Reviews From Solar Power System Owners

Ann, Hurunui, Canterbury

Review Date: 24/03/2018

Size: not sure - 7 panels plus a solar hot water panel

Running for: 3 months

Expected pay back period: no investment! We lease from SolarCity and did not buy panels. Saving loads from day 1! Cost of lease lower than purchase price and not stuck with dated technology - they will update and no cost.

Comments on the installation: "Excellent - less than a day."

Comments on the system performance: "Power bills are less than half overall - that includes the lease and connection charges. We would be paying about $200 per month this time of year; last month's bill was about $100."

Advice: "Don't waste money buying a system that will be obsolete before it has paid for itself. We couldn't be happier than we are with SolarCity."

Jill, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 22/03/2017

Size: 4.0kw inverter with 12 X 260w LG panels

Running for: was installed January 20th 2016 but only had input/output meter installed end February

Comments on the installation: "Our installers were great. We went with Harrisons Solar. They only took one full day. We had many delays from when first booked, but that was due to the weather. The contractor and Installers were wonderful to work with. It was the power company that i had issues with and ended up changing."

Comments on the system performance: "We have not received a full month bill as yet. There was a mix up with paperwork and the initial works order (for the input/output meter) went to the wrong power company. However this turn out to be in our favour as the company we were with would not let us run a day/night meter with our solar (the contractor had organized this to be installed, because of the paperwork mix up) and they wanted to charge a 'special' solar rate. We switched power companies and now have a day/night meter to make better advantage to the solar use, and we run a Hot Water Cylinder Timer. I do know that in our first week we had used 31% less power and that week had been mostly overcast. Our first bill, after the meter was installed, with our new company, was only for 16 days and at a rough work out I figure we would have saved paid $70 less if it had have been for a full month."

Advice: "check everything. get more than 1 quote. I got 5 and had (no obligation or cost) visits from two companies. after getting all quotes and after the visits then I settled on what system I felt was best for us, then went back to all companies to see what costings they would provide. don't be afraid to barter with the companies - I ended up with two companies trying to outdo each other in price, for similar quality. Also check that your current power company is not going to sting you with a 'special' solar pricing or hidden charges and that you can do what you wish with what meters you would prefer."

Charles, Waimakariri, Canterbury

Review Date: 04/09/2016

Size: 4 kW

Running for: 2 Months

Comments on the installation: "The Installation went smoothly. The Installers took only about a day to do the entire installation and answered all my questions during the process."

Comments on the system performance: "In spite of it being winter right now, we are quite pleased with the Solar System. We purchased the Power Genie along with the enlighten inverters and are happy with being able to use over 90% of what we generate. We have compared our last two months of generation and according to Contact Energy, we are saving at least 25% of our power bill. We hope to save even more during the Summer months."

Advice: "If you go solar, don't hesitate to go with the Solar Genie to maximize your use of what you generate. Why get paid only a fraction of what the power companies charge you for your own energy generation. Use as much as you can."

Philip, Christchurch, Canterbury

Review Date: 01/07/2016

Size: 5 kW

Running for: 4 months

Comments on the installation: "They were 10 out of 10."

Comments on the system performance: "I find that I need 30 panels not 20. In the winter time we are saving about $120 a month."

Advice: "It is good, clean and the sun gives it to you free. 7 years it will be paid of. NZ Solar were the best."

Harvey, Selwyn, Canterbury

Review Date: 24/02/2016

Size: 3 kW

Running for: 3 months

Comments on the installation: "A great team got it all installed in a day although they accidentally switched off the hot water cylinder and the sparky had to come back and track it down - all good though!"

Comments on the system performance: "Trouble free since switching on.  Yes - saving about $70 per month which is what I had estimated."

Advice: "Makes us feel a bit more independent of the power companies and their incessant increases."

Jerry, Waimakariri, Canterbury

Review Date: 26/09/2015

Size: 4 kW

Running for: 4 months

Comments on the installation: "Process was ok with no issues re the installation of the panels. However, the electrical installation was NOT done correctly & took about 6 weeks to sort despite my continuing contact with the company to sort. They basically were ignoring me & I finally got things sorted when I was able to get the inverter manufcturer in Christchurch to sort. Everything worked very well then until I had an issue with my WiFi code & I have been waiting for 2 weeks to have this rectified. After sales service is appalling!!"

Comments on the system performance: "Pretty much as expected & I am happy with the technology with the exception of my previous comments re the after sales service."

Advice: "Probably worth the investment now that the prices have come down over time."

Reg, Christchurch, Canterbury

Review Date: 19/09/2015

Size: 6.2 kW

Running for: 40 days

Comments on the installation: "Installers were very helpful, respectful and friendly. Main installation took less than two days."

Comments on the system performance: "The system has been performing very well so far with about a 50% reduction in our first power bill since installation."

