrower Priority of Payments.

(c) The Issuer agrees to assume and to pay, and to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Indenture Trustee and the Noteholders from any Taxes which may at any time be asserted with respect to, and as of the date of, the Grant of the Trust Estate to the Indenture Trustee, including, without limitation, any sales, gross receipts, general corporation, personal property, privilege or license taxes (but with respect to the Noteholders only, not including Taxes arising out of the creation or the issuance of the Notes or payments with respect thereto) and costs, expenses and reasonable counsel fees in defending against the same.

Section 7.08. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Indenture Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus as stated in Section 7.09, and shall always be a bank or trust company with corporate trust powers organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof which is a member of the Federal Reserve System and shall be rated at least investment grade by S&P.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 7.09. Indenture Trustee’s Capital and Surplus. The Indenture Trustee and/or its parent shall at all times have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000. If the Indenture Trustee publishes annual reports of condition of the type described in Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, its combined capital and surplus for purposes of this Section 7.09 shall be as set forth in the latest such report.

Section 7.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. (a) No resignation or removal of the Indenture Trustee and no appointment of a successor Indenture Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.10 shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Indenture Trustee under Section 7.11.

(b) The Indenture Trustee may resign at any time by giving 30 days’ prior written notice thereof to the Issuer and the Servicer. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Indenture Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Indenture Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Indenture Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Indenture Trustee.

(c) The Indenture Trustee may be removed at any time by the Super-Majority Noteholders upon 30 days’ prior written notice, delivered to the Indenture Trustee, with copies to the Servicer and the Issuer.

(d) (i) If at any time the Indenture Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 7.08 or 7.09 or shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Indenture Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Indenture Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, with 30 days’ prior written notice, the Issuer, with the prior written consent of the Super-Majority Noteholders, by an Issuer Order, may remove the Indenture Trustee.

(ii) If the Indenture Trustee shall be removed pursuant to Sections 7.10(c) or (d) and no successor Indenture Trustee shall have been appointed pursuant to Section 7.10(e) and accepted such appointment within 30 days of the date of removal, the removed Indenture Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a successor Indenture Trustee acceptable to the Issuer.

(e) If the Indenture Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Indenture Trustee for any cause, the Issuer, with the prior written consent of the Majority Noteholders, by an Issuer Order shall promptly appoint a successor Indenture Trustee.

(f) The Issuer shall give to the Rating Agencies and the Noteholders notice of each resignation and each removal of the Indenture Trustee and each appointment of a successor Indenture Trustee. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Indenture Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

(g) The provisions of this Section 7.10 shall apply to any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed by the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee pursuant to Section 7.13.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 7.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. (a) Every successor Indenture Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer and the retiring Indenture Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Indenture Trustee shall become effective and such successor Indenture Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Indenture Trustee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on request of the Issuer or the successor Indenture Trustee, such retiring Indenture Trustee shall, upon payment of its fees, expenses and other charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Indenture Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Indenture Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Indenture Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Indenture Trustee hereunder. Upon request of any such successor Indenture Trustee, the Issuer shall execute and deliver any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Indenture Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.

(b) No successor Indenture Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Indenture Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under Sections 7.08 and 7.09.

(c) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Indenture Trustee, the obligations of the Issuer pursuant to Section 7.07(a)(iii) and (c) and the Indenture Trustee’s protections under this Article VII shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Indenture Trustee.

Section 7.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Indenture Trustee. Any corporation or national banking association into which the Indenture Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation, bank, trust company or national banking association resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Indenture Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation, bank, trust company or national banking association succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Indenture Trustee, shall be the successor of the Indenture Trustee hereunder if such corporation, bank, trust company or national banking association shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under Section 7.08 and 7.09, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. The Indenture Trustee shall provide the Rating Agencies written notice of any such transaction. In case any Notes have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Indenture Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Indenture Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Notes so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Indenture Trustee had authenticated such Notes.

Section 7.13. Co-trustees and Separate Indenture Trustees. (a) At any time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of any jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral may at the time be located, for enforcement actions, and where a conflict of interest exists, the Indenture Trustee shall have power to appoint and, upon the written request of the Indenture Trustee, the Issuer shall for such purpose join with the Indenture Trustee in the execution, delivery and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to appoint, one or more Persons that are approved by the

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Indenture Trustee either to act as co-trustee, jointly with the Indenture Trustee, of such part of the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral, or to act as separate trustee of any such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons in the capacity aforesaid, any property, title, right or power of the Indenture Trustee deemed necessary or desirable, in all respects subject to the other provisions of this Section 7.13. If the Issuer does not join in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by it of a request so to do, or in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Indenture Trustee alone shall have power to make such appointment. No notice to the Noteholders of the appointment of any co-trustee or separate trustee shall be required under this Indenture. Notice of any such appointments shall be promptly given to the Rating Agencies by the Indenture Trustee.

(b) Should any written instrument from the Issuer be required by any co-trustee or separate trustee so appointed for more fully confirming to such co-trustee or separate trustee such property, title, right or power, any and all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged and delivered by the Issuer.

(c) Every co-trustee or separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following terms:

(i) The Notes shall be authenticated and delivered and all rights, powers, duties and obligations hereunder with respect to the custody of securities, cash and other personal property held by, or required to be deposited or pledged with, the Indenture Trustee hereunder, shall be exercised solely by the Indenture Trustee.

(ii) The rights, powers, duties and obligations hereby conferred or imposed upon the Indenture Trustee with respect to any property covered by such appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Indenture Trustee and such co-trustee or separate trustee jointly, except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act is to be performed, the Indenture Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed solely by such co-trustee or separate trustee.

(iii) The Indenture Trustee at any time, by an instrument in writing executed by it, may accept the resignation of, or remove, any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed under this Section 7.13. Upon the written request of the Indenture Trustee, the Issuer shall join with the Indenture Trustee in the execution, delivery and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to effectuate such resignation or removal. A successor to any co-trustee or separate trustee so resigned or removed may be appointed in the manner provided in this Section 7.13.

(iv) No co-trustee or separate trustee appointed in accordance with this Section 7.13 hereunder shall be financially or otherwise liable by reason of any act or omission of the Indenture Trustee, or any other such trustee hereunder, and the Indenture Trustee shall not be financially or otherwise liable by reason of any act or omission of any co-trustee or other such separate trustee hereunder.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(v) Any notice, request or other writing delivered to the Indenture Trustee shall be deemed to have been delivered to each such co-trustee and separate trustee.

(vi) Any separate trustee or co-trustee may, at any time, constitute the Indenture Trustee, its agent or attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority, to the extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or with respect to this Indenture on its behalf and in its name. The Indenture Trustee shall not be responsible for any action or inaction of any such separate trustee or co-trustee appointed in accordance with this Section 7.13. The Indenture Trustee shall not have any responsibility or liability relating to the appointment of any separate or co-trustee. Any such separate or co-trustee shall not be deemed to be an agent of the Indenture Trustee. If any separate trustee or co-trustee shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estate, properties, rights, remedies and trusts shall vest in and be exercised by the Indenture Trustee, to the extent permitted by law, without the appointment of a new or successor trustee.

Section 7.14. Books and Records. The Indenture Trustee agrees to provide to the Noteholders the right during normal business hours upon two days’ prior notice in writing to inspect its books and records insofar as the books and records relate to the functions and duties of the Indenture Trustee pursuant to this Indenture.

Section 7.15. Control. Upon the Indenture Trustee being adequately indemnified in writing to its satisfaction, the Majority Noteholders shall have the right to direct the Indenture Trustee with respect to any action or inaction by the Indenture Trustee hereunder, the exercise of any trust or power conferred on the Indenture Trustee, or the conduct of any Proceeding for any remedy available to the Indenture Trustee with respect to the Notes or the Trust Estate provided that:

(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or expose the Indenture Trustee to financial or other liability (for which it has not been adequately indemnified) or be unduly prejudicial to the Noteholders not approving such direction including, but not limited to and without intending to narrow the scope of this limitation, direction to the Indenture Trustee to act or omit to act, directly or indirectly, to amend, hypothecate, subordinate, terminate or discharge any Lien benefiting the Noteholders in the Trust Estate;

(b) the Indenture Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Indenture Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction; and

(c) except as expressly provided otherwise herein (but only with the prior written consent of or at the direction of the Majority Noteholders), the Indenture Trustee shall have the authority to take any enforcement action which it reasonably deems to be necessary to enforce the provisions of this Indenture.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 7.16. Suits for Enforcement. If an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee shall have actual knowledge, shall occur and be continuing, the Indenture Trustee may, in its discretion and shall, at the direction of the Majority Noteholders (provided that the Indenture Trustee is adequately indemnified in writing to its satisfaction), proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of any Noteholders under this Indenture by a Proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the execution of any power granted in this Indenture or for the enforcement of any other legal, equitable or other remedy as the Indenture Trustee, being advised by counsel, shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of the rights of the Indenture Trustee or any Noteholders, but in no event shall the Indenture Trustee be liable for any failure to act in the absence of direction the Majority Noteholders.

Section 7.17. Compliance with Applicable Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Regulations. In order to comply with Applicable Laws, including those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, the Indenture Trustee is required to obtain, verify and record certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with Indenture Trustee. Accordingly, each of the parties agrees to provide to Indenture Trustee upon its request from time to time such identifying information and documentation as may be available to such party in order to enable Indenture Trustee to comply with Applicable Law.

ARTICLE VIII

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE IX

EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 9.01. Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default” hereunder:

(a) a Guaranteed Loan Borrower Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(b) a default in the payment of any Notes Interest Distribution Amount (which, for the avoidance of doubt, does not include any Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts or Deferred Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts) on a Payment Date, which default shall not have been cured after three (3) Business Days;

(c) a default in the payment of the Aggregate Outstanding Note Balance at the Rated Final Maturity;

(d) an Insolvency Event shall have occurred with respect to the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lender;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(e) the failure of the Issuer to observe or perform in any material respect any covenant or obligation of the Issuer set forth in this Indenture (other than the failure to make any required payment with respect to the Notes), which has not been cured within 30 days from the date of receipt by the Issuer of written notice from the Indenture Trustee of such breach or default, or the failure of the Issuer to deposit into the Notes Distribution Account all amounts required to be deposited therein by the required deposit date;

(f) any representation, warranty or statement of the Issuer contained in the Transaction Documents or the Guaranteed Loan Documents or any report, document or certificate delivered by the Issuer pursuant to the foregoing agreements shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect as of the time when the same shall have been made and, within 30 days after written notice thereof shall have been given to the Indenture Trustee and the Issuer by the Servicer, the Indenture Trustee or by the Majority Noteholders, the circumstance or condition in respect of which such representation, warranty or statement was incorrect shall not have been eliminated or otherwise cured (which cure may be effected by payment of an indemnity claim) or waived by the Indenture Trustee, acting at the direction of the Majority Noteholders;

(g) the failure for any reason of the Indenture Trustee, on behalf of the Noteholders, to have a first priority perfected Lien on the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral in favor of the Indenture Trustee (subject to Permitted Liens) which is not stayed, released or otherwise cured within ten days of receipt of notice or the Servicer’s or the Issuer’s knowledge thereof;

(h) the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lender becomes subject to registration as an “investment company” under the 1940 Act; or

(i) the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lender becomes classified as an association, a publicly traded partnership or a taxable mortgage pool that, in each case, is taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal or state income tax purposes.

In the case of an Event of Default, after the applicable grace period set forth in such subparagraphs, if any, upon receipt by a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee of written notice or actual knowledge, the Indenture Trustee shall give written notice to the Noteholders, the Rating Agencies and the Issuer that an Event of Default has occurred as of the date of such notice.

Section 9.02. Actions of Indenture Trustee. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing hereunder, the Indenture Trustee shall, at the direction of the Super-Majority Noteholders, do one of the following:

(a) declare the entire unpaid principal amount of the Notes, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other amounts payable under this Indenture and the other Transaction Documents to become immediately due and payable;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(b) either on its own or through an agent, take possession of and sell the Trust Estate pursuant to Section 9.15 and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral pursuant to the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement, provided, however, that neither the Indenture Trustee nor any collateral agent may sell or otherwise liquidate the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral unless either (i) the proceeds of such sale or liquidation are sufficient to discharge in full the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Notes for principal and accrued interest and the fees and all other amounts required to be paid pursuant to the Issuer Pass-Through Distributions or (ii) other than with respect to an Event of Default described in Section 9.01(b), the Holders of 100% of the Aggregate Outstanding Note Balance consent thereto;

(c) institute Proceedings for collection of amounts due on the Notes or under this Indenture by automatic acceleration or otherwise, or if no such acceleration or collection efforts have been made, or if such acceleration or collection efforts have been made, but have been annulled or rescinded, the Indenture Trustee may elect to take possession of the Trust Estate and collect or cause the collection of the proceeds thereof and apply such proceeds in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(d) enforce any judgment obtained and collect any amounts adjudged from the Issuer;

(e) institute any Proceedings for the complete or partial foreclosure of the Lien created by the Indenture with respect to the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement with respect to the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral; and

(f) protect the rights of the Indenture Trustee and the Noteholders by taking any appropriate action including exercising any remedy of a secured party under the UCC or any other Applicable Law.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default of the type described in clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Aggregate Outstanding Note Balance, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other amounts payable under the Indenture and the other Transaction Documents shall automatically become immediately due and payable.

Section 9.03. Indenture Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any Insolvency Event relative to the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Notes or the property of the Issuer or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Indenture Trustee (irrespective of whether the Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Indenture Trustee shall have made any demand on the Issuer for the payment of overdue principal or any interest or other amounts) shall, at the written direction of the Majority Noteholders, by intervention in such Insolvency Event or otherwise,

(a) file and prove a claim for the whole amount owing and unpaid with respect to the Notes issued hereunder and file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Indenture Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of the Indenture Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Noteholders allowed in such Insolvency Event; and

(b) collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, or sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such Insolvency Event is hereby authorized by each Noteholder to make such payments to the Indenture Trustee and, in the event that the Indenture Trustee shall, upon written direction from the Noteholders, consent to the making of such payments directly to the Noteholders, to pay to the Indenture Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of the Indenture Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Indenture Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Indenture Trustee to authorize and consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Noteholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, or composition affecting any of the Notes or the rights of any Noteholder thereof, or to authorize the Indenture Trustee to vote with respect to the claim of any Noteholder in any such Insolvency Event.

Section 9.04. Indenture Trustee May Enforce Claim Without Possession of Notes. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Notes may be prosecuted and enforced by the Indenture Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes or the production thereof in any Proceeding relating thereto.

Section 9.05. Knowledge of Indenture Trustee. Any references herein to the knowledge of the Indenture Trustee shall mean and refer to actual knowledge of a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee.

Section 9.06. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Note shall have any right to institute any Proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder unless:

(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Indenture Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;

(b) the Majority Noteholders shall have made written request to the Indenture Trustee to institute Proceedings with respect to such Event of Default in its own name as Indenture Trustee hereunder;

(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Indenture Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(d) the Indenture Trustee for 30 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity has failed to institute any such Proceedings; and

(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Indenture Trustee during such 30-day period by the Majority Noteholders;

it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders of Notes shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders of Notes, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 9.07. Unconditional Right of Noteholders to Receive Principal and Interest. The Holders of the Notes shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, subject to the express terms of this Indenture, to receive payment of principal and interest on such Notes, subject to the respective relative priorities provided for in this Indenture, as such principal and interest becomes due and payable from the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral and, subject to Section 9.06, to institute Proceedings for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired except as expressly permitted herein without the consent of such Holders.

Section 9.08. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Indenture Trustee or any Noteholder has instituted any Proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such Proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Indenture Trustee or to such Noteholder, then, and in every case, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Noteholders shall, subject to any determination in such Proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Indenture Trustee and the Noteholders shall continue as though no such Proceeding had been instituted.

Section 9.09. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.09, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Indenture Trustee or to the Noteholders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 9.10. Delay or Omission; Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Indenture Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or any acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article IX or by law to the Indenture Trustee or to the Noteholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Indenture Trustee or by the Noteholders, as the case may be.

