AIC Terms and Conditions

1.1.

These Terms and Conditions (“T&C”) govern participation in the AIKO Installer Community (“AIC”) program, organized by AIKO Energy Germany GmbH, Niederkasseler Lohweg 18, 40547 Düsseldorf, Germany.

1.2.

The AIC program is open to professional photovoltaic installers operating within the European Economic Area (“EEA”) or Switzerland who meet the eligibility criteria set out in Section 3.

1.3.

By registering for the AIC program, each participant (“Participant”) agrees to be bound by these T&C and by any supplementary instructions, rules, or information published by AIKO on the AIC platform, via email, newsletters, or other official channels (“AIC Information”). AIC Information does not amend these T&C, except that Campaign Terms published on the AIC Platform prevail for the campaign concerned (Section 13).

1.4.

The AIC program commenced on 1 May 2024 and continues indefinitely. AIKO reserves the right to amend, suspend, or terminate the program or these T&C at any time. Changes will be published on the AIC platform and communicated through official AIC channels.

1.5.

The AIC program is operated in accordance with applicable EU consumer protection and data protection regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Localized versions of these T&C may be made available in the official languages of each market where AIKO operates. In case of discrepancies between language versions, the English version prevails.

AIC Platform: The online platform (https://aikosolar.com/en/aic/) through which Participants register, submit activities, accumulate Points, and redeem Gifts.

Points: Virtual units awarded to registered Participants upon verified completion of eligible activities. Points have no monetary value and cannot be transferred, sold, or exchanged for cash.

Base Points: Points awarded for approved AIKO module purchase invoices at the standard rates set out in Section 4.1, before any tier multiplier, promotional multiplier or bonus is applied.

Multiplier Points: Additional Points credited on top of Base Points under a tier multiplier (Section 6.4).

Bonus Points: Points awarded in addition to Base Points and Multiplier Points, including Points from promotional campaigns, the AIKO Power Bonus (Section 4.6) and other incentives.

Tier Points: The Base Points that count towards tier qualification, as set out in Section 6.2.

Installer: A legally registered solar installation company within the EEA or Switzerland that purchases AIKO modules from authorized distributors and directly installs them for end customers.

Participant: Any eligible Installer (Company Account) and/or its employees (Employee Account) registered on the AIC platform.

Gift: Physical goods, vouchers, services, or experience packages (e.g., electronics, tools, travel packages) available for redemption on the AIC platform.

Company Account: An account linked to a single VAT number. Holds product purchase Points and administrative rights for Gift redemptions.

Employee Account: A personal account linked to a specific individual within a registered Installer company. Holds Points earned through training, certification, and community activities.

Tiered Membership Level: The Installer’s classification within the AIC program (Certified, Silver, Gold, Diamond), determined as set out in Section 6.

Tier Benefits: Non-cash privileges associated with each membership level, including but not limited to recognition items, marketing support, promotional exposure, event access, and lead referrals.

3.1.

Eligibility. Only Installers that both purchase and directly install AIKO products for end customers are eligible for the AIC program. Middlemen, resellers, and entities without direct installation responsibilities are excluded.

3.2.

Company Account. Each company is identified by a unique VAT number. Only one Company Account is permitted per VAT number. The first registrant is designated as the Company Administrator and holds the right to redeem Points on behalf of the Company Account. Administrators may assign admin rights to other employees within the same VAT entity.

3.3.

Employee Account. Employees must provide their company name, VAT number, personal address, email address, and contact phone number to register for an Employee Account. Multiple employees from the same company may hold individual Employee Accounts.

3.4.

Confirmation. AIKO will send a confirmation email upon successful registration. If AIKO is unable to deliver notification due to incorrect or missing contact details provided by the Participant, this may result in forfeiture of any associated Gifts, without further obligation on AIKO’s part.

3.5.

Acknowledgement. By completing registration, the Participant confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these T&C. The AIC program is strictly limited to professional Installers and companies and is not intended for private end consumers.

