Reviews From Solar Power System Owners

Sascha, Upper Hutt, Wellington

Review Date: 15/05/2018

Size: 4kW

Running for: 3 months

Expected return on investment: 45%

Expected pay back period: 8 years

Comments on the installation: "Overall went well. Had to wait nearly 2 months for the wifi modules due to high demand"

Comments on the system performance: "Yes"

Advice: "I recommend doing it if people have the money available. If you need a credit then it's maybe not worth it financially. And remember you need change some of your behaviours wilt solar to make best use of it."

Anita, Far North, Northland

Review Date: 08/04/2018

Size: 4kw 14 panels

Running for: 6 weeks

Expected return on investment: Excellent

Expected pay back period: 10-12 as we have batteries too

Comments on the installation: "Hubands Energy in Whangarei was the first one to contact us when we did the 3 quote on website. Never heard from any one else, but totally happy we got a local company to install it!"

Comments on the system performance: "Far North, great sunshine hours, logic to try and make use of the sun.Power bill $24....... hoping for less next time!!!"

Advice: "Easy to do washing while the sun shines or power up your gadgets while the sun is out as you know it is not going to cost!!"

Anna, Dunedin, Otago

Review Date: 27/03/2018

Size: 3kW

Running for: Ten weeks

Expected return on investment: 10%pa

Expected pay back period: Ten

Comments on the installation: "All good except several weeks later than expected due to various holiday period holdups from different services "

Comments on the system performance: "Good but rather than saving it is so far costing the same as before- this is because we are connected to the grid and the placement of the array was geared towards peak production - to save money it would have been better to spread the array around the peak use (eg after school homework washing and cooking time is currently just when our production has dropped). Neither the quotes, installers nor power company fully explained the charge out system (ie everyone had explained that we would pay on the net difference- even the trustpower operator I spoke to to double check used this approach to estimate our expected bills post installation) the fact that we are charged separately for imports and exports and at such a differing rate have meant effectively no savings have been made as yet. This month I am trialling running household chores such as laundry and vacuuming only when generating sufficient current to aim for our hopes for 10% savings."

Advice: "As there really hasn't been any financial benefit, I wonder if our greenish government could look at ways to actually make this a financially viable set up. It should be better for the country to be a solar generator connected to the grid but as this is not the case, we are considering going off grid - which is not nearly as environmentally friendly but may make this whole exercise worth supporting "

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."

Doug , Franklin, Auckland

Review Date: 21/03/2018

Size: 3.6kW

Running for: 6 weeks

Expected return on investment: Cost $8.5k, expect payoff in <5 years

Expected pay back period: 5 years

Comments on the installation: "Yes, took great care. One day to install."

Comments on the system performance: "Last power bill was $1. Unbelievable!"

Advice: "I should have installed 20 panels rather than 12. Would have cost $2500 extra but would be money well spent."

Steve, New Plymouth, Taranaki

Review Date: 01/03/2018

Size: 4kW

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: 8%

Expected pay back period: 14

Comments on the installation: "good-no issues, very quick, 3 days work total"

Comments on the system performance: "bills have reduced by 50%"

Advice: "Make sure your system has good connectivity for monitoring"

Susan, Manukau City, Auckland

Review Date: 10/01/2018

Size: 2.7kW

Running for: 2 months

Expected pay back period: 10 years

Comments on the installation: "So easy. One day and all done. No mess. No fuss. "

Comments on the system performance: "Perfect time to install for the good weather at beginning of summer. We have saved about $100 per month. 1/3 if our bill. But it is summer in Auckland, won't be so good when it rains."

Advice: "Very happy with the results so far. Nice to be able to see what the solar is doing. Make sure you move your electric hot water to heating after 10am, and get maximum benefits from those sun rays. "

Dean, Waikato, Waikato

Review Date: 17/12/2017

Size: 5 kW

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: 20%

Expected pay back period: 6 years

Comments on the installation: "Excellent, one day, done"

Comments on the system performance: "Too early to say yet"

Steve, Waipa, Waikato

Review Date: 30/11/2017

Size: 5.13

Running for: 2wks

Expected return on investment: not sure as havent had an account yet

Expected pay back period: 8years

Comments on the installation: "no problems 2days for install"

Comments on the system performance: "have to wait for first bill"

Advice: "inverter has fan which can be noisy so position this with that in mind"

Graeme , Auckland City, Auckland

Review Date: 23/11/2017

Size: 4.5

Running for: 3 months

Expected return on investment: 10%

Expected pay back period: 12-15

Comments on the installation: "Very respectful, very clear presentations"

Comments on the system performance: "Saving nearly 50% at presnet"

Advice: "The company I selected dropped the price 20% when a competitor gave me a better price. Pretty disconcerting!"

Malcolm, Auckland City, Auckland

Review Date: 20/10/2017

Size: 3kW

Running for: 3.5mth

Expected return on investment: not important

Expected pay back period: not important

Comments on the installation: "install was earlier than expected. Everything went up very quickly. Minor issue with monitoring wiring sorted at a later date. Had to wait nearly 2 weeks for sign off etc."

