Preparing for your Model S: Selecting outlet, Solar City, etc.

[JohnEC]

Just entered into a contract with SolarCity to get a NEMA 14-50 outlet installed in my garage. As my main panel is 100A-capable and is neatly located on the outside of the garage wall where I need the outlet to be, SolarCity deemed it a simple enough install that'd not require a main panel upgrade. The cost is $450. Had I needed a main panel upgrade, it'd have been $2,650!

The whole process was straightforward:
- Sent an email to [email protected] and got a call back from a rep who took down some initial info including about which Model S battery pack I'm going for and estimated car delivery date (I said early November).
- The rep then sent out a simple fill-in-PDF survey that asked some questions about the install location, the main panel and the sub-panel.
- I returned the filled-in survey by email along with pictures of the panels, the 100A breaker switch and the garage itself.
- At a time of my choosing, had a followup call with a specialist who had reviewed the survey and the pictures. We talked about daily commute distances and agreed that a 14-50 rather than an HPWC was good enough or me. The specialist gave me the cost estimates on the phone and followed up with an agreement by email (for an install without upgrading the main panel) that I could e-sign. This agreement had estimated install date ranges that are about 3 weeks out as of today.

That's pretty interesting. I contacted SolarCity too and went through the same process as you did. I figured I would get a reasonable price from them as they did my solar panel install and electrical panel upgrade a couple years ago. They came back with a quote for $750 for an outlet less than 20 feet from the panel. I wasn't too happy with that so I got another quote from a local electrician at $649.

I ended up doing it myself for about $125 in parts and wire form Home Depot. It was a pretty easy job. Working with the #6 wire (hard to bend) being the toughest part.

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

That's pretty interesting. I contacted SolarCity too and went through the same process as you did. I figured I would get a reasonable price from them as they did my solar panel install and electrical panel upgrade a couple years ago. They came back with a quote for $750 for an outlet less than 20 feet from the panel. I wasn't too happy with that so I got another quote from a local electrician at $649.

I ended up doing it myself for about $125 in parts and wire form Home Depot. It was a pretty easy job. Working with the #6 wire (hard to bend) being the toughest part.

Strange! Zipcode-driven quotes?!

Don't have the stomach or the skills for doing it on my own; will plod on with SolarCity...

 

[JohnEC]

Strange! Zipcode-driven quotes?!

Don't have the stomach or the skills for doing it on my own; will plod on with SolarCity...

Maybe, but I can't imagine Concord being much different from Newark. If they had quoted me the $450, I never would have considered doing it myself.

 

[Rifleman]

I had my 14-50 outlet installed a few months ago. I had an electrician at my house installing some new lighting, and figured while he was here, I might as well take care of the Model S too. The total to have it installed was about $250, but I did not have a long wire run (about 10 feet from the box to the plug). For my needs, the 14-50 is the perfect outlet, no need for a HPC.

 

[artsci]

I'm ready: New Tesla S and Chevy Volt Outdoor Curbside Level 2 Charging Station

 

[MikeK]

I'm just finishing a home remodel, and since I knew the Model S was coming, the electrician wired my RAV4-EV charger with fatter-than-required wire. When the Model S arrives, it will be a simple matter of swapping the old charger for a HPWC.

 

[Longhorn92]

I'm curious to hear what others in non-Solar City states plan to do -- I will probably look for my own electrician because it seems like all Solar City would be able to do for me would be to refer me to someone in Florida, and I'd have no idea how they'd select someone.

I am in a non-Solar City state (Illinois) and e-mailed [email protected] to see what they said. They referred me to their preferred electrician in Illinois (Mr. Electric). I haven't yet received a quote but will. I also plan on getting a couple quotes from local electricians.

 

[Arnold Panz]

I am in a non-Solar City state (Illinois) and e-mailed [email protected] to see what they said. They referred me to their preferred electrician in Illinois (Mr. Electric). I haven't yet received a quote but will. I also plan on getting a couple quotes from local electricians.

Good to know. Let us know how it goes. I'm curious to see if Solar City's referrals are competitive and reputable. In Florida it's always questionable when you hire someone to do this type of work so I'd love to have a quality recommendation, but I have no idea how Solar City would have selected these preferred electricians in states they don't operate.

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Angie's List may be worth tapping into?!

 

[MarkR]

With excess solar PV capacity at home and at the office, plus 50amp NEMA 14-50 outlets in both settings, I'm happy and ready . . . now I just need the car!

 

[Sousaphil]

With excess solar PV capacity at home and at the office, plus 50amp NEMA 14-50 outlets in both settings, I'm happy and ready . . . now I just need the car!

