CSI-Thermal – How to Apply
Submit a new CSI-Thermal application electronically at www.csithermal.com, our online application management database/tool. The solar contractor will complete the application on behalf of the customer.
- Attend the mandatory CSI-Thermal Program workshop for contractors and self installers. A registration key will be distributed upon completion of the CSI-Thermal Program workshop.
- Go to the CSI-Thermal Program application database.
- Register as a contractor or self-installer using your unique "key", if you are a first-time user.
- Complete each section of the application and review for accuracy.
- Attach PDFs of required documents, if available, or send via U.S. mail.
- Submit your completed application.
- Print a copy for your records.
- If required documents were not attached, submit via mail to the appropriate program administrator.
Applying for Your CSI-Thermal Incentive
Single-family Residential Application Process
The CSI-Thermal program has a one-step application process for all single-family residential solar water heating systems.
Step 1: Incentive Claim Documents
Once installation is complete and the system has received the final signed-off permit from the local building jurisdiction, gather all required documents and submit them for review.
Expand the areas below for more information and links to documents.
- Incentive Claim Form with signatures
The Incentive Claim Forms will be available for printing after the application is completed at
www.csithermal.com.
- Documentation of Energy Efficiency Audit
All customers are required to have an energy efficiency audit conducted. 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 or the facility is Title 24 compliant within the past 3 years.
- Copy of Executed Agreement of Solar Water Heating System Purchase and Installation
All Applicants must submit a copy of an executed agreement to purchase and install the eligible solar water heating system at the time of submitting the Incentive Claim Form. This agreement must be legally binding and clearly spell out the scope of work, terms, price, and SWH system components to be installed.
- Executed Alternative System Ownership Agreement
If the System Owner is not the Utility Customer of Record, applicant must submit a copy of Executed Alternative System Ownership agreement with the Reservation Request Form.
- Final Signed-off Permit
Issued from the local building jurisdiction. The application must be submitted within 24 months of the sign-off date.
- Stagnation Protection Method Documentation*
If a stagnation protection method other than those listed in Section 6.2 of the CSI-Thermal Handbook is used, documentation describing how the system is protected against stagnation must be submitted to the Program Administrator.
Multi-family/Commercial ≤ 30kWth Application Process
The CSI-Thermal Program has a two-step application process for all multi-family and commercial solar water heating systems with a capacity of 30kWth (462 square feet of fluid collector area) or less.
Step 1: Reservation Request Documents
Reserve your funding prior to installation by submitting the Reservation Request Form (RRF) and all required documents. A confirmed reservation will be issued.
Gather and complete all required documents. Expand the areas below for more information and links to documents.
- Reservation Request Form with signatures
The Reservation Request Form will be available for printing after the application is completed at
www.csithermal.com.
- Documentation of Energy Efficiency Audit
All customers are required to have an energy efficiency audit conducted. 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 or the facility is Title 24 compliant within the past 3 years.
- Copy of Executed Agreement of Solar Water Heating System Purchase and Installation
All Applicants must submit a copy of an executed agreement to purchase and install the eligible solar water heating system at the time of submitting the Reservation Request Document. This agreement must be legally binding and clearly spell out the scope of work, terms, price, and SWH system components to be installed.
- Executed Alternative System Ownership Agreement*
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.
- Gallons Per Day (GPD) Justification*
For multi–family/commercial systems, a GPD justification document is required if the building type is not on the Maximum GPD Guideline table, see Appendix D in the CSI-Thermal Handbook.
In this case, the project will be sized based on 60 days of metered hot water consumption or gas and electric consumption. GPD justification documentation must be stamped by a P.E. and, at a minimum, include the metering method used (in–line flow meter or gas/electric meter), meter start date and end date (minimum of 60 days required), cumulative GPD value of metering period, and seasonal variability calculations resulting in an annual average GPD used for system sizing.
- Stagnation Protection Method Documentation*
If a stagnation protection method other than those listed in Section 6.2 of the CSI-Thermal Handbook is used, documentation describing how the system is protected against stagnation must be submitted to the Program Administrator.
