Reviews From Solar Power System Owners

Gavin Shute, Napier, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 25/11/2025

Size: 10KW

Running for: 3 Months

Expected return on investment: Due to our age we are not expecting a return on our investment We only expect to see are reduced power bill from our provider

Expected pay back period: 10 years

Comments on the installation: "We had a most pleasant experience with Freenergy. We found them very helpful through a complete process of quoting and installation of our system."

Comments on the system performance: "Our system is performing better than expected, and even at this early stage, we have seen a significant reduction in our power bill of approximately $300.00 per month in the winter months since we have had the system installed."

Advice: "I would suggest that prospective people do their research very thoroughly and talk to other people in person who have made the change to solar. We were lucky to find an honest company that did not make bold claims about what they could provide. "

Chris & Margaret, Hastings, Hawke's Bay

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."

Phillip, Napier, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 07/09/2024

Size: 6kW

Running for: 3 months

Expected return on investment: Too early to predict. Probably need a year or so to be accurate.

Expected pay back period: Too early to say. Ask me in 12 months.

Comments on the installation: "Install took 2 working days. Installers were good to deal with."

Comments on the system performance: "The system was first switched on in the middle of winter, and I was actually surprised at the amount of power we produced. We have definitely saved money. Our consumption has been reduced by half, and that is in the winter! We are looking forward to the longer summer days!"

Advice: "If you can afford it, just do it. Don't think to much about payback etc. We went into this looking at what the day to day savings would be, aiming to reduce our overheads. Be prepared to get the hose out, there is a lot of pine pollen (yellow) about at the moment."

David, Napier, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 14/02/2024

Size: 7.2kw

Running for: 2.5 months

Expected return on investment: 100

Expected pay back period: 22

Comments on the installation: "Freenergy were awesome from start to finish. Local and experts. Communication was amazing and everything went smoothly."

Comments on the system performance: "We have not paid for power since installing it, in fact we are in credit for those winter months ."

Advice: "Choose a local company that employ locals and have a proven reputation. "

Roger, Waiora, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 21/01/2024

Size: 5kW i.e. 14 panels plusTesla Battery

Running for: 1 month

Expected return on investment: 100% Feel good factors

Expected pay back period: Don't care

Comments on the installation: "Installer worked efficiently but took a week to complete installation due to family commitments restricting him to half days and having to travel 1 hour to the site."

Comments on the system performance: "I chose a split array to give me longer generation time as opposed to peak generation yet am still getting peak of 4.5kW from a 5kW system and am generating from 0630 until 1930, as at 1 January, thus with battery use overnight I am 99% self sufficient. Last power bill showed I imported 3kWh at a cost of 46 cents however supply charges of $17.21 boosted the bill to $17.67 This is compared to $76 for the same period last year. Note: This was prior to the Export meter being installed so I confidently expect my next and subsequent bills to be in credit."

Advice: "Do independent research on components offered in quotes as some use near end of production components to keep costs down. Bottom line ...... don't skimp for the sake of a few dollars."

Brian, Napier, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 07/02/2023

Size: 4.62kw

Running for: 3.25 Years

Expected return on investment: 10%

Expected pay back period: 10 Years

Comments on the installation: "Through website after Googling HB solar installers. His was only installer to climb onto roof, into ceiling, and inspect our power board."

Comments on the system performance: "Yes, it performed better than expected with an occasional monthly credit from power supplier."

Advice: "If you have funds sitting in your Bank returning 3%, invest in solar and the return is around 10%. If you can afford an EV electric vehicle, then the return on investment is around 15%.Sooner or later everyone will be driving an EV, so you will be installing solar to help NZs renewable energy production. Our system can produce 6000 kws p.a. And we use around half, while rest goes into NZ power grid."

Brian, Napier, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 15/03/2020

Size: 4.62

Running for: 3 months

Expected return on investment: 15%

Expected pay back period: 7.5 years

Comments on the installation: "Through your website, requesting quotes from 3 installers."

Comments on the system performance: "Yes it is producing a little over budget so far. Power bills were around $150 to $180 per month, but now around $45 to $50 per month including free charging of our electric car which we bought when we installed solar panels."

Advice: "Panels are more efficient and lower priced than ever. If you are retired, it is really a no brainer. Charge your electric car, wash dishes, wash clothes, etc, during peak of the day."

