If we assume the independent contractor is completely flaked and cannot do anything... here's what I would attempt.
1) Get the account # and or meter number for the account that is seeking PTO (basically have a copy of a PG&E bill handy)
2) Call the PG&E solar help line to see if you can get to an interconnection update about any applications pending on the account.
Solar Customer Service Center
Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.- 6 p.m.
1-877-743-4112
3) Unfortunately, PG&E's solar team may just tell you there is a pending interconnection but not actually advise what you should do next. I had a problem with my installation through Sunrun, and they were stymied for about a month trying to get my PTO application processed. So yeah, the Nation's #1 solar installer somehow got stuck navigating PG&E's PTO. The only way I could unblock the situation was to attempt an interconnection on my own to see where the hang-up was.
4) So I created an account on PG&E's interconnection portal and attempted to make my own PTO happen as the homeowner
Sign In
Code:
https://yourprojects-pge.com/login
5) Here, I learned about the difference between NEM2, NEM2-PS, and NEM2-MT. Unfortunately systems with 3x or more Powerwalls are supposed to use NEM2-MT. Some installers and an inattentive PG&E PTO specialist may let a large system slide by under NEM2-PS. But in my case, Sunrun didn't seem to be familiar with the unique requirements of NEM2-MT, and kept trying (and failing) to do NEM2-PS.
6) In my case, I had to convince Sunrun to submit my PTO under NEM2-MT instead of NEM2-PS. This meant Sunrun would incur a much larger PTO fee. Then, I had to get my homeowners policy to include PG&E as a named insured up to $1,000,000 in case my batteries damaged their grid. In the end, Sunrun and I lost the PTO-battle to NOT check this box. So I have to turn off Stormwatch.
So, if your friend cannot contact their solar installer and wants to PTO on their own... they could attempt it. But they'd owe the $2,000 PTO fee and would have to produce a single line diagram showing their permitted system. Hopefully this SLD is linked to the approved county/city inspection permit.
PS. PG&E sucks. NEM2-MT sucks.
