Custom Projects Review Guidance Documents

Project Development

Statewide Custom Project Guidance Document, version 1.4

The purpose of this Custom Project Guidance document is to provide an overview of the policies, guidelines, rules, processes, requirements and definitions used in Custom Project Reviews documentation and quality assurance.  This document provides information on the requirements for submitting a complete custom project application package:

• Provides key definitions, eligibility, and program influence for Custom Projects
• Requirements for project packages a various stages
• Measurement and Verification plan requirements
• Old versions of the guidance document

Project Feasibility Study (PFS)

This document is a template for Program Administrators (PAs) and implementation to complete when submitting a Custom or SEM project to the CPUC.

Statewide Project Feasibility Study 2.1

Old PFS version: do not use Project Feasibility Study Template, version 1.1

Some customers or project types may be required to submit one or more affidavits along with the completed Project Feasibility Study (PFS).  Sample affidavits linked below include:

• Small business customer designation
• Hard-to-reach customer designation
• Existing equipment viability (for Accelerated Replacement measures)

Please note: The affidavits provided via the links above are intended to serve as example language.  Programs Administrators (PAs) may have their own versions of these affidavits.  If so, please continue using those versions.

Map and Timeline of Program Administrator's (PA) Pre-Installation Process

This is an informational guide for stakeholders on the timeline and steps taken during the PA's pre-installation Custom Project Review process.

• Timeline with responsibilities by stakeholders

Early Opinion Form

This document is a form for Program Administrators (PAs) to complete when requesting an Early Opinion (EO) from the CPUC. EOs are used for custom projects in the development stage that require CPUC guidance on specific issues or areas of uncertainty. Topics can vary widely, including measure eligibility or the implementation of specific CPUC guidance or policy.

The PA submits an EO request form, which includes background and supporting information on the topic, as well as their own opinion on the specific issue. The form is intended to be updated and exchanged between the PA and the CPUC until a resolution is reached. The CPUC will then summarize and provide guidance on the issue and, if applicable, share the information more broadly.

Pre-Installation Review

Project Selection and Response Timing Proposal

This document details the CPUC staff a day 30-day timeline for reviewing Custom Projects as mandated in SB 1131.  It also covers the communication timing between the CPUC and the utility during the 30-day review.

• Tracking of response due dates
• SB 1131 requirements
• CPUC staff recommendation timeline examples

Recommended Communication Practices for Custom Measure Review of Large Projects

The primary goal of this proposed Communications Practice for Large EE Projects (Expected incentive greater than $100,000) is to facilitate the Custom Measure Review Process and promote understanding of project parameters between Implementers, PA/Reviewers and Commission Staff ("CS")/Consultants to identify key issues early in the review cycle.  This will likely reduce the back and forth between Implementers and Reviewers, thereby reducing total review time.  These communications are intended to be informal and not result in additional time delays in the formal PA or CPUC staff project review processes. The document was created by a working group that included utilities, implementers, and CPUC staff.

• Project specific communication
• Overall custom measurement review communication

Custom Project Disposition Database

Once CPUC staff completes the review of Custom Projects, they will issue to the Program Administrator a review findings disposition document summarizing any issues or comments related to the project eligibility, baseline, energy efficiency savings calculations, or program influence documentation. This searchable public database contains Program Administrator redacted versions of the CPUC staff dispositions, as well as ISP studies, guidance documents, and other Custom Projects related documents.

• Database of dispositions and other documents

Installation and Commissioning

The CPUC does not have any requirements on installation and commissioning.  Please refer to your Program Administrator (PA) for any questions on this stage.

Post Installation Review

Post Installation Summary Report, v1.0

This document is a template for implementers/project developers to use and fill out as the post-installation report that is to be submitted to the Program Administrator (PA). The Installation Summary Report is a complete Custom Project summary report which summarizes all project documentation into a single source for a reviewer to look at and understand how the energy savings were validated and present the savings to the PA in an easily readable format.

• Template report for Post-Installation projects
• Guidelines for Custom Project requirements for Post Installation
• Summarized report for savings validation