What Is the Solar Energy System Supporting Information Form?
Under California Business and Professions Code Section 7169(c), the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) jointly developed a mandatory disclosure form called the Solar Energy System Supporting Information. Every CSLB-licensed solar contractor — including Ally Electric & Solar — is legally required to provide this form to you before you sign a solar contract.
The form exists for one reason: to protect you from misleading claims, predatory sales tactics, and contract terms you may not fully understand. Yet most homeowners have never heard of it, and some contractors rush past it. That's a red flag in itself.
⚖️ California Law
This disclosure is not optional. Any contractor who fails to provide it is operating outside California law. If your solar salesperson doesn't mention this form, ask for it immediately — or walk away.
The 4 Sections of the Disclosure — Explained in Plain English
The form is divided into four sections. Here's exactly what each one covers and what you need to pay attention to.
Section 1: Important Information for Consumers (Payment Protections)
This is the section that protects you financially before a single panel goes on your roof. California law is very specific about what a contractor can and cannot collect upfront:
- Down payment limit: A contractor cannot collect more than the lesser of $1,000 or 10% of the total contract price as a down payment. Period.
- No payment for undelivered work: It is against California law for a contractor to collect payment for work not yet completed or materials not yet delivered — whether that payment comes from you or your lender/financing company.
- Permit payments: If a salesperson asks for money to cover permits before work starts, verify the actual permit cost with your local permitting office first. Inflated "permit fees" are a known scam tactic.
- Fake incentives: Unscrupulous salespeople may offer false rebates or incentives to pressure you into signing. Always independently verify any rebate offer before committing.
🚩 Red Flag
If a solar company asks for thousands of dollars upfront before installation begins — or before materials are delivered — that is illegal under California law. File a complaint with the CSLB at cslb.ca.gov.
Your Cancellation Rights
You have 3 business days to review and cancel a solar agreement after signing. If you are 65 or older, that window extends to 5 days, unless the sale was negotiated at the contractor's place of business. Use this time. Read the full contract. Have a family member or advisor review it with you.
Section 2: Installation Information
This section tells you the operational details of your installation:
- Whether the contractor will use subcontractors — and if so, the contractor is required to give you their name, license number, and contact info before installation begins.
- Where to find warranty information in the contract (the page number must be listed).
- Where to find service and maintenance information — including what happens if there are mechanical, electrical, software, or internet issues with your system.
💡 Pro Tip
Always verify that a subcontractor is licensed by looking them up at cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx. An unlicensed subcontractor doing work on your home creates serious liability issues.
Section 3: Information About the Agreement (PPA, Lease, or Purchase)
This is where the financial structure of your deal is disclosed. There are three types of solar agreements, and they have very different implications for ownership, equity, and home resale:
| Agreement Type | You Own the System? | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Purchase | ✅ Yes | Full ownership, maximum long-term value, eligible for incentives |
| Solar Loan | ✅ Yes (after payoff) | Contractor must disclose lender name, loan term, and interest rate |
| Lease or PPA | ❌ No | You pay to use the system or buy its power; check if it transfers when you sell your home |
For PPAs and leases, the disclosure form specifically requires the contractor to state whether the agreement can be transferred to a new homeowner if you sell your house — and to warn you that you may need to pay off the agreement in full to sell.
The form also discloses the complete pricing structure: total system cost, monthly payments, interest rate (for loans), and any escalator — which is an annual price increase built into leases and PPAs. If your agreement has an escalator, ask your contractor exactly how much your payments will grow each year and why it's included.
Section 4: Energy Savings Estimates (The Numbers That Matter Most)
This is arguably the most important section — and the one where the most misleading sales pitches happen. California now requires standardized, auditable savings estimates using approved calculation tools.