Advice: "A 50 % reduction in our power bill is a much better return on our money than the paltry interest paid on savings from the bank."

Derek, Christchurch, Canterbury

Review Date: 07/07/2015

Size: 3 kW

Running for: 12 days

Comments on the installation: "Researched on the web and got 5 quotes. Went with World solar as they were by far the most economical and used quality components. They did a great job."

Comments on the system performance: "Only been 20 days in the darkest coldest part of the year but is producing on average 5.5 kWh per day which is about one third of our daily winter requirements. Hasn't come through on power bills yet, but will make a difference and will only get better as the weather improves."

Advice: "Research carefully, and don't get a system too big for your needs. Ours is probably a bit big for us at present (only 2 people) but want to get electric vehicle in near future so will suck up the extra power easily then. If you have to export too much to the grid you get very little back. (5.75c/kWh from Genesis )."

Tony, Selwyn, Canterbury

Review Date: 14/03/2015

Size: 5.1 kW, 20 x 255W panels with Enasolar inverta plus immerSUN self-consumption controller

Running for: 3 months

Comments on the installation: "Installers very respectful and courtious. Job done 2 days."

Comments on the system performance: "Solar Living" are Christchurch based and the dialogue has been perfect. I believe they have gone beyound what is expected of a Company. After seeing the performance of Solar Electric pannels they should be compulsary for every new build. Government could do more to promote this energy source."

Advice: ""Solar Living" are Christchurch based and the dialogue has been perfect. I believe they have gone beyound what is expected of a Company. After seeing the performance of Solar Electric pannels they should be compulsary for every new build. Government could do more to promote this energy source."

Shannon, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 02/03/2015

Size: 3.24 kW

Running for: 1 month

Comments on the installation: "Great team of guys from Ashburton who installed for Harrisons"

Comments on the system performance: "It's going well, north aspect averaging 13kwh per day. Have not had a power bill as homegen was only recently installed. Delta who install these let the process down and the solar industry needs to find some other company who can provide a better service."

Advice: "Why wait, start saving now."

Irvin, Christchurch, Canterbury

Review Date: 09/01/2015

Size: 3kW

Running for: Had 1st power account with meter installed

Comments on the installation: "Great communication and job well done in 3 hours including new switchboard in garage."

Comments on the system performance: "Saved $100 the first month"

Advice: "I was surprised how the power goes up and down when cloudy and sunny."

Graham, Timaru, Canterbury

Review Date: 10/11/2014

Size: 2kW

Running for: 3 months

Comments on the installation: "They were very efficient and respectful.They only took about 2 and a half hours to instal the panels."

Comments on the system performance: "I presume we have been saving money but Contact energy haven't installed an import/export meter as yet."

Advice: "I was going to install more panels but as Contact energy have reduced the buyback rate I am having second thoughts."

Allen, Ashburton, Canterbury

Review Date: 22/10/2014

Size: 5.1kW

Running for: 3 months

Comments on the installation: "The installation went very well and was completed in 2 1/2 days. The installers did an excellent job and left the property clean and tidy.'

Comments on the system performance: "It has been 2 months since the export meter was installed, since then we have imported 980kw and exported 870 kw. We are more than happy with the performance especially since it was middle of winter to early spring."

Advice: "Power will never be cheaper than it was yesterday so now is the best time to start thinking; my wife and me are pleased we made the decision."

Karen, Waimakariri , Canterbury

Review Date: 31/08/2014

Size: 5kW

Running for: 1 months

Comments on the installation: "The installers, were respectfull, helpfull and worked quickly and cleanly."

Comments on the system performance: "As yet unknown because although system up and running, it was Contact who didn't "complete" by installing new import /export meter untill begining of the month so have not been able to do comparisons yet."

Advice: "Common sense to do it if you can afford the initial out lay. Power is only going to increase in cost, and I prefer my money in my bank not the power company's."

Neil, Timaru, Canterbury

Review Date: 30/06/2014

Size: 3.2kW

Running for: 9 months

Comments on the installation: "Very good installers. Installers placed cardboard on the lawn so it would not cut up and carpet on the roof where they were walking over and working on. The intial installation took 2 days.  Had to wait for the Lines Company to sign it off."

Comments on the system performance: "Very pleased with its performance. Currently my export total is 1999 KWHs and import total is 2171 KWHs You need to take account the poor weather we have had here in Timaru over the past 2 months. We only have a heatpump for heating.  At the end of April import total 1195 KWHs was and the export total was 1889 KWHs. I went into this looking for a return of more that 4.5% on my orginal investment of $12500, not what the pay back term would be!"

David, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 25/06/2014

Size: 5kW

Running for: 3 months

Comments on the system performance: "We saved money over the first month but as it was going into winter and it was the worst weather in Christchurch for many years there was not a great saving since."

Advice: "It is a great way to contribute to the CO2 savings for the country"