Comments on the system performance: "System produces power but saving occur mainly on weekend as normally not at home when full sun is available. Extra is exported at present."

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."

Mickie, Manukau City, Auckland

Review Date: 06/09/2017

Size: 5kW

Running for: 1 month

Expected return on investment: zero

Comments on the installation: "The installers did a great job and sure they look after my property. It took them one day for installation but took 3 week for the inspector to signed off the system"

Comments on the system performance: "The solar power unit performed very well but it broke down after a month & now waiting for a replacement"

Advice: "Is a great investment. "

Wayne, Wellington, Wellington

Review Date: 15/08/2017

Size: 4.43 kW

Running for: 3 weeks

Expected return on investment: 100%

Expected pay back period: 15

Comments on the installation: "Good - took a little longer than expected due to delay on batteries. But still all good"

Comments on the system performance: "Not really enough time to tell. Performance seems ok but weather hasn't been best"

Advice: "I recommend everyone should at least consider solar and see if their property is suitable. "

La Mea , Franklin, Auckland

Review Date: 29/05/2017

Size: 5kw

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: not sure

Expected pay back period: 10 years

Comments on the installation: "Found them on the internet. The guys were very pleasant and mindful of our property. You could not wish for nicer guys."

Comments on the system performance: "The solar has been producing between 6 and 21 kws a day depending on the weather. We saved $100 on our first power bill."

Advice: "It is the best thing we could have done."

James, Rodney, Auckland

Review Date: 11/05/2017

Size: 5kw

Running for: Two weeks

Expected return on investment: Greater than 50%

Expected pay back period: 8yrs

Comments on the installation: "Excellent service, very helpful."

Comments on the system performance: "To early to tell but seems to generating well."

Advice: "Think seriously about installing a solar panel system. "

David, Hauraki, Waikato

Review Date: 20/04/2017

Size: 4kw?

Running for: Beginning 2017, but had to wait for export meter to be installed. That was in March.

Expected return on investment: About $50+ per month

Expected pay back period: About 10 years

Comments on the installation: "Half a day to put 8 panels and connect it all. Then the wait for the meter."

Comments on the system performance: "Anything from $30-$100. Per month."

Advice: "Once all connected it gives you peace of mind. And when you go on holiday you save even more"

Allan, Waitaki, Otago

Review Date: 11/04/2017

Size: 4kw

Running for: We have 2 systems, 4kw & 5kw. 5kw on house, 2+years and 4kw on ablution block,1 month.

Expected return on investment: for me its not returns but savings, house. $100 power bills average, hot tub 24/7 and 4 caravan points

Expected pay back period: pay back, not interested, its how much money needed for power bill

Comments on the installation: "world solar, great, 2.5 hours"

Comments on the system performance: "house 5kw has produced 8500kws"

Advice: "Power companies. Trust Power 7day delay to install Import/export meter. Contact Energy 1 month"

Paul, Waipa, Waikato

Review Date: 04/04/2017

Size: 3kw

Running for: about 4 weeks

Comments on the installation: "The installers (Harrisons - Solar Waikato Ltd.) were excellent: great communication; on time; clear explanation of the process of installation; polite; follow up to see we were happy. The only hick-up has been with the lines company that is to up-date the meter. Despite being informed immediately that the installation had been completed we were not contacted until just over a week ago that they would be installing in "a couple of weeks". Still do not have a firm day/time."

Comments on the system performance: "Not been going long enough to have had an effect on our last bill."

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."

Heidi, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga

Review Date: 15/12/2016

Size: 4.8 kW

Running for: 2 Months

Comments on the installation: "Great, didn't take long."

Comments on the system performance: "We haven't monitored it properly yet as we've been too busy but I think it has."

Advice: "Do it and buy an electric car! We run ours off solar when the sun is out and have no running costs."

Lyn, Invercargill

Review Date: 28/11/2016

Size: 5 kW

Running for: 4 Months

Comments on the installation: "5 days from first contact and only 4 hours to install. Very respectful of their environmental."

Comments on the system performance: "First inverter was faulty but the replaced one is producing plenty. 4 months on and I'm in credit with power company."

Advice: "Don't think, just do. Your future is secured."

Tim, Auckland

Review Date: 27/11/2016

Size: 2 kW

Running for: 2 Months

Comments on the installation: "Very quick and easy installation."

Comments on the system performance: "The performance of my system as been outstanding. My power bill has dropped from $260 a month to just $95 for last month."

Advice: "It is a great investment - really worth having."

Lewis, Gisborne

Review Date: 01/11/2016

Size: 4.5 kW

Running for: 2.5 Months

Comments on the installation: "The installation was carried out by two very good installers, they did the job in good time and they were respectful of the property."

Comments on the system performance: "On days when we have had full sunshine the system has produced a lot of power. Considerable less on dull days but still good. We have saved around $100 per month on our power bill."

Advice: "The decision to install solar panels has been the right one, due to the area we live in they well continue to save us money."