Become a Vermont Solar & Wind Partnership Program Installer
The purpose of the Vermont Solar & Wind Partnership Program is to:
- Provide a benchmark of installation quality and experience for the solar and wind installation industry and its customers.
- Provide a gateway to the Vermont Small Scale Renewable Energy Incentive Program.
History
The Vermont Solar and Wind Partnership Program was established in 2003 by Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) as a voluntary program for REV members. In 2005, Vermont State’s Small Scale Renewable Energy Incentive Program stipulated that incentive payments can be made only to installers who have been approved as solar or wind partners; the partnership program was then made available to all installers of solar and small wind systems. REV remains the administrator of the Partnership Program, and the Renewable Energy Resource Center the administrator of the Vermont State Solar and Small Wind Incentive Program.
Steps to Becoming a Vermont Solar or Wind Partner
Provisional and Full Solar or Wind Partnerships
Partnerships are divided into two categories, Provisional and Full Partners.
Provisional Partners have met the minimum requirements to enter the program, providing either proof of approved coursework or one Partnership Program Committee-reviewed installation. Provisional Partnership is good for two years, after which the installer must upgrade their status to Full Partnership. Provisional Partners may only hold one incentive reservation at a time.
Full Partners have provided proof of three Partnership Program Committee-reviewed installations, or have provided proof of NABCEP certification in their technology type and one Partnership Program Committee-reviewed installation. Full Partnership is good for two years, and may be renewed. Full Partners may hold multiple incentive reservations at a time.
Courses
Businesses applying as provisional partners may need to include evidence that they have completed an ISPQ-accredited training course or program, or other courses approved . These programs are listed on the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s website, ISPQ-Accredited Programs & Continuing Education Providers, as well as on our Events Page. REV also approves training courses based on their content on a course-by-course basis. Courses must be submitted for approval before the applicant begins the course work.
For Solar Thermal (ST) and Photovoltaic (PV) Provisional applicants, REV approves courses depending on whether the applicant is licensed (electrical or plumbing) or not. General credit requirements for licensed installers (electricians/plumbers) is 8 credit hours, covering industry fundamentals and best practices; for non-licensed installers it is 32 credit hours, covering industry fundamentals, best practices, related code/laws and must have a hands-on component. See the Solar & Wind Partnership Program Criteria for full details.
Program Criteria
All applicants should read the Solar & Wind Partnership Program Criteria before submitting their applications:
Solar & Wind Partnership Program Criteria
Program Applications
The Vermont Solar & Wind Partnership Program reviews applications from interested businesses to determine whether they meet program requirements. Program application forms are available for download here:
