Reviews From Solar Power System Owners

Alistair, Blenheim, Marlborough

Review Date: 03/11/2025

Size: 6kW inverter with marginally more generation capacity (clipped for greater shoulder efficiency).

Running for: Two months

Expected pay back period: 9 years calculated but at this rate sooner.

Comments on the installation: "Excellent. Harrison’s team did a great job. Quick, tidy and friendly. "

Comments on the system performance: "The performance of our system is as expected, which I’m delighted with. Currently exporting more power than using despite cranking up the underfloor heating and heat pump during the day. Better household and saving money; great combination. "

Advice: "When I was researching I always heard the comments “I wish I’d done it sooner”. It’s true!"

Nick, Tasman, Nelson/Tasman

Review Date: 13/10/2025

Size: 6kw

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: 27%

Expected pay back period: 6

Comments on the installation: "Outstanding service. Professional and efficient installers."

Comments on the system performance: "Awesome savings already (and we were in winter!). Easy to rethink when we power up equipment (washing machine/dryer/dishwasher) to make use of the sun too. Looking forward to seeing the results through the Nelson summer."

Advice: "Do it! I put it off for many years and regret it. Could have saved a fortune."

Gavin, Marlborough, Marlborough

Review Date: 10/10/2025

Size: 5.7

Running for: 4 days

Expected return on investment: 95%

Expected pay back period: 6 years

Comments on the installation: "The installation team was fantastic, great job with leaving the property clean & tidy. 6 hours to install Tesla Powerwall 3 & 12 x 475w panels." 

Comments on the system performance: "4 days in & very pleased with the performance. Living up to its reputation. 3 days in on savings with a net gain of $20 saved." 

Advice: "Would not be without it. It does teach you to be less aggressive with power."

Bob, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 09/10/2025

Size: 15 panels rated 475W each

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: ROI is speculative, but still have to see a full year's results to properly calculate

Expected payback period: 5

Comments on the installation: "Well done job, time spent to get panel frames level. Electrical work done well, CoC & ROI provided promptly as well as a dossier for the whole installation."

Comments on the system performance: "Yes, definitely saving on power bills"

Advice: "Investigate the company doing the install as there are so many misleading claims made, ask for references in your area. Make sure what was quoted was installed, no substitutes without your knowledge."

Richard, Palmerston North, Manawatu-Whanganui

Review Date: 21/09/2025

Size: 7.2 kw

Running for: 2 days

Expected return on investment: not sure

Expected pay back period: 4.5 years

Comments on the installation: "The installers were great but they couldn't install the panels on the first day as the wind was too strong otherwise it would have been completed in one day."

Comments on the system performance: "So far we are saving about 75% but it is still early days."

Advice: "Don't think about it just do it, makes so much sense."

Barrie, Palmerston North, Manawatu-Whanganui

Review Date: 12/09/2025

Size: 10.5 kw

Running for: 3 months

Expected return on investment: no return until paid off.

Expected pay back period: guessing at this stage - maybe repay over 10-15 years

Comments on the installation: "Took 2 days mostly and a little of third day to finish up. Installers were excellent - very professional job."

Comments on the system performance: "As expected. Winter not the best but approx 50% cut in power bill. Now in spring - some days with good sun virtually no power bill. Hope in summer to aim for zero power bill. "

Advice: "Put lots of solar on roof. I have small battery (8Kw) but is worthwhile due to having some free power time to fill it in morning. "

Sam, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 31/08/2025

Size: 5 kWh

Running for: 104 days (just over 3 months)

Expected pay back period: just over 6 years

Comments on the installation: "The installation was quick and easy with no issues. The biggest delay was getting the meter changed so we could send surplus power back to the grid. They said 10 working days which worked out to be about 20 actual days."

Comments on the system performance: "The performance has been a little better than the estimated figures calculated at the time of the quote and this period covers June to August. We have received about $90 credit for power so far. As we have only been in this house for 9 months, we do not have a previous year's power consumption figures to compare with but looking at our previous house 's consumption we are saving power. "

Advice: "We are a retired couple so are at home during the day so what we have done works for us. We don't have a battery. We also have a pallet fire for heating during the day and night but use a heat pump first thing in the morning. "

Darryl, Tauranga, Bay Of Plenty

Review Date: 08/08/2025

Size: 16kW 2x8kW Batteries 8k W inverter gateway will be adding 2 more 8k W batteries in 4 weeks total 32k w storage & 26 panels

Running for: 6 weeks

Expected return on investment: 150%

Expected pay back period: 6 - 8 years

Comments on the installation: "Yes and no. It took way longer to complete the installation than originally quoted. I think it was a case of being overstretched. Some damage was caused by (I'm guessing) inexperienced and unsupervised rooftop panel installers."

