THE RENEWABLES ENTREPRENEUR
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Staff Opinion: NEM 3 Decision Could be Our Carpe Diem Posted on Dec 16, 2022
California energy regulators have the power to make, kill and stifle energy markets, and consumer choices. At a time when individual energy resiliency has never been more important, and will become increasingly so, that is what the California Publ...
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...
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...
New California Contracting Laws Come into Play January 1, 2022 Posted on Dec 21, 2021
AB 569 (Grayson)This bill increases from $5,000 to $8,000 the maximum administrative civil penalty CSLB can assess against a licensed contractor for most violations, and from $15,000 to $30,000 for the most serious violations relating to un...
Time to Spruce Up Your Contracts Posted on Nov 22, 2021
Now is the Time to Update Your California Residential Installation Agreements We recently updated our California Residential Solar Installation Agreements to include terms required by the most recent California rules and regulations. A Spanish ve...
Protecting Your Contractor Business: RME Agreements Posted on Nov 02, 2021
Many solar and other types of cleantech companies need a contractor’s license to operate. This often involves either the owner of the company or an employee with a contractor’s license agreeing to be the responsible managing officer or employee f...
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...
Texas Law to Protect Firearm Ownership Could Impact Renewable Energy Projects Posted on Sep 22, 2021
A new Texas law, SB 19, could be interpreted as applying to tax equity investors in renewable energy; and thus, ban those entities from doing any government solar projects if they have internal policies that prohibit firearms on the worksite or at...
Ideas for CleanTech Contractors to Protect Against Material Cost Increases Posted on Aug 09, 2021
A recent post by the California Construction Law Blog includes some excellent suggestions on ways that contractors can protect against risks from rising material costs. These ideas include using Time & Materials Contracts that make the owner ...
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 ...
California Contractor Update: Public Utility Commission Approves Public List for Contractors Violating Consumer Protection Rules Posted on Jul 01, 2021
For all contractors selling solar, storage and other cleantech installation products and services in California, please be aware that the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) voted in June 2021 to maintain a public list of contractors foun...
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...
Summary of New California Contracting Laws that Take Effect January 1, 2021 Posted on Dec 10, 2020
Brush-Up on New Contracting Laws that Come into PlayJanuary 1, 2021 SACRAMENTO – As we make our way into the new year, CSLB would like to highlight some construction-related laws that will go into effect January 1. Pay close attention to these cha...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
New California Contracting Laws Go into Effect January 1, 2020 Posted on Dec 16, 2019
The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has summarized the new laws that will go into effect this January. Take note of these laws as they may change the way cleantech contractors need to do business in California. Assembly Bill...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Expanding Your Contractor Business: Time & Materials Contracts Posted on Feb 01, 2019
Sometimes contractors desire to take on projects when it is impossible to get an accurate estimate of the total project cost, the schedule cannot be defined or changes are likely to be requested during construction. In these situations, figuring o...
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...
Book Review: Renewable Energy Law and Policy Posted on Jun 14, 2018
If you are looking for a great resource on renewable energy law and policy issues, we recommend checking out Jack Jacobs' recent publication Renewable Energy Law and Policy, 2017 Edition. Mr. Jacobs is Managing Partner of the law firm Cleantech ...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
Are You Properly Paying Your Workers? Posted on May 19, 2017
Being prepared for a wage and hour lawsuit against your company is the best example of the adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." All companies should perform routine wage and hour audits to determined if their internal controls ...
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...
Do You Require Your Employees To Sign Arbitration Policies? Posted on Mar 06, 2017
Over the last 15 years, the cleantech industry has grown at a record pace creating a volatility in the industry. The solar industry’s ups and downs are famous, and this “solar-coaster ride” has some important implications. Cleantech companies expe...- Page 1 of 2
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