Your new solar system needs to pass a series of safety tests with flying colors before you can start your system and kick in those solar savings.
This last leg of your journey is incredibly important, but it can also take the most time. A solid line of communication between you and your solar installer during this stage is key.
Now, we get that all these steps, documents, and permits might be making your head spin…
That’s why we’ve created this easy guide with everything you need to know about the final 3 steps of your solar journey, from getting permission to operate to turning on your new system.
1. Get Permission to Operate (PTO)
Before you can turn on your shiny new solar system for good, you need to get permission to operate, or PTO for short.
Here’s what the next few steps in the PTO process look like:
- Pass an inspection by your local building department
- Digitally sign your application for PTO that’ll be submitted to your utility company
- Get your Net Meter installed by your utility company
In order to get PTO, your solar system must pass an inspection by your local building department to make sure it’s up to code. If your inspector finds any issues with your installation, you’ll have to quickly correct them and apply for another assessment.
Next, you should submit an application for PTO complete with your digital signature to your utility company. Then, they’ll send out their own representative to review different parts of your system, like your inverter and electrical panel connection.
If everything looks great, this is when your utility company will connect you to their grid and install your Net Meter, which tracks the ups and downs of your day-to-day energy production and use.
This last step is dependent on your utility company’s schedule, so it may take a number of weeks, but it’s absolutely essential for ensuring you have a safe and effective system.
While you may spend several weeks waiting at this stage, all of your patience will pay off when you’re enjoying your new solar system for decades to come!
Depending on where you live, you may even be eligible for certain incentives, like credits with your utility company for the extra energy your panels produce, known as your Net Excess Generation (NEG).
2. Sign up for SolarEdge System Monitoring
Around the time you get permission to operate, check your inbox for an email invitation to sign up for SolarEdge, a system monitoring service paired with your panels.
Go ahead and get yourself set up and logged in so that you can get familiar with your system monitoring portal.
You can view your system data on the SolarEdge website, or directly from your phone with the convenient new smartphone app mySolarEdge.
Here are just a few things you can do with the mySolarEdge app:
- Get data about your system at a glance with your dashboard
- Track your energy use and production in real-time
- Control your Smart Home devices
- View your inverter and communicator status
- Troubleshoot common issues independently
- Access interactive data displays on your power production and more
The mySolarEdge app makes checking your system’s status and performance quick, easy, and painless.
3. Turn on Your New Solar System!
Once you’ve been granted PTO, break out the champagne because it’s finally time to fire up your new solar system!
Check your email for a copy of the Owner’s Manual with everything you need to know to safely start up, operate, and care for your solar energy system.
Quick Step Summary
After your solar panels are installed, there’s still a few boxes left to check before you can connect to the grid. Let’s recap the final details of your savvy switch to solar:
- To get permission to operate (PTO), you need to pass a local inspection, sign and submit an application, and get your Net Meter installed—this part usually takes the longest, so stay patient!
- SolarEdge is a system monitoring service that allows you to view information about your solar panel system’s status and performance
- Turning on your new solar system is a breeze with the detailed System Turn On Guide and employee video tutorial from your solar panel company.