In the AIC program, Participants earn Points through their daily work and engagement — from installing AIKO modules to learning, sharing projects, and participating in the community. Points are awarded after the required information (such as invoices or supporting materials) has been submitted and verified by the AIC team.

Earn Points when installing AIKO modules, calculated based on the capacity shown on valid purchase invoices:

• AIKO 48/54/60-cell modules: 10 Points per kW
• AIKO 66/72-cell modules: 3 Points per kW

Improve your knowledge and earn Points:

• Pass the AIKO Certification Exam
• Join AIKO webinars
• Participate in technical training sessions
• Attend other official AIKO learning activities

Contribute to the Installer community and earn additional Points:

• Upload a project case study (photo/video required)
• Refer another Installer who successfully registers in AIC
• Participate in AIKO local events
• Complete Installer surveys

The specific Point values for each learning and community activity, unless stated above, will be published and updated on the AIC platform. AIKO reserves the right to adjust eligible activities and their Point values at any time.

AIKO may launch promotional campaigns offering multiplied Points, Gifts or other rewards, as set out in Section 13. Promotional Points follow the same validity rules as standard Points.

From 1 January 2027, Company Accounts can earn an annual AIKO Power Bonus (“Power Bonus”) for buying AIKO modules regularly throughout the calendar year.

(a) Qualifying months. A calendar month qualifies when at least one qualifying invoice (Section 4.6(b)) of the Company Account is dated in that month. The invoice date recorded by AIKO after verification applies, not the upload date. There is no minimum quantity or capacity, and qualifying months do not need to be consecutive.

(b) Qualifying invoices. An invoice counts towards the Power Bonus of a calendar year only if its invoice date falls within that year, it is uploaded by 23:59 (Berlin time) on 31 January of the following year, and it is approved. Invoices uploaded after that deadline, including invoices rejected and resubmitted after it, earn standard Points only and do not count towards the Power Bonus of any year.

(c) Bonus rates. The Power Bonus is a percentage of the Base Points of all qualifying invoices of the year, determined by the number of qualifying months: 3 to 5 months: 5%; 6 to 8 months: 10%; 9 to 11 months: 15%; 12 months: 20%. No Power Bonus is paid for fewer than three qualifying months.

(d) Calculation base. The Power Bonus is calculated on Base Points only. Multiplier Points and other Bonus Points are not included. The result is rounded to the nearest whole Point.

(e) Payment. The Power Bonus is credited to the Company Account in a single payment on 15 February of the following year. It constitutes Bonus Points: it is valid for 18 months from the date of crediting (Section 5.1) and does not count as Tier Points (Section 6.2). Qualifying invoices that are approved after 15 February are taken into account in a supplementary payment.

(f) Estimate. The estimated Power Bonus shown on the AIC Platform during the year is for information only. It reflects invoices approved so far and excludes invoices under review. The amount credited on 15 February is final, subject to Section 4.6(g).

(g) Corrections. If a qualifying invoice is later rejected, reversed or corrected under Section 5.6, AIKO may recalculate the Power Bonus of the year concerned and credit or deduct the difference, including after payment.

(h) Account status. AIKO may withhold the Power Bonus while the Company Account is suspended or under review under Section 9. No Power Bonus is paid to a Company Account that is closed or terminated before the payment date.

(i) Changes. AIKO may change the bonus rates or discontinue the Power Bonus for future calendar years. Such changes will be announced via official AIC channels before the calendar year concerned begins and will not reduce the Power Bonus of a calendar year already in progress.

When a Participant submits photos, videos, case descriptions or other content, for example as a project case study (“Submitted Content”), the Participant grants AIKO and its affiliated companies a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide right, unlimited in time, to use, edit, translate, publish and share the Submitted Content for marketing AIKO products and the AIC program in all media, including websites, social media, presentations, print materials and trade fairs. AIKO may name the Participant’s company as the source.