Nice! I'm having Solar City evaluate my roof for panels. I like their option for buying power from them. They retain the ownership and the maintenance risk of the panels, I get cheap, clean power!

 

[MarkR]

Nice! I'm having Solar City evaluate my roof for panels. I like their option for buying power from them. They retain the ownership and the maintenance risk of the panels, I get cheap, clean power!

Good move! There are some clear advantages to renting the panels from SC (or another vendor), but you might want to check out the tax and rebate implications of ownership.

This website may help: DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy - Arizona Solar Center - Your Guide to Solar and Other Renewable Energy Sources in Arizona

PM me if I can be helpful.

 

[efusco]

I am in a non-Solar City state (Illinois) and e-mailed [email protected] to see what they said. They referred me to their preferred electrician in Illinois (Mr. Electric). I haven't yet received a quote but will. I also plan on getting a couple quotes from local electricians.

Out here in the Missouri boonies I also had no Solar City service....but today I got a call telling me that they're going to start servicing this area soon and that I would be able to get service installed prior to my Model S arriving ! He was a bit evasive on details, but said they were finalizing agreements with a local service & promised a call back with more info next week.

This is exciting news, would Love the option of PV power!


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[Liz G]

Out here in the Missouri boonies I also had no Solar City service....but today I got a call telling me that they're going to start servicing this area soon and that I would be able to get service installed prior to my Model S arriving ! He was a bit evasive on details, but said they were finalizing agreements with a local service & promised a call back with more info next week.

This is exciting news, would Love the option of PV power!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

If you have Ameren you may want to check out their incentives. We are getting a 9kW system, which costs $35K but after all the rebates and tax credits only going to cost a net $2k.

 

[efusco]

If you have Ameren you may want to check out their incentives. We are getting a 9kW system, which costs $35K but after all the rebates and tax credits only going to cost a net $2k.

We're in a coop, not Ameren.
Would like to hear what all credits and rebates you got though as I'm not aware of any Missouri credits.

 

[xhawk101]

So I was excited to call Solar City to ask them about setting up my HPC, and possibly getting solar panels on my roof (after all, I live in the "Sunshine" State). I went on their website and under "States" it lists the places Solar City operates. Here is the complete list:

Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Hawaii
Massachusetts
Maryland
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Texas
Washington D.C.

Is it just me, or does this list seem small? What percentage of reservation holders actually live in states where Solar City has operations? And, even if technically they list "Texas", do they do everywhere in Texas, or are they just in one or two big cities?

I'm curious to hear what others in non-Solar City states plan to do -- I will probably look for my own electrician because it seems like all Solar City would be able to do for me would be to refer me to someone in Florida, and I'd have no idea how they'd select someone.

Amazing the lack of options here in the sunshine state! I am putting in nema 6-50 outlet myself but would love leased solar option.

 

[brianman]

Arnold's post was on 06/14.

Today is 07/19 and they have added:

• Delaware
• Washington

 

[Robert.Boston]

Amazing the lack of options here in the sunshine state! I am putting in nema 6-50 outlet myself but would love leased solar option.

The Tesla UMC supports NEMA 15-50, so that would be a better choice for your installation.

 

[Vger]

We are not yet committed to getting the new HPC, but I want to at least know really what we would be dealing with (the spec sheet is "light" to say the least!), so I emailed the customer support team and got this fairly prompt response:

Here is a bit more information for you regarding the dimensions of the High Power Wall Connector for Model S:

Dimensions:
Height: 20” (508 mm) (Includes cable hanger)
Width: 5.75” (146 mm)
Depth: 3.75” (95 mm)
Weight: 20 lbs
Cable Length: 25'

Connectors should become available sometime this coming August. Rest assured that we will have the connectors in advance of your Model S delivery. It is our goal to get this connector to you well in advance of delivery so that you can have it up and running before the car gets to you.

 

[brianman]

It is our goal to get this connector to you well in advance of delivery so that you can have it up and running before the car gets to you.

I'm not sure whether I'd prefer to have the HPWC installation before or after I get the vehicle. If I get it installed before, then ideally all home charges on my vehicle are via the HPWC from day 1. If I get it installed after the vehicle arrives, then the installation can be tested with the actual vehicle. Does Tesla provide or recommend some way of verifying the installation of the HPWC?

Seeing some of the threads in the Roadster sub-forums about certain vehicles not working well with specific chargers has me somewhat concerned.

Perhaps Roadster owners can provide some insight.