CSI Handbook and Forms
Attention: No faxes allowed. To ensure confirmation of receipt, documentation is recommended to be delivered by certified or overnight mail. Hand deliveries will not be accepted.
California Solar Initiative Handbook:
The CSI Program Handbook (Rev 1/08) has been approved by the Commission. Please ensure that you are operating under this Handbook immediately.
CSI Online Application Process:
As of August 6, 2007, you may now complete a new CSI reservation request form online.
The CSI Inspection Protocol (DOC, 53 KB) is a guide for installers and customers that describe in detail the areas that are examined during a field inspection. This is a very useful tool to ensure that the as-built PV system matches the final documentation submitted for the incentive. In addition, here is a sample CSI Field Inspection Form (XLT, 236 KB) that is used by the field inspectors.
All Residential Customers & Business Customers Less Than 10KW:
2-Step Application Process (PDF, 1.1 MB) (PDF)
2-Step Forms and Documentation Requirements (PDF, 13 KB) (PDF)
Reservation Request Documents
- Reservation Request Form with CSI Program Contract - 5/14/2008 (XLS) (XLS, 96 KB) or the Online Application
- Proof of Electric Utility Service for Site
All applications must include a copy of a recent electric utility bill that shows the service address of the installation Site, the name of the Host Customer, and electric energy usage for the Site. Only the page of the utility bill that shows service account name, contact information, and service account number should be submitted to ensure that this information is provided. The entire utility bill is not required.
- Electrical System Sizing Documentation (new/expanded load only for systems greater than 5kW)
Except for systems of 5 kW or less, which need no sizing documentation, to confirm that participating distributed generation systems will not exceed the capacity of the Host Customer’s previous 12-month historical usage, all Applicants for projects at new construction and/or major renovation must submit a copy of the data and calculations used to determine electrical system size.
- Certification of Tax-Exempt Status
Any Government and Non-Profit entities must include a certification under penalty of perjury from their chief financial officer or equivalent that they are a Government or Non-Profit entity and that the system is not receiving, and will not in the future receive, federal tax benefits through financial arrangements (i.e., the System Owner if a third-party, which will be receiving tax benefits from the system). This certification must be renewed annually if receiving PBI payments.
- AB1407 Public Entity Certification - 12/27/2006 (Word) (DOC, 26 KB)
- Documentation of Energy Efficiency Audit (or Title 24 documentation or other exemptions)
All customers are required to have an energy efficiency audit conducted of their existing
home or
business. Customers will be responsible for submitting a copy of a completed energy efficiency audit to the Utility Program Administrator with their solar incentive application. A customer can, however, be exempt from an audit if documentation is provided which shows that an energy efficiency audit was completed within the past 36 months, the facility is Energy Star or LEED certified, or the facility is Title 24 energy efficiency compliance within the past 3 years. See Section 2.3 of the CSI Handbook for more details.
- Printout of EPBB Tool Calculation
- Copy of Executed Agreement of Solar System Purchase and Installation, including warranty language
All Applicants must submit a copy of an executed agreement to purchase and install the solar system at the time of submitting the Reservation Request Form. This agreement must also include warranty language to meet the warranty requirements.
- Executed Alternative System Ownership Agreement (if System Owner is Different from Host Customer)
If the System Owner is not the Host Customer, applicant must submit a copy of Executed Alternative System Ownership agreement with the Reservation Request Form.
Incentive Claim Documents
Business Customers Greater Than 10KW:
3-Step Application Process (PDF, 270 KB) (PDF)
3-Step Forms and Documentation Requirements (PDF, 16 KB) (PDF)
Reservation Request Documents
- Reservation Request Form with CSI Program Contract - 5/14/2008 (XLS) (XLS, 96 KB) or the Online Application
- Proof of Electric Utility Service for Site
All applications must include a copy of a recent electric utility bill that shows the service address of the installation Site, the name of the Host Customer, and electric energy usage for the Site. Only the page of the utility bill that shows service account name, contact information, and service account number should be submitted to ensure that this information is provided. The entire utility bill is not required.
- CSI System Description Worksheet - 5/14/08 (Word) (DOC, 67 KB)
- Electrical System Sizing Documenation (new/expanded load only)
To confirm that participating distributed generation systems will not exceed the capacity of the Host Customer’s electrical load, all Applicants for projects at new construction and/or major renovation must submit a copy of the data and calculations used to determine electrical system size.
- Application Fee
Application Fee = (CEC-AC System Size x current applicable/equivalent EPBB incentive rate) x 1%
- Certification of Tax-Exempt Status
Any Government and Non-Profit entities must include a certification under penalty of perjury from their chief financial officer or equivalent that they are a Government or Non-Profit entity and that the system is not receiving, and will not in the future receive, federal tax benefits through financial arrangements (i.e., the System Owner if a third-party, which will be receiving tax benefits from the system). This certification must be renewed annually if receiving PBI payments.
- AB1407 Public Entity Certification - 12/27/2006 (Word) (DOC, 26 KB)
- Documentation of Energy Efficiency Audit
All customers are required to have an energy efficiency audit conducted of their existing
home or
business. Customers will be responsible for submitting a copy of a completed energy efficiency audit to the Utility Program Administrator with their solar incentive application. A customer can, however, be exempt from an audit if documentation is provided which shows that an energy efficiency audit was completed within the past 36 months, the facility is Energy Star or LEED certified, or the facility is Title 24 energy efficiency compliance within the past 3 years. See Section 2.3 of the CSI Handbook for more details.
- Printout of EPBB Tool Calculation
Proof of Project Documents
- Proof of Project Milestone Checklist - 5/14/08 (Word) (DOC, 73 KB)
- Copy of Executed Contract for System Purchase and Installation, including warranty language
All Applicants must submit a copy of an executed contract for purchase and installation of the system. This agreement must also include warranty language to meet the warranty requirements.
- Executed Alternative System Ownership Agreement (if System Owner is Different from Host Customer)
If the System Owner is not the Host Customer, applicant must submit a copy of Executed Alternative System Ownership agreement.
- Revised EPBB Calculation Printout (if applicable)
- RFP or solicitation (Government, Non-profit, and Public Entities only)
Within 60 days after the Confirmed Reservation Notice Letter, Government, Non-Profit, and Public Entities must submit a copy of the RFP, Notice to Invite Bids, of similar solicitation issued for the installation, lease, and/or purchase of the system proposed for the project in order to receive an additional 180 days to submit all the Proof of Project Milestone documentation. For Government, Non-Profit, and Public Entities not issuing an RFP for the project, all Proof of Project Milestone documentation must be submitted within Proof of Project Milestone Date.
Reservation Confirmation and Claim Documents
