Everything on this page comes from North River Farms homeowners. It's what neighbors have reported and learned firsthand, shared in the community. It is not official guidance from GAF Energy, Leonard Roofing, Tesla, Lennar, SDG&E, or Clean Energy Alliance. Check with them before changing your system.
Known issues
Problems homeowners have reported with the GAF Energy solar roofs, Tesla Powerwall 3 batteries, and the installation work by Leonard Roofing, GAF's subcontractor.
Only one of two electrical panels is connected
Many homes have two panels. Panel A runs the main house, including the main A/C, EV charger, and stove; Panel B runs a smaller section, such as the casita or suite. Homeowners found that only Panel B was wired to talk to the Tesla Gateway, so Panel A ran entirely on grid power while the Tesla app showed the home fully covered by solar. It's a wiring and setup issue, not a panel production problem.
The Tesla app and the SDG&E bill don't match
One homeowner's app showed under 2% of power from the grid (7 kWh) while SDG&E billed 336 kWh, and the app showed 380 kWh exported while SDG&E credited 284. A big gap like this is often a sign of the two-panel problem.
Powerwall 3 failure from installation
One homeowner's Powerwall 3 had a melted inverter. Leonard Roofing attributed it to an incorrect installation done before July 2025. It was replaced under warranty, but confirmation from Tesla and GAF took 1 to 2 weeks, and the home ran 100% on the grid in the meantime.
Told “it's wired correctly” when it wasn't
When homeowners first submitted tickets, Lennar initially said the solar team had already wired everything correctly. It hadn't configured the meter for the second panel. Homeowners had to push back with their SDG&E usage data.
Slow activation and permission to operate
Getting systems activated, registered with Tesla, and approved by SDG&E (Permission to Operate, or PTO) took one homeowner about 5 weeks of repeated calls to GAF. Another got the Powerwall set up in 3 days and PTO within a month by following the steps below.
Technicians without ID
GAF told homeowners its field technicians carry employee badges. One homeowner reported a technician who arrived at 7 a.m. with no badge or business card, opened the Tesla panel, and photographed it with two phones. Ask for ID before letting anyone into your garage.
More equipment being added
In September 2026, GAF emailed homeowners that a monitoring and reporting device must be installed next to the Tesla battery to show live data in the Tesla app and let Tesla and GAF monitor the system remotely. Appointments took up to 2 hours.
Bills still higher than expected
Several homeowners, especially in all-electric homes, say the solar is barely denting their bills. Check for the two-panel problem and your Powerwall settings before assuming the system is working as designed.
Getting it fixed
What worked for the homeowner who got the two-panel problem fixed and was reimbursed for the downtime.
- Submit a warranty ticket with Lennar. Say your Tesla app shows full solar coverage, but your SDG&E hourly or 15-minute usage data shows you're still importing grid power. Ask for a GAF Energy or Leonard Roofing solar technician to configure the Tesla Remote Energy Meter in Panel A and check the CT clamps so the Gateway can read the second panel.
- Don't accept “it's wired correctly” at face value. Reply with your SDG&E usage data. The Tesla app only reports what it can see, which is the problem in the first place.
- Insist on a technician visit to your home. Not a phone consultation or a remote settings check. Leonard Roofing has already fixed this for other neighbors; for one, it took under an hour.
- Optional: call GAF Energy New Home Support at (408) 216-7244. It's a call center, but you can ask a higher-level support member to add notes to the Leonard Roofing work order.
- If your system was down, ask for reimbursement. Daren Erspamer, Lennar's Quality Assurance Area Manager for San Diego, had one homeowner submit a Lennar ticket for reimbursement from GAF Energy for a workmanship error. GAF approved a $250 check, which arrived about 15 days after the approval was e-signed.
How to tell it's fixed
The Tesla app shows combined usage across both panels, and the solar and Powerwall visibly cover Panel A's loads. Expect the app to show higher home usage and the Powerwall to drain faster, since the main A/C is on Panel A. That's the system finally covering the whole house.
If you're asked to prove whole-home coverage
Homeowners point to these documents, which describe the solar and battery as serving the whole property, not one panel:
- GAF Solar Energy System Addendum (page 1, section 2): the battery stores electricity “for use in the Property.”
- Solar Purchase Agreement (page 1): the battery system stores electricity for use in the Property.
- Homesite Specific Public Report (page 10 of 29): the solar and battery supply electricity for use in the home; the only listed exclusion is heating a pool or spa.
- SDG&E net energy metering agreement and Permission to Operate letter: the system is tied to the home's single utility meter, which measures all electricity entering both panels.
Tesla app tips
Settings and habits homeowners say help the most. Results vary by home, rate plan, and usage.
Register your system with Tesla
- Download the Tesla app and create an account with your email.
- From home, call Tesla Powerwall support at (877) 798-3752, then choose option 4, then option 2.
- Say you bought a new construction home and are the first owner. They'll ask for the product numbers (P) and serial numbers (S or SN) on the equipment in your garage.
- They'll connect your phone to the system and your Wi-Fi, so have your Wi-Fi password ready.
- Tell them whether you've received Permission to Operate from SDG&E. There's a setting that controls sending energy to the grid that depends on it.
Homeowners report you can register while you wait for PTO. Tesla didn't need a copy of the deed, though some neighbors were asked for one.