Section 9.11. Control by Noteholders. Other than as set forth herein, the Majority Noteholders shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any Proceeding for any remedy available to the Indenture Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Indenture Trustee; provided that:

(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture including, without limitation, any provision hereof which expressly provides for approval by a greater percentage of the aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Notes;

(b) the Indenture Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Indenture Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction; provided, however, that, subject to Section 7.01, the Indenture Trustee need not take any action which a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Indenture Trustee in good faith determines might involve it in liability (unless the Indenture Trustee is furnished with the reasonable indemnity referred to in Section 9.11(c)); and

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(c) the Indenture Trustee has been furnished reasonable indemnity against costs, expenses and liabilities which it might incur in connection therewith.

Section 9.12. Waiver of Certain Events by Less Than All Noteholders. The Super-Majority Noteholders may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes, waive any past Default, Event of Default or, to the extent to Issuer has such rights, Servicer Termination Event and its consequences, except:

(a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Note, or a Default caused by the Issuer becoming subject to registration as an “investment company” under the 1940 Act, or

(b) with respect to a covenant or provision hereof which under Article X cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note affected.

Upon any such waiver, such Default, Event of Default or Servicer Termination Event shall cease to exist, and any Default, Event of Default or Servicer Termination Event, or other consequence arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default, Event of Default or Servicer Termination Event or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 9.13. Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Noteholder and each Note Owner by its acceptance of a Note shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Indenture Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Indenture Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 9.13 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Indenture Trustee or to any suit instituted by any Noteholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Note on or after the Rated Final Maturity expressed in such Note.

Section 9.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Issuer covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not, at any time, insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Indenture Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 9.15. Sale of Trust Estate. (a) The power to effect any sale of any portion of the Trust Estate pursuant to this Article IX and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral pursuant to the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement shall not be exhausted by any one or more sales as to any portion of the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral remaining unsold, but shall continue unimpaired until the entire Trust Estate and entire Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral securing the Notes shall have been sold or all amounts payable on the Notes and under this Indenture with respect thereto shall have been paid. The Indenture Trustee, acting on its own or through an agent, may from time to time postpone any sale by public announcement made at the time and place of such sale.

(b) The Indenture Trustee shall not, in any private sale, sell to a third party the Trust Estate, or any portion thereof unless the Super-Majority Noteholders direct the Indenture Trustee, in writing, to make such sale or unless either (i) the proceeds of such sale or liquidation are sufficient to discharge in full the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Notes for principal and accrued interest and the fees and all other amounts required to be paid pursuant the Issuer Pass-Through Distributions or (ii) other than with respect to an Event of Default described in Section 9.01(b), the Holders of 100% of the Aggregate Outstanding Note Balance consent thereto.

(c) The Indenture Trustee or any Noteholder may bid for and acquire any portion of the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral in connection with a public or private sale thereof, and in lieu of paying cash therefor, any Noteholder may make settlement for the purchase price by crediting against amounts owing on the Notes of such Holder or other amounts owing to such Holder secured by this Indenture, that portion of the net proceeds of such sale to which such Holder would be entitled, after deducting the reasonable costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Indenture Trustee or the Noteholders in connection with such sale. The Notes need not be produced in order to complete any such sale, or in order for the net proceeds of such sale to be credited against the Notes. The Indenture Trustee or the Noteholders may hold, lease, operate, manage or otherwise deal with any property so acquired in any manner permitted by law.

(d) The Indenture Trustee shall execute and deliver an appropriate instrument of conveyance transferring its interest in any portion of the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral in connection with a sale thereof. In addition, the Indenture Trustee is hereby irrevocably appointed the agent and attorney-in-fact of the Issuer to transfer and convey its interest in any portion of the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral in connection with a sale thereof, pursuant to this Section 9.15, and to take all action necessary to effect such sale. No purchaser or transferee at such a sale shall be bound to ascertain the Indenture Trustee’s authority, inquire into the satisfaction of any conditions precedent or see to the application of any monies.

(e) The method, manner, time, place and terms of any sale of all or any portion of the Trust Estate shall be commercially reasonable.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 9.16. Action on Notes. The Indenture Trustee’s right to seek and recover judgment on the Notes or under this Indenture shall not be affected by the seeking, obtaining or application of any other relief under or with respect to this Indenture. Neither the Lien of this Indenture nor any rights or remedies of the Indenture Trustee or the Noteholders shall be impaired by the recovery of any judgment by the Indenture Trustee against the Issuer or by the levy of any execution under such judgment upon any portion of the Trust Estate or upon any of the assets of the Issuer.

Section 9.17. Application of Proceeds Upon Foreclosure. Proceeds received by the Indenture Trustee in connection with a foreclosure of the Trust Estate and/or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral shall be distributed first, to the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of the Indenture Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Indenture Trustee under Section 7.07 and second, to the Class 1-A Noteholders and the Class 2-A Noteholders as follows: (i) with respect to accrued and unpaid Notes Interest Distribution Amounts, on a pro rata basis (based on amounts due) and (ii) with respect to Outstanding Note Balances of the Notes, on a pro rata basis (based on the Initial Percentage Interest Distribution Methodology). Prior to any foreclosure on the Trust Estate (including during the pendency of any such proceedings), all amounts distributed in respect of the Notes will be distributed as set forth in Section 5.07.

ARTICLE X

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 10.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Noteholder Approval. (a) Without the consent of the Noteholders, provided that (x) the Issuer shall have provided written notice to the Rating Agencies of such modification, (y) the Indenture Trustee shall have received an Opinion of Counsel that such modification is permitted under the terms of this Indenture and that all conditions precedent to the execution of such modification have been satisfied and (z) the Indenture Trustee shall have received a Tax Opinion, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, when authorized and directed by an Issuer Order, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more amendments or indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(i) to correct, amplify or add to the description of any property at any time subject to the Lien of this Indenture, or better to assure, convey and confirm unto the Indenture Trustee any property subject or required to be subjected to the Lien of this Indenture, or to subject to the Lien of this Indenture additional property; provided that such action pursuant to this clause (i) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Noteholders in any respect;

(ii) to evidence the succession of another Person to either the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee contained herein and in the Notes;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(iii) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein or to conform the provisions herein to the descriptions set forth in the Offering Circular;

(iv) to add to the covenants of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee, for the benefit of the Noteholders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer; or

(v) to effect any matter specified in Section 10.06.

(b) Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to this Section 10.01, the Indenture Trustee shall make available to the Noteholders and the Rating Agencies a copy of such supplemental indenture. Any failure of the Indenture Trustee to make available such copy shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment or supplemental indenture.

Section 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Noteholders. (a) With the prior written consent of each Noteholder affected thereby, prior written notice to the Rating Agencies and receipt by the Indenture Trustee of a Tax Opinion, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, when authorized and directed by an Issuer Order, at any time and from time to time, may enter into an amendment or a supplemental indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Noteholders under this Indenture for the following purposes:

(i) to change the Rated Final Maturity of any Note, or the due date of any payment of interest on any Note, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or the interest rate thereon, change the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which any Note or any interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of the payment of interest due on any Note on or after the due date thereof or for the enforcement of the payment of the entire remaining unpaid principal amount of any Note on or after the Rated Final Maturity thereof or change any provision of Article VI regarding the amounts payable upon any Issuer Voluntary Prepayment of the Notes;

(ii) to reduce the percentage of the Outstanding Note Balance of any Class of Notes, the consent of the Noteholders of which is required to approve any such supplemental indenture; or the consent of the Noteholders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with provisions of this Indenture, Events of Default under the Indenture or Servicer Termination Events under the Servicing Agreement and their consequences provided for in this Indenture or for any other purpose hereunder;

(iii) to modify any of the provisions of this Section 10.02;

(iv) to modify or alter the provisions of the proviso to the definition of the term “Outstanding”; or

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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(v) to permit the creation of any other Lien with respect to any part of the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral or terminate the Lien of this Indenture or the Lien of the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement on any property at any time subject hereto or, except with respect to any action which would not have a material adverse effect on any Noteholder (as certified by the Issuer), deprive the Noteholder of the security afforded by the Lien of this Indenture or the Lien of the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement.

(b) With the prior written consent of the Majority Noteholders, and receipt by the Indenture Trustee of a Tax Opinion, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, when authorized by an Issuer Order, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more amendments or indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee for the purpose of modifying, eliminating or adding to the provisions of this Indenture; provided that such supplemental indentures shall not have any of the effects described in paragraphs (i) through (v) of Section 10.02(a).

(c) Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to this Section 10.02, the Indenture Trustee shall make available to the Noteholders and the Rating Agencies a copy of such supplemental indenture. Any failure of the Indenture Trustee to make available such copy shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

(d) Whenever the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee solicits a consent to any amendment or supplement to this Indenture, the Issuer shall fix a record date in advance of the solicitation of such consent for the purpose of determining the Noteholders entitled to consent to such amendment or supplement. Only those Noteholders at such record date shall be entitled to consent to such amendment or supplement whether or not such Noteholders continue to be Holders after such record date.

Section 10.03. Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any amendment or supplemental indenture permitted by this Article X or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Indenture Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel (i) describing that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and (ii) in accordance with Section 3.06(a) hereof. The Indenture Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Indenture Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 10.04. Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture under this Article X, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Notes which have theretofore been or thereafter are authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 10.05. Reference in Notes to Amendments and Supplemental Indentures. Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article X may, and if required by the Issuer shall, bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Issuer shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Indenture Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Notes.

Section 10.06. Indenture Trustee to Act on Instructions. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary (other than Section 10.02), in the event the Indenture Trustee is uncertain as to the intention or application of any provision of this Indenture or any other agreement to which it is a party, or such intention or application is ambiguous as to its purpose or application, or is, or appears to be, in conflict with any other applicable provision thereof, or if this Indenture or any other agreement to which it is a party permits or does not prohibit any determination by the Indenture Trustee, or is silent or incomplete as to the course of action which the Indenture Trustee is required or is permitted or may be permitted to take with respect to a particular set of facts or circumstances, the Indenture Trustee shall, at the expense of the Issuer, be entitled to request and rely upon the following: (a) written instructions of the Issuer directing the Indenture Trustee to take certain actions or refrain from taking certain actions, which written instructions shall contain a certification that the taking of such actions or refraining from taking certain actions is in the best interest of the Noteholders and (b) prior written consent of the Majority Noteholders. In such case, the Indenture Trustee shall have no liability to the Issuer or the Noteholders for, and the Issuer shall hold harmless the Indenture Trustee from, any liability, costs or expenses arising from or relating to any action taken by the Indenture Trustee acting upon such instructions, and the Indenture Trustee shall have no responsibility to the Noteholders with respect to any such liability, costs or expenses. The Issuer shall provide a copy of such written instructions to the Rating Agencies.

ARTICLE XI

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01. Compliance Certificates and Opinions; Furnishing of Information. Upon any application or request by the Issuer to the Indenture Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture (except with respect to ordinary course actions under this Indenture and except as otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture), the Issuer at the request of the Indenture Trustee shall furnish to the Indenture Trustee a certificate describing that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel describing that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of certificates and Opinions of Counsel are specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or Opinion of Counsel need be furnished.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 12.02. Form of Documents Delivered to Indenture Trustee. (a) If several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

(b) Any certificate or opinion of an Authorized Officer of the Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by outside counsel, unless such Authorized Officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion or any Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Authorized Officer of any relevant Person, describing that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of such Person, unless such officer or counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Any Opinion of Counsel may be based on the written opinion of other counsel, in which event such Opinion of Counsel shall be accompanied by a copy of such other counsel’s opinion and shall include a statement to the effect that such counsel believes that such counsel and the Indenture Trustee may reasonably rely upon the opinion of such other counsel.

(c) Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, notices, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

(d) Wherever in this Indenture, in connection with any application or certificate or report to the Indenture Trustee, it is provided that the Issuer or the Servicer shall deliver any document as a condition of the granting of such application, or as evidence of the Issuer’s or the Servicer’s compliance with any term hereof, it is intended that the truth and accuracy, at the time of the granting of such application or at the effective date of such notice or report (as the case may be), of the facts and opinions stated in such document shall in such case be conditions precedent to the right of the Issuer to have such application granted or to the sufficiency of such notice or report. The foregoing shall not, however, be construed to affect the Indenture Trustee’s right to rely upon the truth and accuracy of any statement or opinion contained in any such document as provided in Section 7.01(b)(ii).

(e) Wherever in this Indenture it is provided that the absence of the occurrence and continuation of a Default, an Event of Default or Servicer Termination Event is a condition precedent to the taking of any action by the Indenture Trustee at the request or direction of the Issuer, then notwithstanding that the satisfaction of such condition is a condition precedent to the Issuer’s or the Indenture Trustee’s right to make such request or direction, the Indenture Trustee shall be protected in acting in accordance with such request or direction if a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee does not have actual knowledge of the occurrence and continuation of such Default, an Event of Default or Servicer Termination Event.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 12.03. Acts of Noteholders. (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Noteholders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Noteholders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Indenture Trustee, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Noteholders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01) conclusive in favor of the Indenture Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 12.03.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Whenever such execution is by an officer of a corporation or a member of a limited liability company or a partnership on behalf of such corporation, limited liability company or partnership, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.

(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Notes shall bind the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration or transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, with respect to anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Indenture Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Notes.

Section 12.04. Notices, Etc. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or act of Noteholders or other documents provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:

(a) the Indenture Trustee by any Noteholder or by the Issuer, shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, by facsimile transmission or electronic transmission in PDF format or overnight delivery service, postage prepaid, and received by, a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office listed below, or

(b) any other Person shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or by facsimile transmission, electronic transmission in PDF format or prepaid overnight delivery service at the address listed below or at any other address subsequently furnished in writing to the Indenture Trustee by the applicable Person.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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To the Indenture Trustee:    Wilmington Trust, National Association
   Rodney Square North
   1100 North Market Street
   Wilmington, Delaware 19890
   Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
   Phone: [***]
   Fax: [***]
To the Issuer:    Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC
   20 East Greenway Plaza, Suite 540
   Houston, Texas 77046
   Attention: Chief Financial Officer
   Email: [***]
   Phone: [***]
   Fax: [***]
with a copy to:    Sunnova Energy Corporation
   20 East Greenway Plaza, Suite 540
   Houston, Texas 77046
   Attention: Chief Financial Officer
   Email: [***]
   Phone: [***]
   Fax: [***]
To KBRA:    Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC
   805 Third Avenue, 29th Floor
   New York, New York 10022
   Attention: ABS Surveillance
   Email: [***]
   Phone: [***]
To Fitch:    Fitch Ratings, LLC
   70 W. Madison
   Chicago, Illinois 60602
   Attention: ABS Surveillance
   Phone: [***]
   Fax: [***]

Notices delivered to the Rating Agencies shall be by electronic delivery to the email address set forth above where information is available in electronic format. In addition, upon the written request of any beneficial owner of a Note, the Indenture Trustee shall provide to such beneficial owner copies of such notices, reports or other information delivered, in one or more of the means requested, by the Indenture Trustee hereunder to other Persons as such beneficial owner may reasonably request.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 12.05. Notices and Reports to Noteholders; Waiver of Notices. (a) Where this Indenture provides for notice to Noteholders of any event or the mailing of any report to the Noteholders, such notice or report shall be written and shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if mailed, first-class, postage-prepaid, to each Noteholder affected by such event or to whom such report is required to be mailed or sent via electronic mail, at the address or electronic mail address of such Noteholder as it appears on the Note Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice or the mailing of such report. In any case where a notice or report to Noteholders is mailed in the manner provided above, neither the failure to mail such notice or report, nor any defect in any notice or report so mailed, to any particular Noteholder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice or report with respect to other Noteholders, and any notice or report which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided.

(b) Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by any Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Noteholders shall be filed with the Indenture Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

(c) If, by reason of the suspension of regular mail service as a result of a strike, work stoppage or similar activity, it shall be impractical to mail notice of any event to the Noteholders when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.