Robert & Sarah, Hastings, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 07/08/2019

Size: 3.4kw

Running for: 4 weeks

Expected return on investment: 11.6

Expected pay back period: 7.8

Comments on the installation: "1 day, but over 2 days due to weather. Very good and careful installers. Neat and tidy work with a very good attitude. Issue with wifi dropping out resolved quickly "

Comments on the system performance: "Too early to say, as I don’t have accurate bills yet, but have seen a significant drop in consumption"

Advice: "Do your homework on being able to shift your consumption to during daylight hours, use timers on water heaters, dishwashers washing machines and pool pumps. If you can, battery not needed."

Sue, Hastings, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 27/07/2019

Size: 2.68kw

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: This did not feature in our decision.

Expected pay back period: This did not feature in our decision

Comments on the installation: "On line. They were very respectful of the property.. It took half a day."

Comments on the system performance: "20% versus my interest in the bank 3 %. No brainer. Roughly $100 a power bill. "

Advice: "If you are a person over 65 with only the bank to put excess funds in, this is a great option. Monthly bills are halved for us, and it’s winter."

Cameron, Hastings, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 13/09/2017

Size: 7kW

Running for: 6 weeks

Expected return on investment: 9%

Expected pay back period: 6 years

Comments on the installation: "Took 7 days Well done"

Comments on the system performance: "Better than expected, power wall soon, yes have saved about 82%"

Advice: "Be careful, pick a Tech not a salesperson."

Bart, Hastings, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 28/02/2016

Size: 4 kW

Running for: 2 months

Comments on the installation: "I found them via the internet and had a good experience with them. Install was within 2 weeks."

Comments on the system performance: "The system works well and the (energy use part of the) power bill has more than halved, but of course it is summer now."

Advice: "Can't wait for batteries to become available at a reasonable price so I can use more of my own power in stead of selling it back at a low price. Time for the power companies to embrace the new future."

Pete, Napier, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 07/01/2016

Size: 3 kW

Running for: 3 months

Comments on the installation: "Generally fast and tidy, but once installed I had to wait another 2 weeks before it was operational because I had to wait for the inverter."

Comments on the system performance: "It's been good but there is room for improvement. I think a Tesla power wall sometimes in the not too distant future might be one answer."

Advice: "Always bear in mind that peak power consumption is mornings and evenings when solar delivers very little at best."

Mark, Hastings, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 22/03/2015

Size: 4 kW

Running for: 3 month

Comments on the installation: "The installation went smoothly with a A1 installer, THEN the wait for a new import/export meter (frustrating)."

Comments on the system performance: "No problem with performance due to a high sunshine hours this summer, as its only been operating for 3 power bills will look at how cost effective it is as winter comes along.  Main problem is the over the top estimates from my chosen power company."

Advice: "This is not about solar power BUT the amount of over pricing then lowering the price with subsidys in the insulation trade (boardering on fraud) over smaller installers who offer the same end price (with no subsidys)."

Geoff, Central Hawkes Bay, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 14/03/2015

Size: 3.2 kW

Running for: 2 months

Comments on the installation: "Found the solar installer by on line web search , he was the first to reply, arrive , quote and thus secure the job , the instillation was completed in under the time , with an increased capacity , perfect contact maintained throughout"

Comments on the system performance: "Have not had experience enough to come up with any reliable details of performance , there has been some noticeable drop in power bills , approximately halved , bearing in mind this is over the summer months."

Advice: "Have dealt with Contact for years , they are all but impossible to deal with , the main problem being their inability to call a spade a spade ... their very involved repayment system, has yet to be sorted , several months in ,but their quoted buy in rate by far the most generous around , once working expect to recieve the excellent service provided prior , to the 8mth delays generated, during the change over."

Hans, Hastings, Hawke's Bay

Review Date: 09/07/2014

Size: 10kW

Running for: 7 months

Comments on the installation: "The installation went as planned. Friendly installers, good communication etc."

Comments on the system performance: "The system performs as planned; we are rural and definitely saving a lot on our power bills; we may become power bill 'neutral' after a year."

Advice: "For us, this was an excellent investment. Power is an expense that keeps coming back, year-after-year. We simply enjoy seeing how the system is performing."