Solar Power FAQs

Solar panels on your roof convert sunlight into electricity that powers your home. The panels contain cells that create electricity when hit by sunlight (called the photovoltaic effect). This gets converted into the type of power your home uses through an inverter.

Yes! While we’re not quite as sunny as Australia, NZ gets plenty of sunlight to make solar worthwhile. Even on cloudy days, panels still generate about 30-40% of their normal output. The key is having enough panels to meet your needs across all seasons.

A typical 6kW system in NZ generates about 8,000-9,000 kWh per year, though this varies by region. For perspective:

• A single panel produces about 1.6-2 kWh per day
• A 3kW system (about 8 panels) generates 12-15 kWh on a sunny day
• A 6kW system (about 15 panels) generates 24-30 kWh on a sunny day

We’ll assess your specific site and recommend a system size based on your power usage and roof space.

Here’s what you can expect to invest:

• Small system (3kW): $6,000-8,000
• Medium system (6kW): $8,000-15,000
• Large system (10kW+): $15,000-25,000
• Adding batteries: $5,000-20,000 extra

While that’s a significant investment, most of our customers see payback periods of 5-8 years through power bill savings.

Most households save 50-80% on their power bills. Your exact savings depend on:

• How much power you use during the day (when panels are producing)
• Your current power rates
• Your system size
• Local sunshine hours
• Whether you add battery storage

Currently, NZ doesn’t offer direct solar subsidies. However, you can benefit from:

• Selling excess power back to the grid (typically 8-12c per kWh)
• Increased home value
• Depreciation benefits for businesses
• Lower exposure to future power price increases

The size of the system depends on your household size and energy needs:

• Small homes (1-2 people): 3kW system
• Average homes (2-4 people): 6kW system
• Large homes/high usage: 8-10kW system
• Properties with heat pumps or EVs: Add 2-3kW

We’ll analyse your power bills and usage patterns to recommend the right size.

A complete solar system includes:

• Solar panels mounted on your roof
• An inverter to convert the power
• Mounting rails and hardware
• Safety switches and isolators
• Smart meter
• Monitoring system
• Optional battery storage
• All wiring and connections

We install three main types:

• Monocrystalline: Most efficient (20-22%), best for limited roof space
• Polycrystalline: Slightly less efficient (15-17%), more affordable
• Thin-film: Less efficient but flexible, good for unusual installations

All our panels are tier-1 rated with 25-year performance warranties.

Most NZ homes can benefit from solar, but key factors include:

• Roof orientation: North-facing is ideal
• Roof angle: 15-45 degrees works well
• Shade: From trees or buildings
• Roof condition and structure
• Available space
• Local climate

We’ll assess all these factors during a free site visit.

Most residential installations take 1-2 days. The whole process includes:

• Initial site assessment and system design: 1-2 weeks
• Council permits if required: 2-4 weeks
• Installation scheduling: 1-2 weeks
• Physical installation: 1-2 days
• Final inspection and grid connection: 1-2 weeks

Most residential solar installations don’t need consent, but there are exceptions for:

• Heritage zones
• Systems over 20kg per square metre
• Some apartment buildings
• High wind zones
• Structural modifications needed

We’ll check your specific situation and handle any needed paperwork.

You’ll automatically draw power from the grid when your panels aren’t producing enough. With battery storage, you can:

• Store excess daytime production for evening use
• Have backup power during outages
• Maximize your solar self-consumption
• Further reduce your power bills

When your system produces more power than you’re using:

• Excess power automatically flows to the grid
• Your smart meter records exported units
• Your retailer credits your account

Different retailers offer different buyback rates – we’ll help you choose the best option.

Solar systems need very little maintenance. We provide:

• 25-year performance warranty on panels
• 10-year warranty on inverters
• 5-year installation warranty
• Free system monitoring
• Optional annual maintenance plans
• Professional cleaning if needed (usually every 2-3 years)

The system monitors itself and alerts us to any issues.

Yes! Heat pumps work perfectly with solar because:

• They’re highly efficient
• Modern units can be programmed to run during solar production
• Smart controllers can automatically use excess solar
• They typically only need 1.5-3kW of extra solar capacity

We can design your system to handle EV charging by:

• Sizing it for future car charging needs
• Installing smart charging controls
• Setting up time-of-use optimization
• Adding extra capacity (typically 2-3kW per EV)

Your system includes monitoring software that shows:

• Real-time power production
• Historical performance data
• Energy consumption patterns
• Battery status (if installed)
• System health alerts
• Financial savings

Access this through our mobile app or web portal.

Here’s the step-by-step process to get solar installed:

1. Book a free assessment through our website or phone
2. We’ll visit your property and design a system
3. Review your personalised quote and savings estimate
4. If you proceed, we’ll handle permits and scheduling
5. Professional installation by our certified team
6. Final inspection and system activation
7. Full training on your new system

Choose an installer who offers:

• Master Electricians certification
• Proven track record in NZ
• Quality hardware from major manufacturers
• Comprehensive warranties
• Professional design service
• After-sales support
• Proper insurance coverage
• Clear, detailed quotes

Need more information? Contact us for a free consultation and site assessment. Our solar experts will answer any other questions you have about going solar in NZ.