The Participant confirms that it holds the necessary rights to the Submitted Content and has obtained the consent of any persons shown or identifiable in it, including the owners or occupants of the properties shown. If a third party asserts claims against AIKO because such rights or consents were missing, the Participant shall indemnify AIKO to the extent the Participant is responsible for this.

AIKO is not obliged to use Submitted Content. Points for Submitted Content are awarded at AIKO’s discretion based on quality, relevance and reach. A Participant can ask AIKO to stop using its Submitted Content in new publications; content already published or printed does not have to be withdrawn.

5.1.

Validity Period. Points remain valid for 18 months from the date they are awarded. Expired Points will be automatically deducted from the account balance.

5.2.

Invoice Eligibility. Invoices submitted for Points must have been issued within 18 months prior to the submission date.

5.3.

Exclusions. Utility-scale projects and resale-only transactions are not eligible for AIC Points.

5.4.

Points Ownership. Product purchase Points (based on invoices) are credited to the Company Account. Training, certification, and community activity Points are credited to the Employee Account.

5.5.

Non-Transferability. Points cannot be transferred between accounts, sold, or exchanged for cash.

5.6.

Corrections. Points for invoices are calculated from invoice data that may be read automatically and is then verified by the AIC team. If AIKO finds that Points have been credited incorrectly, for example due to an error in the automated reading of an invoice, a data entry error, a duplicate submission, or an invoice that does not meet these T&C, AIKO may correct the Points balance by crediting or deducting the difference, including after approval. Where the Points concerned have already been redeemed, AIKO may deduct the difference from the account’s current or future Points balance. Corrections may be made within the validity period of the Points concerned (Section 5.1) and do not require a finding of fraud or misconduct; Section 9 remains unaffected. Where a correction affects a tier, the AIKO Power Bonus or eligibility for a campaign reward, AIKO may adjust these accordingly and withhold rewards not yet delivered. AIKO will inform the account holder of any correction.

5.7.

One Invoice, One Award. Each invoice, identified by its invoice number and issuing seller, can earn Points only once across the AIC program. If the same invoice is submitted more than once, by the same or a different account, only the first approved submission counts; Points credited for any later submission will be reversed under Section 5.6. Uploading an invoice in several parts does not increase the Points awarded.

5.8.

Verification. AIKO may request additional supporting documents for any invoice, such as a delivery note or a confirmation from the distributor, before or after approval, and may withhold approval, Points or rewards until the documents are provided.

6.1.

Qualification. The tiers and their requirements are:

• Certified: pass the official AIKO Certification Exam;
• Silver: at least 5,000 Tier Points;
• Gold: at least 15,000 Tier Points;
• Diamond: at least 30,000 Tier Points.

6.2.

Tier Points. Tier Points are the Base Points from approved AIKO module purchase invoices credited to the Company Account within the preceding twelve (12) months. Multiplier Points, Bonus Points (including campaign Points and the AIKO Power Bonus) and Points from learning, certification and community activities do not count as Tier Points.

6.3.

Validity. Tier status is valid for twelve (12) full months from the month of upgrade. At renewal, AIKO reviews the Tier Points of the preceding twelve (12) months, and the tier and related Tier Benefits are confirmed or adjusted accordingly.

6.4.

Points Multipliers. The tier multipliers are 1.0 (Certified), 1.2 (Silver), 1.4 (Gold) and 1.6 (Diamond). Multiplier Points are credited in addition to Base Points. Points multipliers associated with specific tiers apply only to future approved activities and do not apply retroactively. AIKO reserves the right to suspend multiplier benefits in cases of abnormal, fraudulent, or non-compliant activity.

7.1.

Participants may redeem accumulated Points for Gifts listed on the AIC platform. Both Company Account Points and Employee Account Points may be used.

7.2.

Gift options may include, but are not limited to: AIKO modules, household appliances, electronics, small promotional items, vouchers, and experience packages.

7.3.

Gift availability, specifications, and Point requirements may change without prior notice and are subject to stock availability. The conditions at the time of redemption apply.

7.4.

AIKO reserves the right to define and modify the redemption price (in Points) of any Gift at its sole discretion.