Comments on the system performance: "The system is pure magic. The blade type battery coupled with the same software and Ai means everything is perfectly balanced all of the time. Stackable batteries that can be added at any age and ease of upgrade makes for the best of the best. Power bill was halved in first 3 weeks (July) WINTER. Bring on Spring, Summer and Autumn."

Advice: "Do the research and understand the system you want and will ultimately purchase. During installation, check the installation daily to ensure no damage and everything is as you want it. Above all, ensure you have guarantees, warranties and a managers contract number to address and sort any concerns."

Allister, Tauranga, Bay Of Plenty

Review Date: 05/08/2025

Size: 8kW

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: 10.8

Expected pay back period: 10

Comments on the installation: "Very quick and efficient"

Comments on the system performance: "Working well, great Sigen app"

Advice: "Well worth considering if you plan to stay in property for some time"

Penny, Tauranga, Bay Of Plenty

Review Date: 20/07/2025

Size: 4kw

Running for: Two months

Expected return on investment: Don't know

Expected pay back period: Six

Comments on the installation: "Installers were marvellous, thoughtful, helpful, careful"

Comments on the system performance: "About $100 per bill, and that's over the shortest day/coldest months"

Advice: "It's a no-brainer! An investment that pays for itself :)"

Mark, Nelson, Nelson/Tasman

Review Date: 17/07/2025

Size: 7.36kW with 13.5 kW Tesla Powerwall Battery

Running for: 3 weeks (Since 27/6/2025)

Expected return on investment: Not provided in Quotation Proposal

Expected pay back period: Not provided in Quotation Proposal (From memory on verbal conversation approx 7.4years)

Comments on the installation: "3 days with special precautions made for on roof access and installation movement protected via wooden stepping support panels protecting decramastic roof tiles from any miss-stepping onto center of roof tiles."

Comments on the system performance: "The weather in Nelson over the past 3 weeks in July 2025 has been very rainy and overcast with maximum solar energy generation performance not attained, as ranged from 69% to 89% with only yesterday attaining 100% with small amount sent back to grid."

Advice: "The overall installation was very good by Harrisons Solar Nelson with no conduit showing and everything tidy with good quality workmanship"

Damond, Manukau City, Auckland

Review Date: 30/06/2025

Size: 9kW

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: unsure does not matter as I didn't get it for this

Expected pay back period: Not worried about pay back

Comments on the installation: "yes, installers where great had a couple of issues but they got there in the end."

Comments on the system performance: "yes, it is ok has saved some money but still early days at the moment."

Advice: "Get solar as power companies will keep on putting power up."

Kelvin, Selwyn, Canterbury

Review Date: 22/06/2025

Size: 7.04

Running for: 8 weeks

Expected return on investment: NA

Expected pay back period: 7.2yrs

Comments on the installation: "Through the Quotes system. Solar Zero were an awesome team of people."

Comments on the system performance: "Our system has well exceeded our hopes. Our first bill was a healthy minus value."

Advice: "I took on board the concept that if you have a decent number of panels to the number of occupiers, you don't really need a battery. "

Ben, Hamilton, Waikato

Review Date: 19/06/2025

Size: 6kw

Running for: a month

Expected return on investment: Not sure

Expected pay back period: 3 years

Comments on the installation: "Longest part was just the paperwork. Installation was quick and easy, 2 days and all done - no damage, no issues with the installers at all."

Comments on the system performance: "Still gauging the difference, but it looks substantial, even in winter. If it's sunny during the day, I don't feel bad about running the heaters. We have a battery, but it takes less than 2 hours of full sunlight to fill, so everything after that is going back to the grid."

Advice: "It's worth looking at more that just the dollar numbers. Looking into solar helped me review my power use, and getting the system up and running has helped change behaviors too. Also consider that depending on your current plan, you might be able to drop down to a lower-use tier or a night/day plan which can save even more."

John, Dunedin, Otago

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."

Andrew, Upper Hutt, Wellington

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"

Andrew, Upper Hutt, Wellington

Review Date: 29/05/2025

Size: 8kw

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: Weird question - looked at payback not ROI

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"

Roger, Waikato, Waikato

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."

William, Dunedin, Otago

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."

Tony, Auckland City, Auckland

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."

Anthony, Thames-Coromandel, Waikato

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. "

Rainer, Tauranga, Bay Of Plenty

Review Date: 16/03/2025

Size: 5.5kW

Running for: 6 weeks

Expected return on investment: no idea

Expected pay back period: don't know

Comments on the installation: "my solar quotes"

Comments on the system performance: "good, very sunny during last few weeks"

Advice: "There are hundreds of thousands of roofs suitable for solar, go for it!"

Maggie, Christchurch City, Canterbury

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 "

Jeff, Masterton, Wellington

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."