After a 7 day test run I was told to turn my system off and wait

[wanabefree]

Last week I posted that my new 6.25 kw was installed and they turned it on the same day. Well I since learned that this was just for testing purposes so they could calibrate everything and set up data monitoring with Enphase.
I am pretty impressed so far with the production I have seen so far. In 8 days it produced 240 KWH of power or about 30 KWH per day. Two of those days were rainy and overcast. The Highest day produce 36 kwh and the lowest was 19.6 KWH.
The installer called me today to let me know that my final inspection was scheduled for next Tuesday and I now needed to turn the system off until They get a PTO from Edison. Hopefully this will all go smoothly and in a couple of weeks I will be back online and tied to the grid.
Any fellow Southern California Edison customers who have recently gone Solar have any input on how long it took to get setup with net metering. I already have a smart meter so I think it can be programed remotely.

[Ward L]

Long Wait

I just bought my panels and started the process. I hear there can be a 2 month wait for SCE to give you a PTO. Did you get in on the SCE rebate? They have stopped giving rebates and I am on the wait list. I can't believe there isn't some California income tax break for the investment. I'll be curious when Edison gets her done for you!

[wanabefree]

I hope its not too long !

I just bought my panels and started the process. I hear there can be a 2 month wait for SCE to give you a PTO. Did you get in on the SCE rebate? They have stopped giving rebates and I am on the wait list. I can't believe there isn't some California income tax break for the investment. I'll be curious when Edison gets her done for you!

No direct rebates for me as I am Leasing/PPA so they go to the installing company.
I was told it could be as soon as a week or as long as 6 weeks but lately they have been doing them in about 10days if you already have a smart meter like I do.
I hope it happens soon as we are now entering the peak season for production and I want as many credits as possible for the summer season when we run our AC most of the time.

[bcroe]

No direct rebates for me as I am Leasing/PPA so they go to the installing company.
I was told it could be as soon as a week or as long as 6 weeks but lately they have been doing them in about 10days if you already have a smart meter like I do.
I hope it happens soon as we are now entering the peak season for production and I want as many credits as possible for the summer season when we run our AC most of the time.

I applied 6 weeks early. Then it took 6 more weeks after completion to get the meter. That,
after phone calls, emails, and cornering the meter reader. They hadn't even ordered a meter,
wonder how long it would be if I had said nothing? The best sun weeks went by with the array
turned off. Bruce Roe

[wanabefree]

Each Utility provider has there own time lines.

I applied 6 weeks early. Then it took 6 more weeks after completion to get the meter. That,
after phone calls, emails, and cornering the meter reader. They hadn't even ordered a meter,
wonder how long it would be if I had said nothing? The best sun weeks went by with the array
turned off. Bruce Roe

I have been doing some research by looking at several public systems on the Enphase My Enlighten site. There are at least a half dozen systems that have gone live in the past 3 months in my area. All of them like me were turned on for a period of time tot test and then have a few weeks of no production so I have to assume that down time was the time between install and Permission to Operate from So Cal Edison. It looks like the average time is between 2 & 4 weeks but i have no idea if they needed new meters installed or already had a smart meter that can be programed remotely for net metering.
it really is out of my hands so I just have to wait after final inspection. I do know I signed the application and gave it to the installer about 2 months ago but I do not know if they have to wait to submit it after final inspection or submit it and then just send in the final inspection report when ready for PTO.

[alienwulf]

Mine went live 3/11 SCE had already switched my smart meter over so just had to wait for the PTO to come. Has produced 717. kWh so far as today. Waiting for SCE to send the rebate 1060.00 was told would come to me but have not seen it yet. Got a letter said I had a reserve spot not sure how long it takes. Do like seeing the SCE web site show mostly big negatives.

[wanabefree]

Mine went live 3/11 SCE had already switched my smart meter over so just had to wait for the PTO to come. Has produced 717. kWh so far as today. Waiting for SCE to send the rebate 1060.00 was told would come to me but have not seen it yet. Got a letter said I had a reserve spot not sure how long it takes. Do like seeing the SCE web site show mostly big negatives.

alienwulf,

How long after final installation and inspection did you wait for Edison to Bless your system.

[alienwulf]

alienwulf,

How long after final installation and inspection did you wait for Edison to Bless your system.

System was purchased on 1/2/14 the install started on 2/17 took 2 days then a week later the electrician came out and put in the panel breakers and the inverter. The city final was 3/3 and the system was on line 3/11. Pretty fast I was told.
Hope that helps you.

[bcroe]

I have been doing some research by looking at several public systems on the Enphase My Enlighten site. There are at least a half dozen systems that have gone live in the past 3 months in my area. All of them like me were turned on for a period of time tot test and then have a few weeks of no production so I have to assume that down time was the time between install and Permission to Operate from So Cal Edison. It looks like the average time is between 2 & 4 weeks but i have no idea if they needed new meters installed or already had a smart meter that can be programed remotely for net metering.
it really is out of my hands so I just have to wait after final inspection. I do know I signed the application and gave it to the installer about 2 months ago but I do not know if they have to wait to submit it after final inspection or submit it and then just send in the final inspection report when ready for PTO.

The Net Meter should have been installed when I got permission to build. Whether the array had been
approved is not tied to the presence of the meter. Actually they acknowledged the approval only 2 days
after it was ready. In any case I had permission to operate for a month before "approval". But doing
that would have my old meter charging me for my own energy; or withholding the net meter would
avoid me feeding them the biggest quantity of energy that year; or....

[FUN4ME]

My system was signed off by the city on Feb 27
They submitted my paperwork March 11 for PTO
I just called SCE and they are approving me today (April 4 ) and sending out the sticker.
So I will be up and running this week.

You should call SCE at 1-866-600-6290 and talk to a rep.
I was also given the number for net metering billing it is 1-866-701-7868
good luck
Erich

[wanabefree]

My system was signed off by the city on Feb 27
They submitted my paperwork March 11 for PTO
I just called SCE and they are approving me today (April 4 ) and sending out the sticker.
So I will be up and running this week.

You should call SCE at 1-866-600-6290 and talk to a rep.
I was also given the number for net metering billing it is 1-866-701-7868
good luck
Erich

Good news for you, mine just failed Electrical so its being re engineered for a new panel upgrade.

Just curious why it took till March 11 about 2 weeks after sign off to get your paperwork submitted for a PTO from Edison.

[FUN4ME]

How did yours fail electrical?
didn't it pass city inspection?


yea that has me curious also.
I haven't talked to my installer about it yet

[FUN4ME]

just saw your other post

[alienwulf]

Got my first bill since system went live 3/11 thru 4/8 was $1.71 total charges and not a full month of production. I can live with that, had some cloudy and rainy days also. Said I was 188% less than last year.

[H20]

My 2 cents

My solar system was installed on July 21 and I fired it up after the installers left. In the meantime I ran my A/C and pool equipment. I didn't know what to expect but if it became an issue with SCE I was going to simply say I left it on after testing system. My Net metering app was received on Aug 11th and following day it was approved. On Aug 13th I received my PTO. So all in all it was not a problem. I say go for it and enjoy the use of your system without delay...