THE RENEWABLES ENTREPRENEUR
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Can California Customers Directly Connect to the Grid Using a PURPA Application Instead of Going Through PG&E or the Local IOU for Net Metering or Net Billing? Posted on Jun 12, 2024
California's major Investor Owner Utilities (IOUs), including Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), have comprehensive interconnectivity rules approved by the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC). These rules are essential for develo...
How Does the Fixed Charge Bill Structure and Income Graduated Fixed Charge Adopted by the CPUC Impact Customers? Posted on Jun 11, 2024
In May 2024, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a fixed charge bill structure that includes income-graduated fixed charges (IGFCs) for default residential electric rates. The CPUC vote was 4-0 vote with one recusal approvi...
Can a Contractor in California Charge a Homeowner for Materials Stored in Their Warehouse on Behalf of the Homeowner? Posted on Jun 11, 2024
Yes, a contractor in California can bill a homeowner for materials even if the contractor stores the materials in their warehouse on behalf of the homeowner. According to California regulations, if the contract explicitly provides for the transfer...
Powering the Future: Treasury and IRS New Guidance Could Supercharge American Clean Energy Manufacturing Posted on May 18, 2024
The U.S. Department of the Treasury, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), recently issued additional guidance aimed at bolstering American clean energy manufacturing. This move is a significant step towards achieving climate go...
Grid-Connected Blinders Removed from California's Distributed Energy Racehorse Posted on Dec 29, 2023
Guest Blog Post By Angela Lipanovich, Attorney & Founder of Estriatus Law There can be no doubt – California is, and has been, the world’s leader among states and countries in distributed clean energy. This leadership role is thanks to grassro...
What Type of Agreements Should Solar Contractors Use for Service and Repair Work for Homeowners in California? Posted on Nov 07, 2023
In California, specific regulations apply to service and repair contracts on solar and energy storage systems for homeowners. A condensed format is permissible for contracts $750 or less, provided the contract adheres to a specific structure, incl...
10 Top Business Plan Strategies for Solar Contractors Posted on Oct 18, 2023
What strategies should solar contractors include in their business plans to protect against some of the top risk factors involved in running a solar contractor business? Strategy #1: A Plan for Monitoring & Staying Involved at the Political &a...
Solar + Storage + Energy Controller = Microgrid Posted on Oct 10, 2023
The U.S. military understands the importance of microgrids. That’s why the official Department of Defense policy’s stated goal is that all bases be "power resilient." The need to have resilience in the case of a disaster that impacts the power gr...
Independently Owned Microgrids are Critical in the Era of Climate Change Posted on Apr 28, 2023
Biden’s climate agenda cannot be met unless policy approaches to energy supplies start dramatically supporting independently owned clean energy supplies. Our country is built around outdated methods of energy supplies dependent upon over 160,000 m...
Get Involved to Help Grow Solar in the U.S. Posted on Apr 13, 2023
Looking for ideas on how to help grow your business and the solar industry even faster? Check out the action items, education and award opportunities below. Join a solar trade association like the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Americ...
American Solar Energy Society's 52nd Annual National Solar Conference, SOLAR 2023: Transforming the Energy Landscape for All Posted on Feb 21, 2023
Registration is OPEN to the American Solar Energy Society's 52nd Annual National Solar Conference, SOLAR 2023: Transforming the Energy Landscape for All. The conference will be a net zero emissions event and take place at the University of Colora...
Overview of Federal Solar Tax Credits in the IRA Posted on Oct 20, 2022
There are two tax credits available for businesses that purchase solar energy systems (see the Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics for information for individuals): The investment tax credit (ITC) is a tax credit ...
Mária Telkes Fellowship now accepting applicants Posted on Jul 19, 2022
Applications are open now for the Mária Telkes Fellowship, a two-year executive leadership program for mid-career cleantech professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. The Mária Telkes Fellowship is hosted by the Cleantech Leaders Roundtable...
Center on Solar Consumer Protection! Posted on May 11, 2022
Solar energy is still new to many households and businesses. Companies must guide customers through the solar sales process and beyond to provide a good solar consumer experience. A company’s success in doing so, not only protects consumers, but a...
Could Texas Take the Solar Lead? Posted on Apr 22, 2022
Texas is a powerhouse in distributed PV, and could become the number one state in the U.S., especially depending on how California’s NEM-3 proceeding turns out. In Q1 to Q3 of 2021, distributed PV in Texas grew by 23% compared to California’s 14%...
Our Net-Zero Future Posted on Mar 17, 2022
A growing number of people are transforming their properties and lifestyles to become net-zero carbon emission with their own solar and storage supplies capable of operating without the utility’s electric grid. The list of reasons why people are g...