Settings to check
- Use Self-Powered mode with a 10% backup reserve. Homeowners on SDG&E's current solar billing (net billing, often called NEM 3.0) recommend this over “Time-Based Control” so the Powerwall covers the home through the expensive peak and off-peak hours.
- Check that the app sees both panels. If your home has two panels and the app's usage never spikes when the A/C or EV charger runs, see the two-panel issue above.
- Grid charging and automations. Some homeowners with EVs enable grid charging so the Powerwall charges at super off-peak rates, and use automation apps such as Netzero. Others have worked with Tesla support to re-enable features that were turned off. Try one change at a time and watch the results.
Track your results
- Compare every SDG&E bill with the Tesla app. Download SDG&E's hourly or 15-minute usage data from your online account and check it against the app. A gap tells you something is wrong.
- Opt down to Clean Energy Alliance's base plan. Oceanside customers were automatically enrolled in Clean Impact Plus. Homeowners report that switching to the base Clean Impact plan saves about 4 cents per kWh; one homeowner estimated $19 off a $477 bill. CEA says its 2026 rate relief credit applies only to Clean Impact customers.
Solar news
Updates on solar roof issues in the community, newest first.
-
GAF schedules installs of new monitoring equipment
GAF emailed homeowners that a monitoring and reporting device must be installed next to the Tesla battery, so the app can show live production, battery, and grid data and GAF and Tesla can monitor systems remotely. Appointments were scheduled for September 29 and take up to 2 hours.
Status: homeowners are asking what the device is and why it wasn't installed originally.
-
Two-panel problem confirmed and fixed for one home
Leonard Roofing replaced a homeowner's Powerwall 3 under warranty and configured the Tesla Remote Energy Meter in Panel A. The Tesla app now shows usage across both panels, and the solar and battery cover the main house instead of only the second panel. The homeowner was later reimbursed $250 by GAF Energy for the downtime.
Status: other two-panel homes should file a Lennar ticket. See how.
Solar timeline
Key solar events in 2026, oldest first, including contact with GAF Energy, Leonard Roofing, Lennar, and SDG&E.
- Community
A homeowner publishes step-by-step instructions for registering the system with Tesla and getting PTO from SDG&E, after about 5 weeks of repeated calls to GAF.
- GAF
GAF emails homeowners that its solar field team will be in the community activating systems, that technicians carry employee badges, and that garage access is required.
- Community
A homeowner reports a GAF technician arriving with no badge or business card. Others report solar barely reducing their bills.
- Community
Homeowners ask whether they can connect to their Powerwall 3 before receiving PTO, and how long activation takes after GAF requests their first bill.
- Community
A homeowner reports getting the Powerwall set up in 3 days and PTO within a month.
- Leonard Roofing
A homeowner finds only one of the home's two panels is connected to the Tesla Gateway, and Leonard Roofing finds a melted inverter in the Powerwall 3 from an earlier installation. The system is down from August 19 to 28.
- Leonard Roofing
Leonard Roofing replaces the Powerwall 3 under warranty and configures the Tesla Remote Energy Meter in Panel A.
- Community
A homeowner reports the Tesla app and the SDG&E bill disagreeing by hundreds of kWh.
- GAF
With help from Lennar's Quality Assurance Area Manager, a homeowner's reimbursement claim for the downtime is approved: a $250 check from GAF Energy.
- GAF
GAF emails homeowners about installing new monitoring equipment next to the Tesla battery, with appointments on September 29.
- GAF
The $250 reimbursement check arrives, about 15 days after approval.
Compiled from homeowner posts in the North River Farms community. Residents' names are left out. Corrections welcome at info@northriverfarmswatch.org.
Resources
Contacts homeowners have shared. Phone numbers and options can change.
| Who | Use for | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| GAF Energy New Home Support | Activation, warranty, and service visits | (408) 216-7244 · HomeBuyerSupport@gaf.energy |
| Tesla Powerwall support | Registering your system and app setup | (877) 798-3752, option 4, then option 2 |
| Tesla battery and Gateway | Battery and Gateway questions | (877) 961-7652 |
| SDG&E Customer Generation / Net Metering | Permission to Operate and solar billing | (858) 636-5585 · netmetering@sdge.com |
| Clean Energy Alliance | Opting down to Clean Impact | thecleanenergyalliance.org/opt-down · (833) 232-3110 |
| Lennar warranty | Tickets for wiring and installation problems | Your Lennar customer portal |
Basics
Most of these systems are GAF Energy solar roofs. Several homeowners have reported production and warranty questions, so it's worth checking yours even if everything seems fine.
Check your production
- Open your monitoring app and compare monthly output to the estimate in your purchase or solar documents.
- Compare with a neighbor who has a similar roof orientation for the same month. A large gap is worth asking about.
- Find your SDG&E Permission to Operate (PTO) date. Your system isn't credited for exports until then.
Know who covers what
A solar roof can involve several warranties: the roofing, the solar components, the inverter, and the installer's workmanship. Find each one and note who to contact and how long it lasts.
Before adding batteries or panels from a different company, ask the original manufacturer in writing how the addition affects your existing warranty. Homeowners have seen responsibility for production problems disputed after another installer worked on the system.
If something is wrong
Open a warranty case in writing, save your case number, and keep every email. Export production data from your monitoring app regularly so you have a record that doesn't depend on anyone else's system.