Reviews From Solar Power System Owners

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."

Mark , South Wairarapa, Wellington

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 "

guy, Kapiti Coast, Wellington

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"

Graeme, Porirua, Wellington

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. "

Andrew, Wellington, Wellington

Review Date: 17/09/2024

Size: 4.4

Running for: 3 months

Expected return on investment: 7 to 8%

Expected pay back period: 10 years

Comments on the installation: "The install went well, tidy neat job."

Comments on the system performance: "The system was installed in middle of winter when light levels are the least and power output the lowest. It has been a good learning curve working how to maximize usage of the power generated. In the first week of September we had a negative daily power bill where the income of the export exceeded the cost of power used so oower company paid us. Our daily power bill in Sept is averaging between 50 cent to 1 dollar a day so more than halved. This will only get better as day length increases."

Advice: "big learning curves for me were a) even after sunset it can generate power. b) solar levels not linked to temperature. So cold sunny day in Aug can be used to warm house using solar. c) don't install panels flat as will get dirty quickly and not self clean in rain, d) get analytics of production and use, so can maximise savings, e) get heat pump connected to wifi so can control remotely to maximise use when producing excess power, e) get hot water timer to control when it heats to use solar."

Steven, Lower Hutt, Wellington

Review Date: 28/08/2024

Size: 4kW

Running for: 3 months

Expected pay back period: 9 years

Comments on the installation: "installation went well, all done in 2 days"

Comments on the system performance: "considering it is running in winter for the first time, I'm very happy with the result. saving over $100 per month compared to the same time last year"

Advice: "If you can afford even a small system, it makes a big difference. Electricity keeps going up in price, Solar is a great solution, especially if your nearing retirement and won't be able to afford more price increases when you retire."

Daniel, Upper Hutt, Wellington

Review Date: 05/08/2024

Size: 7400

Running for: 1 month

Expected return on investment: 109

Expected pay back period: 14

Comments on the installation: "The team were good, professional and courteous. Unfortunately there were delays in some of the equipment arriving meaning a gap of around 6 weeks from start to completion"

Comments on the system performance: "It is winter and early days so limited savings so far. Having said that, the battery means that we can significantly reduce peak use and charge from grid during off peak."

Advice: "It is well worth a look. Power will keep going up in cost so its good to insulate against that. We also had a local power outage and the EPS / battery back up kicked in so there was no disruption to kitchen appliances, internet, etc. so that part is also good to have."

Craig, Wellington, Wellington

Review Date: 26/12/2023

Size: 11 Panels circa 4.5kW

Running for: 3 months

Expected return on investment: 8-10 year payback; hard to gauge at this stage, need to see what the performance is during winter months

Expected pay back period: 8-10 year payback; hard to gauge at this stage, need to see what the performance is during winter months

Comments on the installation: "The installation process was average and the inspector deemed it "satisfactory". He was unsure why they chose not to place 5 of the panels on the north facing roof (Instead all 11 panels were installed on the east facing roof). The whole process was expected to take one day but took almost two full days."

Comments on the system performance: "We included a battery which has been hugely beneficial given our usage profile. In three months we have only had to take power from the grid 4 times (rainy / overcast weather) and only an average of 5KWh each time. Because we are also using surplus power to charge our new EV we estimate we are savings over $250 a month (a combination of generating our own power, selling surplus to the grid and no longer having to purchase fuel for the car). We have yet to top up our car from the grid so we're approaching 1,000km travelled at no cost to us!"

Advice: "Overall we are happy with the performance however until we see how the system performs over a full 12 month cycle it is way too early to gauge whether or not it is a good return on investment (& impossible at this stage to quantify the expected ROI). We like the independence it brings and the fact that during the last three months we have almost been fully self sufficient running our house and car from power we have generated through the solar system. I personally would only get solar panels installed if it's coupled with a battery; ours stores 10kWh which to date is perfect for our usage profile. "

Niki , Wellington, Wellington

Review Date: 23/12/2023

Size: 5kW inverter

Running for: 7 months

Expected return on investment: Don't know

Expected pay back period: Don't know

Comments on the installation: "They were excellent. Very respectful and aware that I was working from home so minimised the disruption."

Comments on the system performance: "My September power bill was nearly zero and I've been in credit since. I might even have enough credit by winter to cover my winter bills entirely!"

Advice: "It is an investment in not only your own future/independence but also New Zealand's. The more people creating their own power and even feeding the country's grid, the better. It makes you feel really good to be contributing."

Seamus, South Wairarapa, Wellington

Review Date: 26/09/2023

Size: 5.74

Running for: 10 weeks

Expected return on investment: 13%

Expected pay back period: 8 yrs

Comments on the installation: "Very respectful. 1st class service. "

Comments on the system performance: "Producing more than predicted. "

Advice: "Batteries still too expensive. "

Wayne, Wellington, Wellington

Review Date: 06/01/2023

Size: 4kW

Running for: 3 months

Expected return on investment: 9

Expected pay back period: 10

Comments on the installation: "Excellent team on time with everything up and running as planned."