Notice: Updated California Solar Consumer Protection Guide Posted on Feb 28, 2022
California solar contractors: A new version of the California Solar Consumer Protection Guide (PDF) is now accessible at www.cpuc.ca.gov/solarguide. Additional language translations will be added in the coming weeks. Solar providers must use the u...
The Fight for California Solar is at a Boiling Point Posted on Jan 17, 2022
Guest Blog Post By Angela Lipanovich, Attorney & Founder of Estriatus Law On January 13, 2022, the largest solar demonstration in U.S. history occurred in California. Approximately 3,000 people rallied to save Californians’ rights to own sola...
The Public Does Not Understand How Distributed Solar in California Works, or Is About to Change Posted on Dec 27, 2021
Guest Blog Post By Angela Lipanovich, Attorney & Founder of Estriatus Law Right now, a lot of misinformation and, simply a lack of understanding, exists among the public about distributed solar (often simply referred to as, "rooftop solar")....
Solar Ready Vets Program Posted on Nov 11, 2021
The Solar Ready Vets Network is a group of solar workforce development programs funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) that connect veterans and transitioning military service members with career trai...
Homeowners in Common Interest Developments Have Solar Rights Posted on Nov 01, 2021
California, Florida and other homeowners living in common interest developments have the right to install solar systems according to state law. Yet, a large number of common interest developments and their governing associations think they can st...
Solar Industry: Report Shows California Government Changes May Risk Solar Growth Posted on Jul 30, 2021
Sharply reducing net metering payments and imposing high, solar-only fixed charges could slow the growth of rooftop solar installations – and, in the most extreme cases, could cause installations to plummet – according to a new report from Enviro...
U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office: American-Made Solar Prize Round 5 is Open Posted on Jul 23, 2021
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is launching the American-Made Solar Prize Round 5 Software Track, a part of the American-Made Challenges, to accelerate the development, validation, and commercializatio...
Solar APP+ Is a Step Forward for CleanTech Posted on Jul 23, 2021
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has launched a collaborative effort with key code officials, authorities having jurisdiction, and the solar industry to develop standardized plan review software that can run compliance checks and process ...
New Report: California Ratepayers Can Save $120B with Sustained Local Solar and Storage Growth Posted on Jul 22, 2021
A report released today reveals that enabling the continued growth of distributed energy resources (DERs), like rooftop and community solar and battery storage, would save California ratepayers $120 billion over the next 30 years. According to th...
Full Conference Registration is Open! SPI, ESI, and Smart Energy Week September 20-23, 2021 Posted on Jun 10, 2021
Early bird pricing ends next week on June 17th! SPI, ESI & Smart Energy Week is the most comprehensive event in North America for the renewable energy industry, including solar, storage, smart energy, wind, hydrogen & fuel cells, geothe...
U.S. Department of Energy Announces Prize to Accelerate More Equitable Solar Deployment and a New Matchmaking Tool for Clean Tech Innovators Posted on Jun 10, 2021
Tool Connects Makers with Resources to Help Them Address Challenges to Solar Deployment Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $5 million for the American-Made Solar Prize Round 5, a competition designed to accel...
Community Choice Aggregators (“CCAs”) and the California Solar Rights Act Posted on May 18, 2021
This guest blog by Angela Lipanovich, President of Estriatus Law, PC, is also posted on Estriatus Law’s Legal Review. Does the California Solar Rights Act (“Act”) limit actions that can be taken by Community Choice Aggregators (“CCAs”)? Argua...
Funding Opportunity Announcement: Solar Energy Technologies Office Fiscal Year 2021 Systems Integration and Hardware Incubator Funding Program Posted on Jan 22, 2021
Office: Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office Funding Number: DE-FOA-0002437 Funding Amount: $45 million Description On December 16, 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the Solar Ene...
California Contractors State License Board Reminds Licensees about the Importance of Following Home Improvement Contract Requirements for Solar Jobs Posted on Nov 18, 2020
SACRAMENTO – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is reminding licensed contractors that it is critically important to follow California law when it comes to contract requirements for solar projects. The installation of a residential solar s...
CA: Updated Solar Consumer Protection Guide incorporates new rules on e-signatures Posted on Sep 10, 2020
On Friday, the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) released the 2nd version of their Solar Consumer Protection Guide. Key requirements around electronic signatures are now incorporated in the guide. All California residential contracts si...
CSLB Affirms California’s Restrictions on Lead Generation & Solar Broker Services in the Residential Solar Industry Posted on Jan 10, 2020
Recently, California's Contractors State License Board (CSLB) provided an advisory to affirm California protections for solar energy consumers set forth in existing law. All companies engaged in the sale of solar to residential customers would b...