(d) The Indenture Trustee shall promptly upon written request furnish to each Noteholder each Monthly Servicer Report and, unless directed to do so under any other provision of this Indenture or any other Transaction Document (in which case no request shall be necessary), a copy of all reports, financial statements and notices received by the Indenture Trustee pursuant to this Indenture and the other Transaction Documents, but only with the use of a password provided by the Indenture Trustee; provided, however, the Indenture Trustee shall have no obligation to provide such information described in this Section 12.05 until it has received the requisite information from the Issuer or the Servicer. The Indenture Trustee will make no representation or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of such documents and will assume no responsibility therefor. The Indenture Trustee’s internet website will initially be located at www.wilmingtontrustconnect.com or at such other address as the Indenture Trustee shall notify the parties to the Indenture from time to time. In connection with providing access to the Indenture Trustee’s website, the Indenture Trustee may require registration and the acceptance of a disclaimer. The Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for the dissemination of information in accordance with this Indenture.

Section 12.06. Rules by Indenture Trustee. The Indenture Trustee may make reasonable rules for any meeting of Noteholders.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 12.07. Issuer Obligation. Each of the Indenture Trustee and each Noteholder accepts that the enforcement against the Issuer under this Indenture and under the Notes shall be limited to the assets of the Issuer and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral, whether tangible or intangible, real or person (including the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral) and the proceeds thereof. No recourse may be taken, directly or indirectly, against (a) any member, manager, officer, employee, trustee, agent or director of the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lender or of any predecessor of the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lender, (b) any member, manager, beneficiary, officer, employee, trustee, agent, director or successor or assign of a holder of a member or limited liability company interest in the Issuer, or (c) any incorporator, subscriber to capital stock, stockholder, officer, director, employee or agent of the Indenture Trustee or any predecessor or successor thereof, with respect to the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the Notes or any of the statements, representations, covenants, warranties or obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture or any Note or other writing delivered in connection herewith or therewith.

Section 12.08. [Reserved].

Section 12.09. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Section and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 12.10. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 12.11. Separability; Entire Agreement. If any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as part of this Indenture, a provision as similar in its terms and purpose to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable. This Indenture reflects the entire agreement with respect to the matters covered by this Indenture and supersedes any prior agreements, commitments, drafts, communication, discussions and understandings, oral or written, with respect thereto.

Section 12.12. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any separate trustee or co-trustee appointed under Section 7.13 and the Noteholders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 12.13. Legal Holidays. If the date of any Payment Date or any other date on which principal of or interest on any Note is proposed to be paid or any date on which mailing of notices by the Indenture Trustee to any Person is required pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of the Notes or this Indenture) payment or mailing of such notice need not be made on such date, but may be made or mailed on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made or mailed on the nominal date of any such Payment Date or other date for the payment of principal of or interest on any Note, or as if mailed on the nominal date of such mailing, as the case may be, and in the case of payments, no interest shall accrue for the period from and after any such nominal date, provided such payment is made in full on such next succeeding Business Day.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 12.14. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) This Indenture and each Note shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the substantive laws of the State of New York (including New York General Obligations Laws §§ 5-1401 and 5-1402, but otherwise without regard to conflicts of law provisions thereof, except with regard to the UCC) applicable to agreements made and to be performed therein.

(b) The parties hereto agree to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Commercial Division, New York State Supreme Court, and federal courts in the borough of Manhattan in the City of New York in the State of New York.

(c) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH PARTY HERETO AND EACH NOTEHOLDER BY ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT OF TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BASED ON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS INDENTURE, ANY OTHER DOCUMENT IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ANY MATTER ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER.

Section 12.15. Electronic Signatures and Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts (including electronic PDF), each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement. This Indenture shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) an electronic signature that complies with the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, in each case to the extent applicable; (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature; provided, execution by electronic signature as contemplated in clause (i) shall be limited to instances of force majeure or other circumstances that make execution by such means necessary, unless the parties otherwise agree. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature of any other party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any notice provided for in this Indenture or any instrument required or permitted to be delivered hereunder, any party hereto receiving or relying upon such notice or instrument shall be entitled to request execution thereof by original manual signature as a condition to the effectiveness thereof.

Section 12.16. Recording of Indenture. If this Indenture is subject to recording in any appropriate public recording offices, the Issuer shall effect such recording at its expense in compliance with an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such recording is necessary either for the protection of the Noteholders or any other person secured hereunder or for the enforcement of any right or remedy granted to the Indenture Trustee under this Indenture or any other Transaction Document.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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Section 12.17. Further Assurances. The Issuer agrees to do and perform, from time to time, any and all acts and to execute any and all further instruments required or reasonably requested by the Indenture Trustee to effect more fully the purposes of this Indenture, including, without limitation, the execution of any financing statements or continuation statements relating to the Trust Estate for filing under the provisions of the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction.

Section 12.18. No Bankruptcy Petition Against the Issuer. The Indenture Trustee agrees (and each Noteholder and each Note Owner by its acceptance of a Note shall be deemed to agree) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all amounts payable with respect to the Notes, it will not institute against the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lender, or join any other Person in instituting against the Issuer or the Guaranteed Loan Lenders, any Insolvency Events or other Proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State of the United States. This Section 12.18 shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

Section 12.19. [Reserved].

Section 12.20. Rule 15Ga-1 Compliance.

(a) To the extent a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee receives a demand for the repurchase of a Solar Loan based on a breach of a representation or warranty made by Sunnova Hestia Holdings or the Depositor of such Solar Loan (each, a “Demand”), the Indenture Trustee agrees (i) if such Demand is in writing, promptly to forward such Demand to Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Manager, the Servicer and the Issuer, and (ii) if such Demand is oral, to instruct the requesting party to submit such Demand in writing to the Indenture Trustee and the Issuer.

(b) In connection with the repurchase of a Solar Loan pursuant to a Demand, any dispute with respect to a Demand, or the withdrawal or final rejection of a Demand by Sunnova Hestia Holdings or the Depositor of such Solar Loan, the Indenture Trustee agrees, to the extent a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee has actual knowledge thereof, promptly to notify the Issuer, the Manager and the Depositor, in writing.

(c) The Indenture Trustee will (i) notify the Issuer, the Manager and the Depositor as soon as practicable and in any event within three Business Days of the receipt thereof and in the manner set forth in Exhibit D hereof, of all Demands and provide to the Issuer any other information reasonably requested to facilitate compliance by it with Rule 15Ga-1 under the Exchange Act (“Rule 15Ga-1 Information”), and (ii) if requested in writing by the Issuer or the Depositor, provide a written certification no later than ten days following any calendar quarter or calendar year that the Indenture Trustee has not received any Demands for such period, or if Demands have been received during such period, that the Indenture Trustee has provided all the information reasonably requested under clause (i) above with respect to such Demands. For purposes of this Indenture, references to any calendar quarter shall mean the related preceding

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

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calendar quarter ending in January, April, July and October, as applicable. The Indenture Trustee has no duty or obligation to undertake any investigation or inquiry related to any repurchases of Solar Loans, or otherwise assume any additional duties or responsibilities, other than those express duties or responsibilities of the Indenture Trustee hereunder or under the Transaction Documents, and no such additional obligations or duties are otherwise implied by the terms of this Indenture. The Issuer has full responsibility for compliance with all related reporting requirements associated with the transaction completed by the Transaction Documents and for all interpretive issues regarding this information. If the Agent delivers notice pursuant to Section 12.22(c) of the Guaranteed Loan Agreement, then the Indenture Trustee shall not be required to deliver notice pursuant to Section 12.20(c) hereof.

Section 12.21. Multiple Roles. The parties expressly acknowledge and consent to Wilmington Trust, National Association, acting in multiple roles of Indenture Trustee, the Guaranteed Loan Agent, the Backup Servicer, the Transition Manager and the Note Registrar Wilmington Trust, National Association may, in such capacities, discharge its separate functions fully, without hindrance or regard to conflict of interest principles or other breach of duties to the extent that any such conflict or breach arises from the performance by Wilmington Trust, National Association of express duties set forth in this Indenture in any of such capacities, all of which defenses, claims or assertions are hereby expressly waived by the other parties hereto except in the case of negligence (other than errors in judgment), bad faith or willful misconduct by Wilmington Trust, National Association.

Section 12.22. PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with the Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements established under the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Title III of Pub. L. 107 56 (signed into law October 26, 2001) and its implementing regulations (collectively, USA PATRIOT Act), the Indenture Trustee in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Indenture Trustee. Each party hereby agrees that it shall provide the Indenture Trustee with such information as the Indenture Trustee may request from time to time in order to comply with any applicable requirements of the Patriot Act.

ARTICLE XIII

TERMINATION

Section 13.01. Termination of Indenture. (a) This Indenture shall terminate on the Termination Date. The Servicer shall promptly notify the Indenture Trustee in writing of any prospective termination pursuant to this Article XIII. Upon termination of the Indenture, the Liens in favor of the Indenture Trustee on the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral shall automatically terminate and the Indenture Trustee shall convey and transfer of all right, title and interest in and to the Trust Estate to the Issuer and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral to the Guaranteed Loan Lender.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

82


(b) Notice of any prospective termination (other than pursuant to Section 6.01(a) with respect to Issuer Voluntary Prepayments), specifying the Payment Date for payment of the final payment and requesting the surrender of the Notes for cancellation, shall be given promptly by the Indenture Trustee by letter to the Noteholders as of the applicable Record Date and the Rating Agencies upon the Indenture Trustee receiving written notice of such event from the Issuer or the Servicer. The Issuer shall give such notice to the Indenture Trustee not later than the 5th day of the month of the final Payment Date describing (i) the Payment Date upon which final payment of the Notes shall be made, (ii) the amount of any such final payment, and (iii) the location for presentation and surrender of the Notes. Surrender of the Notes that are Definitive Notes shall be a condition of payment of such final payment.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

 

83


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

SUNNOVA HESTIA II ISSUER, LLC, as Issuer
By  

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC Indenture

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Indenture Trustee

By  

/s/ Clarice Wright

Name:   Clarice Wright
Title:   Vice President

 

Signature Page to Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC Indenture

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED:
SUNNOVA ABS MANAGEMENT, LLC as Servicer
By  

/s/ Robert L. Lane

Name:   Robert L. Lane
Title:   Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC Indenture

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


ANNEX A

STANDARD DEFINITIONS

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.


FINAL

Annex A

Standard Definitions

Rules of Construction. In these Standard Definitions and with respect to the Transaction Documents (as defined below), (a) the meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms, (b) in any Transaction Document, the words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder” and similar words refer to such Transaction Document as a whole and not to any particular provisions of such Transaction Document, (c) any subsection, Section, Article, Annex, Schedule and Exhibit references in any Transaction Document are to such Transaction Document unless otherwise specified, (d) the term “documents” includes any and all documents, instruments, agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other writings, however evidenced (including electronically), (e) the term “including” is not limiting and (except to the extent specifically provided otherwise) shall mean “including (without limitation)”, (f) unless otherwise specified, in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” shall mean “from and including,” the words “to” and “until” each shall mean “to but excluding,” and the word “through” shall mean “to and including”, (g) the words “may” and “might” and similar terms used with respect to the taking of an action by any Person shall reflect that such action is optional and not required to be taken by such Person, and (h) references to an agreement or other document include references to such agreement or document as amended, restated, reformed, supplemented and/or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof.

“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including the rules and regulations thereunder.

“Account Property” means the Accounts and all proceeds of the Accounts, including, without limitation, all amounts and investments held from time to time in any Account (whether in the form of deposit accounts, book-entry securities, uncertificated securities, security entitlements (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(17) of the UCC as enacted in the State of New York), financial assets (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC), or any other investment property (as defined in Section 9-102(a)(49) of the UCC)).

“Accounts” means, collectively, the Notes Distribution Account, the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account, the Notes General Reserve Account and the Guarantor Payment Account.

“Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.03 of the Indenture.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person controlling or controlled by or under common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed to “control” another Person if the controlling Person owns 5% or more of any class of voting securities of the controlled Person or possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled Person, whether through ownership of stock, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. For purposes of any ERISA related representations, Affiliate shall refer to any entity under common control with such Person within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

-   -


“Agent Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a) of the Indenture.

“Aggregate Outstanding Note Balance” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of the Outstanding Note Balances of all Classes of Notes as of such date of determination.

“Anticipated Repayment Date” means the Payment Date occurring in June 2034.

“Applicable Law” means all applicable laws of any Governmental Authority, including, without limitation, laws relating to consumer finance and protection and any ordinances, judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs and orders or like actions of any Governmental Authority and rules and regulations of any federal, regional, state, county, municipal or other Governmental Authority.

“Applicable Procedures” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.08(a) of the Indenture.

“Authorized Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman, Co-Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President, any Assistant Vice President, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer or any other authorized officer of the Person who is authorized to act for the Person and whose name appears on a list of such authorized officers furnished by the Person to the Indenture Trustee (containing the specimen signature of such officers), as such list may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Available Funds” means, with respect to any Payment Date, all payments of interest and principal paid in respect of the Guaranteed Loan (including any payments by the Guarantor), any Permitted Equity Distribution and other amounts on deposit in the Notes Distribution Account.

“Backup Servicer” means Wilmington Trust in its capacity as the Backup Servicer under the Servicing Agreement.

“Bankruptcy Code” means the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. Section 101, et seq., as amended.

“Benefit Plan Investor” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07(c)(vi) of the Indenture.

“Book-Entry Notes” means a beneficial interest in the Notes, ownership and transfers of which shall be made through book entries by a Securities Depository as described in Section 2.02 of the Indenture.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 2 -


“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or any day which is a federal holiday or any day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

“Cash Contribution Agreement” means that certain contribution agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and between the Issuer and the Guaranteed Loan Lender.

“Class” means all of the Notes of a series having the same Rated Final Maturity, interest rate and designation.

“Class 1-A Noteholder” means a Noteholder of a Class 1-A Note.

“Class 1-A Notes” means the 5.63% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 1-A issued pursuant to the Indenture.

Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account” means the segregated trust account with that name established and maintained with the Indenture Trustee and in the name of the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders and maintained pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Indenture.

Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account Initial Deposit” means $[***].

Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account Required Balance” means, for any Payment Date, an amount equal to the product of (1) 1/3, (2) the Note Rate for the Class 1-A Notes and (3) the Aggregate Outstanding Note Balance as of such Payment Date. On and after the Payment Date on which the Aggregate Outstanding Note Balance of the Notes has been reduced to zero, the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account Required Balance will be equal to zero.

“Class 2-A Noteholder” means a Noteholder of a Class 2-A Note.

“Class 2-A Notes” means the 9.50% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 2-A issued pursuant to the Indenture.

“Clearstream” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a) of the Indenture.

“Closing Date” means the date on which the conditions set forth in Section 6 of the Note Purchase Agreement are satisfied and the Notes are issued, which date shall be June 5, 2024.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any successor or amendatory statutes.

“Contribution Agreement” means the Sale and Contribution Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Depositor, the Issuer, the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the Guaranteed Loan Borrower.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 3 -


“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Indenture Trustee at which its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office on the Closing Date shall be for note transfer purposes and for purposes of presentment and surrender of the Notes for the final distributions thereon, as well as for all other purposes, Wilmington Trust, National Association, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 19890, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or such other address as shall be designated by the Indenture Trustee in a written notice to the Issuer and the Servicer.

“Custodial Agreement” means that certain Custodial Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Custodian, the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, the Servicer and the Guaranteed Loan Agent.

Custodian” means U.S. Bank and its permitted successors and assigns.

“Default” means any event which results, or which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would result, in an Event of Default.

“Deferred Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c) of the Indenture.

“Definitive Notes” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(c) of the Indenture.

