Late last week, the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) dealt a blow to the state’s goal of rapidly growing local energy storage capacity, according to the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA).
The CSLB voted to approve a new rule that would prohibit licensed solar contractors from installing new battery storage capacity to existing solar systems or from performing maintenance on battery storage systems including those they installed themselves. Those projects would now require a licensed electrician. Licensed solar contractors would still be able to install smaller battery storage at the same time when solar systems are being installed but the inability to offer warranties on those systems renders the allowance impractical.
By severely limiting the workforce permitted to build solar and energy storage systems and raising the cost of installations, the CLSB rule contradicts California’s stated goal of rapidly growing energy storage capacity.
Clean energy advocates described the new rule as a solution in search of a problem. It was approved by the CSLB despite the board’s own research finding zero previous safety issues or incidents across the all U.S. energy storage batteries installed to date.
“California keeps saying one thing but doing another when it comes to the fight against climate change,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of CALSSA. “In just the past year, California slashed rooftop solar incentives, prohibited self-generation for schools and farms, and proposed expensive fixed charges that hurt energy conservation and low energy users. Now they are undermining California’s emerging battery storage progress through severe workforce limitations. This has to stop if we are to move forward as a state, keep energy prices low, and prevent future blackouts.”
The new rule was opposed by the solar and storage industry, clean energy advocates and consumers, along with unions representing laborers and carpenters. The electrician union, which has a signed agreement with PG&E to address “competitive threats in the marketplace” supported the change.
The rule will now be reviewed by the California Office of Administrative Law to ensure the regulations are “clear, necessary, and legally valid” and that the CSLB complied with the standards set forth in California’s Administrative Procedure Act. The rule could then go into effect as early as the Fall of 2024.
Opponents of the rule have asked the Newsom Administration to step in and are considering legal challenges based on a mix of procedural and substantive flaws in the CSLB’s rulemaking process including the fact that the agency refused to study the environmental impacts of the new rule.
News item from the California Solar & Storage Association
Whether certified electrician or solar contractor – both have to comply with the building / electrical code. Solar and energy storage have always been linked – initially for energy needs in off-grid situations – recently due to have your solar energy work for you when the solar system is not producing – at night f.ex. Energy storage is a part of the solar contractor licensing test.
This is a predatory rule targeting solar contractors specifically and we all know why: utility profits! Utilities spend millions of $ in lobbying. We have worked with certified electricians on various projects and found that-unless they are in the solar industry themselves-they are not as familiar with residential battery & solar installations as solar contractors that have been doing that for decades – and very few of them have any interest in getting into residential projects. Are there bad installations? Sure – by both electricians and solar contractors. However, to state that there have been “much fires”, etc. is simply not true. The CSLB itself stated that their research has not found ANY incidents caused by solar contractor installations. This is the utilities flexing their muscles by way of legislature!
I am a licensed Electrician and have worked doing maintenance on Solar and battery systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications for the past 9yrs. I have seen so much fires, horrible installations that have put homes and businesses at risk.. all because Solar contractors do not use Licensed electricians. I have also see very well built systems that did use licensed electricians. Companies hide these mishaps..they even prohibited us from using the word fire when reporting a burnt or melted connection. Trust me.. it is a safety concern and only licensed and trained electricians should perform electrical connections.
I too have a sunrin system and was told I could add a battery setup. Also, that sunrun would take care of any maintenance or repairs. If I am required to use a licensed electrician per this ruling, how can I expect to make additions or repairs? Will solar installers be required to have licensed electricians on staff, and would that solve this problem?
Sunrun does have licensed electrician that do panel upgrades and storage and have been hiring more also due to this ruling.
Sounds like double talk too me!
California’s bs laws are destroying California. Not one good thing happens when a libtard congress or should I say some mentally ill democrats they to think. They destroy the environment more than they help.
It seems that the state is opposing going green and making it difficult for anyone doing so. We need an explanation from the authorities
When I bought my solar system ( 2019-sunrun) I was told I could add a battery at any time. Not so. SunRun says they cannot do that. Other installers have said they can do it but to do so would invalidate the warranty.
Now this new wrinkle suggests that I can add one but only with a licensed electrician. Aren’t all the installers required to use licensed electricians to be sure things are up to code?