Homeowners question long wait times to activate solar panels in east valley
Gavin Nguyen
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – One homeowner in Indio is facing a months-long delay to activate her solar panels.
Murgo first moved to Indio last year, and with the move, her utility company switched to Imperial Irrigation District. “Our bill went from almost $2000 to right around $200. So it was a big jump. So we were really happy to have IID,” Murgo recalled. “But that said, they wanted us to wait 90 to 120 days before we activated our solar panels.”
The home she moved into already had 13 solar panels, but she had to wait through a summer – where temperatures broke all-time records in Palm Springs – without her solar panels activated.
This year, it happened again. In May, Peggy Murgo installed an additional 13 solar panels and a new battery to her home. According to Murgo, the installation itself was smooth, but once again, she is in the midst of a long delay.
“Here we are, it’s almost the end of September and we’re still not activated.”
News Channel 3 reached out to IID about the long wait times, which the utility said was normal.
About the process:
Once the customer or contractor applies for interconnection, the process can generally take 8-12 weeks, depending on a number of factors:
Approximately two to four weeks to process the initial application (this can be prolonged if the application is not fully complete or corrections are required).
Following a completed application, an additional two weeks are needed for the District to perform a site inspection.
Once a site inspection is completed and if no additional corrections are required, an invoice is issued for the meter exchange.
In order for IID to provide a Permission to Operate (PTO), a final inspection release by the governing authority having jurisdiction (city, county, etc.) is required.
IID typically exchanges the meter the same week in which all requirements are met.
To find the status of your project, customers can check their project via PowerClerk, speak directly with an IID solar representative by calling 1-760-482-3673 or by email, solar@iid.com
Robert Schettler, Public Information Officer, Imperial Irrigation District
However, Renova Energy, a prominent solar panel installer in the desert, said IID’s process involves redundant steps. Renova’s Project Manager and Director, Raul Giles, explained that cities already review and approve installation plans.
“It’s just a delay on their end, you know, processes that it shouldn’t be taking more than 90 days,” said Giles.
“We’re frustrated for the homeowners. You know, like I said, they tend to sign up trying to get the project installed in a timely manner. But when it comes to the utilities, they tend to [take] a couple of steps backwards when [the solar companies are] ready to go.”
Imperial Irrigation District indicated that they are caught up with all inspection work over the past two weeks in the Coachella Valley. Regularly, 40 to 50 inspections are completed each week.
“…we have mobilized additional personnel to keep pace. At present, six employees are dedicated to performing inspections in the region in addition to their regular duties.
While we do have a significant number of applications, we work promptly to review and address each one to ensure timely progress.”
The utility also added, given the regular 8 to 12 week-long wait time, homeowners who want to have solar systems ready by a specific deadline (like the hot summer months), they should plan ahead.
Murgo hoped that her experience serves as a lesson to those considering installing their solar panels ahead of next summer.
“Now to have this solar, we’re so happy to have it. I know it’s taken a while to get it up and running, but we know it’s coming.”