Interesting - SolarEdge support told me to send Tesla my case # to have the inverter replaced . But from what you are indicating Tesla has to send field rep to take a picture - why do they need a picture - wouldn’t remote diagnosis be more reliable than a picture. That said I already sent Tesla a picture. With respect to the timeline - another earlier poster said their local installer replaced an inverter in 10 days. When I originally called Tesla they scheduled the field service visit (to apparently take a picture) more than one month out. I called to complain and they found a slot 2 1/2 weeks out. How long do you think I will have to wait before my $47k Tesla system produces energy? So far it has been 3 months with 2 1/2 days of production. I believe a local installer would have been more responsive. But if you have a different experience please share.The learning was introducing the Tesla inverter. I think they can diagnose the inverter remotely, but they're required by the SolarEdge warranty requirements to physically inspect it before making a claim.
Honestly, I don't think it would be any different with a local installer. They wouldn't eat the cost of keeping spare inverters in stock, and would likely go through the exact same warranty process as Tesla. At least you can rely on Tesla to be in business for the length of your workmanship warranty. The same cannot be said for the little guys.