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If you’ve installed solar panels on a property in New York City, your system cannot connect to the electrical grid until it passes Con Edison’s official interconnection inspection. This step is required by law for every grid-tied solar installation within Con Edison’s service territory, which includes all five NYC boroughs. The reason for these home inspections is to verify that your system meets electrical safety standards, complies with local fire codes, and will not disrupt the grid.
This inspection is not a performance test or a review of your energy savings. It is a code compliance check focused entirely on how your solar equipment is installed and integrated with your home’s electrical infrastructure. Understanding what happens during the Con Edison solar panel interconnection inspection and what you must have ready beforehand as a homeowner can prevent delays and corrections that could be avoided.
It’s important to note that your solar installer will handle the inspection application and all the other details. As a homeowner, it’s still worth understanding what the inspection involves. If something fails, it can add weeks to your activation timeline. Knowing what to expect isn’t about doing the work yourself, but making sure you’re in the loop with your installer and know what’s happening on your rooftop.
What Triggers the Con Edison Interconnection Inspection
The inspection only occurs after Con Edison has reviewed and approved your interconnection application. This application includes your system’s single-line diagram, equipment specifications, structural load calculations, and compliance documentation. Once that paperwork clears their engineering review, Con Edison schedules an on-site visit.
You cannot request this inspection yourself. It is coordinated through your professional solar installer via Con Edison’s online portal, but as the property owner, you should confirm that your system is fully built and meets all readiness criteria before the scheduled date.
What Must Be Complete Before the Inspection
On the day of the inspection, your solar installation must be 100 percent complete, but not energized. Con Edison will reject the visit if the system has been turned on, even briefly.
Required elements include:
- All solar panels mounted securely with proper wind-load attachments
- Inverters installed in their final location, whether indoors or in a weatherproof outdoor enclosure
- AC and DC disconnect switches mounted, labeled, and easily accessible
- All wiring enclosed in rigid metal conduit or EMT (electrical metallic tubing), PVC is not permitted for solar runs in NYC
- The main electrical panel modified to accept the solar backfeed breaker, with correct placement per NEC 705.12
- Permanent, weather-resistant labels on every disconnect that clearly state “SOLAR DISCONNECT” in block lettering
- Clear access to your electric meter, with no obstructions like storage bins, fencing, or HVAC units
Every component must exactly match the models listed in your approved interconnection application. If your installer changed equipment during installation, such as swapping an inverter due to availability, they must have submitted an updated equipment list to Con Edison beforehand. Inspectors carry digital copies of your approved plans and will compare them directly to what is installed.
What the Inspector Checks
The on-site inspection typically lasts 45 to 75 minutes. A Con Edison field representative follows a checklist that covers four key areas.
Rooftop and Array Layout
The inspector verifies that panels are installed with required fire department access pathways. On flat roofs, which are so common in NYC, the FDNY mandates a 36-inch clear path along the roof ridge and 18-inch setbacks from side edges. Panels placed within these zones will fail, regardless of electrical correctness. Mounting hardware must also show proper attachment to rafters or structural decking, with no signs of loose rails or unsecured flashing.
Disconnect and Meter Area
The AC disconnect must be within 10 feet of your electric meter and visible from the street or alley. It must be rated for your system’s maximum output current and voltage. The inspector checks that the disconnect lever operates smoothly and that the unit is bonded to your building’s grounding electrode system using a continuous, unspliced grounding conductor.
Main Electrical Panel
Inside your panel, the inspector confirms that the solar backfeed breaker is installed in the correct position, typically at the opposite end from the main breaker, to prevent overloading the busbar. They calculate whether the combined load of your main breaker and solar backfeed stays within 120 percent of the panel’s busbar rating. Homes with older Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels will not pass, as these are deemed unsafe for solar interconnection under current Con Edison policy.
Labeling and Documentation Match
Every inverter, combiner box, and disconnect must display a permanent label that includes the system voltage, installer’s New York State electrical license number, and your Con Edison interconnection application ID. Temporary tape, handwritten notes, or missing labels result in an automatic failure.
Common Reasons the Con Edison Interconnection Inspection Fails in NYC
Even minor oversights can cause a failed inspection. The most frequent issues in New York City include:
- FDNY access violations: Panels installed too close to roof perimeters on flat roofs
- Conduit material errors: Use of PVC instead of rigid metal conduit or EMT
- Panel compatibility: Presence of prohibited electrical panels like Federal Pacific
- Labeling gaps: Missing or non-permanent labels on disconnects or inverters
- Breaker placement: Solar backfeed breaker installed in a location that creates busbar overload
If the inspector finds violations, Con Edison issues a Deficiency Notice listing each item that must be corrected. Your installer must fix all items and request a re-inspection. There is no fee for re-inspections, but each one typically adds one to two weeks to your activation timeline.
What Happens After a Successful Inspection
Once the Con Edison solar panel interconnection inspection passes, Con Edison processes your Permission to Operate (PTO) within 3 to 10 business days. You will receive PTO confirmation by email or through your installer’s portal. Do not turn on your system until this document is issued.
After PTO, Con Edison activates net metering. If your existing meter is not bi-directional, they will schedule a meter upgrade, usually within 14 days, though many digital meters in NYC can be reprogrammed remotely without a physical swap. Export credits for excess solar generation will appear on your second utility bill after activation.
Timeline Expectations for the Full Con Edison Interconnection Process
From the time your installer submits your interconnection application to receiving PTO, the full Con Edison interconnection process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks in 2025. The inspection itself is only one part. Most delays occur during the engineering review phase, especially if initial submissions contain incomplete diagrams or mismatched equipment lists.
Properties in dense neighborhoods, such as parts of Brooklyn, Queens, or Manhattan, may face longer review times if Con Edison determines that local transformers are near capacity and require additional study. In these cases, you may be asked to provide a transformer load study or accept a reduced system size.
What Homeowners Should Do to Prepare
As the property owner, your role is to provide clear roof access and readiness.
- Make sure that:Your roof and meter area are unobstructed on inspection day
- All system components are installed per your approved plans
- No part of the system has been energized
- You have a copy of your Con Edison application ID available if questions arise
You do not need to be present during the inspection. Being available to grant access or answer basic questions about your electrical panel can help avoid rescheduling.