The Contractors State License Board is alerting California homeowners about the need to select a licensed and qualified contractor before signing a contract for a solar energy project.

Consumers who want to take advantage of state and federal rebates and tax credits could be preyed upon by unlicensed, unscrupulous or unaware contractors.

Unlicensed contractors in several parts of California have been convicted or are being investigated on suspicion of taking thousands of dollars from consumers for solar energy systems that were incorrectly installed or not installed at all. Consumers may not qualify for government incentives if contractors fail to enter into solar energy contracts correctly.

The board urges consumers to consider the following tips before selecting a contractor for their home’s solar power installation.

•Always check for the contractor’s CSLB license. The state and federal government will not grant rebates or credits for a solar system installed by an unlicensed contractor. Ask the contractor to show you his pocket license and a photo identification to make sure it is the same person. Compare this to the license information at www.cslb.ca .gov to make sure this individual is a legitimate member of the business indicated on the license.

•Check the registration of sales representatives who solicit a contract on behalf of a contractor. A sales representative must be a Registered Home Improvement Salesperson with CSLB. Ask to see the registration card and ID, then check it on the website above to make sure the individual is actually an employee of the licensed contractor before signing a contract.

•Check the contractor’s license classification on the website above. The utility company may require that a solar system be installed by a contractor with a specific classification.

•Don’t make a down payment of more than $1,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, for any contract. There is an exception for about two dozen contractors with special, consumer protection bonds that are noted on the website.

•Don’t be pressured into signing a contract by intimidation tactics, such as losing out on government incentives for not acting quickly.

For more information about hiring contractors, go to the website or call (800) 321-CSLB (2752).

CSLB licenses and regulates more than 300,000 California contractors. In fiscal year 2008- 09, CSLB investigated more than 20,000 complaints and helped recover nearly $36 million in ordered restitution for consumers.