We Finally Went Solar—Here’s What Happened After the Panels Went Up

Back in June, I shared why we made the decision to go solar. You can read that post here if you haven’t already. That post walked through the decision-making process—rising utility costs, available incentives, and how we knew it was the right time. This one is about what happened next—installation day, our first full day of production, and what it’s like to be in solar “limbo” while waiting for permission to export energy back to the grid.

From Contract to Installation

We signed our contract with SUNation on June 9. By late June, they had completed the site inspection and photography. Engineering wrapped up by July 29, and permits were submitted during the first week of August. Installation took place on August 16.

All told, the timeline from contract to installation was just over nine weeks—pretty efficient, especially given how backed up the solar industry is right now with demand.

A Professional, Well-Coordinated Install

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the install experience itself. Our rep, Jay Leoni, was honest, helpful, and communicative from the beginning. He was clear about timelines and walked us through the system capabilities without overselling. He even stopped by the house during installation to check in personally.

The installation crew, led by Victor and Chris, was outstanding. They were respectful of our home and family, worked efficiently, and left everything clean. Having worked in construction myself for over 24 years, I’ve seen plenty of crews—this was a well-oiled, professional team.

My First Day of Solar: Real Results, Delayed Impact

Our first full day of solar production was August 17. According to the Enphase app, our system produced 50.5 kWh while our home consumed 68.9 kWh. That led to 36.4 kWh imported from the grid and 18.0 kWh exported back out. At first glance, those numbers might seem inconsistent—but they reflect how grid-tied solar systems actually operate.

With a net-metered, grid-tied system like ours, solar generation only offsets usage when the two align in real time. If solar is producing more than we’re using at any moment, the excess is exported. If we’re using more than it’s generating, the shortfall is imported from the grid. On that day, about 32.5 kWh of solar was used directly, and 18.0 kWh was exported. But here’s the problem—

We don’t yet have Permission to Operate (PTO) from the utility. Until PTO is granted, none of the exported energy is credited toward future bills. The Enphase dashboard displays the export, but it doesn’t mean anything financially yet. That energy—valued at around $0.30 per kWh—was effectively given away.

(Insert Enphase screenshot of August 17 here in Ghost)

Had we installed battery storage, that 18.0 kWh could have been captured and reused later in the evening. But in a traditional grid-tied configuration like ours, PTO is essential to getting the full benefit. It’s not a technical issue—it’s a procedural bottleneck, and it has real impact on return.

What Happens Next

On install day, SUNation gave us a post-installation document outlining the final steps. Here's what still needs to happen:

• Electrical inspection from a licensed third-party inspector
• Submission to the utility for Permission to Operate
• Municipal permit closeout and Certificate of Completion

Until PTO is approved, we’re using solar in real time—but losing the rest. SUNation told us that PTO typically takes about two weeks from submission. We're still waiting on the inspection as of this writing.

Why the Industry Is So Backlogged

During a follow-up call, SUNation mentioned they’re no longer guaranteeing new installations before year-end. The reason is clear: the federal solar tax credit is scheduled to drop after 2025, and homeowners are rushing to get in under the wire. The current credit covers 30% of the system cost, which significantly improves ROI. That’s led to high demand, longer waits, and slower processing from utilities and municipalities alike.

Final Thoughts

The system is performing well. The installation was excellent. And even on a cloudy day, we’re seeing strong generation. But until PTO is granted, this is all just potential—not savings.

That doesn’t mean I regret anything. I’m glad we acted when we did. I’m glad we worked with SUNation. And I’m looking forward to seeing what the system can do once everything is fully operational. More to come.