“Delivery” when used with respect to Account Property means:

(i)(A) with respect to bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper, negotiable certificates of deposit and other obligations that constitute “instruments” within the meaning of Section 9-102(a)(47) of the UCC, transfer thereof:

(1) by physical delivery to the Indenture Trustee, indorsed to, or registered in the name of, the Indenture Trustee or its nominee or indorsed in blank;

(2) by the Indenture Trustee continuously maintaining possession of such instrument; and

(3) by the Indenture Trustee continuously indicating by book-entry that such instrument is credited to the related Account;

(B) with respect to a “certificated security” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(4) of the UCC), transfer thereof:

(1) by physical delivery of such certificated security to the Indenture Trustee, provided that if the certificated security is in registered form, it shall be indorsed to, or registered in the name of, the Indenture Trustee or indorsed in blank;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 4 -


(2) by the Indenture Trustee continuously maintaining possession of such certificated security; and

(3) by the Indenture Trustee continuously indicating by book-entry that such certificated security is credited to the related Account;

(C) with respect to any security issued by the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National Mortgage Association that is a book-entry security held through the Federal Reserve System pursuant to Federal book entry regulations, the following procedures, all in accordance with Applicable Law, including applicable federal regulations and Articles 8 and 9 of the UCC, transfer thereof:

(1) by (x) book-entry registration of such property to an appropriate book-entry account maintained with a Federal Reserve Bank by a securities intermediary which is also a “depositary” pursuant to applicable federal regulations and issuance by such securities intermediary of a deposit advice or other written confirmation of such book-entry registration to the Indenture Trustee of the purchase by the securities intermediary on behalf of the Indenture Trustee of such book-entry security; the making by such securities intermediary of entries in its books and records identifying such book-entry security held through the Federal Reserve System pursuant to Federal book-entry regulations as belonging to the Indenture Trustee and continuously indicating that such securities intermediary holds such book-entry security solely as agent for the Indenture Trustee or (y) continuous book-entry registration of such property to a book-entry account maintained by the Indenture Trustee with a Federal Reserve Bank; and

(2) by the Indenture Trustee continuously indicating by book-entry that property is credited to the related Account;

(D) with respect to any asset in the Accounts that is an “uncertificated security” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(18) of the UCC) and that is not governed by clause (C) above or clause (E) below:

(1) transfer thereof:

(a) by registration to the Indenture Trustee as the registered owner thereof, on the books and records of the issuer thereof; or

(b) by another Person (not a securities intermediary) who either becomes the registered owner of the uncertificated security on behalf of the Indenture Trustee, or having become the registered owner, acknowledges that it holds for the Indenture Trustee; or

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 5 -


(2) the issuer thereof has agreed that it will comply with instructions originated by the Indenture Trustee with respect to such uncertificated security without further consent of the registered owner thereof; or

(E) in the case of each security in the custody of or maintained on the books of a clearing corporation (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(5) of the UCC) or its nominee, by causing:

(1) the relevant clearing corporation to credit such security to a securities account of the Indenture Trustee at such clearing corporation; and

(2) the Indenture Trustee to continuously indicate by book-entry that such security is credited to the related Account;

(F) with respect to a “security entitlement” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(17) of the UCC) to be transferred to or for the benefit of a collateral agent and not governed by clauses (C) or (E) above: if a securities intermediary (1) indicates by book entry that the underlying “financial asset” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC) has been credited to be the Indenture Trustee’s “securities account” (as defined in Section 8-501(a) of the UCC), (2) receives a financial asset from the Indenture Trustee or acquires the underlying financial asset for the Indenture Trustee, and in either case, accepts it for credit to the Indenture Trustee’s securities account or (3) becomes obligated under other law, regulation or rule to credit the underlying financial asset to the Indenture Trustee’s securities account, the making by the securities intermediary of entries on its books and records continuously identifying such security entitlement as belonging to the Indenture Trustee; and continuously indicating by book-entry that such securities entitlement is credited to the Indenture Trustee’s securities account; and by the Indenture Trustee continuously indicating by book-entry that such security entitlement (or all rights and property of the Indenture Trustee representing such securities entitlement) is credited to the related Account; and/or

(ii) In the case of any such asset, such additional or alternative procedures as are now or may hereafter become appropriate to effect the complete transfer of ownership of, or control over, any such assets in the Accounts to the Indenture Trustee free and clear of any adverse claims, consistent with changes in Applicable Law or the interpretation thereof.

In each case of Delivery contemplated by the Indenture, the Indenture Trustee shall make appropriate notations on its records, and shall cause the same to be made on the records of its nominees, indicating that securities are held in trust pursuant to and as provided in the Indenture.

“Depositor” means Sunnova Hestia II Depositor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 6 -


“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation and its successors and assigns.

“Eligible Account” means a segregated trust account or accounts, which account(s) is governed by Title 12 section 9.10(b) of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, or a similar U.S. state law, and which is maintained with or by the trust department of a federal or State chartered depository institution, having capital and surplus of not less than $[***], acting in its fiduciary capacity, and acceptable to each Rating Agency.

“Eligible Investments” means any one or more of the following obligations or securities:

(i) (A) direct interest-bearing obligations of, and interest-bearing obligations guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by, the United States or any agency or instrumentality of the United States the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; (B) direct interest-bearing obligations of, and interest-bearing obligations guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by, the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, but only if, at the time of investment, such obligations are assigned the highest credit rating by S&P and Fitch; and (C) evidence of ownership of a proportionate interest in specified obligations described in (A) and/or (B) above;

(ii) demand, time deposits, money market deposit accounts, certificates of deposit of, and federal funds sold by, depository institutions or trust companies (including the Indenture Trustee acting in its commercial capacity) incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof (or domestic branches of foreign banks), subject to supervision and examination by federal or state banking or depository institution authorities, and having, at the time of the Issuer’s investment or contractual commitment to invest therein, a short term unsecured debt rating of “[***]” by S&P and “[***]” by Fitch, and a maturity of no more than 365 days;

(iii) securities bearing interest or sold at a discount issued by any corporation incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which have a rating of no less than “[***]” by S&P and “[***]” or “[***]” by Fitch and a maturity of no more than 365 days;

(iv) commercial paper (including both non-interest bearing discount obligations and interest-bearing obligations payable on demand or on a specified date not more than one year after the closing date thereof) of any corporation (other than the Issuer, but including the Indenture Trustee, acting in its commercial capacity), incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof, that, at the time of the investment or contractual commitment to invest therein, a rating of “[***]” by S&P and “[***]” or “[***]” by Fitch, and a maturity of no more than 365 days;

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 7 -


(v) money market mutual funds, including, without limitation, those of the Indenture Trustee or any Affiliate thereof, or any other mutual funds registered under the 1940 Act which invest only in other Eligible Investments, having a rating, at the time of such investment, in the highest rating category by S&P and Fitch, including any fund for which the Indenture Trustee or an Affiliate thereof serves as an investment advisor, administrator, shareholder servicing agent, and/or custodian or subcustodian, notwithstanding that (A) the Indenture Trustee or an Affiliate thereof, charges and collects fees and expenses from such funds for services rendered, (B) the Indenture Trustee or an affiliate thereof, charges and collects fees and expenses for services rendered under the Transaction Documents and (C) services performed for such funds and pursuant to the Transaction Documents may converge at any time;

(vi) repurchase agreements with respect to obligations of, or guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof when such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America; provided, however, that the unsecured obligations of the party agreeing to repurchase such obligations at the time have a credit rating of no less than “[***]” by S&P and “[***]” or “[***]” by Fitch and a maturity of no more than 365 days; and

(vii) any investment agreement (including guaranteed investment certificates, forward delivery agreements, repurchase agreements or similar obligations) with an entity which on the date of acquisition has a credit rating of no less than “[***]” by S&P and

“[***]” or “[***]” by Fitch and a maturity of no more than 365 days.

The Indenture Trustee, or an Affiliate thereof may charge and collect such fees from such funds as are collected customarily for services rendered to such funds (but not to exceed investments earnings thereon).

The Indenture Trustee may purchase from or sell to itself or an Affiliate, as principal or agent, the Eligible Investments listed above. All Eligible Investments in an Account shall be made in the name of the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the Noteholders.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended or supplemented.

“Euroclear” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a) of the Indenture.

“EUWA” means the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended.

“Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01 of the Indenture.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 8 -


“Excluded Collateral” means (i) any assets acquired by the Issuer pursuant to the Contribution Agreement (including, any Solar Loans acquired from the Depositor thereunder or Solar Loans repurchased by the Issuer (for distribution to the Depositor) from the Guaranteed Loan Lender pursuant to the terms thereof), (ii) proceeds received from the Guaranteed Loan Lender representing the cash purchase price of the Solar Loans sold by the Issuer to the Guaranteed Loan Lender pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, (iii) net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes (to the extent not deposited into the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account and the Notes General Reserve Account), (iv) Permitted Equity Contribution Amounts and (v) any other assets of the Issuer that are required to be transferred or conveyed to either the Guaranteed Loan Lender or the Guaranteed Loan Borrower on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the Guaranteed Loan Documents.

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreements entered into in connection with any of the foregoing and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any such intergovernmental agreement, and any amendments made to any of the foregoing after the date of the Indenture.

“FATCA Withholding Tax” means any withholding or deduction made pursuant to FATCA in respect of any payment.

“Financing Statements” means, collectively, the Issuer Financing Statement and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Financing Statement.

“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc. and its successors and assigns.

“Force Majeure Event” means any event or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of and without the fault or negligence of the Person claiming Force Majeure. It shall include, without limitation, failure or interruption of the production, delivery or acceptance of electricity due to: an act of god; war (declared or undeclared); sabotage; riot; insurrection; civil unrest or disturbance; military or guerilla action; terrorism; economic sanction or embargo; civil strike, work stoppage, slow-down, or lock-out; explosion; fire; epidemic; pandemic; earthquake; abnormal weather condition or actions of the elements; hurricane; flood; lightning; wind; drought; the binding order of any Governmental Authority (provided that such order has been resisted in good faith by all reasonable legal means); the failure to act on the part of any Governmental Authority (provided that such action has been timely requested and diligently pursued); unavailability of electricity from the utility grid, equipment, supplies or products (but not to the extent that any such availability of any of the foregoing results from the failure of the Person claiming Force Majeure to have exercised reasonable diligence); and failure of equipment not utilized by or under the control of the Person claiming Force Majeure.

“GAAP” means (i) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, consistently applied and (ii) upon mutual agreement of the parties, internationally recognized generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, the Regulation S Permanent Global Note and the Rule 144A Global Note.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 9 -


“Governmental Authority” means any national, State or local government (whether domestic or foreign), any political subdivision thereof or any other governmental, quasi-governmental, judicial, public or statutory instrumentality, authority, body, agency, bureau or entity, (including any zoning authority, the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission, the relevant State commissions, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Comptroller of the Currency or the Federal Reserve Board, any central bank or any comparable authority) or any arbitrator with authority to bind a party at law.

“Grant” means to pledge, create and grant a Lien on and with regard to property. A Grant of any other instrument shall include all rights, powers and options of the granting party thereunder, including without limitation the immediate and continuing right following the exercise of such Lien to claim for, collect, receive and give receipts for principal and interest payments in respect of such collateral and all other moneys payable thereunder, to give and receive notices and other communications, to make waivers or other agreements, to exercise all rights and options, to bring proceedings in the name of the granting party or otherwise, and generally to do and receive anything which the granting party is or may be entitled to do or receive thereunder or with respect thereto.

“Guarantee Issuance Agreement” means that certain Guarantee Issuance Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Guarantor, the Guaranteed Loan Lender, the Guaranteed Loan Borrower and the Guaranteed Loan Agent.

Guaranteed Excess Interest Amounts” has the meaning set forth in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

Guaranteed Interest Amount” has the meaning set forth in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

“Guaranteed Interest Amounts (Loan Component 1)” has the meaning ascribed to “Guaranteed Interest Amounts (Component 1)” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

“Guaranteed Loan” means the term loan evidenced by the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

“Guaranteed Loan Agent” means Wilmington Trust, until a successor Person shall have become the Guaranteed Loan Agent pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Guaranteed Loan Agreement, and thereafter “Guaranteed Loan Agent “ means such successor Person in its capacity as agent.

“Guaranteed Loan Agreement” means that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, the Guaranteed Loan Agent, the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the Guarantor.

“Guaranteed Loan Borrower” means Sunnova Hestia II Borrower, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 10 -


“Guaranteed Loan Borrower Event of Default” has the meaning ascribed to “Event of Default” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

“Guaranteed Loan Borrower Priority of Payments” has the meaning ascribed to “Priority of Payments” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

Guaranteed Loan Borrower Voluntary Prepayment” has the meaning ascribed to “Voluntary Prepayment” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

Guaranteed Loan Collateral” has the meaning ascribed to “Collateral” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

Guaranteed Loan Controlling Party” has the meaning ascribed to “Controlling Party” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

Guaranteed Loan Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” has the meaning ascribed to “Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

“Guaranteed Loan Documents” has the meaning ascribed to “Loan Documents” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

“Guaranteed Loan Lender” means Sunnova Hestia II Lender, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral” has the meaning set forth in the Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement.

“Guaranteed Loan Lender Distributions” means all distributions to be made by the Guaranteed Loan Lender to the Issuer.

“Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement” means the security agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by the Guaranteed Loan Lender in favor of the Indenture Trustee.

“Guaranteed Loan Lender Membership Interests” means all right, title and interest of the member (as defined in the limited liability company agreement of the Guaranteed Loan Lender) in the Guaranteed Loan Lender, including, without limitation, (i) the right to manage the business and affairs of the Guaranteed Loan Lender, to vote on, consent to or approve matters requiring the vote, consent or approval of the members of the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the right to dissolve the Guaranteed Loan Lender, (ii) the right to distributions from the Guaranteed Loan Lender and the right to allocations of profits or losses, the “limited liability company interest” (as defined in Section 18-101(10) of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act), and (iii) status as a “member” (as defined in Section 18-101(13) of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act) of the Guaranteed Loan Lender.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 11 -


Guaranteed Loan Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” has the meaning ascribed to “Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

Guaranteed Principal Amount” has the meaning set forth in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

“Guarantor” means the United States Department of Energy.

“Guarantor Payment Account” means the segregated trust account with the name established and maintained with the Indenture Trustee and in the name of the Guaranteed Loan Lender on behalf of the Guaranteed Loan Lender and maintained pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Indenture.

“Holder” means a Noteholder.

“Indenture” means the indenture between the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, dated as of the Closing Date, as supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental thereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions thereof.

“Indenture Trustee” means Wilmington Trust, until a successor Person shall have become the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture, and thereafter “Indenture Trustee” means such successor Person in its capacity as indenture trustee.

“Indenture Trustee Fee” means, for each Payment Date (in accordance with and subject to the Guaranteed Loan Borrower Priority of Payments) an amount equal to $[***].

“Independent Accountant” means a nationally recognized firm of public accountants selected by the Servicer; provided that such firm is independent with respect to the Servicer within the meaning of the Securities Act.

“Initial Outstanding Note Balance” means for the Class 1-A Notes and the Class 2-A Notes, $152,010,000 and $16,890,000, respectively.

Initial Percentage Interest Distribution Methodology” has the meaning set forth in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

“Initial Purchaser” means each of SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. and Citigroup Global Capital Markets Inc. and their respective successors and assigns.

“Initial Solar Loans” means the Solar Loans conveyed to the Guaranteed Loan Borrower on the Closing Date pursuant to the Contribution Agreement.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 12 -


“Insolvency Event” means, with respect to a specified person, (a) the filing of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of such person or any substantial part of its property in an involuntary case under the bankruptcy code or any other applicable insolvency law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official for such person or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of such person’s affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) days; or (b) the commencement by such person of a voluntary case under any applicable insolvency law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by such person to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by such person to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official for such person or for any substantial part of its property, or the making by such person of any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure by such person generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the taking of action by such person in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

“Interest Accrual Period” means for any Payment Date, the period from and including the immediately preceding Payment Date to but excluding such Payment Date and in each case will be deemed to be a period of 30 days, except that the Interest Accrual Period for the first Payment Date shall be the number of days (assuming twelve 30-day months) from and including the Closing Date to, but excluding, the first Payment Date.

