FAQ
Do I receive interest payments?
Due to complex securities and investment regulations that vary from country to country, we are currently only able provide investors with repayment of their principal investment. In other words, you can earn your money back, but beyond that, things start to get complicated. We are hard at work to make SunFunder an investment platform that offers additional value to investors beyond the return of principal. We currently do this through our Impact Points program.
What are Impact Points?
While SunFunder does not currently provide interest to investors due to securities regulatory challenges, the solar partners will be paying a modest interest rate on the financing that they receive. We currently provide additional value to investors by allowing them to direct the reinvestment of this interest through our Impact Points program.
Here’s how it works. 100 Impact Points represents $1, but Impact Points cannot be converted into money and investors cannot withdraw Impact Points. However, just like the principal repayment that you receive, Impact Points can be used to reinvest in more solar projects and grow your impact. When you invest using Impact Points, 100% of the investment will be repaid with more Impact Points, which can be reinvested again, giving you an opportunity to grow your impact.
How does my solar company become a SunFunder solar partner?
We partner with solar energy businesses and organizations that provide affordable and scalable solar energy solutions in emerging economies. If you’re a solar business interested in partnering with SunFunder, we want to get to know you and see if there’s a fit. Please contact us at partners@sunfunder.com.
Who can invest?
Anyone, anywhere in the world. Woohoo!
How does SunFunder make money?
SunFunder makes money by receiving a modest capital sourcing fee and a small portion of the interest paid by the solar partner. (The vast majority of the fee covers PayPal transaction costs.) When you invest through SunFunder, 100% of the investment you make funds your project.
We believe that sustainable, commercially oriented models will be required to achieve the scale and mobilize the amount of capital necessary to truly move the needle on addressing the big challenges of energy access and global warming. That’s exactly what we’re setting out to do.
Are there risks when I invest?
Yes. Like any investment, there will be risks when you invest through SunFunder, including risks associated with the solar partners, their customers, the technology, and currency exchange rates. Most of the risks will be mitigated through due diligence, transaction structuring, and other measures, and the SunFunder team has strong and successful track record in managing solar investment risks.
