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

[Panelmal]

PGuess this is one thing NY does right, nearly every install I go to has the net meter installed before we get there. Heard of a few local solar city installs (from former employees) where they left the system on before the net meter was installed and the customer was billed for every kWh that they produced. You might be charged for yours too, definitely pay attention and check your bill.

[samotlietuvis]

It took my 1st install ~4 months to get PTO from SCE . I submitted application Nov 2014 and got approved March 2015. According to SCE they had very high influx of applications at the time and we backed up. I hope it does not take this long on my current install.

[foo1bar]

Pay for the power I exported, okay lets do the math..I generated 741 KWs before my PTO was approved most of which I used. I am guessing maybe 200 KWs was exported so doing the math on that I would owe Edson $15.00 give or take a couple dollars. Even if they billed me at the full 741 KWs that would amount to approx. $120.00 which would be a normal electrical bill for me. So paying for exported power should not be a concern unless your a large commercial type project generating for more.. Still worth the risk...

With AC, night time usage, etc. I am directly using ~20kwh each day, generating ~50kwh, of which ~20kwh goes out to the POCO and comes back.
With net metering that means I have ~10kwh each day that I am banking for winter use. And without solar i'd be paying for ~40kwh.
With a meter that tracks just how much power is going through it (and doesn't go backwards) I would be billed for 50kwh (30kwh exported, 20kwh imported. With 20kwh not going through the meter so not billed.)

The reason I know how much power is consumed/imported/exported/generated is that I have hooked up a TED5000 so that i can track those things.

Now, if you are able to get a lower bill by "testing" the system, I say good for you.
But anyone reading should be aware that it isn't always going to work out positively for everyone.
And you DO run the risk of pissing off someone at the POCO. They could look really carefully for a reason to pull your meter leaving you without power until you fix whatever issue they saw. (IMO most likely a "Oh gee, it's on? The installer must have forgotten to turn it off after he tested it" will defuse the situation)

[H20]

Pay for the power I exported, okay lets do the math..I generated 741 KWs before my PTO was approved most of which I used. I am guessing maybe 200 KWs was exported so doing the math on that I would owe Edson $15.00 give or take a couple dollars. Even if they billed me at the full 741 KWs that would amount to approx. $120.00 which would be a normal electrical bill for me. So paying for exported power should not be a concern unless your a large commercial type project generating for more.. Still worth the risk...

[inetdog]

This is bad advise if you get caught you could be in trouble

Among other things, if they have not yet reprogrammed your meter you can end up paying them for any power you export. In that case the OP might be better off financially to leave the system turned off!

[solar pete]

I say go for it and enjoy the use of your system without delay...

This is bad advise if you get caught you could be in trouble

[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...

[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.

[FUN4ME]

just saw your other post

[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

[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]

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

[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....

[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.

[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.