California Solar Initiative (CSI)—How it Works

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Below you'll find links and information providing you with the resources you need to get started with solar today, including information on what your role is in the solar process, what the California Solar Initiative is, how to calculate your incentive and how to apply for the program.

Quick Links

• Know Your Role in the Solar Process
• Program Overview and Background
• Program Eligibility
• CSI Incentives
• How to Apply
• Net Energy Metering

Know Your Role in the Solar Process

Whether you are a PG&E customer, a solar contractor, salesperson or self-installer, you have a role to play in the solar process. It is important to know what you should be doing and what to expect. Learn more about your role.

Program Overview and Background

The California Solar Initiative (CSI) makes powering your home with clean, renewable solar energy easier than ever before by providing a financial incentive for installing qualifying photovoltaic systems on a home or business. PG&E is a proud Program Administrator of the CSI program and is ready to help you go solar today. We've already assisted over 45,000 customers with their installations, more than any other utility in the United States, and we're looking forward to helping you become the next Californian to make a difference.

Want to learn more about the CSI program? The program background page provides historical information about the CSI program, the decision and program goals.

Program Eligibility

To qualify for the California Solar Initiative (CSI), all program eligibility requirements must be met. This includes the following:

• Project site must be in the service territory of PG&E and receive retail electric service.
• If residential project, must be retrofit (existing) or if non-residential project, (Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural, Public Entity and Government) can be retrofit (existing) or new construction.
• Must use new equipment that has been approved by the California Energy Commission (CEC).

Please visit the most recent CSI Program Handbook for complete program guidelines and use it as a general reference for all CSI program questions.

CSI Incentives

The CSI incentives differ by incentive type, customer segment and system size, and are intended to encourage high performing systems. Learn more about the incentive structure, incentive rates and how the amount is calculated.

How to Apply

Application Process

The CSI program has a 1-step, 2-step and 3-step application process depending on the customer segment and system size.

Application Forms and Documentation

Links to all the documents and forms you’ll need including the CSI applications and supporting documentation.

Net Energy Metering

PG&E's Net Energy Metering (NEM) program provides customers the ability to offset the cost of their electricity with energy their solar generating system exports to the grid.

Contact Us

E-mail
solar@pge.com

Phone
Solar Customer Service Center 1-877-743-4112 (general solar inquiries)
Solar Hotline 415-973-3480 (solar application-related questions)

Mailing Address
PG&E Solar and Customer Generation - CSI
PO Box 7433
San Francisco, CA 94120

Street Address (for overnight deliveries)
PG&E Solar and Customer Generation - CSI
245 Market St., MC N7R
San Francisco, CA 94105-1797