·
·
If you're exploring home energy storage in California, three different roles get involved — and they are easy to confuse. An energy advisor checks your eligibility and connects you with vetted professionals. A licensed installer does the physical work. An SGIP developer files your rebate paperwork. They are not the same job, and knowing the difference protects you.
This guide explains exactly who does what, who is licensed by whom, and how to verify each one before you commit.
Role | What they handle | Credential / oversight | Performs the physical install? |
|---|---|---|---|
Energy advisor (e.g., CEI) | Eligibility check, free assessment, education, connecting you with independent licensed installers | Advisory service — not a construction license | No |
Licensed installer | Designs and installs the energy storage and electrical system | CSLB C-46 (Solar), C-10 (Electrical), or Class B license + $25,000 bond | Yes |
SGIP developer | Submits and manages your SGIP rebate application through the utility portal | Listed on the statewide Approved SGIP Developer List | No (often the same company as the installer) |
What an energy advisor does
An energy advisor helps you understand your options before any work begins: whether you may qualify for programs like SGIP, what a home energy assessment involves, and which independent licensed installers are worth talking to. California Energy Initiative is an advisory service — not a contractor or installer. We do not perform installations and we do not bill you for construction. Our home energy assessment is free and carries no obligation.
What a licensed installer does
The installer is the one legally allowed to touch your electrical panel and mount the equipment. In California, any home project of $1,000 or more in combined labor and materials must be performed by a contractor licensed by the CSLB (Contractors State License Board) — a threshold raised from $500 under Assembly Bill 2622, effective January 1, 2025. The CSLB operates under the Department of Consumer Affairs and oversees roughly 45 license classifications. Home energy storage and electrical work generally fall under the C-46 (Solar), C-10 (Electrical), or Class B (General Building) classifications, and every licensee must carry a minimum $25,000 contractor's bond. You can confirm any license in seconds using the CSLB "Check a License" tool.
What an SGIP developer does
California's Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) has been administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) since 2001. A key detail most homeowners miss: you cannot file an SGIP application yourself. It must be submitted by a registered SGIP developer through the utility's portal, and that developer manages the reservation and compliance steps. In practice, the developer is frequently the same company that installs your system — but it is a distinct, separately tracked role on the statewide Approved SGIP Developer List.
How the roles work together
An advisor reviews your situation and tells you whether pursuing a program makes sense.
You compare independent licensed installers and verify each license.
Your chosen installer (acting as the SGIP developer) files the rebate application before any equipment goes in.
The installer completes the work; the developer manages the rebate through to payment.
Why the distinction matters
Misleading outreach often blurs these lines on purpose — implying that one phone call signs you up for everything. A transparent advisor keeps the roles separate, points you to public verification tools, and never pressures you to install before your paperwork is confirmed. If anyone tells you to install first and sort out the rebate later, treat that as a red flag.
Frequently asked questions
Is California Energy Initiative a contractor or installer?
No. CEI is a Sacramento-based local energy advisory service. We check eligibility, provide free assessments, and connect homeowners with independent licensed installers. We do not perform installations.
Can I install home energy storage myself?
Property owners have limited owner-builder exemptions, but any project of $1,000 or more in combined labor and materials must be done by a CSLB-licensed installer, per California law.
Who actually submits my SGIP application?
A registered SGIP developer — not you. Applications must be filed through the utility portal by an entity on the statewide Approved SGIP Developer List.
How do I verify an installer's license?
Use the CSLB "Check a License" tool at cslb.ca.gov to confirm the license is active, matches the company name, and carries the right classification (C-46, C-10, or B).
Does talking to an advisor cost anything?
With CEI, the home energy assessment is free and no-obligation.
California Energy Initiative is a Sacramento-based local energy advisory service. We help homeowners check SGIP eligibility, get a free assessment, and connect with independent licensed installers. We are not a contractor or installer, and we are not affiliated with californiaenergyinitiative.org. Call (877) 743-1143 or visit cainitiative.com.