Home Solar Panels - Independent Buyers Guide For NZ

This guide provides the information you’ll need to help make informed solar power investment decisions. From how to choose the best solar companies, to figuring out what are the best solar panels to buy. 

This solar buyer’s guide aims to assist customers who are looking to install grid-connected solar power systems, or for customers looking to have solar power with batteries installed.

Jump to:

• How Do I Choose The Best Solar Power Installation Company
• How To Avoid Dodgy Traders
• Solar Panels; How Many Should Be Purchased?
• What To Check For When Reviewing Solar Quotes
• The Solar Power Installation Process; From Start To Finish

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask me directly - [email protected]

How Do I Choose The Best Solar Power Installation Company?

1. Seek Professional Advice – Your chosen installation company will be well educated in all things solar power and able to answer any questions you may have. Professional installers should be able to answer questions, both technical and simple, with competency. If you want a trouble-free solar power system, choose a technical competent solar installation company.
   
   
2. Focus On Quality - Solar installation companies should explain why their products and services are the best, as opposed to simply pricing out competitors. Solar power systems are a decent investment and assurances are needed. We have seen so many systems sadly fail, leaving owners of the systems very disappointed.  Spend a little bit more on quality to avoid system failure headaches and systems that die way too young.
   
   
3. Ask For A Reference – Solar installers may have written references. While it is important that these companies keep customer details confidential, enthusiastic solar power customers are usually happy to share their experiences to new customers.
   
   
4. Expect Excellent Service - Choose an installer who will wholeheartedly commit to your project, both pre-installation and post-installation. Commitment to service is key, no matter how long you plan to enjoy solar.
   
   
5. Request A Site Visit - Most companies offer site visits, and we recommend you take advantage of this service. The company will access your roof and make notes on your electrical set up. Technical competency will also be displayed when having your site checked and approved.
   
   
6. SEANZ Membership - Membership with SEANZ is the stamp of approval for quality solar installation companies. SEANZ has developed rigid requirements for members, ensuring only professional and qualified installers are allocated SEANZ memberships. Be sure that your installers are certified SEANZ members. You’ll find the SEANZ logo on the company’s website, if not - find certified installers here SEANZ directory.
   
   
7. We Won’t Let You Down - At My Solar Quotes, all of our reputable solar power installers are certified SEANZ members; certified and professional installers will be providing quotes, (requested from our online quote request form). 

How To Avoid Dodgy Traders

Be Cautious Of ‘Too Cheap’ - An offer that seems too good to be true, could be just that. There have been complaints of dodgy companies bringing containers of solar panels into New Zealand that are low quality and come without warranties.

Pushy Sales People - High-pressure selling techniques are always uncomfortable, no matter how well-meaning a salesperson might be. If they are after a quick deal, chances are they are in the industry for a quick buck. If someone’s pushing you to “sign today” on a $10k plus system, that’s a red flag. High-pressure tactics usually mean they’re chasing a quick commission, not a long-term customer. Solar is a 20-plus year decision. It shouldn’t feel rushed. Absolutely avoid door knockers. If it feels pressured or off, trust your gut. Good solar companies don’t need to strong-arm you.

Do Your Own Research - If customers experience less than satisfactory service they’ll share their story with 10 friends and negative reviews will appear online. Start with a google search of the company names in question, then check out other websites like reddit that have half a dozen forums about NZer's experiences with going solar. 

SEANZ Membership Is A Must - Again make sure you choose a SEANZ member, there are hundreds of them in NZ, so there's no to go with one without that badge.

Also – just because someone’s a certified electrician doesn’t automatically make them a great solar installer.

Solar is its own game. It’s specialised, technical, and design-driven. A good solar installer will have installed plenty of systems before and completed specialist training, not just decided to “add solar” to the services list last month.

Solar Panels; How Many Should Be Purchased?

Choosing the right amount of solar panels and the size of the system is completely up to you, but it starts with your goal.

Do you want to max out your roof, cut carbon, stick to a budget, wipe out your power bill, or chase the best ROI?

Get clear on the goal first. The right system flows from there.