What Legal Considerations Should Contractors Keep In Mind When Selling Solar Plus Storage Systems? Posted on Apr 23, 2019
The emerging solar plus storage market is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade. Last year, California’s most active state solar trade association changed its name from the California Solar Energy Industry Association to the Californ...
Consumers Should Not Be Penalized From Buying Less Power From Their Utility Posted on Apr 11, 2019
An important bill just cleared its first major hurdle to becoming law in the State of California. The Solar Bill of Rights (SB 288), a bipartisan bill co-authored by State Senators Weiner (D) and Nielsen (R), was the brainchild of a fairly new no...
What Financing Options Exist for Tax-Exempt Entities that Want to Purchase Solar? Posted on Feb 25, 2019
This guest blog by Angela Lipanovich, President of Estriatus Law, PC, is also posted on Estriatus Law’s Legal Review (February 25, 2019). INTRODUCTION Tax-exempt entities (such as non-profits, schools, and municipalities) frequently ask what fi...
New California Requirement for Residential Solar System Contracts Posted on Jan 24, 2019
If you are a contractor installing solar for homeowners in California, don’t forget the new disclosure form that you must present to your customers. Beginning January 1, 2019, solar energy companies must provide a disclosure document substantiall...
Unlicensed Solar Energy Providers Find Hope In Recent California Case Posted on Feb 26, 2018
This guest blog by Angela Lipanovich, President of Estriatus Law, PC, is also posted on Estriatus Law’s Legal Review (February 26, 2018). On February 1, 2018, a cautionary positive tale for unlicensed solar developers and Power Purchase Agreement...
Subcontractor Agreements Posted on Jan 30, 2018
In transactions for the installation of renewable energy projects, “subcontracting” refers to a process whereby the contractor selling the project does not perform all of the work it agreed to perform. Rather, once the project starts, the contrac...
California Homeowners in Common-Interest Developments Now Have the Right to Install Solar in Common Areas Posted on Jan 09, 2018
This guest blog by Angela Lipanovich, President of Estriatus Law, PC, is also posted on Estriatus Law’s Legal Review (January 9, 2018). Three months ago, a frequent stumbling block to going solar was overcome for California homeowners living in ...
What Happens to Unlicensed Contractors Who Work On Renewable Energy Projects? Posted on Nov 29, 2017
The laws governing the installation of solar and other cleantech projects, and the potential liabilities for breaking them, vary on a state by state basis. However, many states have similar enforcement schemes to California, which is considered by...
Hedge Funds Should Not Be Able to Utilize US Trade Laws to Harm the Solar Industry Posted on Sep 01, 2017
The solar industry is on edge as two hedge funds behind the foreign-owned, bankrupt companies, Suniva and SolarWorld, try to play the administration to recover their bad investments. In this article, we will provide a summary and history of this t...
How Do You Protect Solar Systems From Financial Loss Due to Shading From New Developments or Trees and Shrubs on Adjacent Properties? Posted on Jun 20, 2017
This guest blog by Angela Lipanovich, President of Estriatus Law, PC, is also posted on Estriatus Law’s Legal Review (June 20, 2017). Access to sunlight is often called the most difficult legal issue connected with solar energy use. The ancient ...
Solar O&M: Where's The Dough? Posted on Apr 07, 2017
Solar operations and maintenance (O&M) provides the preventative and correctional technical activities that allow solar systems to perform at their best. As a result of the solar industry’s strong growth curve, O&M is a rapidly growing bu...
Do Homeowners In HOAs Have The Right To Install Solar In Common Areas? Posted on Mar 13, 2017
The answer is: maybe. The right to install solar in the common areas of multi-family housing and common-interest developments depends on state law. However, even homeowners in pro-solar states like California are struggling with statutory language...
Consumer Protection v. Solar Industry Protection: Do We Have To Choose? Posted on Feb 07, 2017
Consumer protection is a hot issue in the solar industry right now. Given the nature of the solar industry, some of the reasons consumer protection is a big issue are valid, and some are not. Many companies in the solar industry are small compani...
Legal Update: Code Clarifications to Help California Solar Installers Posted on Feb 01, 2017
A well known fact in the California solar industry is that streamlining and simplifying permitting for solar installations is a top priority. The amount of paperwork and effort required by solar installers in California to complete the permitting ...
New Warranty Requirements In CA Under NEM 2.0 Posted on Dec 28, 2016
All California solar contractors with customers in PG&E territory now must submit interconnection applications under NEM-2 because PG&E has met its cap for offering NEM-1. The key changes in the NEM-2 program include a requirement that a ...- Page 1 of 2
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