Page 251 - Solar Power in Building Design The Engineer's Complete Design Resource

SOLAR POWER CONTRACTORS AND EQUIPMENT SELLERS 221

In general, host customers must have an outstanding account with a utility provider
at a location of solar power cogeneration. In other words, the project in California
must be located within the service territory of one of the three listed program
administrators.
CSI provides a payment guarantee, called a reservation, that cannot be transferred
by the owner; however, the system installer can be designated to act on behalf of the
owner. Upon approval of the reservation, the host customer is considered as the sys-
tem owner and retains sole rights to the reservation.
To proceed with the solar power program, the applicant or the owner must receive
a written confirmation letter from the administrating agency and then apply for
authorization for grid connectivity. In the event of project delays beyond the permit-
ted period of fund reservation, the customer must reapply for another rebate to obtain
authorization.
According to SCI regulations there are several categories of customers who do not
qualify to receive the incentive. Customers exempted from the program are organiza-
tions that are in the business of power generation and distribution, publicly owned gas
and electricity distribution utilities, or any entity that purchases electricity or natural
gas for wholesale or retail purposes.
As a rule, the customer assumes full ownership upon reception of the incentive pay-
ment and technically becomes responsible for operation and maintenance of the over-
all solar power system.
Note that a CSI applicant is recognized as the entity that completes and submits
the reservation forms and becomes the main contact person who must communi-
cate with the program administrator throughout the duration of the project;
however, the applicant may also designate an engineering organization or a system
integrator, an equipment distributor, or even an equipment lessor to act as the
designated applicant.

Solar Power Contractors and

Equipment Sellers

Contractors in the state of California who specialize in solar power installation must
hold an appropriate state contractor’s license. In order to qualify as an installer by the
program administrator, the solar power system integrator must provide the following
information:

■ Business name and address
■ Principal’s name or contact
■ Business registration or license number
■ Contractor’s license number
■ Contractor’s bond (if applicable) and corporate limited liability entities
■ Reseller’s license number (if applicable)