The disclosure must show:
- Your annual electricity usage (past 12 months in kWh)
- Your system's estimated annual solar electricity generation (kWh)
- Your current electricity rate schedule and the rate schedule you'll be on after installation
- Your battery capacity and minimum state of charge (for battery systems)
Required Calculators — No More Made-Up Numbers
California now mandates which tools contractors must use to calculate your savings:
- Solar-only systems: Savings estimates must be based on the PVWatts calculator from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (pvwatts.nrel.gov), per CPUC Resolution E-5364.
- Solar + battery systems: A required estimate for battery-optimized bill savings (maximizing savings based on grid price signals) must be provided. Optional estimates for self-consumption mode and home backup mode can also be included.
⚖️ What This Means for You
The disclosure must name the calculator used. If a contractor shows you impressive savings projections but refuses to name the tool or show you the inputs — those numbers are not reliable. Require transparency.
The Big 2025–2026 Rate Change Every Solar Buyer Needs to Know
This is critical new information embedded in the updated disclosure and confirmed by the CPUC: beginning in late 2025 and into 2026, California utilities — PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E — are introducing a base services charge. This is a fixed monthly fee that will apply to all customers, including those with rooftop solar.
This changes the math on solar payback periods and bill savings in a meaningful way. Any savings estimate you receive must account for this new rate structure. If a contractor quotes you savings numbers based on the old rate structure without mentioning the base services charge, push back and ask for an updated projection.
💡 Why Battery Storage Becomes More Important
With a fixed base charge applying regardless of how much solar you generate, the value of optimizing when your system exports and consumes energy increases. A well-configured battery system can significantly offset this new cost structure. Talk to your contractor about battery optimization modes in detail.
Your Pre-Signing Checklist: 10 Things to Verify
Before you sign anything with any solar company in the Bay Area — or anywhere in California — go through this checklist:
- You have been given the Solar Energy System Supporting Information form
- The contractor's CSLB license number is valid at cslb.ca.gov
- The down payment requested does not exceed $1,000 or 10% of the contract price
- You have confirmed actual permit costs with your local permit office
- Any subcontractors are named and their licenses verified
- Warranty and service/maintenance pages are identified in the contract
- You understand whether you will own the system (purchase/loan) or not (PPA/lease)
- If it's a PPA/lease, you understand the transfer terms for home resale
- Energy savings estimates are based on PVWatts (solar-only) or a named approved tool
- You have been informed about the new 2025–2026 base services charge and its impact
Why This Matters More Than Ever in 2025
The Bay Area solar market is growing fast — and with growth comes an influx of contractors who prioritize closing deals over doing things right. Some of the most common complaints the CSLB receives involve solar: misleading savings claims, excessive upfront payments, unlicensed subcontractors, and systems that never get properly permitted or inspected.
The Solar Energy System Supporting Information form is your first line of defense. A contractor who hands it to you without being asked, walks you through it clearly, and answers your questions without deflecting — that's a contractor who respects the law and respects you.
At Ally Electric & Solar, we've been a licensed electrical and solar contractor in the Bay Area since 2010 (CSLB #806465). We provide this disclosure on every single job — not because we have to, but because an informed customer is the foundation of a good installation. We don't rush the paperwork, because the paperwork is part of the job.
Download the Official Disclosure Form
Want to review the exact form California requires solar contractors to provide? We've made the official Solar Energy System Supporting Information document — developed jointly by the CSLB and CPUC pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 7169 — available for direct download below. Bring it to your next contractor meeting, or use it as a reference when reviewing your contract.
Solar Energy System Supporting Information
Official CSLB & CPUC required disclosure form · Version 2 · PDF · Free download
Every legitimate solar contractor in California is required to fill out and sign this form with you. If a company refuses to provide it or hasn't heard of it, that alone is a reason to look elsewhere.
Where to Learn More
California's CPUC maintains a free Solar Guide for homeowners:
- CPUC Solar Guide: cpuc.ca.gov/solarguide
- CSLB Complaint Filing: cslb.ca.gov
- PVWatts Solar Calculator: pvwatts.nrel.gov
- AB 205 Base Services Charge Fact Sheet: cpuc.ca.gov