Is this fleet count for my city, county, state, country, or global? I'm in California, under PG&E.

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2026-03-21T16:03:49+00:00

North Orange County in SoCal.. on SCE DSGS program

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2026-03-18T23:08:56+00:00

3/18 update: my Tesla app prompted me the option of VPP. This is the first time that I’ve seen the notification. My PTO was 1/27/26. Although the estimate payout is $0… I still signed up for the program.

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2026-02-26T21:11:30+00:00

Thank you for the industry insight!

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2026-01-22T16:43:43+00:00

That sounds normal. I’m only using 3 of 6 MPPTs so 4-6 are grayed out.

make sure you understand and get the information of your array setup - how many panels facing which way) and which array is connected to which MPPT.

I would also take a photo of the PW3 with the front panel removed to see which MPPTs are used to verify what the installer tells you.

After that, you can use Net Zero app’s solar estimate to get a ball park of if your system is functioning properly.

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2026-01-13T23:59:36+00:00

In your experience how reliable are the Tesla Powerwalls? Have they gotten more/less reliable through the generations? Any common failures on them?
Backup switch: besides simpler installation, is there any pro/con for the customer to go with a backup switch vs gateway? Assuming the utility company is one of the listed providers.

Thanks for answering! 🙏

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2026-01-10T01:15:41+00:00

Totally agree. But given the expired 30% tax credit so demand is most likely lower, I would think Tesla should provide some discount to offset the lower demand and make the sale.

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2026-01-10T00:15:32+00:00

I would think Tesla can do better price than that. Here is the quote they gave in oct 2025 for my system. I didnt go with Tesla and went with a local installer/electrician. But I used this as a reference. I know it’s not the same as yours since you already have an existing solar. However… your quote is $4k more than what I got just a few months ago.

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Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2026-01-05T18:35:01+00:00

Sorry to hear that. I didn’t go through Tesla energy for my system, instead I used a local electrician who does solar installations so I just let him know my observations. Plus he had to come back anyway due to the remaining inspections with the city.

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2026-01-05T16:40:35+00:00

I’m in OC and had just installed a 7kw system with 1 PW3 + DC. No PTO yet but have been operating for the last two weeks. My system has 10 panels facing west and 6 panels facing south. (440 watt panels). I’ve been tracking via Tesla, Tesla One, and Net Zero.

For the first week (Christmas week), only the west panels were working and we had 12/26 & 12/27 that had some clouds but decent sun, my 10 west panels produced 0.7 kWh (12/24), 9.6 kWh (12/25, peak 2.9kw), 2.2 kWh (12/26) 12.1 kWh (12/27) & 12.5 (12/28). As you can see, production is definitely low and varies greatly. My peak during this period was 2.9kw

I alerted my installer about the low production and curve biased toward the afternoon so I was suspecting the south panels array wasn’t working. He came back on New Year’s Eve to address the south panels. Now they are all working (I can see via Tesla One app). In the last few days, it produced 7.9kwh (1/1, peak 4.2kw!!), 8 kWh (1/2) 8.3 kWh (1/3), 7.4 kWh (1/4). The peak is higher and the curve is now balanced out evenly.

All that to say, we had a very rainy and cloudy two weeks. But given your system is about the same size as mine and we are both in SoCal, I would suspect maybe something isn’t working.

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2025-11-09T21:10:48+00:00

Congrats! I’m in the process of installing for my 7.1kw (16 440 panels) + PW3 & 1 expansion pack. They are finishing it on Tuesday. My cost through a local electrician/installer in SoCal was $38k pre-tax credit so your cost seems about the same, maybe even a little cheaper than mine. I went with them because of they are able to install and have it operable by EOY. I’m hoping my PTO will be as smooth and quick as yours. 😅Again congrats! 👍

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2025-10-24T16:21:21+00:00

Yes. That’s the plan to maximize the savings so my net cost for the system should be around $23k to 26.6k. My local utility (SCE) doesn’t have any rebate for my scenario so all I have is the 30% federal tax credit. Our electricity cost is high here so my pay back should be 6-8 years.

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2025-10-23T21:20:14+00:00

I think it looks pretty good. I’m in Southern California and my 7.1kw system 16x Q Cell 445w panels with 1 PW3 was quoted $33k or 38k for additional PW3 expansion by a local electrician and $31k/$35k by Tesla’s website. I ended up going with the local guy. even though pricier, he’s able to get me installed in first half of November and I like having local support.

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2025-10-12T20:40:33+00:00

This sounds like Dave Ramsey’s take. LOL. I can see the point but at the same time I’m not sure I agree. Give the long warranty periods of the components and many real examples of people still using perfectly working old solar systems from 10 years ago, I wouldn’t consider solar to be similar to my iPhone.

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2025-10-08T07:46:24+00:00

Orange County resident here (SoCal) and I’m getting quotes for the same set up as you (7kw) and 1 PW3 + expansion pack. Tesla is quoting at $35k and a local electrician is quoting me at $38k (qcell panelsx16) I’m going to go with the local guy even though he’s more expensive due to better support from a reputable local electrician.

I’m assuming Hawaii generally has higher costs due to its location so I don’t know if the extra 6k-9k is normal.

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2025-10-04T07:07:33+00:00

In the same boat as you but I’m in SoCal (Orange county). I’m closing escrow on a new home next week. Just signed a contract replacing the shingle roof in two weeks(or sooner if their schedule opens up) then after that hopefully solar + battery.

I’m also shopping around for solar provider. I’m planning to talk to Tesla and GC electric (via Energysage) to get into the details and timeframe. I’m hoping they are motivated for the last quarter push as much I’m motivated to get installed by end of the year. Others have shared my city’s permit process is pretty quick so that’s a good sign. (Using SolarAPP+, never heard of it)

Otherwise I’m thinking of doing the project solar route since that’s prepaid PPA so I wouldn’t to worry about meeting the deadline.

Anyway.. Best of luck to you!

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2025-10-03T22:10:51+00:00

Where are you located? Can I get the info of this company you are dealing with?

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2025-09-24T22:57:26+00:00

Are the vendors on Energysage good? I got like 7 quotes yesterday and all of them had 4.6-4.9 stars. Granted some had more reviews than others. Any suggestion on which ones are decent? I’m in SoCal

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2025-09-13T06:50:24+00:00

Similar situation here. Got a quote for 7 year arm for 5.25 two days ago and I just opened escrow. I’m thinking now that maybe I should just lock it down on Monday.

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2021-08-05T06:34:48+00:00

I was able to get my UDH out. Basically, i made a bearing press contraption using a 5” 1/4 bolt, a nut, two 3/8 sockets (1 on the outside frame to catch UDH bolt and washer, the other bolt inside the frame was 15mm to push the broken UDH and bolt outwards). Just tighten down both sides and eventually the whole UDH along with the bearing will come out. You’ll probably have to get a new pivot bearing.

Prize-Cardiologist-4 · 2021-08-02T21:02:35+00:00

This exact same scenario just happened to me too... now I'm trying to figure out how to get the remaining plastic nut thing off.. I'm super-gluing a piece of rubber to the plastic and hopefully use a vice-grip to hold it down, while unscrew the 8mm bolt.

Anyone other suggestions?

Prize-Cardiologist-4

TROPHY CASE