“Issuer” means Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“Issuer Financing Statement” means a UCC-1 financing statement naming the Indenture Trustee as the secured party and the Issuer as the debtor.

“Issuer Operating Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Issuer dated the Closing Date.

“Issuer Order” means a written order or request signed in the name of the Issuer by an Authorized Officer and delivered to the Indenture Trustee.

“Issuer Pass-Through Distributions” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.07 of the Indenture.

Issuer Secured Obligations” means all amounts and obligations which the Issuer may at any time owe to or on behalf of the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the Noteholders under the Indenture or the Notes.

“Issuer Voluntary Prepayment” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture.

“Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture.

“KBRA” means Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC, and its successors and assigns.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 13 -


Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, easement or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected or effective under Applicable Law.

Loan Component 1” has the meaning ascribed to “Component 1” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

Loan Component 1 Guaranteed Loan Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” means the Guaranteed Loan Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts payable with respect to Loan Component 1.

Loan Component 1 Guaranteed Loan Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” means the Guaranteed Loan Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts payable with respect to Loan Component 1.

Loan Component 1 Interest Distribution Amount” has the meaning ascribed to “Component 1 Interest Distribution Amount” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

Loan Component 2” has the meaning ascribed to “Component 2” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

Loan Component 2 Guaranteed Loan Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” means the Guaranteed Loan Deferred Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts payable with respect to Loan Component 2.

Loan Component 2 Guaranteed Loan Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” means the Guaranteed Loan Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts payable with respect to Loan Component 2.

Loan Component 2 Interest Distribution Amount” has the meaning ascribed to “Component 2 Interest Distribution Amount” in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

“Majority Noteholders” means Noteholders representing greater than 50% of the aggregate Outstanding Note Balance of the Notes then Outstanding.

“Management Agreement” means that certain management agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Manager, Transition Manager and the Guaranteed Loan Borrower.

“Manager” means Sunnova Management as the initial Manager or any other replacement manager.

“Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to any Person, any event or circumstance, individually or in the aggregate, having a material adverse effect on any of the following: (i) the business, property, operations or financial condition of such Person or the Trust Estate, (ii) the ability of such Person to perform its respective obligations under the Transaction Documents (including the obligation to make any payments) or (iii) the priority or enforceability of any Lien in favor of the Indenture Trustee.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 14 -


“Minimum Denomination” means (i) with respect to any Class 1-A Note, one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) and (ii) with respect to any Class 2-A Note, two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000).

“Monthly Servicer Report” means a report substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit D of the Servicing Agreement, delivered pursuant to the Servicing Agreement.

New York UCC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(g)(ii)(F) of the Indenture.

“Note” or “Notes” means, collectively, the 5.63% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 1-A and the 9.50% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 2-A, issued pursuant to the Indenture.

“Note Depository Agreement” means the letter of representations dated the Closing Date, by the Issuer to DTC, as the initial Securities Depository, relating to the Book-Entry Notes.

“Note Owner” means, with respect to a Book-Entry Note, the Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book-Entry Note, as reflected on the books of the Securities Depository or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with such Securities Depository (directly as a Securities Depository Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance with the rules of such Securities Depository) or the Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book-Entry Note, as reflected in the Note Register in accordance with Section 2.07 of the Indenture.

“Note Purchase Agreement” means that certain note purchase agreement dated May 22, 2024, among the Issuer, the Depositor, Sunnova Energy, the Initial Purchasers and the Structuring Agent.

“Note Rate” means for the Class 1-A Notes and the Class 2-A Notes, an annual rate of 5.63%, and 9.50%, respectively.

“Note Register” and “Note Registrar” have the meanings set forth in Section 2.07 of the Indenture.

“Noteholder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered in the Note Register.

Noteholder FATCA Information” means information sufficient to eliminate the imposition of, or determine the amount of FATCA Withholding Tax.

Noteholder Tax Identification Information” means properly completed, duly executed and valid tax certifications (generally, in the case of U.S. federal income tax, IRS Form W-9 (or applicable successor form) in the case of a person that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or the appropriate IRS Form W-8 (or applicable successor form) in the case of a person that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 15 -


“Notes Distribution Account” means the segregated trust account with that name established with the Indenture Trustee (or such successor bank, if applicable) in the name of the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders and maintained pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Indenture.

Notes General Reserve Account” means the segregated trust account with that name established and maintained with the Indenture Trustee and in the name of the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders and maintained pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Indenture.

Notes General Reserve Account Initial Deposit” means $[***].

“Notes Interest Distribution Amount” means with respect to each Class of Notes and any Payment Date, an amount equal to the sum of (a) interest accrued during the related Interest Accrual Period at the related Note Rate on the Outstanding Note Balance of such Class of Notes immediately prior to such Payment Date and (b) the amount of unpaid Notes Interest Distribution Amount for such Class of Notes from prior Payment Dates plus, to the extent permitted by law, interest thereon at the related Note Rate. The Notes Interest Distribution Amount for the Class 1-A Notes and the Class 2-A Notes are sometimes referred to herein as the “Class 1-A Notes Interest Distribution Amount” and the “Class 2-A Notes Interest Distribution Amount”, respectively.

Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c) of the Indenture.

Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Rate” means, for a Class of Notes, an annual rate determined by the Servicer to be the greater of (i) [***]%; and (ii) the amount, if any, by which the sum of the following exceeds the related Note Rate: (A) the yield to maturity (adjusted to a “mortgage equivalent basis” pursuant to the standards and practices of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association) on the Anticipated Repayment Date of the United States Treasury Security having a term closest to ten years, plus (B) [***]%, plus (C) the related Notes Post-ARD Spread.

Notes Post-ARD Spread” means for the Class 1-A Notes and the Class 2-A Notes, [***]% and [***]%, respectively.

“Notice of Issuer Voluntary Prepayment” means the notice in the form of Exhibit C to the Indenture.

“NRSRO” means a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

“Offering Circular” means that certain confidential offering circular dated May 22, 2024 related to the Notes.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 16 -


“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer or a Responsible Officer, as the case may be.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel who may be outside counsel for the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee or other counsel and who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee, which shall comply with any applicable requirements of Section 12.02 of the Indenture and which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee.

“Outstanding” means, as of any date of determination, all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered under the Indenture except:

(i) Notes theretofore canceled by the Note Registrar or delivered to the Note Registrar for cancellation;

(ii) Notes or portions thereof for whose payment money in the necessary amount in redemption thereof has been theretofore deposited with the Indenture Trustee in trust for the Holders of such Notes;

(iii) Notes in exchange for or in lieu of which other Notes have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the Indenture; and

(iv) Notes alleged to have been destroyed, lost or stolen for which replacement Notes have been issued as provided for in Section 2.09 of the Indenture unless proof satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee is presented that any such Notes are held by a bona fide purchaser;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Noteholders of the requisite percentage of the Outstanding Note Balance have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Notes owned by Sunnova Energy, the Issuer or an Affiliate thereof shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Indenture Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, or waiver, only Notes which the Indenture Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Indenture Trustee, in its sole discretion, the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not Sunnova Energy, the Issuer or an Affiliate thereof.

“Outstanding Note Balance” means, with respect to any Class of Notes, as of any date of determination, the Initial Outstanding Note Balance of such Class of Notes, less the sum of all principal payments (including any portion of Issuer Voluntary Prepayments attributable to principal payments) actually distributed to the Noteholders of such Class of Notes as of such date.

“Ownership Interest” means, with respect to any Note, any ownership interest in such Note, including any interest in such Note as the Noteholder thereof and any other interest therein, whether direct or indirect, legal or beneficial.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 17 -


“Payment Date” means the 20th day of each calendar month during which any of the Notes remain Outstanding, beginning in July 2024; provided, however, that if any such day is not a Business Day, then the payments due thereon shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day.

“Perfection UCCs” means, with respect to the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral and, in each case, the property related thereto, (i) the date-stamped copy of the filed Issuer Financing Statement covering the Trust Estate, (ii) the date-stamped copy of the filed Guaranteed Loan Lender Financing Statement covering the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral and (iii) the date-stamped copy of the filed Termination Statements releasing the Liens held by creditors of Sunnova Energy, its Affiliates or any other Person (other than as expressly contemplated by the Transaction Documents) covering such property, or, in the case of (iii) above, a copy of search results performed and certified by a national search company indicating that such Termination Statements have been filed in the UCC filing offices of the States in which the Financing Statements being terminated were originally filed.

Performance Guarantor” means Sunnova Energy in its capacity as Performance Guarantor under the Performance Guaranty.

“Performance Guaranty” means the performance guaranty, dated as of the Closing Date, made by the Performance Guarantor in favor of the Guaranteed Loan Borrower and the Guaranteed Loan Agent.

Permitted Equity Contribution Amount” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Permitted Equity Distribution” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

Permitted Liens” means (i) any lien for taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies not yet due and payable, already paid or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (ii) any other lien or encumbrance arising under or permitted by the Transaction Documents or the Guaranteed Loan Documents.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, joint stock company, trust (including any beneficiary thereof), unincorporated organization or Governmental Authority.

“Placed Notes” means certain Class 2-A Notes sold directly by the Issuer pursuant to the Placed Note Purchase Agreement.

“Placed Notes Purchase Agreement” means that certain note purchase agreement, dated May 22, 2024 by and among the Issuer, the Depositor, Sunnova Energy and IPCC Fund, L.P., as purchaser.

“Predecessor Notes” means, with respect to any particular Note, every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and, for the purpose of this definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.09 of the Indenture in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Note.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 18 -


“Prepayment Amount” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit C of the Indenture.

“Prepayment Lockout Period” means the period from and including the Closing Date through and including the Payment Date occurring in December 2029.

“Principal Distribution Amount” has the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

“Proceeding” means any suit in equity, action at law or other judicial or administrative proceeding.

“QIB” means qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A.

“Rated Final Maturity” means the Payment Date occurring in July 2051.

“Rating Agency” or “Rating Agencies” means any of or all of KBRA and Fitch, as the context may require.

“Record Date” means, with respect to any Payment Date or Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date, (i) for Notes in book-entry form, the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such Payment Date or Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date, and (ii) for Definitive Notes the close of business on the last Business Day of the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which such Payment Date or Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date occurs.

“Regulation S” means Regulation S, as amended, promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S Global Note” means the Regulation S Temporary Global Note or the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as appropriate.

Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means the permanent global note, evidencing Notes, in the form of the Note attached to the Indenture as Exhibit A, that is deposited with and registered in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee, representing the Notes sold in reliance on Regulation S.

“Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a single temporary global note, evidencing Notes, in the form of the Note attached to the Indenture as Exhibit A, that is deposited with and registered in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee, representing the Notes sold in reliance on Regulation S.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 19 -


“Responsible Officer” means when used with respect to (i) the Indenture Trustee, any President, Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer or Corporate Trust Officer, or any other officer in the Corporate Trust Office customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and (ii) any Person other than the Indenture Trustee that is not an individual, the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Treasurer, any Vice President, Assistant Vice President or the Controller of such Person, or any other officer or employee having similar functions.

“Rule 144A” means the rule designated as “Rule 144A” promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.

“Rule 144A Global Note” means the permanent global note, evidencing Notes, in the form of the Note attached to the Indenture as Exhibit A, that is deposited with and registered in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee, representing (i) the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A and (ii) the Placed Notes.

“Rule 17g-5” means Rule 17g-5 under the Exchange Act.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a business unit of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC, and its successors and assigns.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Securities Depository” means an organization registered as a “Securities Depository” pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

“Securities Depository Participant” means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Securities Depository effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Securities Depository.

“SEI” means Sunnova Energy International Inc., a Delaware corporation.

“Servicer” means Sunnova Management in its capacity as the Servicer under the Servicing Agreement and any replacement servicer pursuant to the Servicing Agreement.

“Servicing Agreement” means that certain servicing agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Guaranteed Loan Borrower, the Servicer and the Backup Servicer.

“Servicer Termination Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 of the Servicing Agreement.

“Similar Law” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07(c)(vi) of the Indenture.

“Solar Loan” has the meaning set forth in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

“State” means any one or more of the states comprising the United States and the District of Columbia.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 20 -


“Structuring Agent” means ATLAS SP Securities, a division of Apollo Global Securities, LLC.

“Sunnova Energy” means Sunnova Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

“Sunnova Hestia Holdings” means Sunnova Hestia Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“Sunnova Intermediate Holdings” means Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“Sunnova Management” means Sunnova ABS Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“Super-Majority Noteholders” means Noteholders representing not less than 66-2/3% of the aggregate Outstanding Note Balance of the Notes then Outstanding.

“Tax” (and, with correlative meaning, “Taxes” and “Taxable”) means:

(i) any taxes, customs, duties, charges, fees, levies, penalties or other assessments imposed by any federal, state, local or foreign taxing authority, including, but not limited to, income, gross receipts, windfall profit, severance, property, production, sales, use, license, excise, franchise, net worth, employment, occupation, payroll, withholding, social security, alternative or add-on minimum, ad valorem, transfer, stamp, unclaimed property or environmental tax, or any other tax, custom, duty, fee, levy or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount attributable thereto; and

(ii) any liability for the payment of amounts with respect to payment of a type described in clause (i), including as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group, as a result of succeeding to such liability as a result of merger, conversion or asset transfer or as a result of any obligation under any tax sharing arrangement or tax indemnity agreement, but excluding any liability arising under any commercial agreement the primary purpose of which does not relate to Taxes.

“Tax Opinion” means an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that an amendment or modification of the Indenture will not materially adversely affect the federal income tax characterization of any Note, or adversely affect the federal tax classification status of the Issuer.

“Tax Return” means any return, report or similar statement required to be filed with respect to any Taxes (including attached schedules), including any information return, claim for refund, amended return or declaration of estimated Tax.

Termination Date” means the date on which the Indenture Trustee shall have received payment and performance of all Issuer Secured Obligations.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 21 -


“Termination Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(l) of the Indenture.

“Transaction Documents” means, collectively, the Indenture, Guaranteed Loan Lender Security Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Cash Contribution Agreement, the Note Purchase Agreement, the Placed Note Purchase Agreement, the Servicing Agreement and the Note Depository Agreement and any other agreements, instruments, certificates or documents delivered thereunder or in connection therewith.

“Transfer” means any direct or indirect transfer or sale of any Ownership Interest in a Note.

“Transfer Date” has the meaning set forth in the Guaranteed Loan Agreement.

“Transferee” means any Person who is acquiring by Transfer any Ownership Interest in a Note.

“Transition Manager” means Wilmington Trust in its capacity as the transition manager under the Management Agreement.

“Trust Estate” means all property and rights of the Issuer Granted to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the Granting Clause of the Indenture for the benefit of the Noteholders.

“U.S. Bank” means U.S. Bank National Association.

“U.S. Risk Retention Rules” means the final rules, which require a “sponsor” of a securitization transaction (or a majority-owned affiliate of the sponsor) to retain a portion of the credit risk of the asset-backed securities transaction, adopted in October 2014 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the Department of the Treasury, the SEC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to implement the credit risk retention requirements of Section 15G of the Exchange Act as added by Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Act.

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of New York or in any other State having jurisdiction over the assignment, transfer and pledge of the Trust Estate from the Issuer to the Indenture Trustee and the assignment, transfer and pledge of the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral from the Guaranteed Loan Lender to the Indenture Trustee.

“Underwritten Notes” means the Notes sold by the Issuer to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement.

“Vice President” means, with respect to Sunnova Energy, any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president.”

“Wilmington Trust” means Wilmington Trust, National Association.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

- 22 -


EXHIBIT A-1

FORM OF CLASS 1-A NOTE

Note Number: [__]

Unless this Global Note is presented by an authorized representative of the Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to the Issuer or its Agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any global note issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC) any transfer, pledge or other use hereof for value or otherwise by or to any person is wrongful inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

Transfers of this Global Note shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to nominees of DTC or to a successor thereof or such successor’s nominee and transfers of portions of this Global Note shall be limited to transfers made in accordance with the restrictions set forth in the Indenture referred to herein.

