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Home > Reviews From Solar Power System Owners
We have asked people that brought a solar power system after getting 3 quotes through My Solar Quotes how their solar power systems are going! We asked:
What size system did you install?
How long has your solar power system been running for?
How did you find the solar installation?
How have you found the performance of the solar power system?
Do you have any other comments that you would like to share with New Zealanders thinking about going solar?
Review Date: 11/06/2025
Size: 8.75
Running for: 3 weeks
Expected return on investment: too early to say
Expected pay back period: 8 years
Comments on the installation: "Install was good, had problems with the weather at the time which did not help (rain) The Regional Sales and Installation Co-ordinator was absolutely fantastic cannot fault the work that he put in during the whole process "
Comments on the system performance: "It is generating power but being winter have not really noticed a difference in the power bill as yet, as mentioned has only been 3 full weeks"
Advice: "Make sure that if you are putting in an import/export meter you need to keep on top of what is happening with the power company, it can be a very drawn out process."
Review Date: 29/05/2025
Size: 8kw
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: NA
Expected pay back period: 8
Comments on the installation: "They were excellent. Big team, quick work"
Comments on the system performance: "Still learning the ropes on how to optimize. Exporting a bit. Looking forward to when I can use my EV for storage"
Review Date: 26/05/2025
Size: 10 kw
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: Not sure
Expected pay back period: 6.5 years
Comments on the installation: "They were very good and helpful with everything."
Comments on the system performance: "It is producing more than we thought it would but we did add an extra 5 panels which was well worth it as adding extra panels is not a big expense compared to setting up the rest of the system. Our power bill over April went from $300 to $65. It will be interesting to see what happens over winter."
Advice: "If you are planning on living in the same house for at least 7 years and you have a mortgage to get the savings from the banks it’s a no brainer to put up solar to save money."
Review Date: 18/05/2025
Size: 11.75kW
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: 13.23%
Expected pay back period: 10 years
Comments on the installation: "Completed over three days, although it took two weeks to get the electrical inspector and a further week to get the import/export metre installed. Overall, the installers were very professional and competent."
Comments on the system performance: "Heading into winter, production has dropped significantly from 11kW/hr to 6kW/Hour on sunny days and down to 1kW/hour during heavy cloud/rain. Power accounts have dropped from $200 prior to installation to $30-$70 afterwards, although savings will continue to drop as we peogress into winter."
Advice: "Get a battery installed to maximise savings, and get a power plan that provides cheaper night rates. This will provide a real saving over winter. Also, be aware many lines companies only allow 5kW/hour of power exports, so some manipulation of export/battery charging ratios is necessary in summer."
Review Date: 20/04/2025
Size: 7.9kW
Running for: 6 weeks
Expected pay back period: 8
Comments on the installation: "Installation was fine, good communication, took as long as expected"
Comments on the system performance: "For the first full month of operation, the saving compared to the same month last year was approx. $100 "
Advice: "As long as you have suitable north facing roof area(s), going solar is a no brainer. It works financially and is good for the planet. If you have an EV (we don't yet, but will end up with one sometime in the near future) the payback would be quicker & the environmental benefit even greater."
Review Date: 30/03/2025
Size: 5.28Kw
Running for: two Months
Expected return on investment: 50%
Expected pay back period: 12 - 14 Years
Comments on the installation: "Installers were very professional at all times and very respectful of ourselves and property. For the distance they came, installation was done over two days. "
Comments on the system performance: "Performance of the system is meeting our expectations. For the two months it has been in operation we have not paid a bill yet and we are in credit on our first power bill, and we are due for our second bill shortly and we expect to be in credit again."
Advice: "I would suggest they get soler. If they can afford to do so. Plus, battery backup. "
Review Date: 13/03/2025
Size: 5kw
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: No idea
Expected pay back period: No idea
Comments on the installation: "They were fantastic. Super respectful and informative. "
Comments on the system performance: "Yeah it's pretty good. Changed part companies at the same time which turned into a nightmare."