7.5.

Some items may require custom ordering via customer service (e.g., smartphones).

7.6.

If a specified Gift is unavailable, AIKO will provide a comparable alternative of similar value.

7.7.

Gifts are provided as stated. There is no entitlement to cash payment in lieu of a Gift, and Gifts have no cash alternative.

7.8.

Participants are responsible for complying with any local tax obligations arising from the redemption of Gifts.

7.9.

Tier-Exclusive Gifts. Some Gifts, such as co-marketing materials, are available only to Participants of certain tiers, as indicated on the AIC Platform. Tier discounts on redemption prices apply as published on the AIC Platform.

8.1.

Tier Benefits may include, but are not limited to:

• Gift redemption discounts
• Recognition items (certificates, trophies)
• Marketing support (non-cash only)
• Social media or promotional exposure
• Event access or invitations
• Lead referrals
• Discounted participation in official AIKO programs

8.2.

All Tier Benefits are subject to availability, require compliance with AIC rules, are non-transferable, and may be modified, substituted, limited, or discontinued at AIKO’s discretion. Tier Benefits do not constitute a guaranteed contractual entitlement.

8.3.

Marketing Support. Annual local marketing support is provided in non-cash form only and may be issued as approved marketing vouchers, promotional materials, or reimbursement of eligible marketing expenses, subject to prior written approval by AIKO. Marketing support is not a cash rebate, is not automatic, requires supporting documentation, and may be subject to additional eligibility conditions.

8.4.

Use of AIKO Brand and Co-Marketing Materials. Participants may use the AIKO name and logo, tier badges and co-marketing materials provided by AIKO (“AIKO Materials”) only to promote AIKO products in their own business, only in the form provided by AIKO, and in line with any guidelines AIKO provides. This right is non-exclusive, non-transferable and revocable. Participants may not alter AIKO Materials, except for the fields intended for their own company details, or use them together with content that is misleading, unlawful or damaging to AIKO’s reputation. A tier badge may be used only while the Participant holds that tier. After a downgrade, the Participant shall not create new materials with the badge of the higher tier and shall remove it from its websites and social media profiles within thirty (30) days; after participation ends, the same applies to all AIKO Materials. Use of AIKO Materials does not create a partnership, agency or exclusive distribution relationship. AIKO may request the removal of any use that does not comply with this Section.

9.1.

Participation in the AIC program is strictly limited to eligible Installers as defined in Section 3.

9.2.

In the event that AIKO determines, at its sole discretion and based on reasonable evidence, that:

• A Participant is not an eligible Installer;
• False, misleading, or incomplete information has been provided;
• Fraudulent activities, identity manipulation, or misuse of the program have occurred; or
• Invoices or activities have been fabricated, altered, or improperly submitted,

AIKO reserves the right to:

• Immediately suspend or terminate the Participant’s account;
• Cancel any accumulated Points;
• Revoke Tier status and related benefits;
• Require the return of any redeemed Gifts that have not yet been consumed or used; and/or
• Request reimbursement of the commercial value of redeemed Gifts where return is not reasonably possible.

9.3.

AIKO further reserves the right to pursue legal remedies in cases of confirmed fraudulent behavior. These measures are without prejudice to any other rights available under applicable law.

10.1.

Controller. The controller responsible for processing Participants’ personal data in the AIC program is AIKO Energy Germany GmbH, Niederkasseler Lohweg 18, 40547 Düsseldorf, Germany. AIKO processes personal data in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), applicable German data protection law and, for Participants in Switzerland, the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP).

10.2.

Data processed. AIKO processes the following categories of data:

• Registration data: company name, VAT number, and the name, address, email address and telephone number of the Company Administrator and of each Employee Account holder;
• Invoice data: uploaded invoices and the data taken from them, such as seller, invoice number, invoice date, products, quantities and capacity;
• Program data: Points, tier, campaign participation, Gift redemptions and delivery addresses, participation in trainings, webinars, events and surveys, and referral information;
• Submitted content: project photos, videos and case descriptions submitted by Participants;
• Technical data: data generated when using the AIC Platform, as described in the privacy policy of aikosolar.com.

