Is my system too small or just not working?

[dmp]

I'm very new to this and very concerned, 10 panels/inverter(s) were installed about a month ago. paperwork says "Total System Size 2.600 kW DC Power (STC) / 2.247 kW AC Power (CEC)" and I have no idea what that means.I was told that this would be more than enough to run my average usage stated by So Cal Edison plus I'd be able to run my heat and air which I haven't been able to in a couple of years due to cost. I live in the Mojave desert. I looked at my neighbors paperwork and the panels are all the same but the total size is different, she has 14 while I have 10.
So, here's where I'm hoping someone can help. My electric meter is still going forward since the say we turned it on and I'm being billed full usage by Edison 24/7

I called Edison. They said I should have flatlined on my meter almost immediately but it could take a month to calculate my over generation. Ok fine, I have not flatlined much less shown any reduction in what I'm buying from them. They came out and said there is nothing in their reading indicating I have solar panels installed.

I called out installers. They first said its Edison's meter. Then everything is plugged in correctly so it's not them. Then say I need to add 6-10 more panels (at around 2K each) to see any savings.

These are my concerns
When installers came out I had normal vampire plug in and appliances, no heat or air plus 1 TV going and still the electric meter was going forward while the one reading (that Edison said would show my generation) was all zero's

Installers own modem can not even connect to the panels but they say everything is plugged in right so its working and not their issue (though they cant confirm that without getting the reading)

My neighbor has 8 people there, at least three home all day with heat/air/fans, tv's computers, electric stove and dryer plus a hot tub. 14 panels compared to my 10 and they flatlined on their meter almost immediately (I looked at their daily usage on the edison web page) and went to a zero electric bill within 3 months.

The 36 hours after after we turned the system on my electric usage spiked to about 3x my daily average then settled down to right around what is normal for me. Installer said I need more panels because the system itself is consuming everything it is generating just to run the panels (??) but that doesn't seem right with my usage compared to my neighbors.

i think there is something faulty in the solar panel system simply because neither the electric meter nor the modem to pull data from the panels can connect but they say that's nearly impossible.

I told them to fix it or remove it but since it took nearly 3 months to install I've been told I'm stuck with the financing so any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

[inetdog]

The 36 hours after after we turned the system on my electric usage spiked to about 3x my daily average then settled down to right around what is normal for me. Installer said I need more panels because the system itself is consuming everything it is generating just to run the panels (??) but that doesn't seem right with my usage compared to my neighbors.

i think there is something faulty in the solar panel system simply because neither the electric meter nor the modem to pull data from the panels can connect but they say that's nearly impossible.

I told them to fix it or remove it but since it took nearly 3 months to install I've been told I'm stuck with the financing so any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

Your installer is either a liar or is crazy!
And if the extent of his testing ability is to verify plug connections he (or at least the tech he sent out) is incompetent too.

It sounds like there is a problem either with the panel wiring or the wiring of your grid tie inverter, and it should not be hard for your installer to figure out where the problem is. It is a shame that you apparently do not have the tools to check it out yourself.
Would it be possible to have a third party electrician come out and run some basic tests? At a minimum a clamp type DC ammeter will tell you whether current is flowing from the panels without requiring any dissasembly or even opening up enclosures.
The most likely reason that they cannot get monitoring information from the inverter or microinverters that they installed is that it is just not working, possibly not connected to the AC line at all.

If the system uses a string inverter, there should be some kind of status display on it that you can look at.

[Amy@altE]

What was your electric usage before the system was installed? How many kWh a month did you buy? It will be on your bill. You have a 2600W solar system that should be generating about 240kWh a month this time of year. That seems very low to have your installer say it will cover all of your power needs, especially if you are going to be turning on electric heat and AC. "Installer said I need more panels because the system itself is consuming everything it is generating just to run the panels " Your installer is lying. Do not give him another penny. I think the system is probably too small for what you need, but do not trust your installer, he is terrible. Let us know how much power you normally use, and we can move forward from there.

I also wonder if he had Edison turn on a net metering agreement. If they didn't, you may be getting billed for the power you are making as well.

[Deja-vue]

Does your meter show "PID 252" or "PID 151" ?

If it shows 252, Net metering is running.