Here is a timeline for my Tesla solar panel install. My utility is Eversource, if yours is different YMMV.
6/13 Made $100 deposit online to get the project started. Used my own referal link.
6/19 Received notification of layout completed. Documents appeared online with paperwork for Tesla and Eversource
6/21 Noticed new 340W panels and better pricing.
6/23 Site survey completed. Also asked for change to new panels and pricing.
7/10 Received notification that they received the Town's electrical/structural permit.
7/16 Updated plan to include 340W panels instead of 330W panels and new lower pricing.
7/16 Signed updated paperwork including Eversource docs. Kicked off the path to install.
7/21 Received email from Eversource saying application received for SMART program
8/19 Received email from Eversource saying application approved for SMART program.
long wait for Eversource to approve application for installation. Was told that it could be 2-9 weeks from Eversource being paid their application fee and signed paperwork.
10/1 Email received to sign Interconnection service agreement with Eversource. Permission received to schedule installation. Was given a link on Tesla account online to do an online schedule. Picked earliest available install which was 10/20.
10/13 Received phone call from Tesla saying they had an opening, would I "mind" if they came on 10/14-10/15. I said YESSSSS
10/14 8am-5pm: Two crews arrive to do the install, one to do panel prep and wiring and the other to do the powerwall and gateway install. The inverter, powerwalls, and an electrical panel to hold the inverter and powerwall breakers were installed in the basement. They spent a few hours in the attic running the wires for the panels to an exterior conduit which runs from the wall in the attic to the basement. The electrical work was completed the first day except for wiring the panels to the inverter. No panels were placed on the first day. Eversource installs an additional meter for solar production and requires a main cutoff switch on the exterior. The socket for the new meter was also installed but bridged until Eversource comes to install it and to replace the regular meter with a net metering version. Powerwalls arrived about 25% charged and a test was done to power the house from the powerwalls.
10/15 8am-4pm: One larger crew arrived to finish solar panel install and to connect the inverter. Spent about 1 hour in the attic with the wiring to connect panels and about 1 hour in the basement to hook up inverter. The rest of the time was installing panels. I have a total of 36 panels, two strings on the main roof (15 and 12 cell strings) and another triangular shape of 8 panels in the third string. They tested the panels and they were generating. They were told by the lead guy from powerwall crew to check in with him when they were done to double check the CT configuration in the gateway. They couldn't reach him and left. What this meant is that there was indeed a problem with the CT configuration and the powerwalls wouldn't charge from the solar panels. They said they would fix this when they came back for the town inspection.
10/16 Got a call from the inspection scheduler who was aware of the minor issue and scheduled the inspection for 10/21 in the morning.
10/21 Tesla and the inspector arrive at the same time and the inspector went over the electrical. Passed with no issues. The Tesla tech stayed around to fix the CT and the system is fully operational.
Seemingly endless wait for Eversource meter installations and PTO.
I did run a test to make sure system is operating properly and charged the powerwalls up to 40% in-case there is a power failure
8 Cell triangular array went up first.
Normal meter, gateway2, cutoff switch, meter socket for SMART production meter
Inverter on day1
3 powerwalls
Extra electrical panel to hold the 60A solar breaker and 3x30A powerwall breakers. This needed to be added to allow the 150A cutoff switch outside.