If you let a solar installer professional know what your goal is, they can recommend the perfect system size (i.e. the right amount of solar panels) that is best for you. When requesting 3 free quotes via My Solar Quotes, please write a note in the comment section letting the solar companies know what your solar goal is.

More On Solar Goals

Maximising Roof Space - Before purchasing a solar power system solar companies should provide a no-obligation, solar array-roof design. Solar power companies can determine the number of panels that can be installed on your north and/or west and east-facing roofs.

Reducing Carbon Emissions - It’s obvious; the more solar panels creating clean energy, the better! Read more about the environmental benefits of solar here.

Maximising Your Return on Investment - To figure the best ROI, solar experts look at power bills, they’ll also dig for details about your energy consumption habits, and once the solar professionals have completed their research they’ll recommend a system that offers the highest return on investment.

Eliminate Your Power Bill - This might not allow for the highest ROI, but it will get power bills down to $0 monthly. A power bill will still arrive each month, but it will either be in credit, $0 or only a few dollars if consuming extra power that month.

Read more here about figuring out how many solar panels you need.

What To Check For When Reviewing Solar Quotes

These are the four critical elements to analyse in your three, free solar quotes: cost, component brands, installation details, warranty information.

1. Cost - The cheapest quote is usually the first one people gravitate to... fair enough. But solar isn’t a toaster. It’s a 20-plus year asset bolted to your roof. It pays to slow down and check whether that sharp price actually stacks up in terms of value.
   
   
2. Component Brands - Solar panels are fairly standard these days. The differences between brands are small, many use similar technology, and some are even made in the same factories. Independent research is always smart, but if you’re unsure, My Solar Quotes has a guide for choosing the best solar panels here.
   
   Inverters are a different story. They’re the brains of the system and critical to long-term performance. Make sure you know which brand is being installed, check reviews if needed, and lean towards a solid warranty. The best inverters often come from specialised companies with unfamiliar names, not big household brands. So don't let that put you off.
   
   
3. Other Details To Look For - Be sure that the quote received for your installation includes all costs for all components and labour (cables, inverter, installation fees etc). The total cost should also include administration work to get the system hooked up to the grid, or they should at least make it transparent there may be additional costs, including:
    
   • Lines connection fees (not all lines companies have connection fees).
   • Meter install fee (approximately $100).
   
   In my view, a good solar company builds all of that into the quote upfront – no surprise add-ons later. They should also handle the admin: applying to the lines company, organising the meter change, and notifying your retailer so you’re set up to receive credits for any excess power you export.
   
   Does the quote include GST? Ask!
   
   
4. Investigate Warranties, Thoroughly!

• Solar panels should have a 25 or 30 year performance warranty.  The manufacturing warranty ranges from 10 years to 25 years.
• The inverter should have a minimum 5-year warranty, some offer 10. Consider paying for an extended warranty for this component; it has the shortest life expectancy out of all components.  A longer warranty could save you from buying a new one down the line. You can now pay extra to expand your inverter warranty up to 20 years with some brands.
• Installer workmanship should have a warranty of at least 5 years.
• Solar panel mounting should have a warranty of 10 years. The mounting should be able to withstand New Zealand’s harsh and sometimes relentless environment.

The Solar Power Installation Process; From Start To Finish

Having selected a professional solar power installer and the system size you wish to install, these are the steps you can expect from point of purchase through to completed system:

Some solar companies may complete some of the following steps for you:

1. Signing a companies contract and paying a deposit, normally between 10% and 50%.
   
   
2. The form for the lines connection is sent (hopefully by the solar company).
   
   
3. Once you have lines approval, send the request to your energy retailer, who will organise an export meter to be installed.
   
   
4. Four to eight weeks is the average wait time for a system to be installed (date of deposit through to having the system installed). 
   
   
5. Most residential systems take anywhere from half a day to two days to install, depending on the size and complexity of the job.
   
   
6. The export meter can either be installed before or after the solar power system is installed.
   
   
7. Once the system is installed then an electrician will commission the system.  The system can only be turned on once commissioned.

Good luck with your solar journey. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected]