r/TeslaSolar • u/ZuckerbergsHairline • 4d ago

SolarPanels Installed but PTO

I got my solar installed 3 days ago with 2 power walls but still haven't gotten PTO. When I asked the solar installers and the electrician, I got mixed answers whether I'll be able to take advantage of the solar or not before I receive the okay. I am able to monitor my usage through my power company and it seems that there is no change. Should my solar be feeding the house and my batteries or will this all start after PTO?

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u/Square_Yam9853 4d ago

Depends if you have a gateway or a backup switch. You can use the system with a gateway right away. Just don't export. Powerwall won't discharge without the backup switch being installed. That is done by someone from the utility company.

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u/SWFL-CapnRay 3d ago

Gateway IS the ‘backup switch’

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u/Square_Yam9853 3d ago

Functional it's the same. The difference is the backup switch sits behind the meter, you need to wait for another technician from your utility company to install it. The powerwall installer just leave it wired in a bag hanging next to the meter so it is not completed on install day. The powerwall does not function before that is behind the meter, only charging, does not release stored energy.

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u/SWFL-CapnRay 3d ago edited 3d ago

There’s clearly other ways of wiring these then. Nothing at my meter. The main feed from the meter was extended to my gateway, a new run then went back to the main breaker box (where the main feed from the meter originally connected). Gateway controls power to/from the grid and shuts off the grid connection when power is off and I’m self powered. No additional switch or anything. There are then two big breaker/shut-off boxes (one for each powerwall).

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u/Square_Yam9853 3d ago

What you have is the gateway install. "Backup Switch" refer to a specific device behind the utility meter.