About CSI RD&D

On January 12, 2006, The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) established a budget for the California Solar Initiative (CSI) Research, Development, Demonstration and Deployment Program (RD&D) to help achieve the CSI's goal of installing three thousand megawatts of distributed solar by 2016. The CPUC's intent for RD&D is to "explore solar technologies and other distributed generation technologies that employ or could employ solar for power generation and storage or to offset natural gas usage, as well as market development strategies."

On August 21, 2006, the Legislature adopted the "Million Solar Roofs" bill (SB1) which directed the CPUC "to allocate not more than $50 million to research, development, and demonstration that explores as part of the CSI:

1. solar technologies, or
2. other distributed generation technologies that employ or could employ solar energy for generation or storage of electricity or to offset natural gas usage."

After issuing an RFP for program management in Spring 2008, the CPUC signed a contract with Itron in November. The project team is currently conducting industry and market studies to identify the highest priority research, development, and deployment opportunities. These findings will inform the first round of funding and lay the groundwork for a solar RD&D roadmap for California.

The overall goal of the RD&D funds is to help build a sustainable and self-supporting industry for customer-sited solar in California. This goal includes two key outcomes:

• Move the market from the current retail solar price of $9/watt or about 30 cents/kWh to levels that are comparable to the retail price of electricity.
• Install increasing volumes of solar DG that build from the current range of 40+MW per year to 350 MW or more per year.

The funds will be used to fill critical needs or gaps in the market to facilitate greatly expanded market penetration of cost-effective solar applications.

CPUC Decision establishing the RD&D Program [Decision 07-09-042] [Appendix] Sept 20, 2007

Ways to Receive CSI RD&D Updates

• Email your name and address to Info [at] CalSolarResearch.ca.gov with "subscribe to outreach list" in the subject line.
• Subscribe to the CSI Newsletter and Listserv lists via the GoSolarCalifornia website.  (Scroll down to see the form fields on the left of the page.)
• Sign up for the CPUC Proceeding R.08-03-008 service list. This list provides subscribers with updates regarding policies, procedures and rules for the CSI as well as the Self-Generation Incentive Program and other distributed generation issues.  More information about this proceeding can be found here:  CSI Public Forums

• What is the CSI RD&D?
• What are the program goals?
• What are the program principles and objectives?
• How will the program work?
• How can I follow the program's progress?
• How can my company participate?

What is the CSI RD&D?

The California Solar Initiative (CSI) has a goal to create 3,000 MW* of new, solar-produced electricity by 2016, moving the state toward a cleaner energy future and helping lower the cost of solar systems for consumers. The CSI statewide budget is $3.3 billion over 10 years, and it has three distinct program components. Read more about the CSI here.

To help achieve the California's goal of creating a vibrant solar industry the state legislature created the Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment Program (RD&D). This program will invest $50 million to fund solar research and demonstration projects that will measurably reduce the cost and accelerate the installation of solar and other distributed technologies that could employ solar for generation, storage, or that could reduce the use of natural gas.

* This includes 1,940 MW from the CSI Program, 360 MW from the New Solar Homes Partnership, and 700 MW from the Publicly Owned Utility Programs.

Read more: Frequently Asked Questions

November 9, 2009 - CSI RD&D Program Strategy Workshop
Itron, as Program Manager for the CSI RD&D, is conducted the first Program Strategy Workshop on behalf of the CPUC.

Download the Program Strategy Workshop Presentation.

Reference document: CSI RD&D Adopted Plan

Read more: CSI RD&D History