A Tesla solar customer says an installation pause caused by intense heat left a brand-new home battery in limbo, slowly draining as the next appointment was pushed back for weeks.

Here's what to know

In a Reddit post, the homeowner said, "So I had my initial install set for 9/10, this past Thursday, but because of the intense heat over 100°, the solar panel team was unable to finish."

The homeowner said pausing work in extreme heat was understandable, but the unfinished setup left the battery unable to charge. The OP also said messages to a project advisor were going unanswered.

Advice in the thread focused on both battery health and stopping further drain. 

One user said, "Letting the battery die once won't cause noticeable degradation to it. It's when you drain a battery repeatedly that causes it to degrade." 

Another explained, "There is a physical off switch on the left side of the unit," which led the homeowner to shut the system down at 1%.

Homeowners considering panels can explore EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.

More background

A half-finished solar-plus-storage project can create a frustrating gap between installation day and the point when the benefits actually begin. Even after hardware is mounted, systems may still need final commissioning, inspection, and utility approval before everything works as intended.

If a system is incomplete, homeowners may still be paying for grid power while a new battery sits idle.

Suggestions on Reddit included changing how the homeowner contacted Tesla and asking about temporary charging options. One user recommended scheduling a phone call with an advisor instead of relying on text messages.

What can be done?

Ask installers exactly what happens if weather or permitting delays interrupt a project. It can also help to request shutdown instructions, confirm whether battery charging from the grid is allowed in your configuration, and keep records of the battery's state and your communication with the company.

Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Home batteries can also store extra solar electricity for later use, and homeowners can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.

EnergySage's free services can also be valuable before you sign a contract. With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. EnergySage's solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level, along with details on solar panel incentives for each state. Together, those resources can help readers get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.

Where can I learn more?

Tesla's installation pause left one homeowner stuck with an unfinished solar project and little communication. Unfortunately, other homeowners have had frustrations too. 

• One homeowner was left in a frustrating position after an HOA rejected a Tesla solar plan.

• Tesla is attempting to salvage its reputation as customer service complaints keep piling up.

• In Monterrey, Tesla promised to plant double the number of trees removed for its Gigafactory.

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