I know this is a while back but I have plans in now as a homeowner and the city wanted me to prove I was a "qualified person." I did some research and disputed this requirement as a precondition of obtaining a permit for solar. I explained that in California Section 7026. “Contractor,” for the purposes of this chapter, is synonymous with “builder” and, within the meaning of this chapter, a contractor is any person who undertakes to .... or does himself or herself or by or through others, construct, alter, repair, add to, subtract from, improve, ... any building, or other structure, project, development or improvement, or to do any part thereof........ “Contractor” includes subcontractor and specialty contractor. So anyone who does improvements is a contractor or builder. So anyone doing work is a contractor. An owner is anyone who holds any interest in the property equitable or legal and includes their agents and employees. A owner is exempt from having a license if the owner does the work or hires individuals to work for wages, or hires a sub that is licensed. I explained that a "qualified person" deals with OSHA safety in the workplace. Things a contractor must do to keep an employee safe. The city does not require a licensed contractor to prove their employees are all qualified person if installing solar. Nor that the contractor has weekly safety meetings for employees, identification of hazards. Proper clothing. A contactor can apparently avoid a OSHA violation if they have their new solar install employee take an online three hour class for 30.00, that person is now qualified. In California BPC Sec 7032 states the cities and counties can review plans, issue permits, require compliance with other codes and regulations, and inspect quality of work, the last part states, Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as authorizing a city or county to enact regulations relating to the qualifications necessary to engage in the business of contracting. Since contractor includes anyone improving property including a homeowner exempt for license requirements, the city is not authorized to enact a regulation that requires a homeowner to prove a qualified person is doing the work. The city still has not issued the permit but dropped the requirement I prove I or who I have do the work is qualified. Hope this helps.