Sunlight Finance is a free editorial publication. We don’t charge readers, run banner ads, or sell email lists. We pay our writers and engineers through a single, narrow revenue stream: a flat referral fee earned when a reader submits a quote request through our partner installer network and goes on to install a solar system.
What that means in practice
- We earn a fixed fee per referred installation — it’s the same flat amount regardless of which lender finances the project, which installer the reader chooses, or the size of the loan.
- We don’t have lender-specific commission deals. We don’t earn more for sending readers to Sunlight Financial vs. GoodLeap, Mosaic, or any other lender.
- Editorial coverage is independent. Our writers don’t know which content drives the most conversions, and our analysiss and ratings are not adjusted for revenue impact.
What we don’t do
- We don’t accept payment for positive reviews.
- We don’t adjust ratings based on commercial relationships.
- We don’t publish sponsored content disguised as editorial.
- We don’t resell your email or phone number.
- We don’t use affiliate networks that pay per click or impression.
Why this matters
Most personal finance content online is monetized through high-commission affiliate links. That creates a structural incentive to recommend the products with the highest payouts, not the best fit. Our flat-fee structure breaks that incentive: we make the same whether you choose the best lender or a mediocre one, so we have no reason not to tell you the truth.
Trademark notice
Sunlight Finance is editorially independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Sunlight Financial Holdings Inc., its subsidiaries, or any other lender mentioned on this site. We reference the “Sunlight Financial” trade name and product names (including Orange® and Tangerine™) for nominative editorial purposes only, which is permitted under U.S. trademark law when used to identify the trademark holder’s products in commentary or comparative coverage.
Equal Housing Opportunity notice
Sunlight Finance is not a lender, broker, or originator of any residential mortgage or home-equity product. Loan products discussed on this site are provided by independent third-party lenders subject to credit approval. We support equal housing opportunity. The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in real estate and lending based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. If you believe you have experienced discrimination in your loan application, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at hud.gov/fairhousing or call 1-800-669-9777.
State licensing & lending disclosures
Lending products and APRs referenced on this site reflect terms generally available in the United States as of the page’s last-reviewed date. Specific terms, APRs, fees, and eligibility vary by state and depend on individual creditworthiness, the lender’s licensing in your state, and the property type. Sunlight Financial Holdings Inc. is registered in the NMLS Consumer Access database under NMLS ID 1818140; verify any lender’s current state licensing at nmlsconsumeraccess.org before applying.
Questions about our model?
We answer them publicly. Email [email protected].