SolarEdge HDWave Inverter not powering on - new installation

[Cherd]

Hello,

I am in San Jose, California. My solar panels with 3 Powerwalls and SolarEdge HDWave Inverter (one with no LCD panel) got installed last Friday (Feb '20).

The installer who worked on my panels, PW and inverter told me that he had the same system installed in his house in December, so I fully trusted what he said. Before he left, he told me that once my PW power drops under the reserved setting, it will start getting charged from the grid. He tried to show me on the app but it didn't work. Then he said there is some algorithms that would only let the grid charge my PW during off peak hours and I can't change it. He also repeated many times that even though I can't use my solar before PG&E approval and come to install another meter, my PW is fully functional for back up purpose.

Well my PW never get charged overnight. The next day, I dropped the reserve to 0 to see how it would react and eventually my battery went to 0%. When connected directly to the gateway, it shows 4%. Now after a few more days, everything shows 0%.

I called Tesla and only then was told in California the powerwall cannot be charged by grid. What a bunch of misinformation from the installer.

Then I thought maybe I should turn on solar to let it at least charge the PW. But, the SolarEdge inverter doesn't seems to do anything with the breaker turned on, AC disconnect turned on, DC switch turned on and the red button turned on. The LED never shows anything. Also can't set up the SetApp because switching to P does nothing either.

Normally is the inverter powered by the Powerwall? If so, in my case, even if after inspection and PG&E comes to install the meter, I won't still need Tesla to come start the system up?

 

[Ampster]

Normally is the inverter powered by the Powerwall? If so, in my case, even if after inspection and PG&E comes to install the meter, I won't still need Tesla to come start the system up?

The inverter should get some power from the grid to boot up if all the right breakers are on. Have you checked that all the breakers are on.

 

[Cherd]

The inverter should get some power from the grid to boot up if all the right breakers are on. Have you checked that all the breakers are on.

This is how my breakers (bottom left) look like. The top right is my house breakers and everything in there are on.
I also have everything on at the bottom left.

Pictures were taken during installation, while they were doing tests. I haven't check how the left meter box looks like since a cover was place over it. Does it mater if there is no meter in it, and the "jumpers" are not there (will check in the morning)?

The bottom right hole in the lower left breaker go to my crawl space, and then come out on the left side of the same wall where the Powerwalls and inverter are.

 

[jjrandorin]

Hello,

I am in San Jose, California. My solar panels with 3 Powerwalls and SolarEdge HDWave Inverter (one with no LCD panel) got installed last Friday (Feb '20).

The installer who worked on my panels, PW and inverter told me that he had the same system installed in his house in December, so I fully trusted what he said. Before he left, he told me that once my PW power drops under the reserved setting, it will start getting charged from the grid. He tried to show me on the app but it didn't work. Then he said there is some algorithms that would only let the grid charge my PW during off peak hours and I can't change it. He also repeated many times that even though I can't use my solar before PG&E approval and come to install another meter, my PW is fully functional for back up purpose.

Well my PW never get charged overnight. The next day, I dropped the reserve to 0 to see how it would react and eventually my battery went to 0%. When connected directly to the gateway, it shows 4%. Now after a few more days, everything shows 0%.

I called Tesla and only then was told in California the powerwall cannot be charged by grid. What a bunch of misinformation from the installer.

Then I thought maybe I should turn on solar to let it at least charge the PW. But, the SolarEdge inverter doesn't seems to do anything with the breaker turned on, AC disconnect turned on, DC switch turned on and the red button turned on. The LED never shows anything. Also can't set up the SetApp because switching to P does nothing either.

Normally is the inverter powered by the Powerwall? If so, in my case, even if after inspection and PG&E comes to install the meter, I won't still need Tesla to come start the system up?

Since you have solar + powerwall, you may not get your system fully up and running until you actually get "permission to operate" or (PTO) from your utility (which is likely PGE but not sure on spread of utilities up there).

The powerwalls will only charge from grid if stormwatch mode is both turned on by you in the app, AND triggered by tesla (not you) due to a potential outage situation. If your installer was a "tesla certified installer" they should have known this and this should have been what they told you.

Your powerwalls will normally charge from solar, but if stormwatch is activated by tesla because of some potential reported weather condition, THEN they will charge from the grid when that is triggered (at whatever price rate your electricity is when they activated).

I have had stormwatch activate twice already since my install on jan 6th of this year, so I know it works, but depends on your weather situation. You also can not even turn on stormwatch mode until a few days after your system is fully active, and it doesnt sound like your system has PTO yet, so you basically need to sit and wait.

 

[Ampster]

I haven't check how the left meter box looks like since a cover was place over it. Does it mater if there is no meter in it, and the "jumpers" are not there (will check in the morning)?

It is hard to answer without knowing the purpose of that meter and the flow of the power through the components. If you are comfortable with working inside those panels and have a voltage tester you could follow the power and see where it stops. From what you have said, no power is getting to the PowerWall or the GT inverter.