Advice: "Nope "
Review Date: 06/03/2025
Size: 5kw
Running for: 3 months
Expected return on investment: Around 7%
Expected pay back period: It is already earning more via exported kw than the prior bank interest, so is considered to be already 'in profit'!
Comments on the installation: "The panel installers were great, and had the installation done in one day"
Comments on the system performance: "The results have been very gratifying, the first two full months resulted in a power bill of about $15.00 in total!"
Advice: "As long as one is not borrowing money to purchase the system, and that an import-export meter is installed, it seems to me that the system is a no-brainer."
Review Date: 23/02/2025
Size: 5kW
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: not sure
Expected pay back period: 7 years
Comments on the installation: "Excellent performance "
Comments on the system performance: "This January half of last January. But dependent on good deal with Meridian"
Advice: "Get at least three quotes"
Review Date: 19/02/2025
Size: 12kW
Running for: 4 weeks
Expected return on investment: 16%
Expected pay back period: 7 years
Comments on the installation: "No issues, very helpful installers. Took around 6 hours to install. "
Comments on the system performance: "Yes, works well. The enphase system is great. With the app you can monitor each panel and get live info on generation. Our power bill for February so far is -$35"
Advice: "The enphase micro inverter system as supplied in Marlborough by Goodyer Solar is just perfect for our situation. No extra EMF in the garage and no cooling fan noise. "
Review Date: 12/02/2025
Size: 5kW
Running for: 3 months
Expected return on investment: 15
Expected pay back period: 6
Comments on the installation: "The install took 4 installers 3.5 hours which was unbelievably quick with the system operational when they left"
Comments on the system performance: "Absolutely saved on power bills. In 76 days it's generated 2530 kW, I've consumed 514 kW from the panels and 182 kW from the grid, so I've exported 2014 unis. I am in credit each month and am $450 towards recovering the cost of the system "
Advice: "Don't be fooled into going for battery storage. Ascertain how many units you average from the grid daily, in our case, it's less than 3 (may change in winter months), so you would never recover the cost $15k cost of at battery if it costs you $1 day for units from the grid."
Review Date: 28/01/2025
Size: 5kw
Running for: 1 day
Expected return on investment: 100
Expected pay back period: 10
Comments on the installation: "Solar installations happened within a day as expected. "
Comments on the system performance: "We can go off grid with Tesla powerwall attached to solar panels"
Review Date: 28/01/2025
Size: 7 kw
Running for: 3 months
Expected return on investment: Don’t know
Expected pay back period: 5 years
Comments on the installation: "Very good people "
Comments on the system performance: "Doing well , sadly January weather hindered it"
Advice: "Certainly a great investment "
Review Date: 04/01/2025
Size: 8kW
Running for: 4 Weeks
Expected return on investment: To early to estimate
Comments on the installation: "Every Lightforce employee that we had contact with was friendly polite and hard working, the installation was completed within two days."
Comments on the system performance: "Even though we are at the peak period for sunlight the power produced is higher than we expected. We looking forwards to our first power bill "
Advice: "It makes sense with the likely increase in gas prices. also cost and supply of electricity as we become more reliant on it for domestic and transport."
Review Date: 30/12/2024
Size: 7kw
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: not sure
Expected pay back period: not sure
Comments on the installation: "First class, took 2 days"
Comments on the system performance: "Working well, feeding back to grid and getting credit, battery covers any need to use grid"
Advice: "No"
Review Date: 25/12/2024
Size: 4.4
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: 5%
Expected pay back period: 10
Comments on the installation: "The installer we contracted did a good job. Just beware the inverter and wiring takes up quite a bit of wall space and is quite an eyesore, so talk to the installer. The default position seems to be next to the powerboard. Installation took a day."