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED OR QUALIFIED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ANY FOREIGN SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE OR INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

EACH PURCHASER AND TRANSFEREE (AND IF THE PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE IS A BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR OR PLAN SUBJECT TO SIMILAR LAW, ITS FIDUCIARY) BY ITS PURCHASE OF THIS NOTE OR INTEREST HEREIN IS DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (1) IT IS NOT, AND IS NOT ACQUIRING THE NOTE OR INTEREST THEREIN FOR, ON BEHALF OF, OR WITH THE ASSETS OF, ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”) THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA OR ANY “PLAN” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 4975(E)(1) OF THE CODE THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR ANY ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE PLAN ASSETS BY REASON OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN’S OR PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN SUCH ENTITY (EACH A “BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR”), OR ANY PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO ANY LAW SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1-1


THE CODE (“SIMILAR LAW”), OR (2) IF PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE IS A BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR OR A PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO SIMILAR LAW, THE PURCHASE, HOLDING AND DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE OR INTEREST HEREIN DOES NOT RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A VIOLATION OF SIMILAR LAW AND WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH ANY APPLICABLE FIDUCIARY DUTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED UPON THE PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE.

THE HOLDER OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS NOTE AND ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY ONLY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN MINIMUM DENOMINATIONS OF $100,000 AND IN INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF, AND ONLY (I) IN THE U.S. TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A (ACTING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AND NOT FOR THE ACCOUNT OF OTHERS, OR AS A FIDUCIARY OR AGENT FOR OTHER QIBS TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE SALE, PLEDGE OR TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A), (II) OUTSIDE THE U.S. IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE AND EVIDENCED BY AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER AND THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE), IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE U.S. AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO ABOVE. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING RESTRICTION, ANY NOTE THAT HAS ORIGINALLY BEEN PROPERLY ISSUED IN AN AMOUNT NO LESS THAN THE MINIMUM DENOMINATION, OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN A DENOMINATION LESS THAN THE MINIMUM DENOMINATION IF SUCH LESSER DENOMINATION IS SOLELY A RESULT OF A REDUCTION OF PRINCIPAL DUE TO PAYMENTS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE.

[FOR REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, ADD THE FOLLOWING:

THIS NOTE IS A TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE FOR PURPOSES OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT WHICH IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR A REGULATION S PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN AND IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREIN.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1- 2


PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE OFFERING AND THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE NOTES, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE U.S. OR TO A U.S. PERSON (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.]

THE PURCHASER UNDERSTANDS THAT THE ISSUER MAY RECEIVE A LIST OF PARTICIPANTS HOLDING POSITIONS IN THE NOTES FROM THE SECURITIES DEPOSITORY.

SECTIONS 2.07 AND 2.08 OF THE INDENTURE CONTAIN FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER AND RESALE OF THIS NOTE (OR INTEREST THEREIN). EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, IS DEEMED TO HAVE ACCEPTED THIS NOTE SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY.

EACH NOTEHOLDER OR NOTE OWNER, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE (OR INTEREST THEREIN), COVENANTS AND AGREES THAT SUCH NOTEHOLDER OR NOTE OWNER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR AND ONE DAY AFTER THE TERMINATION OF THE INDENTURE, ACQUIESCE, PETITION OR OTHERWISE INVOKE OR CAUSE THE ISSUER TO INVOKE THE PROCESS OF ANY COURT OR GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMENCING OR SUSTAINING A CASE AGAINST THE ISSUER UNDER ANY FEDERAL OR STATE BANKRUPTCY, INSOLVENCY, REORGANIZATION OR SIMILAR LAW OR APPOINTING A RECEIVER, LIQUIDATOR, ASSIGNEE, INDENTURE TRUSTEE, CUSTODIAN, SEQUESTRATOR OR OTHER SIMILAR OFFICIAL OF THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSTANTIAL PART OF ITS PROPERTY, OR ORDERING THE WINDING UP OR LIQUIDATION OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE ISSUER.

THE PRINCIPAL OF THIS NOTE IS PAYABLE IN INSTALLMENTS AS SET FORTH HEREIN. ACCORDINGLY, THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS NOTE AT ANY TIME MAY BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNT SHOWN ON THE FACE HEREOF. ANY PERSON ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY MAY ASCERTAIN ITS CURRENT PRINCIPAL AMOUNT BY INQUIRY OF THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1- 3


SUNNOVA HESTIA II ISSUER, LLC

SOLAR LOAN BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2024-GRID1

CLASS 1-A NOTE

[RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE]

[REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE]

[REGULATION S PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE]

 

ORIGINAL ISSUE

DATE

   RATED FINAL MATURITY    ISSUE PRICE
June 5, 2024    July 20, 2051    [***]%

Registered Owner: Cede & Co.

Initial Principal Balance: UP TO $152,010,000

CUSIP No. [86746FAA2] [U8678GAA3]

ISIN No. [US86746FAA21] [USU8678GAA32]

THIS CERTIFIES THAT Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter called the “Issuer”), which term includes any successor entity under the Indenture, dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as indenture trustee (together with any successor thereto, hereinafter called the “Indenture Trustee”), for value received, hereby promises to pay to the Registered Owner named above or registered assigns, subject to the provisions hereof and of the Indenture, (A) the interest based on the Interest Accrual Period at the Note Rate defined in the Indenture, on each Payment Date beginning in July 2024 (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), and (B) principal on each Payment Date in the manner as set forth in the Indenture; provided, however, that the Notes are subject to prepayment as set forth in the Indenture. This note (this “Class 1-A Note”) is one of a duly authorized series of Class 1-A Notes of the Issuer designated as its Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, 5.63% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 1-A (the “Class 1-A Notes”). The Indenture authorizes the issuance of up to $152,010,000 in Outstanding Note Balance of Class 1-A Notes, and up to $16,890,000 in Outstanding Note Balance of Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, 9.50% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 2-A (the “Class 2-A Notes” and together with the Class 1-A Notes, the “Notes”). The Indenture provides that the Notes will be entitled to receive payments in reduction of the Outstanding Note Balance, in the amounts, from the sources, and at the times more specifically as set forth in the Indenture. The Notes are secured by the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral (each as defined in the Indenture).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1- 4


Reference is hereby made to the Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto for a statement of the respective rights thereunder of the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and the terms upon which the Notes are to be authenticated and delivered. All terms used in this Note which are not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

THE OBLIGATION OF THE ISSUER TO REPAY THE NOTES IS A LIMITED, NONRECOURSE OBLIGATION SECURED ONLY BY THE TRUST ESTATE AND THE GUARANTEED LOAN LENDER COLLATERAL. All payments of principal of and interest on the Class 1-A Notes shall be made only from the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral, and each Noteholder and each Note Owner, by its acceptance of this Class 1-A Note, agrees that it shall be entitled to payments solely from such Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral pursuant to the terms of the Indenture. The actual Outstanding Note Balance on this Class 1-A Note may be less than the principal balance indicated on the face hereof. The actual Outstanding Note Balance on this Class 1-A Note at any time may be obtained from the Indenture Trustee.

With respect to payment of principal of and interest on the Class 1-A Notes, the Indenture provides the following:

(a) Until fully paid, principal payments on the Class 1-A Notes will be made on each Payment Date in an amount, at the time, and in the manner provided in the Indenture. The Outstanding Note Balance of each Class 1-A Note shall be payable no later than the Rated Final Maturity thereof unless the Outstanding Note Balance of such Class 1-A Note becomes due and payable at an earlier date pursuant to this Indenture, and in each case such payment shall be made in an amount and in the manner provided in the Indenture.

(b) The Class 1-A Notes shall bear interest on the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class 1-A Notes and accrued but unpaid interest thereon, at the applicable Note Rate. The Notes Interest Distribution Amounts with respect to the Class 1-A Notes shall be payable on each Payment Date to the extent that the Notes Distribution Account then contains sufficient amounts to pay such Notes Interest Distribution Amounts pursuant to Section 5.07 of the Indenture. Each Notes Interest Distribution Amount will accrue on the basis of a 360 day year consisting of twelve 30 day months.

All payments of interest and principal on the Class 1-A Notes on the applicable Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Class 1-A Note is registered at the close of business as of the Record Date for such Payment Date in the manner provided in the Indenture. All reductions in the Outstanding Note Balance of a Class 1-A Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) effected by full or partial payments of installments of principal shall be binding upon all past, then current, and future Holders of such Class 1-A Note and of any Class 1-A Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, whether or not such payment is noted on such Class 1-A Note.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1- 5


The Rated Final Maturity of the Notes is the Payment Date in July 2051 unless the Notes are earlier prepaid in whole or accelerated pursuant to the Indenture. The Indenture Trustee shall pay to each Class 1-A Noteholder of record on the preceding Record Date either (i) by wire transfer, in immediately available funds to the account of such Class 1-A Noteholder at a bank or other entity having appropriate facilities therefor, if such Class 1-A Noteholder shall have provided to the Indenture Trustee appropriate written instructions at least five Business Days prior to the related Payment Date (which instructions may remain in effect for subsequent Payment Dates unless revoked by the Class 1-A Noteholder), or (ii) if not, by check mailed to such Class 1-A Noteholder at the address of such Class 1-A Noteholder appearing in the Note Register, the amounts to be paid to such Class 1-A Noteholder pursuant to such Class 1-A Noteholder’s Notes; provided that so long as the Class 1-A Notes are registered in the name of the Securities Depository such payments shall be made to the nominee thereof in immediately available funds.

The Class 1-A Notes shall be subject to voluntary prepayment at the option of the Issuer in the manner and subject to the provisions of the Indenture. Whenever by the terms of the Indenture, the Indenture Trustee is required to prepay the Class 1-A Notes, and subject to and in accordance with the terms of Article VI of the Indenture, the Indenture Trustee shall give notice of the prepayment in the manner prescribed by the Indenture.

Subject to certain restrictions contained in the Indenture, (i) the Class 1-A Notes are issuable in the minimum denomination of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (provided, that one Class 1-A Note may be issued in an additional amount equal to any remaining portion of the Initial Outstanding Note Balance) and (ii) the Class 1-A Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Class 1-A Notes of authorized denominations of the same maturity.

The final payment on any Definitive Note shall be made only upon presentation and surrender of the Note at the Corporate Trust Office of the Indenture Trustee.

The Class 1-A Noteholders shall have no right to enforce the provisions of the Indenture or to institute action to enforce the covenants therein, or to take any action with respect to any Event of Default, or to institute, appear in or defend any Proceedings with respect thereto, except as provided in the Indenture.

The Class 1-A Notes may be exchanged, and their transfer may be registered, by the Noteholders in person or by their attorneys duly authorized in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the Indenture Trustee only in the manner, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, and upon surrender and cancellation of the Class 1-A Notes. Upon exchange or registration of such transfer, a new registered Class 1-A Note or Notes evidencing the same outstanding principal amount will be executed in exchange therefor.

All amounts collected as payments on the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral or otherwise shall be applied as specified in the Indenture.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1- 6


Each Person who has or who acquires any Ownership Interest in a Class 1-A Note shall be deemed by the acceptance or acquisition of such Ownership Interest to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Indenture. A Noteholder may not sell, offer for sale, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise transfer or encumber all or any part of its interest in the Class 1-A Notes except pursuant to an effective registration statement covering such transaction under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and effective qualification or registration under all applicable State securities laws and regulations or under an exemption from registration under said Securities Act and said State securities laws and regulations.

[Add the following for Rule 144A Global Notes:

Interests in this Class 1-A Note may be exchanged for an interest in the corresponding Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Global Note, in each case subject to the restrictions specified in the Indenture.]

[Add the following for Regulation S Temporary Global Notes:

Interests in this Class 1-A Note may be exchanged for an interest in the corresponding Rule 144A Global Note, subject to the restrictions specified in the Indenture.

On or after the 40th day after the later of the Closing Date and the commencement of the offering of the Notes, interests in this Regulation S Temporary Global Note may be exchanged (free of charge) for interests in a Regulation S Permanent Global Note. The Regulation S Permanent Global Note shall be so issued and delivered in exchange for only that portion of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note in respect of which there shall have been presented to DTC by Euroclear or Clearstream a certification to the effect that it has received from or in respect of a person entitled to an interest (as shown by its records) a certification that the beneficial interests in such Regulation S Temporary Global Note are owned by persons who are not U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S).]

[Add the following for Regulation S Permanent Global Notes:

Interests in this Class 1-A Note may be exchanged for an interest in the corresponding Rule 144A Global Note, subject to the restrictions specified in the Indenture.]

Prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all amounts payable with respect to the Class 1-A Notes, each Person who has or acquires an Ownership Interest in a Class 1-A Note agrees that such Person will not institute against the Issuer, or join any other Person in instituting against the Issuer, any Insolvency Events or other Proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State. This covenant shall survive the termination of the Indenture.

Before the due presentment for registration of transfer of this Class 1-A Note, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee may treat the person in whose name this Class 1-A Note is registered (i) on any Record Date for purposes of making payments, and (ii) on any other date for any other purpose, as the owner hereof, whether or not this Class 1-A Note be overdue, and neither the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1- 7


The Indenture permits the amendment thereof for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, the Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Noteholders under the Indenture at any time by the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee (and, in some cases, only with the consent of the Noteholder affected thereby) and compliance with certain other conditions. Any such consent by the Holder, at the time of the giving thereof, of this Class 1-A Note (or any one or more Predecessor Notes) shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Class 1-A Note and of any Class 1-A Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Class 1-A Note.

The Class 1-A Notes and all obligations with respect thereto, including obligations under the Indenture, will be limited recourse obligations of the Issuer payable solely from the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral. None of the Issuer, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Performance Guarantor, the Depositor, the Manager, the Transition Manager, the Servicer, the Backup Servicer, the Custodian, the Note Registrar, the Indenture Trustee in its individual capacity or in its capacity as Indenture Trustee, the Guaranteed Loan Lender, the Guaranteed Loan Borrower nor any of their respective Affiliates, agents, partners, beneficiaries, officers, directors, stockholders, stockholders of partners, employees or successors or assigns, shall be personally liable for any amounts payable, or performance due, under the Notes or the Indenture. Without limiting the foregoing, each Noteholder and each Note Owner of any Class 1-A Note by its acceptance thereof, and the Indenture Trustee, shall be deemed to have agreed (i) that it shall look only to the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral to satisfy the Issuer’s obligations under or with respect to a Class 1-A Note or the Indenture, including but not limited to liabilities under Article V of the Indenture and liabilities arising (whether at common law or equity) from breaches by the Issuer of any obligations, covenants and agreements herein or, to the extent enforceable, for any violation by the Issuer of applicable State or federal law or regulation, provided that, the Issuer shall not be relieved of liability hereunder with respect to any misrepresentation in the Indenture or any Transaction Document, or fraud, of the Issuer and (ii) to waive any rights it may have to obtain a deficiency or other monetary judgment against either the Issuer or any of its principals, directors, officers, beneficial owners, employees or agents (whether disclosed or undisclosed) or their respective assets (other than the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral). The foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall not (i) prevent recourse to the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral or any Person (other than the Issuer and the Guaranteed Loan Lender) for the sums due or to become due under any security, instrument or agreement which is part of the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral; (ii) constitute a waiver, release or discharge of any indebtedness or obligation evidenced by the Class 1-A Notes or secured by the Indenture, but the same shall continue until paid or discharged; or (iii) prevent the Indenture Trustee from exercising its rights with respect to

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1- 8


the Grant, pursuant to the Indenture, of the Issuer’s rights under the Transaction Documents. It is further understood that the foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall not limit the right of any Person to name the Indenture Trustee in its capacity as Indenture Trustee under the Indenture or the Issuer as a party defendant in any action or suit or in the exercise of any remedy under the Notes or the Indenture, so long as no judgment in the nature of a deficiency judgment or seeking personal liability shall be asked for or (if obtained) enforced. It is expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released to the extent provided herein as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issuance of the Notes.

The remedies of the Holder of this Class 1-A Note as provided herein, in the Indenture or in the other Transaction Documents, shall be cumulative and concurrent and may be pursued solely against the assets of the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral. No failure on the part of the Noteholder in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver or release thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy preclude any other further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy hereunder.

The Class 1-A Notes are issuable only in registered form in denominations as provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth. At the option of the Class 1-A Noteholder, Class 1-A Notes may be exchanged for Class 1-A Notes of like terms, in any authorized denominations and of like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at the Corporate Trust Office of the Indenture Trustee, subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture.

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, a copy of which is on file with the Indenture Trustee, for the provisions, among others, with respect to (i) the nature and extent of the rights, duties and obligations of the Indenture Trustee, the Issuer and the Class 1-A Noteholders; (ii) the terms upon which the Class 1-A Notes are executed and delivered; (iii) the collection and disposition of payments or proceeds in respect of the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral; (iv) a description of the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral; (v) the modification or amendment of the Indenture; (vi) other matters; and (vii) the definition of capitalized terms used in this Class 1-A Note that are not defined herein; to all of which the Class 1-A Noteholders and Note Owners assent by the acceptance of the Class 1-A Notes.

THIS CLASS 1-A NOTE IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE INDENTURE AND IT AND THE INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, §5-1401 AND §5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT OTHERWISE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1- 9


REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AS IF FULLY SET FORTH HEREIN.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Indenture Trustee by manual signature, this Class 1-A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed as of the date set forth below.

 

SUNNOVA HESTIA II ISSUER, as Issuer
By  

 

  Name: Robert L. Lane
  Title: Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1- 10


INDENTURE TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Class 1-A Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 as Indenture Trustee

By  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1- 11


[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

(PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR

TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

OF ASSIGNEE)

 

 

 

 

 

(Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address of Assignee)

 

 

the within Note, and all rights thereunder, and hereby does irrevocably constitute and appoint

 

 

Attorney to transfer the within Note on the books kept for registration thereof, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Date:___________________

 

 

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as it appears upon the face of the within Note in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-1- 12


EXHIBIT A-2

FORM OF CLASS 2-A NOTE

Note Number: [__]

Unless this Global Note is presented by an authorized representative of the Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to the Issuer or its Agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any global note issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC) any transfer, pledge or other use hereof for value or otherwise by or to any person is wrongful inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

Transfers of this Global Note shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to nominees of DTC or to a successor thereof or such successor’s nominee and transfers of portions of this Global Note shall be limited to transfers made in accordance with the restrictions set forth in the Indenture referred to herein.

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED OR QUALIFIED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ANY FOREIGN SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE OR INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

EACH PURCHASER AND TRANSFEREE (AND IF THE PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE IS A BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR OR PLAN SUBJECT TO SIMILAR LAW, ITS FIDUCIARY) BY ITS PURCHASE OF THIS NOTE OR INTEREST HEREIN IS DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT IT IS NOT, AND IS NOT ACQUIRING THE NOTE OR INTEREST THEREIN FOR OR ON BEHALF OF OR WITH THE ASSETS OF, ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”) THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA OR ANY “PLAN” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 4975(E)(1) OF THE CODE THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR ANY ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE PLAN ASSETS BY REASON OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN’S OR PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN SUCH ENTITY (EACH A “BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR”), OR ANY PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO ANY LAW SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-1


THE HOLDER OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS NOTE AND ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY ONLY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN MINIMUM DENOMINATIONS OF $250,000 AND IN INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF, AND ONLY (I) IN THE U.S. TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A (ACTING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AND NOT FOR THE ACCOUNT OF OTHERS, OR AS A FIDUCIARY OR AGENT FOR OTHER QIBS TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE SALE, PLEDGE OR TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A), (II) OUTSIDE THE U.S. IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND TO A PERSON WHOM THE TRANSFEROR REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), OR (III) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE AND EVIDENCED BY AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER AND THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE), IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE U.S. AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO ABOVE. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING RESTRICTION, ANY NOTE THAT HAS ORIGINALLY BEEN PROPERLY ISSUED IN AN AMOUNT NO LESS THAN THE MINIMUM DENOMINATION, OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN A DENOMINATION LESS THAN THE MINIMUM DENOMINATION IF SUCH LESSER DENOMINATION IS SOLELY A RESULT OF A REDUCTION OF PRINCIPAL DUE TO PAYMENTS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE.

[FOR REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, ADD THE FOLLOWING:

THIS NOTE IS A TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE FOR PURPOSES OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT WHICH IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR A REGULATION S PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN AND IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREIN.

PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE OFFERING AND THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE NOTES, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE U.S. OR TO A U.S. PERSON (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.]

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-2


THE PURCHASER UNDERSTANDS THAT THE ISSUER MAY RECEIVE A LIST OF PARTICIPANTS HOLDING POSITIONS IN THE NOTES FROM THE SECURITIES DEPOSITORY.

SECTIONS 2.07 AND 2.08 OF THE INDENTURE CONTAIN FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER AND RESALE OF THIS NOTE (OR INTEREST THEREIN). EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, IS DEEMED TO HAVE ACCEPTED THIS NOTE SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY.

EACH NOTEHOLDER OR NOTE OWNER, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE (OR INTEREST THEREIN), COVENANTS AND AGREES THAT SUCH NOTEHOLDER OR NOTE OWNER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR AND ONE DAY AFTER THE TERMINATION OF THE INDENTURE, ACQUIESCE, PETITION OR OTHERWISE INVOKE OR CAUSE THE ISSUER TO INVOKE THE PROCESS OF ANY COURT OR GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMENCING OR SUSTAINING A CASE AGAINST THE ISSUER UNDER ANY FEDERAL OR STATE BANKRUPTCY, INSOLVENCY, REORGANIZATION OR SIMILAR LAW OR APPOINTING A RECEIVER, LIQUIDATOR, ASSIGNEE, INDENTURE TRUSTEE, CUSTODIAN, SEQUESTRATOR OR OTHER SIMILAR OFFICIAL OF THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSTANTIAL PART OF ITS PROPERTY, OR ORDERING THE WINDING UP OR LIQUIDATION OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE ISSUER.

THE PRINCIPAL OF THIS NOTE IS PAYABLE IN INSTALLMENTS AS SET FORTH HEREIN. ACCORDINGLY, THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS NOTE AT ANY TIME MAY BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNT SHOWN ON THE FACE HEREOF. ANY PERSON ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY MAY ASCERTAIN ITS CURRENT PRINCIPAL AMOUNT BY INQUIRY OF THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-3


SUNNOVA HESTIA II ISSUER, LLC

SOLAR LOAN BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2024-GRID1

CLASS 2-A NOTE

[RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE]

[REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE]

[REGULATION S PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE]

 

ORIGINAL ISSUE

DATE

   RATED FINAL MATURITY    ISSUE PRICE
June 5, 2024    July 20, 2051    [***]%

Registered Owner:   Cede & Co.

Initial Principal Balance: UP TO $16,890,000

CUSIP No. [86746FAB0] [U8678GAB1]

ISIN No. [US86746FAB04] [USU8678GAB15]

THIS CERTIFIES THAT Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter called the “Issuer”), which term includes any successor entity under the Indenture, dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as indenture trustee (together with any successor thereto, hereinafter called the “Indenture Trustee”), for value received, hereby promises to pay to the Registered Owner named above or registered assigns, subject to the provisions hereof and of the Indenture, (A) the interest based on the Interest Accrual Period at the Note Rate defined in the Indenture, on each Payment Date beginning in July 2024 (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), and (B) principal on each Payment Date in the manner as set forth in the Indenture; provided, however, that the Notes are subject to prepayment as set forth in the Indenture. This note (this “Class 2-A Note”) is one of a duly authorized series of Class 2-A Notes of the Issuer designated as its Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, 9.50% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 2-A (the “Class 2-A Notes”). The Indenture authorizes the issuance of up to $16,890,000 in Outstanding Note Balance of Class 2-A Notes, and up to $152,010,000 in Outstanding Note Balance of Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, 5.63% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 1-A (the “Class 1-A Notes” and together with the Class 2-A Notes, the “Notes”). The Indenture provides that the Notes will be entitled to receive payments in reduction of the Outstanding Note Balance, in the amounts, from the sources, and at the times more specifically as set forth in the Indenture. The Notes are secured by the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral (each as defined in the Indenture).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-4


Reference is hereby made to the Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto for a statement of the respective rights thereunder of the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and the terms upon which the Notes are to be authenticated and delivered. All terms used in this Note which are not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

THE OBLIGATION OF THE ISSUER TO REPAY THE NOTES IS A LIMITED, NONRECOURSE OBLIGATION SECURED ONLY BY THE TRUST ESTATE AND THE GUARANTEED LOAN LENDER COLLATERAL. All payments of principal of and interest on the Class 2-A Notes shall be made only from the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral, and each Noteholder and each Note Owner, by its acceptance of this Class 2-A Note, agrees that it shall be entitled to payments solely from such Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral pursuant to the terms of the Indenture. The actual Outstanding Note Balance on this Class 2-A Note may be less than the principal balance indicated on the face hereof. The actual Outstanding Note Balance on this Class 2-A Note at any time may be obtained from the Indenture Trustee.

With respect to payment of principal of and interest on the Class 2-A Notes, the Indenture provides the following:

(a) Until fully paid, principal payments on the Class 2-A Notes will be made on each Payment Date in an amount, at the time, and in the manner provided in the Indenture. The Outstanding Note Balance of each Class 2-A Note shall be payable no later than the Rated Final Maturity thereof unless the Outstanding Note Balance of such Class 2-A Note becomes due and payable at an earlier date pursuant to the Indenture, and in each case such payment shall be made in an amount and in the manner provided in the Indenture.

(b) The Class 2-A Notes shall bear interest on the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class 2-A Notes and accrued but unpaid interest thereon, at the applicable Note Rate. The Notes Interest Distribution Amounts with respect to the Class 2-A Notes shall be payable on each Payment Date to the extent that the Notes Distribution Account then contains sufficient amounts to pay such Notes Interest Distribution Amounts pursuant to Section 5.07 of the Indenture. Each Notes Interest Distribution Amount will accrue on the basis of a 360 day year consisting of twelve 30 day months.

All payments of interest and principal on the Class 2-A Notes on the applicable Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Class 2-A Note is registered at the close of business as of the Record Date for such Payment Date in the manner provided in the Indenture. All reductions in the Outstanding Note Balance of a Class 2-A Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) effected by full or partial payments of installments of principal shall be binding upon all past, then current, and future Holders of such Class 2-A Note and of any Class 2-A Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, whether or not such payment is noted on such Class 2-A Note.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-5


The Rated Final Maturity of the Notes is the Payment Date in July 2051 unless the Notes are earlier prepaid in whole or accelerated pursuant to the Indenture. The Indenture Trustee shall pay to each Class 2-A Noteholder of record on the preceding Record Date either (i) by wire transfer, in immediately available funds to the account of such Class 2-A Noteholder at a bank or other entity having appropriate facilities therefor, if such Class 2-A Noteholder shall have provided to the Indenture Trustee appropriate written instructions at least five Business Days prior to the related Payment Date (which instructions may remain in effect for subsequent Payment Dates unless revoked by the Class 2-A Noteholder), or (ii) if not, by check mailed to such Class 2-A Noteholder at the address of such Class 2-A Noteholder appearing in the Note Register, the amounts to be paid to such Class 2-A Noteholder pursuant to such Class 2-A Noteholder’s Notes; provided that so long as the Class 2-A Notes are registered in the name of the Securities Depository such payments shall be made to the nominee thereof in immediately available funds.

The Class 2-A Notes shall be subject to voluntary prepayment at the option of the Issuer in the manner and subject to the provisions of the Indenture. Whenever by the terms of the Indenture, the Indenture Trustee is required to prepay the Class 2-A Notes, and subject to and in accordance with the terms of Article VI of the Indenture, the Indenture Trustee shall give notice of the prepayment in the manner prescribed by the Indenture.

Subject to certain restrictions contained in the Indenture, (i) the Class 2-A Notes are issuable in the minimum denomination of $250,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (provided, that one Class 2-A Note may be issued in an additional amount equal to any remaining portion of the Initial Outstanding Note Balance) and (ii) the Class 2-A Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Class 2-A Notes of authorized denominations of the same maturity.

The final payment on any Definitive Note shall be made only upon presentation and surrender of the Note at the Corporate Trust Office of the Indenture Trustee.

The Class 2-A Noteholders shall have no right to enforce the provisions of the Indenture or to institute action to enforce the covenants therein, or to take any action with respect to any Event of Default, or to institute, appear in or defend any Proceedings with respect thereto, except as provided in the Indenture.

The Class 2-A Notes may be exchanged, and their transfer may be registered, by the Noteholders in person or by their attorneys duly authorized in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the Indenture Trustee only in the manner, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, and upon surrender and cancellation of the Class 2-A Notes. Upon exchange or registration of such transfer, a new registered Class 2-A Note or Notes evidencing the same outstanding principal amount will be executed in exchange therefor.

All amounts collected as payments on the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral or otherwise shall be applied as specified in the Indenture.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-6


Each Person who has or who acquires any Ownership Interest in a Class 2-A Note shall be deemed by the acceptance or acquisition of such Ownership Interest to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Indenture. A Noteholder may not sell, offer for sale, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise transfer or encumber all or any part of its interest in the Class 2-A Notes except pursuant to an effective registration statement covering such transaction under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and effective qualification or registration under all applicable State securities laws and regulations or under an exemption from registration under said Securities Act and said State securities laws and regulations.

[Add the following for Rule 144A Global Notes:

Interests in this Class 2-A Note may be exchanged for an interest in the corresponding Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Global Note, in each case subject to the restrictions specified in the Indenture.]

[Add the following for Regulation S Temporary Global Notes:

Interests in this Class 2-A Note may be exchanged for an interest in the corresponding Rule 144A Global Note, subject to the restrictions specified in the Indenture.

On or after the 40th day after the later of the Closing Date and the commencement of the offering of the Notes, interests in this Regulation S Temporary Global Note may be exchanged (free of charge) for interests in a Regulation S Permanent Global Note. The Regulation S Permanent Global Note shall be so issued and delivered in exchange for only that portion of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note in respect of which there shall have been presented to DTC by Euroclear or Clearstream a certification to the effect that it has received from or in respect of a person entitled to an interest (as shown by its records) a certification that the beneficial interests in such Regulation S Temporary Global Note are owned by persons who are not U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S).]

[Add the following for Regulation S Permanent Global Notes:

Interests in this Class 2-A Note may be exchanged for an interest in the corresponding Rule 144A Global Note, subject to the restrictions specified in the Indenture.]

Prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all amounts payable with respect to the Class 2-A Notes, each Person who has or acquires an Ownership Interest in a Class 2-A Note agrees that such Person will not institute against the Issuer, or join any other Person in instituting against the Issuer, any Insolvency Events or other Proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State. This covenant shall survive the termination of the Indenture.

Before the due presentment for registration of transfer of this Class 2-A Note, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee may treat the person in whose name this Class 2-A Note is registered (i) on any Record Date for purposes of making payments, and (ii) on any other date for any other purpose, as the owner hereof, whether or not this Class 2-A Note be overdue, and neither the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-7


The Indenture permits the amendment thereof for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, the Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Noteholders under the Indenture at any time by the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee (and, in some cases, only with the consent of the Noteholder affected thereby) and compliance with certain other conditions. Any such consent by the Holder, at the time of the giving thereof, of this Class 2-A Note (or any one or more Predecessor Notes) shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Class 2-A Note and of any Class 2-A Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Class 2-A Note.