Step 2: Incentive Claim Documents
Once installation is complete and the system has received the final signed-off permit from the local building jurisdiction, gather all required documents and submit them for review. Review the instructions below which take you through completing an application. This must be submitted within 18 months of the confirmed reservation date.
Gather and complete all required documents. Expand the areas below for more information and links to documents.
Multi-family/Commercial Systems > 30kWth Application Process
The CSI-Thermal program has a three-step application process for all multi-family and commercial solar water heating systems with a capacity greater than 30kWth.
Step 1: Reservation Request Documents
Reserve your funding prior to installation by submitting the Reservation Request Form (RRF) and all required documents including the application fee. Conditional reservation will be issued.
Gather and complete all required documents. Expand the areas below for more information and links to documents.
- Reservation Request Form with signatures
The Reservation Request Form will be available for printing after the application is completed at
www.csithermal.com.
- Documentation of Energy Efficiency Audit
All customers are required to have an energy efficiency audit conducted. 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 or the facility is Title 24 compliant within the past 3 years.
- Application Fee
Applicants are required to submit an application fee for systems with a capacity greater 30 kWth. Applicants should send the application fee to the Program Administrator, via U.S. mail or overnight mail, at the same time they submit the RRF. The Applicant has 30 calendar days from the day the Program Administrator receives the complete RRF packet to submit the application fee to secure a conditional reservation. The application fee is based on the system capacity.
- GPD Justification*
For multi–family/commercial systems, a GPD justification document is required if the building type is not on the Maximum GPD Guideline Table, see Appendix D in the CSI-Thermal Handbook.
In this case, the project will be sized based on 60 days of metered hot water consumption or gas and electric consumption. GPD justification documentation must be stamped by a Professional Engineer and, at a minimum, include the metering method used (in-line flow meter or gas/electric meter), meter start date and end date (minimum of 60 days required), cumulative GPD value of metering period, and seasonal variability calculations resulting in an annual average GPD used for system sizing.
- Stagnation Protection Method Documentation*
If a stagnation protection method other than those listed in Section 6.2 of the CSI-Thermal Handbook is used, documentation describing how the system is protected against stagnation must be submitted to the Program Administrator.
Step 2: Proof of Project Milestone Documents
Submit the executed installation and sales contract within 60 days (90 days for government/non–profit entities) of the conditional reservation.
Gather and complete all required documents. Expand the areas below for more information and links to documents.
- Copy of Executed Agreement of Solar Water Heating System Purchase and Installation
All Applicants must submit a copy of an executed agreement to purchase and install the eligible solar water heating system at the time of submitting the second step of a three-step process. This agreement must be legally binding and clearly spell out the scope of work, terms, price, and SWH system components to be installed.
- Executed Alternative System Ownership Agreement*
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.
Step 3: Incentive Claim Documents
Once installation is complete and the system has received the final signed-off permit from the local building jurisdiction, gather all required documents and submit them for review. Review the instructions below which take you through completing an application. This must be submitted within 18 months of the Conditional Reservation date.
Gather and complete all required documents. Expand the areas below for more information and links to documents.
Field Inspection Process and Checklist
A portion of all CSI-Thermal Program projects are subject to onsite field inspections at our discretion. For each eligible contractor, the Program Administrators will conduct an onsite field inspection for the first three submitted Incentive Claim Forms that displace 250 kWth or less and the first three Incentive Claim Forms that displace more than 250 kWth. Program Administrators will inspect a random sample of projects thereafter.
The CSI-Thermal Program inspection checklist (XLS, 64 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 solar water heating system matches the final documentation submitted for the incentive.
CSI-Thermal Handbook
Please visit the most recent CSI-Thermal Program handbook (PDF, 654 KB) for complete program guidelines and use it as a general reference for all CSI-Thermal program questions.
E-mail
solar@pge.com
Phone
Solar Customer Service Center 1-877-743-4112
Mailing Address
PG&E Solar and Customer Generation—CSI-Thermal
PO Box 7433
San Francisco, CA 94120
Street Address (for overnight deliveries)
PG&E Solar and Customer Generation—CSI-Thermal
245 Market St., MC N7R
San Francisco, CA 94105-1797
