STEP 11: Turn On and Commission the System
Warning
Confirm the Powerwall 3
Enable switch and AC breaker are both OFF before terminating any wires at Powerwall 3,
or before altering / removing any wiring.
Confirm the following steps have been
completed BEFORE turning on
the Powerwall 3 Enable switch and energizing
the AC circuit:
- MCIs have been installed in each PV string as described in Install Mid-Circuit Interrupters in PV Array
- Each PV string has been tested as described in Test PV Strings with MCIs
Prepare the System for Commissioning
| Installation Scenario | Actions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powerwall Installation Complete? | Solar Installed? | Backup Switch Installed? | Does Utility / AHJ allow the system to run pre-PTO?* | Enable (On / Off) Switch | Powerwall 3 Breaker | Commissioning |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Leave the Enable switch ON | Leave the Powerwall 3 breaker CLOSED (ON) | See Commission the System After Powerwall and Solar Installation |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Leave the Enable switch OFF | Leave the Powerwall 3 breaker CLOSED (ON) | See Commission the System After Powerwall and Solar Installation |
| Yes | N/A (applicable whether solar is installed or not) | No | Yes | Leave the Enable switch ON | Leave the Powerwall 3 breaker CLOSED (ON) | Commission prior to Backup Switch installation |
| Yes | N/A (applicable whether solar is installed or not) | No, and commissioning could not be completed as defined above | N/A (system not ready to be turned on) | Leave the Enable switch OFF | Leave the Powerwall 3 breaker CLOSED (ON) | Commissioning cannot be completed at this time (schedule a second site visit to complete) |
| Yes | No | Yes | N/A (system not ready to be turned on) | Leave the Enable switch ON | Leave the Powerwall 3 breaker CLOSED (ON) | See Commission the System Ahead of Solar Installation |
| Yes, but commissioning could not be completed (could not resolve errors with troubleshooting) | N/A (applicable whether solar is installed or not) | Yes | N/A (system not ready to be turned on) | Leave the Enable switch OFF | Leave the Powerwall 3 breaker CLOSED (ON) | Commissioning cannot be completed at this time (schedule a second site visit to complete) |
| No (no AC service, install crew unable to complete, etc.) | No | No | N/A (system not yet installed) | Leave the Enable switch OFF | Leave the Powerwall 3 breaker OPEN (OFF) | Commissioning cannot be completed at this time (schedule a second site visit to complete) |
*Leaving a Powerwall 3 system on and operating is preferred and recommended. The system will automatically be in a temporary Non-Export Self-Powered Mode while waiting for Permission to Operate (PTO). This allows the customer to immediately use the system for backup and start reaping the financial benefits of their system.
When PTO is received from the utility, there are two methods to enable grid export:
- Customer: Have the customer change the Permission to Export setting to Yes in their app.
- Installer: Using the Device Setup interface via Powerhub, change the Enable Exports setting to Enabled.