Comments on the system performance: "Installed as daylight saving started so daylight hours were getting longer. On the best days the system generated 30kWh. On the worst day still more than 5kWh. So far I've halved my power bill even with the added power consumption brought about by charging my new EV!"

Advice: "With the energy supplier I signed with the solar buy back rate is 1 cent higher than the night rate I pay. This means my EV effectively cost nothing to run as I can charge my car using the night rate. I get to use all the excess power the system sends to the grid at at no extra cost. With my use profile there was no reason to add the cost of a system battery."

Bart, Wellington, Wellington

Review Date: 07/11/2022

Size: 11.7

Running for: 1 week

Expected return on investment: 10%

Expected pay back period: 10

Comments on the installation: "It took 5 days to get everything installed, though to be fair we installed two systems. They are yet to return to fix one of the roof penetrations as they went through a lap join which is guaranteed to leak to a custom flashing is to be made and installed to address this. I will not need to pay for the balance of the system until this work is completed (which is as it should be, so that is nice)."

Comments on the system performance: "It has produced roughly what I expected. I'm using SolCast to generate an expected output against which I can benchmark my output. So fair it's pretty good...."

Advice: "The process for installing solar is a major pain in the proverbial as the installation approach can be extremely drawn out. Once your panels are installed and commissioned they cannot be operated until they are "inspected" but the inspection cannot be booked until *after* the install is completed. If you engage a company that has their own (job independent) inspector this can be done immediately or with a day or two, otherwise there is a delay of a week or so for the request to get to the inspector and for them to call to make a time to do the checks, and that can then be 1 - 3 weeks out....so inspection can take as long as month from commissioning leaving your panels as an expensive roof ornament as you will need to pay for the completed installation eventhough you can't use them. In our case inspection took 2.5 weeks and the inspector was onsite for exactly 7 minutes, 37 seconds to check both systems. Then you get to the nightmare that is the meter change - there is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON why this cannot be scheduled immediately upon paying your deposit and completed PRIOR to the panels even being installed as the meter works like a regular meter when the sun isn't shining. But no. This cannot be requested until AFTER the system is commissioned - so a delay to get the request from the installer to the power company, a further delay for the power company to call you to confirm the details, then a delay for the power company to pass it on to the meter company, an 8 wait for the metering company to call to make a time, and then the time they give you? Six weeks away! So from the point of commissioning to the export meter going in will be more than EIGHT weeks....which is hopeless. Silver lining is that Octopus will pay for your solar credits in the absence of a meter if you can prove your generated output....less self consumption obviously presumably based on historical consumption (in my case I can measure the returned energy exactly so this will be straightforward). Recommended changes: Inspection and meter change should be booked early and in the case of the meter done in advance; yes, in some cases the inspection will need to be rebooked and some customers may experience a delay, but that's better than every customer waiting weeks. As for the meter change...what a shambles. "

Richard, Wellington, Wellington

Review Date: 29/01/2022

Size: 7kWh

Running for: 6 weeks

Expected return on investment: None set

Expected pay back period: Not focused on this aspect as also considering environmental aspects.

Comments on the installation: "Installation took two days. More complicated than I expected. Also, be aware that it can take another 4-6 weeks after installation before the system is approved to run and import/export meter installed by electricity retailer."

Comments on the system performance: "Producing in line with system specifications. Saving about $7-10 per day (December and January)."

Advice: "I am very satisfied with the system. It is producing good savings and has made me more conscious of electricity use. No regrets. Would have been good to know that the full process from installation to power generation is a bit longer than expected. I would definitely encourage others to go solar. "

Murray, Masterton, Wellington

Review Date: 13/12/2021

Size: 5kW

Running for: 2 months

Expected pay back period: 10 years

Comments on the installation: "Great experience with the installers. Took 1 day."

Comments on the system performance: "Been as expected. Saving about $30 a month to date. Should do better over summer."

Advice: "The installation was very professional from the panel installers to the electrician. Our intention is to add battery backup in the future. Would recommend solar installation."

Shaun, Masterton, Wellington

Review Date: 26/11/2021

Size: 5kW

Running for: 2months

Expected return on investment: 10

Expected pay back period: 13 years

Comments on the installation: "Yes great installers. worked well"

Comments on the system performance: "Working well. our power bills are now a 3rd"

Advice: "Solarman was great"

Barbara and John, Carterton, Wellington

Review Date: 22/01/2021

Size: 3.3

Running for: From 27 Nov 2020

Expected return on investment: not considered

Expected pay back period: 100% over 6 to 7 years

Comments on the installation: "Great installers. Completed within a day and tidied up after all the work. Recommend."