The Class 2-A Notes and all obligations with respect thereto, including obligations under the Indenture, will be limited recourse obligations of the Issuer payable solely from the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral. None of the Issuer, Sunnova Intermediate Holdings, Sunnova Hestia Holdings, the Performance Guarantor, the Depositor, the Manager, the Transition Manager, the Servicer, the Backup Servicer, the Custodian, the Note Registrar, the Indenture Trustee in its individual capacity or in its capacity as Indenture Trustee, the Guaranteed Loan Lender, the Guaranteed Loan Borrower nor any of their respective Affiliates, agents, partners, beneficiaries, officers, directors, stockholders, stockholders of partners, employees or successors or assigns, shall be personally liable for any amounts payable, or performance due, under the Notes or the Indenture. Without limiting the foregoing, each Noteholder and each Note Owner of any Class 2-A Note by its acceptance thereof, and the Indenture Trustee, shall be deemed to have agreed (i) that it shall look only to the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral to satisfy the Issuer’s obligations under or with respect to a Class 2-A Note or the Indenture, including but not limited to liabilities under Article V of the Indenture and liabilities arising (whether at common law or equity) from breaches by the Issuer of any obligations, covenants and agreements herein or, to the extent enforceable, for any violation by the Issuer of applicable State or federal law or regulation, provided that, the Issuer shall not be relieved of liability hereunder with respect to any misrepresentation in the Indenture or any Transaction Document, or fraud, of the Issuer and (ii) to waive any rights it may have to obtain a deficiency or other monetary judgment against either the Issuer or any of its principals, directors, officers, beneficial owners, employees or agents (whether disclosed or undisclosed) or their respective assets (other than the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral). The foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall not (i) prevent recourse to the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral or any Person (other than the Issuer and the Guaranteed Loan Lender) for the sums due or to become due under any security, instrument or agreement which is part of the Trust Estate or the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral; (ii) constitute a waiver, release or discharge of any indebtedness or obligation evidenced by the Class 2-A Notes or secured by the Indenture, but the same shall continue until paid or discharged; or (iii) prevent the Indenture Trustee from exercising its rights with respect to

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-8


the Grant, pursuant to the Indenture, of the Issuer’s rights under the Transaction Documents. It is further understood that the foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall not limit the right of any Person to name the Indenture Trustee in its capacity as Indenture Trustee under the Indenture or the Issuer as a party defendant in any action or suit or in the exercise of any remedy under the Notes or the Indenture, so long as no judgment in the nature of a deficiency judgment or seeking personal liability shall be asked for or (if obtained) enforced. It is expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released to the extent provided herein as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issuance of the Notes.

The remedies of the Holder of this Class 2-A Note as provided herein, in the Indenture or in the other Transaction Documents, shall be cumulative and concurrent and may be pursued solely against the assets of the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral. No failure on the part of the Noteholder in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver or release thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy preclude any other further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy hereunder.

The Class 2-A Notes are issuable only in registered form in denominations as provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth. At the option of the Class 2-A Noteholder, Class 2-A Notes may be exchanged for Class 2-A Notes of like terms, in any authorized denominations and of like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at the Corporate Trust Office of the Indenture Trustee, subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture.

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, a copy of which is on file with the Indenture Trustee, for the provisions, among others, with respect to (i) the nature and extent of the rights, duties and obligations of the Indenture Trustee, the Issuer and the Class 2-A Noteholders; (ii) the terms upon which the Class 2-A Notes are executed and delivered; (iii) the collection and disposition of payments or proceeds in respect of the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral; (iv) a description of the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral; (v) the modification or amendment of the Indenture; (vi) other matters; and (vii) the definition of capitalized terms used in this Class 2-A Note that are not defined herein; to all of which the Class 2-A Noteholders and Note Owners assent by the acceptance of the Class 2-A Notes.

THIS CLASS 2-A NOTE IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE INDENTURE AND IT AND THE INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, §5-1401 AND §5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT OTHERWISE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS).

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-9


REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AS IF FULLY SET FORTH HEREIN.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Indenture Trustee by manual signature, this Class 2-A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-10


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed as of the date set forth below.

 

SUNNOVA HESTIA II ISSUER, as Issuer
By  

 

  Name: Robert L. Lane
  Title: Executive Vice President,
 

Chief Financial Officer

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-11


INDENTURE TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Class 2-A Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 as Indenture Trustee

By  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-12


[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

(PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR

TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

OF ASSIGNEE)

 

 

 

 

 

(Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address of Assignee)

 

 

the within Note, and all rights thereunder, and hereby does irrevocably constitute and appoint

 

 

Attorney to transfer the within Note on the books kept for registration thereof, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Date:___________________

 

 

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as it appears upon the face of the within Note in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

A-2-13


EXHIBIT B-1

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE FOR EXCHANGE OR TRANSFER FROM RULE 144A GLOBAL

NOTE TO REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

[DATE]

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

Attn: Corporate Trust Administration

 

  Re:

Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Indenture”), by and among Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC (the “Issuer”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as indenture trustee (in such capacity, the “Indenture Trustee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

This letter relates to US $[__] aggregate Outstanding Note Balance of Notes, Class A-[_] (the “Notes”) which are held in the form of the Rule 144A Global Note (CUSIP No. __________) with the Securities Depository in the name of [insert name of transferor] (the “Transferor”). The Transferor has requested a transfer of such beneficial interest for an interest in the Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP No. __________) to be held with [Euroclear] [Clearstream]* (Common Code No. ___________) through the Securities Depository.

In connection with such request and in respect of such Notes, the Transferor does hereby certify that such transfer has been effected in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and [(i) with respect to transfers made]* pursuant to and in accordance with Rules 903 and 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and accordingly the Transferor does hereby certify that:

(1) the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United States,

 

* 

Select appropriate depository.

* 

To be included only after the 40-day distribution compliance period.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

B-1-1


(2) [at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or the Transferor and any person acting on its behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States] [the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither the transferor nor any person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States],

(3) [the transferee is not a U.S. Person within the meaning of Rule 902(k) of Regulation S nor a Person acting for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person,]

(4) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S, as applicable,

(5) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act,

(6) upon completion of the transaction, the beneficial interest being transferred as described above will be held with the Securities Depository through [Euroclear] [Clearstream].§

(7) [with respect to the Class 2-A Notes only, the Transferor reasonably believes the transferee is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act).]

[or (ii) with respect to transfers made in reliance on Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Transferor does hereby certify that the Notes being transferred are eligible for resale by the Transferor pursuant to Rule 144(b)(1) under the Securities Act.]**

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Servicer.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Dated:  

 

Insert one of these two provisions, which come from the definition of “offshore transaction” in Regulation S.

 

To be included only during the 40-day distribution compliance period.

§

Appropriate depository required for transfers prior to the end of the 40-day distribution compliance period.

** 

To be included only after the 40-day distribution compliance period.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

B-1-2


EXHIBIT B-2

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE FOR EXCHANGE OR TRANSFER

FROM REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

TO RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

Attn: Corporate Trust Administration

 

  Re:

Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Indenture”), by and among Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC (the “Issuer”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as indenture trustee (in such capacity, the “Indenture Trustee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

This letter relates to US $[___] aggregate Outstanding Note Balance of Notes, Class A-[_] (the “Notes”) which are held in the form of the Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP No. __________) with [Euroclear] [Clearstream]* (Common Code No. __________) through the Securities Depository in the name of [insert name of transferor] (the “Transferor”). The Transferor has requested a transfer of such beneficial interest in the Notes for an interest in the Regulation 144A Global Note (CUSIP No. __________).

In connection with such request, and in respect of such Notes, the Transferor does hereby certify that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with (i) the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture, and (ii) (A) Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a transferee that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the Notes for its own account with respect to which the transferee exercises sole investment discretion and the transferee and any such account is a “QIB” (“QIB”) within the meaning of Rule 144A, in each case in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State or any other applicable jurisdiction or (B) to a QIB pursuant to another applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act; provided that an Opinion of Counsel confirming the applicability of the exemption claimed shall have been delivered to the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee in a form reasonably acceptable to them.

 

* 

Select appropriate depository.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

B-2-1


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Servicer.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Dated:  

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

B-2-2


EXHIBIT B-3

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE FOR TRANSFER

FROM DEFINITIVE NOTE

TO DEFINITIVE NOTE

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

Attn: Corporate Trust Administration

 

  Re:

Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Indenture”), by and among Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC (the “Issuer”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as indenture trustee (in such capacity, the “Indenture Trustee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

This letter relates to US $[___] aggregate Outstanding Note Balance of Notes, Class [__] (the “Notes”) which are held as Definitive Notes (CUSIP No. __________) in the name of [insert name of transferor] (the “Transferor”). The Transferor has requested a transfer of such beneficial interest in the Notes to [insert name of transferee] (the “Transferee”).

In connection with such request, and in respect of such Notes, the Transferor does hereby certify that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with (i) the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture, and (ii) (A) Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a transferee that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the Notes for its own account with respect to which the transferee exercises sole investment discretion and the transferee and any such account is a “QIB” (“QIB”) within the meaning of Rule 144A, in each case in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State or any other applicable jurisdiction, (B) pursuant to and in accordance with Rules 903 and 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act or (C) pursuant to another applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act; provided that an Opinion of Counsel confirming the applicability of the exemption claimed shall have been delivered to the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee in a form reasonably acceptable to them.

[If transfer is pursuant to Regulation S, add the following:

The Transferor hereby certifies that:

(1) the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United States,

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

B-3-1


(2) [at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or the Transferor and any person acting on its behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States] [the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither the transferor nor any person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States]*,

(3) the transferee is not a U.S. Person within the meaning of Rule 902(k) of Regulation S nor a Person acting for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person,

(4) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S, as applicable, and

(5) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.]

(6) [with respect to the Class 2-A Notes only, the Transferor reasonably believes the transferee is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act).]

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Servicer.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Dated:  

 

* 

Insert one of these two provisions, which come from the definition of “offshore transaction” in Regulation S.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

B-3-2


EXHIBIT C

SUNNOVA HESTIA II ISSUER, LLC

NOTICE OF ISSUER VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT

[DATE]

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

Attn: Corporate Trust Administration

Sunnova Energy Corporation

20 East Greenway Plaza, Suite 540

Houston, TX 77046

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Section 6.01 of the Indenture dated as of June 5, 2024 (the “Indenture”), between Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC (the “Issuer”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association (the “Indenture Trustee”), the Indenture Trustee is hereby directed to prepay in whole the Issuer’s 5.63% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 1-A (the “Class 1-A Notes”) and the Issuer’s 9.50% Solar Loan Backed Notes, Series 2024-GRID1, Class 2-A on [_______ __, 20__] (the “Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date”).

On or prior to the Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date, as required by Section 6.02 of the Indenture, the Issuer shall deposit into the Notes Distribution Account (i) the sum of (A) the Aggregate Outstanding Note Balance, (B) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (C) the Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amount, if any, (D) the Deferred Notes Post-ARD Additional Interest Amount, if any, and (E) all amounts owed to the Indenture Trustee, minus (ii) the sum of the amounts then on deposit in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account and the Notes General Reserve Account (the “Prepayment Amount”).

On the specified Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date, provided that the Indenture Trustee has received the Prepayment Amount, on or prior to such specified Issuer Voluntary Prepayment Date, the Indenture Trustee is directed to (x) withdraw the Prepayment Amount from the Notes Distribution Account and all amounts on deposit in the Class 1-A Notes Interest Reserve Account and the Notes General Reserve Account and disburse such amounts to the Noteholders and (y) release any remaining assets in the Trust Estate and the Guaranteed Loan Lender Collateral to, or at the direction of, the Issuer.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

C-1


You are hereby instructed to provide all notices of prepayment required by Section 6.02 of the Indenture. All terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture.

[signature page follows]

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

C-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of Issuer Voluntary Prepayment on the ___ day of _________, _____.

 

SUNNOVA HESTIA II ISSUER, LLC, as Issuer
By  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

C-3


EXHIBIT D

RULE 15GA-1 INFORMATION

Reporting Period:   

 

Asset

Class

 

Shelf

 

Series
Name

 

CIK

 

Originator

 

[ ]
No.

 

Servicer
[ ]

No.

 

Outstanding
Principal
Balance

 

Repurchase
Type

 

Indicate Repurchase Activity During the Reporting Period by Checkmark or by

Date Reference (as applicable)

                  Subject to Demand   Repurchased or Replaced   Repurchased Pending   Demand in Dispute   Demand Withdrawn   Demand Rejected

Terms and Definitions:

NOTE: Any date included on this report is subject to the descriptions below. Dates referenced on this report for this transaction where the Servicer is not the Repurchase Enforcer (as defined below); availability of such information may be dependent upon information received from other parties.

References to “Repurchaser” shall mean the party obligated under the Transaction Documents to repurchase a [ ]. References to “Repurchase Enforcer” shall mean the party obligated under the Transaction Documents to enforce the obligations of any Repurchaser.

Outstanding Principal Balance: For purposes of this report, the Outstanding Principal Balance of a [ ] in this transaction equals the remaining outstanding principal balance of the [ ] reflected on the distribution or payment reports at the end of the related reporting period, or if the [ ] has been liquidated prior to the end of the related reporting period, the final outstanding principal balance of the [ ] reflected on the distribution or payment reports prior to liquidation.

Subject to Demand: The date when a demand for repurchase is identified and coded by the Servicer or Indenture Trustee as a repurchase related request.

Repurchased or Replaced: The date when a [ ] is repurchased or replaced. To the extent such date is unavailable, the date upon which the Servicer or the Indenture Trustee obtained actual knowledge a [ ] has been repurchased or replaced.

Repurchase Pending: A [ ] is identified as “Repurchase Pending” when a demand notice is sent by the Indenture Trustee, as Repurchase Enforcer, to the Repurchaser. A [ ] remains in this category until (i) a [ ] has been Repurchased, (ii) a request is determined to be a “Demand in Dispute,” (iii) a request is determined to be a “Demand Withdrawn,” or (iv) a request is determined to be a “Demand Rejected.

With respect to the Servicer only, a [ ] is identified as “Repurchase Pending” on the date (y) the Servicer sends notice of any request for repurchase to the related Repurchase Enforcer, or

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

D-1


(z) the Servicer receives notice of a repurchase request but determines it is not required to take further action regarding such request pursuant to its obligations under the applicable Transaction Documents. The [ ] will remain in this category until the Servicer receives actual knowledge from the related Repurchase Enforcer, Repurchaser, or other party, that the repurchase request should be changed to “Demand in Dispute”, “Demand Withdrawn”, “Demand Rejected”, or “Repurchased.

Demand in Dispute: Occurs (i) when a response is received from the Repurchaser which refutes a repurchase request, or (ii) upon the expiration of any applicable cure period.

Demand Withdrawn: The date when a previously submitted repurchase request is withdrawn by the original requesting party. To the extent such date is not available, the date when the Servicer or the Indenture Trustee receives actual knowledge of any such withdrawal.

Demand Rejected: The date when the Indenture Trustee, as Repurchase Enforcer, has determined that it will no longer pursue enforcement of a previously submitted repurchase request. To the extent such date is not otherwise available, the date when the Servicer receives actual knowledge from the Indenture Trustee, as Repurchase Enforcer, that it has determined not to pursue a repurchase request.

In connection therewith, if Proceedings are commenced or threatened [in writing] in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certification to any interested party in such Proceedings.

Date: ____________, 20__1

 

  Yours faithfully,
  [ ]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

1 

To be dated no later than three Business Days following the receipt of any Demands by the Indenture Trustee.

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

D-2


Exhibit A

 

[***] = Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and would likely cause harm to the company if publicly disclosed.

D-3

v3.24.1.1.u2
Document and Entity Information
Jun. 05, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Amendment Flag false
Entity Central Index Key 0001772695
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date Jun. 05, 2024
Entity Registrant Name Sunnova Energy International Inc.
Entity Incorporation State Country Code DE
Entity File Number 001-38995
Entity Tax Identification Number 30-1192746
Entity Address, Address Line One 20 East Greenway Plaza
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 540
Entity Address, City or Town Houston
Entity Address, State or Province TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 77046
City Area Code (281)
Local Phone Number 892-1588
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Security 12b Title Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share
Trading Symbol NOVA
Security Exchange Name NYSE
Entity Emerging Growth Company false

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