What the C-46 license covers
The CSLB’s definition
“A solar contractor installs, modifies, maintains, and repairs thermal and photovoltaic solar energy systems. A licensee classified in this section shall not undertake or perform building or construction trades, crafts, or skills, except when required to install a thermal or photovoltaic solar energy system.”
Falls from roofs are the injury that matters most, followed by electrical shock. On the liability side, the most common solar claim is a roof leak at the mounting penetrations, often showing up years after the job. Fires from inverters or wiring, and battery storage, are the claims carriers worry about most. Some policies exclude roofing work, which a solar installer can’t avoid, so check for that before you bind.
The C-46 coverage stack
- General Liability — confirm no roofing exclusion; roof leaks are the most common claim
- Workers’ Compensation — 3724 for PV systems; 5190/5140 for building wiring
- Commercial Auto — trucks and trailers hauling panels, racking and ladders
- Inland Marine — panels, inverters and batteries in transit and stored on site
- CSLB license bond — the $25,000 bond every C-46 license needs
- Excess & Umbrella — commercial and utility-scale contracts often require more