The Center for Impact Finance (CIF) at the University of New Hampshire's Carsey School of Public Policy and the Inclusiv Center for Resiliency and Clean Energy have partnered to provide the Solar and Green Lending Training & Technical Assistance program for community lending institutions (CDFI loan funds, credit unions, MDI and CDFI banks, green banks). This program was created through generous support from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and the Wells Fargo Foundation.
Participants in this program learn and apply technical skills to rapidly launch and grow green loan products at their community lending institutions. Since 2020, this program has trained over 800 lenders from over 400 community-based financial institutions across the country. Graduates of the instructor-led training courses earn a Solar Green Lending Certificate from UNH and Inclusiv and may earn UNH course credit towards a Master in Community Development degree.
Upon completion of instructor-led courses, participants join an alumni program that delivers additional in-depth training workshops, technical assistance to launch and grow solar and green loan products, and development of shared financing platforms.
Apply now to be considered for upcoming course enrollments!
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Our instructor-led training courses are offered to small cohorts of community-based lenders with high potential to develop new solar and green lending products, collaborate with partners to provide solar and green financing, and/or deploy new loans or investments. Participants will:
- Access engaging videos, reference materials, facilitated online discussion, and expert webinars focused on practitioner needs.
- Earn a Solar or Green Lending Professional Certificate issued through Inclusiv upon successful course completion.
- Continue with technical assistance after course completion in the form of follow-on peer workshops and coaching to move your ideas to action.
The Solar and Green Lending Professional Training - Virtual Series is jointly offered by the Center for Impact Finance at the University of New Hampshire's Carsey School of Public Policy and the Inclusiv Center for Resiliency and Clean Energy.
Courses Offered:
Self-Paced Courses:
- Introduction to Solar Finance (3 hrs)
- COMING SOON: Resilient Solar and Storage
Instructor-Led Courses:
- Green Home Consumer Lending (5–8 weeks, ~8 hrs/wk)
- Commercial Solar Lending (5–8 weeks, ~8 hrs/wk)
- COMING SOON: Multifamily Decarbonization & Solar Lending
Requirements for Instructor-Led Courses:
- Participants should be current employees at community lenders and looking to build a loan product for that institution. These courses should not be taken as general professional development.
- Participants should have at least 1 year of lending experience (1 year of commercial lending or commercial real estate for the Commercial Solar Lending courses).
- Participants should have basic proficiency in Excel or an equivalent spreadsheet software.
- For Commercial Solar Lending, participants' institutions must have an existing commercial/business loan program.
- For Green Home Consumer Lending, participants' institutions must have an existing consumer loan or residential mortgage program.
- Participants should be based in/work for a U.S. organization (including U.S. territories).
- For grant reporting purposes, participants will be asked to share new loan and product information with UNH and Inclusiv on a quarterly basis for 2 years after course completion.
Course Pricing:
Currently, quarterly trainings are offered at no charge through the generosity of the Wells Fargo Foundation and the JPMorganChase Foundation. We are also working with select Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund awardees to design training programs for the community lenders that they select to receive financial and technical assistance.
Course Dates:
Apply now to be informed when course dates are released and to join our rolling list of applicants.
Self-Paced Courses:
- Available anytime. Please email Center for Impact Finance Trainings to register for a self-paced course.
Instructor-led courses:
- Green Home Consumer Lending: live online sessions take place on Tuesdays from 4–5:30 pm ET. **UPDATE: Cohorts for Green Home Consumer Lending have reached capacity for 2024.
- Commercial Solar Lending: live online sessions take place on Thursdays from 4–5:30 pm ET. **UPDATE: Cohorts for Green Home Consumer Lending have reached capacity for 2024.
- Both Green Home Consumer Lending and Commercial Solar Lending courses will be offered on a quarterly basis in 2025 (4+ cohorts per year). Dates to be released soon. Applications for 2025 are being received on a rolling basis and participants are encouraged to apply now.
For more information, contact Nik Kroushl, Training Associate, Inclusiv Center for Resiliency and Clean Energy, or Center for Impact Finance Trainings.
