Tweet
is that a good sign as far as getting permission to operate? Did any of you notice this occurrence? My meter used to say PID 151 and only have 3 different screens. In the middle of the afternoon yesterday, it changed to PID 252 and now there's another screen it toggles through. I went and checked two neighbors meters with solar and theirs are the same as mine now. My next door neighbor without solar still has the same old screens and numbers on his meter. We passed city inspection on Monday and our paperwork for net metering was submitted to SCE on Monday as well.
-
-
Around here, once your meter changes, that is as good as receiving permission to operate if the inspection has already passed. Congrats.CS6P-260P/SE3000 - http://tiny.cc/ed5ozx -
Cool. Thanks for the input. We passed with flying colors. The inspector said he had never seen a cleaner solar job. He said he had never seen wires pulled through the walls before. He was very impressed with the electrical work and he was a stickler.Comment
-
I would not operate the system without the written permission (PTO) from the POCO. I know it's a REAL PITA. Been there. My guess is you will have it a week or less. If you call, are polite and ask where the written PTO is, my experience and that of neighbors is that it shows up sooner.
FWIW, my meter was changed 2 month before I got the array installed. Therefore, FWIW, meter changeout for me did not constitute PTO.Comment
-
They did not change the meter. I've had the smart meter for probably two years. They changed how my meter operates yesterday at noon. It used to say Sync Net>PID 151 and go through several screens of information. Now it says PID 252 and there's a new screen added to the loop. What are they going to do, put me in solar jail.Comment
-
My 2 cents
My solar system was installed on July 21 and I fired it up after the installers left. In the meantime I ran my A/C and pool equipment. I didn't know what to expect but if it became an issue I was going to simply say I left it on after testing system. My Net metering app was received on Aug 11th and received the confirming the following day it was approved. On Aug 13th I received my PTO. So all in all it was not a problem. I say go for it and enjoy the use of your system without delay...Comment
-
One way or the other, you have no recourse except the POCO's good will and mercy if they don't like what you did that may be contrary to statute and PUC allowed procedures. But the real question you gotta' ask yourself is: Do you feel lucky ? Well do ya ?Comment
-
Not felling lucky just took a chance with the property I own. I have a friend who works with Edison who I consulted before doing this. I took his advice and fired the system up without any issues. I have heard nothing but hearsay, opinions, and what ifs on this forum with no solid concrete answers about this very topic. I decided to try something firsthand and pass this on to others who are curious about this same issue. So I am only passing on my experience for others to consider. Proof is with my results and that is my PTO was granted and my new meter seal is being mailed to me. I would encourage others who may do this to research it and be ready to commit.Comment
-
In the same circumstances, I might have done the same as you. My point is that doing so involves a certain amount of (considered) risk. You may believe that risk to be hearsay. So be it. Others may look at the risk reward tradeoff as unacceptably skewed against them.......................... I appreciate that fortune often favors the bold. However, that your PTO was granted says nothing about the possible consequences that your actions COULD have precipitated - only that in this case they did not...................................... Others may certainly do as they wish and I vigorously support that freedom of choice. I would only suggest to those who do choose to operate without a PTO that they be aware of all the POSSIBLE consequences of operating without it or before it arrives. That's all.Comment
-
Thanks for the input and well said JPM. I certainly would not have considered doing this if I did not have the ability having some insight from a friend. Without going into exhaustive details of our discussions, this was carefully thought out and yes a degree of risk which I considered very minimal. With running my A/C and pool equipment during peak producing hours i was basically utilizing/consuming the majority of my KWs produced via PV. As my A/C cycled and shut off the meter reversed and the KWs usage from the grid remained at a standstill. Although I was not building net credits, I was not paying for electricity either. It was not suggested to me to use this method, I only did this so the activity with my meter was at a minimum when producing. In closing it was an interesting experience which I hope others would benefit from.The activity described with the meter in the opening post was exactly how my meter read as well.Comment
-
Others in socal have tried turning on early and gotten a stern warning from the power company (sdge or sce)... not heresay, but real experiences by forum members. A big YMMV on the experience H20 has shared.CS6P-260P/SE3000 - http://tiny.cc/ed5ozxComment
-
Save $100/month, or risk a stern warning...I've thrown the switch early.Comment
but you can get in big trouble if you turn it on and leave it on when you arnt supposed to, well so I've heard
Comment