The California Solar Initiative

Solar energy is one of our most abundant renewable resources. The California Solar Initiative is moving the state toward using more solar energy and helping to lower the cost of solar systems for consumers.

The California Solar Initiative is part of the statewide effort to install 3,000 megawatts of new, grid-connected solar systems by 2016. The CPUC-directed program provides $1.167 billion in rebates and cash incentives on solar systems to customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric Company. These incentives, combined with federal tax incentives, significantly lower the total cost of a solar system.

Recent News

April 17: Quarterly CSI Public Forum

April 16:: CSI Single Family/Low Income RFP

April 2008 CSI Progress Report

April 1, 2008: CSI Research Development and Deployment Program Issues Request for Proposals for RD&D Program Manager

March 13, 2008: New Docket Number for CSI Proceeding

This website provides programmatic updates and procedural information pertaining to the solar policy development process at the CPUC, as well as information about the rulemaking (R.08-03-008) that serves as the forum for California Solar Initiative program rules.

For one-stop consumer information on all of California's solar rebates and incentives, please visit Go Solar California!
Learn more about the California Solar Initiative’s history, goals, and program resources.
For other Distributed Generation programs, visit the Self Generation Incentive Program and the Feed-In Tariff Program.
For more information on how to participate in the Distributed Generation and California Solar Initiative policy and program development proceedings, learn how to become a party and participate.

The CPUC has completed a number of actions under Phase 1 to launch the program:

The CSI is still developing several program facets under Phase 2:

Low Income Strategy
Research, Development, Deployment
Marketing and Outreach Plan
San Diego Solar Hot Water Pilot Program
Cost-Benefit Methodology
Measurement and Evaluation
Energy Efficiency Requirements

The CSI will begin to address Phase 3 issues as progress is made in Phase 1 and 2.

SGIP rules and management
Net metering for community choice aggregators (CCA)

For more information, please consult the following CSI Program Resources:

The California Energy Commission has additional background and resources for their parallel New Solar Homes Partnership, at www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov.

Last Modified: 6/18/2008