All,
Just had my new 7.56 kW system with 2 Powerwalls installed in Central California. The process actually went pretty quickly all things considered. I intended to go with a certified installer but they were so disorganized they missed 2 home inspection meetings in a row... and this before I paid them a dime. Then Tesla offered the California power outage discount, and they had BY FAR the best fully-installed prices on 2 Powerwalls. I signed the contract right off the Website on 11/1 and they installed on 12/9 - 12/10. So far, I absolutely LOVE the technology. Already have a couple Teslas (older Model S and a 2018 Model 3), so familiar enough with the app, but the solar and battery aspect takes it to the next level.
Two major hiccups though:
1) As I mentioned, I signed the contract right off the Website. Everything seemed to move right along until my rep handling my project went on vacation. I then received a NEW contract in my Tesla account that was for over a thousand dollars more. A few schedulers called to arrange scheduling, and when I asked what the new contract was all about, since we already had both signed, no one could tell me why. When my rep came back, he wasn't sure either. They tried to initially push me to sign it, saying the pricing wasn't correct on the Website, or they forgot to include tax, etc. (even though the original contract clearly stated tax included). At that point I was so fed up with shopping for solar I started researching transfer switches and generators. Finally I just said, we signed a contract, so honor that, or see ya. At that point they agreed to honor the original contract. After that experience it made it a lot tougher to recommend them to, say, my grandmother, or anyone I actually care about. I expected that bait and switch nonsense from local Joe Schmoe Solar Co., but not Tesla.
2) When the installers showed up, they realized that the site planner had mis-measured my roof and instead of accommodating all the panels, four of them would need to be moved to the north side of the roof as other locations were unsuitable due to shading. Per their own engineering team, this would reduce output by about 10%. This jibed with my own numbers. So essentially I went from a 7.56 kW system to about a 6.8 kW system. I could have sent them all packing, I suppose, but they'd already starting installing the Powerwalls in my garage and made other alterations to the house that would then have to be corrected.
All in all, I would say I love Tesla's mission and technology, but their communication and internal organization seem to still need work. I've had hit and miss experiences with the cars as well, but they generally made things right. Sometimes it took awhile, but eventually they got it right. The only thing I've spent more money on in the last decade than Tesla junk is my house, after all, so I sure hope they get their disorganization and communication straightened out.
So, question: have either of these issues happened to anyone else, and how did it get resolved? My inspection is scheduled for next week and the final payment will be due. I realize that I received the same number of solar panels, but on a price/watt basis, I got 10% less than I originally signed up for.
Appreciate any shared experiences and/or advice.
Alex
Just had my new 7.56 kW system with 2 Powerwalls installed in Central California. The process actually went pretty quickly all things considered. I intended to go with a certified installer but they were so disorganized they missed 2 home inspection meetings in a row... and this before I paid them a dime. Then Tesla offered the California power outage discount, and they had BY FAR the best fully-installed prices on 2 Powerwalls. I signed the contract right off the Website on 11/1 and they installed on 12/9 - 12/10. So far, I absolutely LOVE the technology. Already have a couple Teslas (older Model S and a 2018 Model 3), so familiar enough with the app, but the solar and battery aspect takes it to the next level.
Two major hiccups though:
1) As I mentioned, I signed the contract right off the Website. Everything seemed to move right along until my rep handling my project went on vacation. I then received a NEW contract in my Tesla account that was for over a thousand dollars more. A few schedulers called to arrange scheduling, and when I asked what the new contract was all about, since we already had both signed, no one could tell me why. When my rep came back, he wasn't sure either. They tried to initially push me to sign it, saying the pricing wasn't correct on the Website, or they forgot to include tax, etc. (even though the original contract clearly stated tax included). At that point I was so fed up with shopping for solar I started researching transfer switches and generators. Finally I just said, we signed a contract, so honor that, or see ya. At that point they agreed to honor the original contract. After that experience it made it a lot tougher to recommend them to, say, my grandmother, or anyone I actually care about. I expected that bait and switch nonsense from local Joe Schmoe Solar Co., but not Tesla.
2) When the installers showed up, they realized that the site planner had mis-measured my roof and instead of accommodating all the panels, four of them would need to be moved to the north side of the roof as other locations were unsuitable due to shading. Per their own engineering team, this would reduce output by about 10%. This jibed with my own numbers. So essentially I went from a 7.56 kW system to about a 6.8 kW system. I could have sent them all packing, I suppose, but they'd already starting installing the Powerwalls in my garage and made other alterations to the house that would then have to be corrected.
All in all, I would say I love Tesla's mission and technology, but their communication and internal organization seem to still need work. I've had hit and miss experiences with the cars as well, but they generally made things right. Sometimes it took awhile, but eventually they got it right. The only thing I've spent more money on in the last decade than Tesla junk is my house, after all, so I sure hope they get their disorganization and communication straightened out.
So, question: have either of these issues happened to anyone else, and how did it get resolved? My inspection is scheduled for next week and the final payment will be due. I realize that I received the same number of solar panels, but on a price/watt basis, I got 10% less than I originally signed up for.
Appreciate any shared experiences and/or advice.
Alex
