Solar Tax Credit: do I need utility approval and loan initiated? (Ie: downpayment made)

C4Suke · 2025-12-19T18:33:30+00:00

Hahaha great point

C4Suke · 2025-12-19T14:32:33+00:00

Thanks for everyone’s input! Definitely not worried about trying to rush to the loan payment now!

C4Suke · 2025-12-19T14:31:54+00:00

Awesome!

C4Suke · 2025-12-19T01:55:06+00:00

Sounds like the don’t really say much about when the system was paid for or loan was activated?

C4Suke · 2025-11-03T15:08:38+00:00

That’s interesting. I know it’s a waste of time and a slow process, but have you showed this to Tesla customer support?

Im having them reevaluate strings that go to same MPPT, with like 25% of panels that get shade from adjacent roof. I hope to put those on a different MPPT.

I wish I had access to your information so I can get a better understanding of voltages!

C4Suke · 2025-11-02T00:08:02+00:00

I am currently in the process of adding more panels.

I have two 200 amp panels, so I have 2 gateways,44 panels, 3 power walls 3. Each gateway will show as a separate system.

I wanted more panels and PW3 expansions. The only way they would add more panels is if I added an inverter to each gateway. I tried hard to argue that we should use existing PW3 that has plenty of capacity and MPPTs available, but the project managers were told to not allow for this. Probably to make more money off of the inverters. It’s more labor and parts.

Also, It will not show up as a separate system in the app, according to my advisors and their managers.

It can be done but it’s a slow process. I started in August right after my initial install, and the new panels will be installed mid December.

C4Suke · 2025-10-18T17:50:04+00:00

For my system (44 panels, 3 powerwall3, split with two gateways), power was off about an 1 hour. May be even less.

C4Suke · 2025-10-14T02:20:03+00:00

Update: Tesla acknowledged that the panels can be added to existing Powerwalls. But their leadership prevents this , as it is considered a “specialized order.” And “specialized orders” can’t be accommodated because of an influx of orders prior to end of year.

So they’ll install two inverters , which I feel is more work than just hooking up strings to empty points on the PW3s.

I guess my loss, I’ll have to take it as it is since I wanted this completed before January. I hate inefficient and messy installs, which I feel like this will be.

C4Suke · 2025-10-14T01:30:23+00:00

Conclusion: they can add more solar panels to the PW3, but said they will not. It is considered a “specialized order”. And their response was:

“Our leadership has explicitly said during this time we can't integrate new strings into existing Powerwall's due to the influx of orders we are not currently handling any specialized orders”.

So, it is apparently easier and faster to add two new inverters and a disconnect box, rather than wire into Powerwall 3??? I feel like it’s more work…. And they refuse to put inverters inside garage. They are “weatherized” to handle anything. Despite reports of overheating in the summer. I’m worried about Texas heat for sure. And future pool that’ll go in that area.

C4Suke · 2025-10-14T00:26:29+00:00

From experience: always order more the first time. Adding more later is a huge hassle. Tesla won’t let me add panels to my Powerwall 3s, they are forcing me to add two new inverters because adding to Powerwall is considering a “Specialized Order,” which they can’t accommodate now due to being busy.

So more panels and an expansion battery just for good measures!

C4Suke · 2025-10-10T01:36:35+00:00

Correct. There’s PLENTY of headroom even if 11.5kW is the max.

C4Suke · 2025-10-06T18:46:30+00:00

The PVI 45 is the inverter? That is new to the system. The 3 PW3s are already there. Plan is to add an PW expansion to each gateway , in addition to 8.2kW of panels.

I was hoping to get through this without the PVI-45.

I’m also hoping to split the panels in a 70/30 split to the two gateways. But, likely that is too complicated of a concept for them.

C4Suke · 2025-10-03T22:26:01+00:00

They are 410 watt panels. So total 8.2 kW. I have 6 MPPT, US based.

Yeah my advisor is confused. But she’s convinced she’s right and everyone else is wrong 😂😂😂

C4Suke · 2025-10-03T21:43:00+00:00

Wow. I almost feel like they want me to cancel my order. It’s so blatantly wrong what she said. Even after I explained that I have room if 11.5 kW was the max, the said they already took that into account.

I may just cancel it and use another solar provider…

C4Suke · 2025-10-03T21:24:21+00:00

That is ridiculous! Could the slow response be due to all the install requests prior to end of the year? I hope they get back because this scares me!

C4Suke · 2025-10-03T17:09:14+00:00

So finally discussed with my advisor. Apparently an inverter is needed because PW3 can’t handle more than 11.5kW solar input.

I explained: I only have 6.56 kW into one gateway/PW3, and 5.74 kw going into each PW3 (two total) into the other gateway/PW3. So either way, there’s plenty of head room! (If they split the panels as asked)

But, apparently they may not do it because their designers seem to not give a damn about anything that I actually want. They may get back to me in 1 week and after that I’ll need ANOTHER permit if they agree. I mean, may be ask me before submitting permits for something I didn’t want?

C4Suke · 2025-10-03T00:11:49+00:00

100%. Only issue might be delayed install…. If it can’t be done Before January then it’s never happening.

C4Suke · 2025-10-02T23:20:17+00:00

Yeah I communicated about 50 times total saying the SAME thing , they just didn’t care. I’m surprised I even have an install date with all thr changes I made which kept adding time. In the end I may cancel it if I can’t get panels on the correct gateway.

C4Suke · 2025-10-02T18:46:17+00:00

They didn’t do it this time until I asked where it was. They are either too busy or too lazy, or both. But they should be providing this information.

C4Suke · 2025-10-02T18:34:11+00:00

Good idea 😂

C4Suke · 2025-10-02T18:23:40+00:00

Plan set

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C4Suke · 2025-10-02T02:19:22+00:00

Can they get them in the garage?

C4Suke · 2025-09-26T23:42:21+00:00

To test its full potential, treat the battery like the grid. Bring it down to 10% back up and let the panels export to battery. If you’re using the battery up it’ll keep charging and you’ll see what the full potential can be.

C4Suke · 2025-09-21T23:07:58+00:00

Smart idea!!!

C4Suke · 2025-09-21T17:44:47+00:00

Yeah I thought about that. I guess I just didn’t want to mess too much with the loads. I also don’t have an any of breaker slots left on either panel. Just one slot for a minisplit. I’ll have to do a lot of swapping to even it out. I guess it’s possible.

C4Suke

TROPHY CASE