New Solar Homes Partnership—Before You Apply
Installing Solar When Building New Homes
The New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) program is for builders of new residential
homes. If you want a rebate for a solar system on an existing home or if the solar system
will be for a nonresidential application, you will need to apply to the California Public Utilities Commission's California Solar Initiative (CSI) program.
Preparation
- Ensure the home with the solar panels is/will be receiving electric service from
PG&E. You will need to complete an application for new service. - Complete an application for net energy metering for service for the solar system(s).
- Consider participating in PG&E's new construction energy efficiency program for
additional incentives for energy efficiency. Expect to complete a program
application, and provide the CF-1R at the time of application. - Review the NSHP Guidebook(PDF, 1.08 MB). It will give you complete information about the program.
- Contact an energy consultant, who is certified as a Certified Energy Plans Examiner (CEPE) by the California Association of Building Energy Consultants (CABEC), to complete Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards compliance analysis and energy efficiency documentation.
- Contact several renewable energy retailers about your project before deciding on equipment type and retailer/vendor. Registered retailers and vendors.
- Determine who will be completing the expected performance analysis for each PV system using the NSHP photovoltaic (PV) Calculator. This might be the same energy consultant who does your energy efficiency analysis, or the retailer/vendor of the PV equipment. Arrange for the expected performance analysis to be completed and documented for each PV system on the CF-1R-PV form.
Types of Forms
CF-1R: Energy Efficiency Certificate of Compliance, completed by an energy consultant - Certified Energy Plans Examiner (CEPE).
CF-1R-PV: Photovoltaic system document, which is produced by the PV Calculator, completed by the applicant.
CF-6R: Certificate of Installation of energy efficiency measures, completed by installer when equipment is installed.
CF-6R-PV: Certificate of installation of solar system, completed by installer when system is installed.
CF-4R: Certificate of Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing of energy efficiency measures, provided by HERS rater after field verification is completed.
CF-4R-PV: Certificate of Field Verification of solar system, provided by Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater after field verification is completed.
Additional Info
