Registered Retailers and Installers

Becoming a registered retailer is a lengthy process but for good reason. In the end, the game is about protecting the consumer.

The California Solar Initiative, New Solar Homes Partnership and Emerging Renewable Program all require companies who sell or install the PV panels to register with the California Energy Commission.

This is the process:

1. Download NSHP-4 Retailer Registration form found here.

2. Fax or mail it to the contacts at the bottom of the form.

3. Wait for the 2nd or 16th of the month (when the CEC updates their online directory) to see your listing appear at GoSolarCalifornia.com's retailer search.

From experience, the California Energy Commission will call, email or fax your business if there is any problem with the way you filled out the form. If you don't hear anything it's probably good but be sure and check their retailer search directory before you call.

If you turn in your form and don't see your listing in their directory after the closest update date, your form may not have reached them and you should definitely call.

Their energy hotline is: 1-800-654-4405








As of now, there are 3 types of listings on the GoSolarCalifornia.com website:

"Retail Yes/Install No"

This means you have a Board of Equalization Sales/Use tax permit number and you are eligible to buy PV equipment at wholesale and retail that equipment. It also means you don't have a contractor's license and are not installing PV equipment.

NOTE: If you are a contractor working in fixed-price contracts who buys PV equipment from a distributor and pays the distributor sales-tax then you are NOT considered a retailer for the purposes of the Retailer Registration. In this situation you are considered by the State of California to be the consumer of those products. As long as you don't mark up the equipment in your contract you do not need a Sales/Use tax permit and you are not a retailer.

The retailer would be the distributor you purchased the panels from and on any incentive forms, this business should be listed as the retailer.



"Install Yes/Retail No"

This type of entry means you are strictly a contractor. You must have a contractor's license that is type A, B, C-10 or C-46 to qualify to be included as "Install Yes" on the GoSolarCalifornia.com database.

More information about getting a contractor's license can be found here: www.cslb.ca.gov


"Retail Yes/Install Yes"

This means you have both a Contractor's license of the appropriate type and a Sales/Use tax permit and you can both install PV systems and buy PV equipment at wholesale.