10.3.

Purposes and legal bases. AIKO processes personal data for the following purposes:

• running the AIC program, including managing accounts, verifying invoices, awarding Points and tiers, running campaigns and the AIKO Power Bonus, delivering Gifts and sending service messages: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (performance of the contract under these T&C);
• preventing fraud and misuse, such as duplicate invoices and fake accounts, and enforcing these T&C: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (AIKO’s legitimate interest in protecting the program);
• analysing and improving the program and enabling AIKO’s sales and business development teams to follow up with Participants: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (AIKO’s legitimate interest in developing its installer business);
• sending newsletters and information on AIKO products, events and campaigns by email: Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent) or, where permitted by law without consent, Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. Participants can unsubscribe at any time via the link in each email;
• social media advertising (Section 10.4): Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (AIKO’s legitimate interest in reaching professional installers with relevant advertising).

10.4.

Social media advertising. AIKO may share contact data (such as email address, telephone number, name and country) in hashed form with Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd. (Facebook, Instagram), directly or through an advertising agency acting on AIKO’s behalf. Meta matches the data with existing Meta accounts so that AIKO can show its advertising to matched Participants, exclude them from advertising aimed at new users, and reach other users with similar professional characteristics (lookalike audiences). Data that cannot be matched is deleted by Meta after the matching process. Meta may process data in the USA; Meta Platforms, Inc. is certified under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework. Participants can object to this use of their data at any time by email to installer.community@aikosolar.com; AIKO will then exclude their data from such audiences.

10.5.

Service providers. AIKO uses service providers that process personal data on its behalf and under its instructions (Art. 28 GDPR), in particular for hosting and maintaining the AIC Platform, reading invoice data automatically, sending emails and advertising. Delivery data is passed to logistics providers to deliver Gifts. Every invoice read automatically is checked by the AIC team; no decision with legal or similarly significant effect on a Participant is made solely by automated means.

10.6.

Transfers outside the EU/EEA. Some service providers, including the provider maintaining the AIC Platform, may process or access data from outside the EU/EEA, including in China. Where the destination country does not have an adequate level of data protection recognised by the European Commission, AIKO uses the EU standard contractual clauses or another transfer mechanism recognised under the GDPR.

10.7.

Retention. AIKO stores personal data for as long as the Participant’s account exists. After an account is closed, the data is deleted within six (6) months, unless longer storage is required by statutory retention obligations, in particular under German commercial and tax law for records relating to Gifts, or is necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal claims, including in cases under Section 9.

10.8.

Rights of Participants. Each Participant has the right to:

• access their personal data (Art. 15 GDPR);
• have incorrect data corrected (Art. 16 GDPR);
• have data deleted or its processing restricted (Art. 17 and 18 GDPR);
• receive their data in a portable format (Art. 20 GDPR);
• object at any time, for reasons relating to their particular situation, to processing based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, and object to the use of their data for direct marketing (Art. 21 GDPR);
• withdraw any consent at any time, with effect for the future; and
• lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in their country of residence or with the authority responsible for AIKO, the State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information of North Rhine-Westphalia (LDI NRW).

10.9.

Data Protection Officer: AIKO Energy Germany GmbH, Niederkasseler Lohweg 18, 40547 Düsseldorf. Email: dpo_international@aikosolar.com. Requests under Section 10.8 can also be sent to installer.community@aikosolar.com.

11.1.

AIKO accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, injury, or disappointment suffered by any Participant as a result of entering the AIC program or accepting any Points and/or Gifts, except to the extent required by mandatory law.

11.2.

AIKO is not responsible for any technical malfunctions of telephone networks, computer systems, servers, internet service providers, software failures, or traffic congestion affecting participation in the program.

11.3.

