Anyone have Tesla cancel your solar project?

[CyberOwl]

Hello ,
We ordered a medium system with 2 powerwalls last week for a bay area install to be paid for in cash. Then yesterday Tesla cancelled the order. Here is the email.

"Thank you for your interest in Tesla solar. As part of the ordering process, our team reviewed several aspects of your home, including roof type, shading, available roof space, rafter spacing and equipment compatibility.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to proceed with your project due to low system efficiency caused by heavy shading or a lack of conducive roof space. Even with the smallest system size, your solar production would not meet our minimum efficiency thresholds to ensure a cost-effective installation.

You will receive a refund within 7-10 business days to your card. If you have any questions, please reply to this email or call (877) 571-7652.


Strange thing is earlier this year we were going to have a small system with 1 powerwall installed. Tesla went as far as inspecting the roof , pulling permits and wanting to schedule the install of the panels. We were waiting for a inspection on a new 200 amp service panel and let Tesla know we would have to wait until it was inspected. They cancelled that order and said to place a new one when we were ready. Now they say they would not install medium or small system on the house. Any thoughts?

 

[jboy210]

Tesla seems to be focused on homes that meet specific criteria that let them get in and out quickly with minimal customization and very easy to evaluate that the systems will meet the contract commitments.

 

[charlesj]

I suppose next step is another installer?

 

[SMAlset]

Interesting but not surprising if one or both of the issues are in fact valid. And yes, we have read a few people here have had their projects cancelled because of those reasons. For most here however, that's not been the case.

Did they give you an initial roof layout when you first pursued this? Would be interesting to see how your roof lays out for anyone who might be in a similar situation. Some houses as we've seen in other posts on here just are not conducive to solar panels due to their mulitple divided roof sections. Remember the new 340 panels they are using have a much bigger footprint that may preclude installation on small roof sections. If they thought they could do something with the 315s, then another installation company with different panel sizes from the 340 might be your best bet moving forward.

If it's not the roof layout, then is it a shading issue with trees around the roof sections that would be utilized? If so you could consider removing the "offending" trees and replanting with something shorter maybe.

I would think shading would be an issue for any installer. They know you will be expecting to achieve a certain range of kWhs over the year and if you fall short you would be an unhappy camper after spending the money for the solar/PW system and you likely would be better off using the grid or looking into other non-solar alternatives.

 

[charlesj]

.... Remember the new 340 panels they are using have a much bigger footprint that may preclude installation on small roof sections. If they thought they could do something with the 315s, then another installation company with different panel sizes from the 340 might be your best bet moving forward.

...

Does Tesla use both size panels?