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Resources for Contractors

 

NY-Sun has developed several resources to support participating contractors. Sign up to receive the latest program updates.

Program Manual

NY-Sun Program Manual (All Regions)

The NY-Sun Program Manual provides a description of guidelines and rules for all systems installed in New York State. As of January 2025, the Con Edison and Upstate + Long Island Program Manuals have been combined into one manual. The addendum to the customer agreement is required with each project application submitted to the program.

Project Application Guidance

We developed the following application guidance documents for support when submitting a project application.

Application Guides

Application Tools

The Project Modification Request, Extension Request, Cancellation Request, and Project Invoice Request forms are now available directly in the NYSERDA PortalLink opens in new window - close new window to return to this page..

How to Earn a “Quality Solar Installer” Designation

You can earn a NYSERDA “Quality Solar Installer” (QSI) designation. When a customer hires a QSI contractor it means they’re choosing a contractor who exceeds annual quality assurance criteria established by NYSERDA.

To earn a QSI designation, contractors must:

  • Be an active, full-status solar builder in the NY-Sun Program
  • Complete at least 12 projects through NY-Sun within the past calendar year
  • Have an average field inspection score of 4.0 (out of 5, no rounding up), within the past calendar year, on NYSERDA-performed inspections

Additionally, if you’re a QSI contractor who performs quality work over an extended period of time, you can receive these designations:

  • Gold Status Installer - QSI designation for three consecutive years.
  • Platinum Status Installer - QSI designation for six consecutive years.

When a customer uses NYSERDA’s filtering tool to locate a participating contractor or a QSI contractor that services their county, Platinum and Gold installers are listed first.

Important note: Contractors must meet QSI criteria each calendar year. If a contractor fails to meet criteria, status will change from “QSI installer” to “participating installer.”

Contact [email protected] with questions about QSI designation.

Community Solar Sponsor Resources

In September 2019, the NYS Department of Public Service (DPS) and NYSERDA launched the Community Solar (CDG) Crediting and Working Group in order to identify potential roadblocks and issues CDG projects may face. This group is a collaborative effort and includes CDG Developers, Sponsors, and a member from each of the Utilities (not NYPA or PSEG).

The below documents have been created by the working group in order to provide guidance for Sponsors and Utilities. These documents will also be posted on each of the Utilities websites as well.


Inclusive Community Solar Adder Resources

This section contains documents NY-Sun Participating Contractors will need to use when applying for the Inclusive Community Solar Adder.

Round 2 Documents
(for projects submitted after October 12, 2023):

Round 1 Documents
(for projects submitted between July 20, 2021 and June 7, 2022):

Reference these documents for answers to frequently asked questions:

Other Round 1 Documents:

Statewide Solar for All Resources

This section contains information about Statewide Solar for All (S-SFA), including important program documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Reference the S-SFA FAQs document for answer to frequently asked questions.

Compensation Level Schedule

Distributed solar and energy storage projects participating in Statewide Solar for All will be compensated based on the 2026 rates specified in the Compensation Level Schedules [PDF] document that was filed with the Department of Public Service.

Utility Requirements

Distributed solar and energy storage projects enroll in S-SFA directly with the interconnecting utility. More information, including how to enroll and required program documentation, can be viewed on each utility's website.

Informational Webinar

In October 2024, NY-Sun hosted a webinar to present an overview of the program, including project compensation, program eligibility, and enrollment. Please note that the information presented in the archived webinar was preliminary, and the other documents and links on this page should be referred to for up-to-date program details.

  • S-SFA Webinar Recording Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page.
  • S-SFA Presentation Slides [PDF]

    • Prevailing Wage Adder

    This section contains information about the Prevailing Wage Adder and documents NY-Sun Participating Contractors must submit to comply with program requirements.

    Compliance Documents:

    Contractor Prevailing Wage Certification

    Quarterly New York Certified Public Accountant Certification

    Contractors must use one of the following templates.

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    Reference this document for answers to frequently asked questions about the Prevailing Wage Adder:

    Instructions for Obtaining a Prevailing Wage Schedule

    For NY-Sun questions and assistance email, [email protected].

    New York State Department of Labor Prevailing Wage Resources

    For NYSDOL questions or assistance contact, [email protected].

    Quality Assurance Reference Guides

    Our Quality Assurance (QA) program is responsible for inspecting a percentage of all the NY-Sun projects. We have developed the following guidance documents to help you comply with the QA program.

    Stakeholder Meeting Updates

    Review meeting updates from the semi-annual commercial and industrial stakeholder meetings, where attendees share information on program activity, regulatory developments, and market conditions.

    Stakeholder Resources – March 4, 2026

    Stakeholder Resources – July 29, 2025

    Stakeholder Resources – February 6, 2025

    Stakeholder Resources – October 30, 2024

    Stakeholder Resources – May 6, 2024

    Stakeholder Resources – October 18, 2023

    Stakeholder Resources – October 16, 2023

    Stakeholder Resources – August 15, 2023

    Stakeholder Resources - March 14, 2023

    Stakeholder Resources – January 31, 2023

    Stakeholder Resources – August 8, 2022

    Stakeholder Resources – May 12, 2022

    Stakeholder Resources – May 10, 2022

    Stakeholder Resources – April 20, 2022

    Stakeholder Resources – February 25, 2022

    Stakeholder Meeting – February 3, 2022

    Stakeholder Meeting – February 1, 2022

    Stakeholder Meeting – November 16, 2021

    Stakeholder Meeting - August 3, 2021

    Stakeholder Meeting - July 29, 2021

    Stakeholder Meeting - July 28, 2021

    Stakeholder Meeting - May 7, 2021

    Stakeholder Meeting - April 21, 2021

    Stakeholder Meeting - March 25, 2021

    Stakeholder Meeting - January 13, 2021

    Stakeholder Meeting - September 24, 2020

    Stakeholder Meeting - June 18, 2020

    Stakeholder Meeting - April 3, 2020

    Stakeholder Meeting - July 11, 2019

    Stakeholder Meeting - March 21, 2019





    Example Documents

    The following are examples of documents that may be required for project application submission. See the “Applying for Incentives” section in the appropriate Program Manual for a full listing of required documents.

    Workforce Development Opportunities

    NYSERDA offers valuable programs to help contractors grow their teams while supporting the development of a skilled clean energy workforce in New York State. Learn how you can receive funding from NYSERDA to hire and train interns and full-time employees:

    • On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program: The OJT program provides funding to help offset the costs of hiring and training new employees. Eligible businesses can receive wage reimbursements for hiring and training employees who design, sell, install, operate, and maintain renewable energy systems.
    • Clean Energy Internship Program: Clean energy businesses receive funding to host interns, helping them explore careers and gain professional experience. This initiative connects businesses with students and recent graduates to allow businesses to evaluate talent and to develop the next generation of clean energy workers.

    Get Started: Visit the NYSERDA Workforce Development Programs page  to learn more about program details, eligibility and how to apply.

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