The AIC platform and related services may be temporarily suspended without notice for system maintenance, repair, or reasons beyond AIKO’s reasonable control. AIKO will not be liable if any part of the platform is discontinued, modified, or changed.

12.1.

AIKO reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the AIC program in whole or in part, at its sole discretion, including in cases of force majeure, security concerns, unauthorized interference, or any cause beyond AIKO’s reasonable control.

12.2.

AIKO reserves the right to amend or terminate specific rewards, redemption rules, or campaigns with reasonable notice where practicable.

12.3.

AIKO reserves the right to withhold delivery of Gifts until proof of eligibility and identity has been confirmed.

13.1.

Campaign Terms. AIKO may run campaigns offering multiplied Points, Gifts or other rewards. The specific terms of each campaign, including the campaign period, eligibility, eligible regions and products, conditions and rewards, are published on the campaign page of the AIC Platform (“Campaign Terms”). Campaign Terms apply only to the campaign concerned and, for that campaign, prevail over these T&C where they differ.

13.2.

Binding source. Emails, newsletters, banners, social media posts and other communications about a campaign, including those sent by distributors, are for information only. Only the Campaign Terms on the AIC Platform are binding.

13.3.

Language. Where Campaign Terms are published in several languages, the English version prevails in case of discrepancies.

13.4.

Availability. Campaign Terms remain available on the AIC Platform until all rewards of the campaign have been delivered. Participants can afterwards request a copy from installer.community@aikosolar.com.

13.5.

General rules. Unless the Campaign Terms state otherwise:

• campaigns are open only to registered AIC members that meet the eligibility criteria in Section 3;
• each Company Account (VAT number) can receive only one reward per campaign; where it qualifies for more than one, only the reward of the highest value is granted. Flash-day rewards (Section 13.7) are granted in addition to this one reward;
• promotional Point multipliers apply only to invoices or activities completed during the campaign period;
• where rewards are limited in quantity, they are allocated in the order of the system-recorded submission time of invoices that are subsequently approved;
• rewards are delivered after verification, which may be after the end of the campaign;
• AIKO may replace a reward with another of equal or greater value; rewards are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash;
• if a Participant cannot be reached at the registered contact details within fourteen (14) calendar days of notification, AIKO may cancel the reward; and
• all taxes, duties and reporting obligations relating to rewards are the responsibility of the recipient, unless mandatory local law provides otherwise.

13.6.

Compliance. AIKO may disqualify any Participant who submits fraudulent, duplicated or otherwise non-compliant invoices, correct Points and rewards under Section 5.6, and modify, suspend or end a campaign for legal, regulatory, technical or operational reasons.

13.7.

Flash Days. AIKO may hold flash days, on which Participants who upload a valid AIKO module purchase invoice on the announced day (Berlin time) receive a limited reward once the invoice is approved. Flash days are announced in advance via official AIC channels, and their terms are published on the AIC Platform. Flash-day rewards are limited to one per Company Account per flash day and are granted in addition to the one reward under Section 13.5. An invoice uploaded on a flash day also counts towards any other campaign running at the same time. Where quantities are limited, Section 13.5 applies.

14.1.

Participants may redeem Points for special experience packages such as the “China Tour” or similar rewards. Specific content, value, and redemption rules will be communicated separately via official AIC channels.

14.2.

The China Tour is subject to the following conditions:

• Travel dates will be determined by AIKO;
• Visa applications, passport validity, and travel documentation are the sole responsibility of the Participant;
• AIKO is not responsible for visa refusals, travel restrictions, force majeure, or circumstances beyond its control;
• If the trip cannot be fulfilled, AIKO reserves the right to provide an alternative reward of equivalent value.

14.3.

Availability, redemption deadlines, and terms of participation are subject to the specific campaign announcement.

16.1.

Participation in the AIC program does not constitute employment or agency with AIKO.

16.2.

These T&C are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. The place of jurisdiction for non-consumers is Düsseldorf, Germany.

16.3.

In case of disputes, AIKO reserves the right of final interpretation to the extent permitted by applicable law.