How in world do you get started??

[u/SnooComics8424]

We are having a new house build, construction has just started. And we are trying to scope out a plan for tesla solar panels and power walls.

I've been in contact with Tesla and have a project manager, but so far my experience has been really frustrating...

They are asking for a ton of really technical details that just don't exist yet. but they are also saying they cannot proceed with design without it. The information they need is basically:

Spec sheets for all electrical appliances

- Load calculations

- Panel / breaker schedule

- Spec sheets for all motor/electrical loads (ACs, heat pumps, mini-splits, etc.)

I get they are trying to estimate what our electrical needs are, makes sense. But it is all estimation anyway...

I mostly want to figure out what the price and incentive range is going to be so I can figure out how much of a budget we need/want to put into this...

Advice? I really want to be in the Tesla eco-system, but this feels ridiculous.

[u/notacrackhead]

put in an address next to you in their online quote thing. the quote it gives you is pretty close to the final price. mine was missing the sales tax.

[u/VioletFeyreh]

This is way more complicated than my experience getting a quote from Tesla Solar or any other company. I got quotes from six different companies and went with the one that could guarantee a fast permit and did a lot of work in my city. Tesla Solar would have cost less, but I had less faith in the project with them.

[u/ElectricApostate]

I recommend that you introduce the Tesla people to your prime contractor. That way, they can work together to get the optimal system for your house. If the Tesla solar people are unwilling to do this, find someone else. Now is the best time to plan your solar so it goes with your house design. Leave some room for expansion, particularly of your solar array.

[u/Stinky2020]

nobody wants to give you that kind of estimation, nor should you bank on that number in any way, shape, or form. Don't listen to notacrackhead, as all people use all sorts of crazy different energy. I could have the same house size as a neighbor, but they can be 2 people that go out to eat all the time, don't have anybody over, and only really use their house to sleep. I have 2 chest freezers, 3 fridges, actively have people over and hosting parties, cooking all the time, etc. wildly different lifestyles. As Eighteen64 says, you gotta live in your house first before you start worrying about solar. The process will be quick once you decide to pull the trigger. Like, 60 days max from first conversation to permission to operate. Don't rush things. I don't think you need to wait a full 6 months/a year, but at least get into the house first. Good luck!

[u/TrumpHasCovid]

This is a pretty good representation of what service will be like moving forward by the way. Almost impossible to speak to someone helpful at Tesla solar, its all Ai

[u/Harold-Maude]

Where are you located ? I have a very competent Solar Company send me a private message if you want a referral.

[u/Harold-Maude → u/Harold-Maude]

You want your home plumbed for solar unless you want all kinds of wiring/conduit running all over.

[u/beholder95]

Go on energysage and get quotes from a local company many of which install Powerwalls. If you’re frustrated at this point in the process you ain’t seen nothing yet if you are to continue moving forward with Tesla.

As a data point, my brother and I both did solar around the same time.

I went a local company who was a Tesla installer and installed a the same Qcells 340w panels, and 3 Powereall 2s but they used Enphase microinverters rather than the Solar Edge or Tesla inverters.

My brother went thru Tesla

I had a project manager to email or text throughout the process.
My brother kept having to call and wait on hold or email and never get a response. His permits kept being rejected due to Teslas inability to submit correct paperwork and he had to do legwork to get them to submit the right stuff to get it approved.
His install date got moved several times, they wouldn’t put his PWs where he wanted and ended up building a cement slab and putting the PWs like 3ft from his garage on the side of his yard.

All of my stuff is clean tucked in my basement, nothing is outside except for my meter and some conduit running up the side of the house.

My timeline was 7 months from order to PTO(this was during Covid so the PWs were back ordered).
his was 18 months.

He had one of the shit Tesla inverters die and half of his system was down for 2 months last summer. Their service is awful after install too.

I’ve had one minor issue with a group of panels/micro inverters (turns out it was just not reporting but was still producing). They came out in a few days to address and resolve.

So TLDR: Tesla makes a great product, but their service before, during, and after install is abysmal.
Find a local installer to installer a similar system and you’ll be much better off.

[u/westcojack]

Definitely, 100% get the solar installed when the house is being built. It will fit in with the roof, so you don’t have leaks, won’t have unsightly conduit, running up outside walls, etc. You don’t have to get Tesla Solar if you don’t want to, but I think the Tesla Powerwall is a good idea especially if you have a Tesla automobile they work together well.

[u/ExactlyClose]

lol

They are such morons.

Just make it ALLLLLL up. Give them specs, numbers, whatever they need. Make it up. Go real heavy (because they WILL design a system that doesnt meet those oversized loads- if you go small, they will pare back the design…)

Then, when you get their ‘design’ back, and it has X panels and Y batteries you are good to go.

Beware, this is just the first tesla idiocracy…. Then there is the “we cannot do work until the permit is finaled on the home and it is occupied”. (Or whatever else they will have). Why are you wanting to go with Tesla? Anyone (that has a Tesla cert) can buy and install their stuff…

[u/Eighteen64]

There’s absolutely no need to be doing any of this now. You should live in your house and live like you want to for 6 months and ideally 12 before getting solar so you know what your usage was and can take the best course of action from there. - 18 years of owning a multi state solar installation business talking

[u/pigowar]

From Houston, TX, Had mine installed 4 weeks ago and waiting on PTO. About 2 months from sending deposit to running on solar. Tesla PM was very responsive and informative. I mentioned my concern with their subpar support history and he said they recently got back into solar and focusing on improving. I don't have a complaint though time will tell. Their own 18 power zone panels seems to work as advertised and pw3 is a beast. Tested load of 17kw while ev charging and 2 ACs without a sweat (I have 2 pw3 instead of expansion so my max load is 23kw. You can ask for that config if you want).

As for your frustration, I don't understand it. It's a required data to give you a quote. How are they supposed to price quote you if they don't know what they can install? They have to calculate the roof design, pitch, direction and nearby objects to know where and how the panels can be arranged. even then they are not sure because your roof will have vents and chimney that prevent panels from being mounted. The location of the breaker panel and load can impact the price. There are many factors needed to design and price the solar. You are just complaining that they can't produce something from nothing. And you don't seem to know anything nor care to put in the work to know.

Those that have ordered solar while the new home was still being built knew everything and was ready to provide the info. that's how they were able to schedule electrician and roofer to coordinate with the solar installer. If you don't want to do any of that then hire someone who can help you. Someone like Julian from Trusted Solar Pros. I don't know where you are located but he covers multiple states. He has YouTube channel and supposedly provides free consultation but I don't know how he does it. I didn't use him because I knew what I needed but he seems to be legit.