Use this guide
Choose the questions relevant to your situation. Expand each answer, save the checklist and request written clarification where evidence is missing.
Questions homeowners ask
Does preliminary project approval let me operate the system?
No. PSE&G distinguishes preliminary construction approval from its Permission to Operate notice. Retain the actual PTO before operation; this guide provides no energizing or testing instructions.
Source: PSE&G: Solar application and operating approval. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
What completion records does PSE&G request?
Its published process lists the approved UCC Certificate of Approval, Certificate of Completion and as-built documents. Ask the installer to identify the current submission and notification reference.
Source: PSE&G: Solar application and operating approval. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Does a local approval replace PSE&G’s final decision?
No. PSE&G describes final utility review and the PTO outcome after completion documentation. Keep local approval and utility authorization as separate records.
Source: PSE&G: Solar application and operating approval. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
What if the utility inspection identifies corrections?
PSE&G says an unsuccessful inspection results in notice of needed actions. Request that notice, the responsible contractor and the correction record. Do not treat an appointment as approval.
Source: PSE&G: Solar application and operating approval. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Why does exported energy differ from my app’s production?
PSE&G records unused excess sent to its grid. Energy used at home accounts for part of the difference. Compare matching periods and quantities rather than assuming a meter error.
Source: PSE&G: Net metering and solar bills. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
What happens at the Anniversary True Up?
PSE&G describes annual valuation of remaining energy credits and resetting the accumulated energy credit. Confirm your account’s actual anniversary and resulting bill entry.
Source: PSE&G: Net metering and solar bills. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Are remaining annual credits valued like the full retail bill?
PSE&G describes market-price valuation at annual reconciliation, excluding delivery and system charges. Request the applicable calculation; this guide gives no credit rate or savings forecast.
Source: PSE&G: Net metering and solar bills. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Can time-of-use credit banks be combined?
PSE&G says each time-of-use period has a separate energy bank; peak and off-peak banks cannot be combined. Confirm your account’s rate before modeling credits.
Source: PSE&G: Net metering and solar bills. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Does this guide cover PSEG Long Island or every New Jersey utility?
No. Verify the electric utility on your account and the permit authority for your parcel. This guide concerns PSE&G’s New Jersey process. A similar company name, mailing city or neighboring project does not establish the applicable requirements.
What should I keep when project details change?
Retain the proposed change, updated equipment and drawings, contractor explanation and written confirmation of any required review. Ask which existing approvals remain applicable. A changed design should not silently inherit an earlier project’s evidence.
Your decision checklist
- Confirm PSE&G is the electric utility for the property.
- Identify the responsible local permit authority.
- Keep preliminary approval separate from PTO.
- Retain completion submissions and notification references.
- Track corrections and responsible next actions.
- Keep the actual anniversary and account rate records.
- Separate production, exports and credit valuation.
- Protect account numbers and customer data.
Save or print this guide from your browser. Keep completed records privately.
Continue your research
Keep approval milestones and billing evidence separate
| Item | Evidence to retain | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Project identity | Utility, address and current equipment list | Does every record concern this configuration? |
| Construction milestone | Written preliminary outcome and local records | What remains before operation? |
| Completion package | Submitted documents and receipt reference | Is the current package complete? |
| Corrections | Written findings and contractor response | Who owns the next action? |
| Operating authorization | Actual dated PTO notice | Does it match the installed project? |
| Billing review | Account rate, anniversary and matching energy records | Which quantity and period does each line report? |
Example: a contractor says the project is approved, but the homeowner has only a preliminary notice. Ask which milestone the statement describes and request the separate operating authorization. A verbal status does not fill a missing document. Do not operate or alter equipment to resolve the paperwork gap.
Example: a proposal presents an annual export-credit value using one retail electricity price. Request a breakdown of direct use, exported quantities, credit use during the year and remaining-credit valuation. Keep the dated account assumptions with the estimate; this worksheet does not calculate a household’s savings.
Example: the final equipment differs from the first drawing. Keep the original and revised versions, ask the installer to explain the change and obtain confirmation about the affected review milestones. A roof image alone cannot establish the installed electrical configuration.
Continue with permit and utility responsibilities, bill reconciliation, handover records and assessment independence. Explore our New Jersey site-survey reference and Solar Survey AI’s evidence methodology; confirm actual homeowner availability, qualifications and scope. A survey does not grant utility authorization or guarantee savings. Connected homeowner monitoring and free remote diagnosis remain coming soon.
About these guides
Published by Solar Survey AI, a commercial survey-services company. Our original decision checklists are recommendations; linked authorities support the referenced facts. We may benefit if you purchase our services. This is not independent certification of our company, a project-specific engineering decision or personal tax/legal advice. Local rules, contracts and site evidence control individual decisions. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
For available survey or inspection services, confirm your project scope and availability with our team. Our planned free homeowner remote diagnosis remains coming soon.
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