Comments on the system performance: "We have been happy with everything so far though conscious our only experience has been at the height of summer. Though generation on cloudy days is better than expected. Shop around for best overall power deal. We switched to Meridian."
Advice: "Well worth investigating for the right house, especially if you are all electric. Cheaper than you might think, and instal as many panels as you can. "
Review Date: 11/12/2024
Size: 16 panels
Running for: 6 weeks
Expected return on investment: Ask me in 12 months
Expected pay back period: Hope for 7 years - ask me in 12 months
Comments on the installation: "excellent"
Comments on the system performance: "Excellent. Power output as expected. Yes, big saving especially with change of provider, Pulse to Meridien"
Advice: "My wife and I are 80 and we installed the solar because, even though we may not live to see the system pay for itself, we view it as a transfer of capital which is recoverable when the house is sold; additionally we are insulate against the expected increase in power prices."
Review Date: 01/12/2024
Size: 20.3kw
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: Not sure but best decision ever
Expected pay back period: 5-6 years
Comments on the installation: "Amazing took ages from payment to installation but when started was a week"
Comments on the system performance: "Even on a cloudy day we get solar "
Advice: "Do it now especially northland amazing An adaption to using power in day but why we didn't do it sooner I don't know "
Review Date: 29/10/2024
Size: 6kw
Running for: 3 months
Expected return on investment: 10%
Expected pay back period: 7 - 10
Comments on the installation: "Very professional with great communication"
Comments on the system performance: "Very happy with my system and its performance. I am able to compare with two similar sized installations within 10 km and we compare our daily solar harvest."
Advice: "At our age, we are not counting on recovering our investment through savings, however of the $15k was left on term deposit in the bank we would currently be getting around $40 / month in tax paid interest. However, having invested the $15k in solar our net savings are around $140 / month greatly helping eek out our meagre fixed income. We are heating all our hot water and charging the battery in our 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV every day. Our latest bill which includes $78.00 supply charge was $103. This includes the energy powering our car as we did not need any petrol."
Review Date: 29/10/2024
Size: 6
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: 50
Expected pay back period: 7
Comments on the installation: "Yes very good to deal with"
Comments on the system performance: "Solar not working as expected, problem with import/export meter that is taking a while to resolve"
Review Date: 27/10/2024
Size: 5 Kw
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: 3%
Expected pay back period: 25
Comments on the installation: "They were very good. No issues and did not take long"
Comments on the system performance: "It has exceeded expectation to date and produced more power than expected. However, once a full year is completed will be the real test. So far we have not used the grid at all so has saved us the whole power bill and has put back into the grid. Having a battery enables this to occur."
Advice: "Shop around and do the research. Don't necessarily go for the cheapest but the one that will meet your needsnot only now but make sure it is future proofed. As in have more capacity than you think you need at presant."
Review Date: 22/10/2024
Size: 7kw
Running for: 24 days
Expected pay back period: Not sure
Comments on the installation: "The installers were amazing and professional"
Comments on the system performance: "Awaiting our first power bill but system appears to be operating well "
Advice: "The system was `installed by Hilo Electrical through Zen Energy and i couldn't find any fault with there service and advice. "
Review Date: 16/10/2024
Size: 6kW with 16 solar panels
Running for: 5 weeks
Expected return on investment: Unsure
Expected pay back period: 8 years
Comments on the installation: "Installers very professional, courteous and hardworking."
Comments on the system performance: "Really impressed by performance so far. Forecast cost was $210 for month (August/ September) and cost was $136. Solar was only switched on for 20 days of the bill."
Advice: "Go solar."
Review Date: 09/10/2024
Size: 5kw
Running for: 2 Months
Expected return on investment: Not sure
Expected pay back period: 6 years
Comments on the installation: "Harrisons were excellent, the process was calm and not forceful at all. "
Comments on the system performance: "The system is working well. We are making changes every month and we are saving more every month. "
Advice: "Do it, if you manage it correctly you will save money. "
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