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California's New Solar Public Works Law (AB 2143): An Example of California’s Recent Leadership Failures on Solar and the Climate Posted on Jun 18, 2024
It appears that California’s prior solar policies were too successful. California's policymakers have been rushing to stop a solar industry that they helped create. The solar industry that California helped to create through policies supporting pr...
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...
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...
New Rules, New Game: The Future of CA Solar Contractors Posted on May 01, 2024
On April 18th, 2024, the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) issued a controversial rule that could significantly disrupt the operations of California solar contractors working in the clean energy sector. This regulation, pending cod...
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...
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 ...
The IRA Passed - Now What? Posted on Sep 22, 2022
The RE+ solar and storage cleantech conference happening right now in Anaheim, California is the largest cleantech event ever to occur in United States history. Over 26,000 people are registered for RE+. The conference sessions, meetings and buzz...
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...
How to Start a CleanTech Business Posted on Mar 28, 2022
We created a checklist of tasks and considerations to help people start a solar company or other cleantech business. This checklist should be modified depending on the exact business type and plan, as appropriate. CleanTech Business Start-Up Chec...
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...
Free Business Speaking Class Posted on Nov 17, 2021
This free online class by Patrick Winston is about how to give a presentation so that a presenter's ideas are accepted and appreciated. The ability to verbally present ideas is critical to business and personal success. It's also a gift to the ...
South Bay contractors can learn to build all-electric in new course Posted on Sep 21, 2021
To meet growing marketplace demand, Sunnyvale-based Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) and the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Workforce Institute have launched FutureFit Fundamentals, a new online course focused on all-electric bui...
Check out this Course: Renewable Power Finance for Non-Finance Professionals Posted on Sep 16, 2021
Green Power Academy is offering a 3 day course for non-finance industry professionals that our members might benefit from. The course is advertised as providing an understanding of the common elements of a financial model and the key terminology. ...
DOE Announces New $60 Million Investment to Increase Energy Efficiency in Manufacturing Posted on Jul 26, 2021
32 Universities Across 28 States Will Conduct Industrial Assessments to Help Local Manufacturers Reduce Carbon Footprint, Lower Costs, and Train Energy Workforce of Tomorrow WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $...
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...
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...
Ongoing Education Opportunity: Overview of California Utility Law Posted on May 19, 2021
For those interested in learning about California utility law, check out the course by Robert Bryson called Overview of California Utility Law that provides an overview of the regulation of public utilities in California. The course covers the de...
Do You Know When You Are Required to Use Translated Legal Documents? Posted on Jan 26, 2021
Available Now on Our Site: Spanish Language Version of the Residential Solar System Installation Agreement for Use in California; More Translated Documents Coming Soon Many states require that translated legal documents are used when selling to co...
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...
CSLB Audit Reveals Non-Compliance with Contract Law Posted on Dec 09, 2020
As part of the California Public Utility Commissions consumer protection decisions, the California State License Board ("CSLB") now has the ability to review contracts submitted as part of the interconnection process in IOU territories. In July, ...
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...
Biden’s Clean Energy Plan for Economic Recovery and Job Growth Will Make History Posted on Nov 10, 2020
By Linda F. Hersey The amount of funding about to be injected into the cleantech industry in what President-elect Biden calls the “Clean Energy Revolution” is unprecedented. A historic investment in energy and climate research and innovation, as w...
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...
California Energy Commission (CEC) Guidance on COVID-19 and Cleantech Industry Posted on Apr 28, 2020
The California Energy Commission (CEC) today clarified that statewide orders in response to COVID-19 identifying essential electricity industry workers includes solar photovoltaic and energy storage installers. The ongoing health ...
Federal Guidance on Essential Services Identifies Renewable Energy Workers as Essential, And They Are Posted on Mar 30, 2020
Over the weekend, the federal Cypersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued an updated “Coronavirus Guidance for America” memo to further clarify essential critical infrastructure workers during COVID-19. The guidance specifically ident...
COVID-19 Essential Services Memo Posted on Mar 22, 2020
Some helpful guidance from the California Solar & Storage Association on COVID-19's impact on cleantech industry services: COVID-19 Essential Services Memo March 21, 2020 at 1:00pm Based on the published guidance available as of the date a...
New UL Listing Standard Solves Storage Problem Posted on Oct 29, 2019
An exciting new UL Listing standard solves the problem of long queues to get new meters for storage devices. Many utilities require storage devices have a new meter installed to ensure that solar plus storage customers are not falsely exporting po...
New California Consumer Protection Rules Posted on Jul 16, 2019
Today, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued its California Solar Consumer Protection Guide – a must read for anyone considering installing solar. On August 30, 2019, the guide will also be available in Chinese, Korean, Spanish,...
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...
Do Developers Need Contractor Licenses to Develop Renewable Energy Projects? Posted on Apr 10, 2019
Each state has a different set of laws governing the licensing of contractors. Developers must navigate these laws to avoid liability under state law. For instance, in California, only licensed contractors can enter into contracts involving const...
How Can Companies Grow Sales by Hiring Commission Only Sales Employees? Posted on Feb 22, 2019
Many companies find it to be advantageous to pay outside sales employees purely on commission. In order to ensure outside sales employees are financially stable, companies often use a recoverable draw against commission system. Outside sales emp...
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...
How Will PG&E’s Bankruptcy Impact the CleanTech Industry? Posted on Jan 22, 2019
On January 14, 2019, California’s largest utility, PG&E, filed a bankruptcy notice stating that it plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy by the month end on January 29th. Given its business situation, PG&E must proceed with the bankrupt...
New Contracting Laws Start January 1, 2019 for CleanTech Contractors in California Posted on Dec 28, 2018
A variety of new construction related laws in California go into effect in 2019. The new laws which may affect contractors working on cleantech projects in California are summarized below. Senate Bill (SB) 721: This new law establishes requirem...
Are Referral Fees Legal? Posted on Jun 12, 2018
This guest blog by Angela Lipanovich, President of Estriatus Law, PC, is also posted on Estriatus Law’s Legal Review. Absent bribery, fraud or a statutory prohibition, the payment of referral fees is not illegal. In California, the relevant law ...
Letters of Intent (LOI) for Power Purchase Agreements Posted on Apr 05, 2018
A power purchase agreement ("PPA") is a financial agreement where a developer arranges for the design, permitting, financing and installation of a renewable energy system on a customer’s property at little to no cost. PPAs are excellent tools for...
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...
Are Contractors Required To Make Sure Other Contractors On Their Projects Are Properly Licensed? Posted on Nov 29, 2017
In California, every contractor is required to make sure that any contractor they enter into a contract with has an active, viable contractor's license. Licensed contractors can come under investigation if they work with unlicensed contractors. Al...
Protecting Your Customer Lists and Trade Secrets: Confidentiality & Non-Compete Agreements Posted on Sep 29, 2017
From installation companies to manufacturing and distribution companies, every business in the cleantech and renewable energy industry is dependent on cutting edge, proprietary know-how and highly valuable customer lists. As compared to other indu...- Page 1 of 2
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