Solar insurance from the roof to the panel.

The disclosure that tops every residential solar contract

If you sell residential solar in California, the first page of your contract is set by statute. Business and Professions Code 7169 requires the solar energy system company to give the consumer a Solar Energy System Disclosure Document before completing a sale, financing or lease. The CPUC says this single-page cover page has been in effect since January 1, 2019.

• Where it goes. On the front or cover page of every solar energy contract, in boldface 16-point type.
• What it states. Total cost and payments, including financing costs; how and to whom the consumer can file a complaint; and the consumer's cancellation right under Section 7159.
• Which language. The contract and disclosure must be in the language principally used in the oral sales presentation or in the print or digital marketing given to the consumer (7169(d)).
• Which jobs. Solar systems on residential buildings, primarily generating electricity, rated at least 1 kW and no more than 5 MW AC. It does not apply to a system installed as a standard feature on new construction.
• The second document. The CPUC says the longer Solar Energy System Supporting Information document has been in effect since November 1, 2025, and Version 2, issued July 28, 2025, is the one to submit with interconnection applications. Customers must get both documents before a contract is signed, and both must be submitted to the utility for an interconnection application to be considered complete.
• Typed, not handwritten. Under CPUC Resolution E-5364 the supporting form must be typewritten. The CPUC warns that a handwritten form may bring penalties and placement on its Public Watch List of Non-Compliant Solar Providers.

The CPUC says the documents are not required when a battery storage system is not being connected to an existing or new generation system. Keep a signed copy of both in every job file.

Cal/OSHA fall rules on a solar roof

Cal/OSHA's Title 8 rules decide what fall protection a solar crew needs, and which rule applies depends on the roof and the work.

• Section 1670(a). Approved personal fall arrest, restraint or positioning systems must be worn by employees exposed to falls of more than 7 1/2 feet from the perimeter of a structure, unprotected sides and edges, leading edges, openings, or sloped roof surfaces steeper than 7:12, unless they are otherwise adequately protected under the safety orders. A note to the section points roofing operations to Section 1730.
• Section 1731 (residential-type roofing). If your company also does roofing or re-roofing on single-family homes, workers on slopes from 0:12 to 7:12 must be protected once the fall distance is 6 feet or more. On roofs steeper than 7:12 they must be protected regardless of height. Required training covers topics including roof holes and openings, skylights, ladders and roof access.
• Section 1632 (openings). Roof and skylight openings must be guarded by temporary railings and toeboards or by covers. Covers must support the greater of 400 pounds or twice the weight of the workers, equipment and materials on them, be secured in place, and be marked "Opening--Do Not Remove."

Here is what enforcement looks like. In June 2019, Cal/OSHA announced citations against an Anaheim solar installer after a worker installing panels on an Oakland home lost his footing and fell 15 feet onto the concrete driveway. Cal/OSHA said the company did not provide required fall protection, and that violation was classified as willful serious. A separate burn incident brought a citation for not providing insulated gloves or tools for energized work.

When I take a solar account to market for workers' comp, I send a written fall protection program, training records and a description of your energized-work procedures, so the underwriter sees more than a payroll figure.

Official sources

• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 7169 (Solar Energy System Disclosure Document)
• CPUC: CSLB Disclosure Documents (California Solar Consumer Protection Guide)
• Cal. Civ. Code 1689.6 (home solicitation cancellation periods)
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 7159 (home improvement contracts)
• 16 CFR 429.1 (FTC cooling-off rule)
• Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1670 (personal fall arrest systems)
• Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1731 (residential-type roofing); see also 1632 (roof openings) at dir.ca.gov/title8/1632.html
• Cal/OSHA news release 2019-47 (solar installer fall citations)
• Cal. Gov. Code 65850.5 (expedited solar permitting)
• Cal. Gov. Code 65850.52 (automated solar permitting platform)