Imagine having solar panels on your roof for years, only to find out your system was never properly approved by the utility.
That's what happened to a homeowner in the San Antonio area. In February 2026, CPS Energy detected electricity being sent back to the grid from the unregistered system and shut it down due to safety concerns.
After two other companies were unable to resolve the issue, the homeowner turned to Atma Energy for help.
Assessing the existing system
When Atma looked at the system in May 2026, our team needed to determine whether the existing installation could meet CPS Energy's requirements or if major equipment changes were necessary.
The good news was that the existing equipment could be retained.
Our team assessed the existing system and identified some rooftop wiring that could benefit from improved protection and management. We discussed these recommendations with the homeowner, while keeping the project's focus on getting the system approved and back online.
Atma also discovered and patched an active roof leak during the project.
Rather than replacing functioning equipment, we focused on resolving the documentation and approval issues that had kept the system offline.
Navigating the CPS Energy approval process
One of the biggest challenges was recovering the documentation needed to complete the utility approval process.
Our team obtained the previous contractor's stamped engineering plans from CPS Energy and used them to prepare a new Distributed Generation (DG) application under Atma Energy.
This required updated contractor information, electrical drawings, service photographs and other documentation requested by CPS Energy.
Once the application requirements were addressed, Atma completed system commissioning and anti-islanding testing, an important safety check that verifies the solar system can disconnect from the grid when required.
The system subsequently passed CPS Energy's final inspection and received official Permission to Operate (PTO).
Back online, with ongoing support
With utility approval secured, the homeowner could finally put the existing solar system back to work.
Our team verified that the equipment was operating, communicating and producing electricity. Atma also established access to the system's remote monitoring platform, allowing us to support the homeowner if issues arise.
Most importantly, the homeowner didn't need to replace the entire solar installation to resolve the problem.
We fix systems, even if we didn't install them
Solar problems aren't always caused by faulty equipment. Sometimes, missing documentation, incomplete utility approvals or installation issues can prevent an otherwise functioning system from delivering the benefits homeowners expected.
Whether your system has stopped producing, needs repairs or is facing permitting and approval challenges, Atma Energy can help.
We have years of experience helping homeowners get their solar systems back on track, including systems installed by other contractors. Our award-winning in-house team has the expertise to tackle even complex problems, but we also understand how frustrating it can be when your solar system isn't working as it should. We take the time to listen, understand your concerns and see the problem through to a solution.
Having trouble with your solar system? We can help, even if we didn't install it.