Comments on the system performance: "The weather has been mixed and not a reflection of a normal summer. We are definitely saving money on the actual power bill with it about halved."

Advice: "You will save money on your power bill, you will recover the costs of installation in under ten years and solar will add to the value of your home when you come to sell. All valid but this was also our "green" decision."

Andy, Kapiti Coast, Wellington

Review Date: 13/09/2019

Size: 4kW

Running for: 3 months

Expected return on investment: Not yet determined

Expected pay back period: Not yet determined

Comments on the installation: "Installers were good. The whole process took a bit longer than expected but was up and running in a couple of weeks."

Comments on the system performance: "The solar system is producing about the amount of power I expected. However, as we've a 3 phase system, the process set up by Electricity Authority provides that each phase is treated separately and there isn't a netting of imports and exports. This results in net power exported on each phase being compensated for separately and net power consumed on each phase being charged separately. If you have a 3 phase power installation the best way to take advantage of all solar power generated is to install a 3 phase battery, which costs more than the rest of the solar installation. "

Advice: "If you've a 3 phase system the only ways you can take advantage of the majority of your solar generated power are: 1. have a 3 phase inverter and a 3 phase battery 2. only have the inverter on the phase that has the greatest load. You may need to shift the load around the phases. A 3 phase battery would have cost us around $14k, which is $2k greater than the cost of the solar array and inverter. In most parts of Australia in 3 phase domestic systems all the power generated is netted off from that used providing much greater savings to the owner. As the NZ system is set up now it is a real bonus for the power companies as, with 3 phase systems, they're getting quite a lot more solar generated power that is difficult for the person generating to use. Also, I've found I need to be more organised to take advantage of solar power doing things like running the dishwasher during the day and running as many other items that use considerable power also during daylight hours. If some items are on the same phase then you might look to stagger when they're operating."

Janine, Lower Hutt, Wellington

Review Date: 19/02/2019

Size: 6.7kw solar with 10.24kw lithium batteries

Running for: a month

Expected return on investment: N/A - not in the equation (I don't expect a return on the investment of my car so why should I with solar?)

Expected pay back period: N/A - again, more interested in independence and peace of mind

Comments on the installation: "The installer was great but we had our share (and more) of teething problems and delays with the installation and getting the system to run as it should. There were a few communication problems initially, but overall we are very happy with our solar team."

Comments on the system performance: "It produces more than we can use, but we are still having problems in that the battery is currently only charging to 77%. However, we expect that to be adjusted soon. Even with that restriction, we have been totally self sufficient for the past month, which is great as we generally use around 1,000kw a month this time of year."

Advice: "It is a big up front cost, but having the security of knowing we are not dependent on power companies for our power in these uncertain times is also big. Being able to see how much power individual appliances use and how much energy is produced by the panels throughout the day is also helping us to use power much more effectively - so we win both ways. "

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."

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. "

John, Upper Hutt, Wellington

Review Date: 27/09/2016

Size: 5.2 kW (we wanted to maximise the use of the garage roof space)

Running for: 2 Months

Comments on the installation: "Very painless installation, very respectful installers, took two days due to the weather. I would recommend that people seriously consider "What Power Crisis" (our installer)."

Comments on the system performance: "The system is performing as expected. We are saving money on our power bills. I think it has reduced them by a third. So far this month (September) we have generated an average of 11.1 kw each day."

Advice: "I would recommend considering going solar. I think picking the right supply plan is important. Our hot water is on a timer for daytime heating only, as is the deep freeze in the garage."

Rick, Wellington

Review Date: 12/05/2016

Size: 1 kW

Running for: 2.5months

Comments on the installation: "The installers were very good and the install was pretty quick."

Comments on the system performance: "Because of the time of year it was installed it has not really produced to full capacity yet. It has saved us a small amount of money so far but is within our expectations."

Advice: "I definitely think it was worthwhile and I'm looking forward to battery technology improving and becoming affordable enough for energy storage to become feasible."

Andrew, Wellington

Review Date: 27/06/2016

Size: 2 kW

Running for: 2 Weeks

Comments on the installation: "The installers and salesperson were awesome. Responded quickly to any concerns or issues."

Comments on the system performance: "It's too early to know yet."

Advice: "I would have liked more information on, for example, analysing our power use and how to make the best use of our system. For example, are there user groups to join to ask questions."

Terry, Porirua, Wellington

Review Date: 07/02/2016

Size: 2kW

Running for: 1.5 months

Comments on the installation: "I was most impressed with the efficiency and expertise displayed by the representatives of What Power Crisis who did the installation. The actual physical work was done in half a day, but Trustpower took several weeks to arrange and complete the electrical connection."

Comments on the system performance: "It has been almost continuously putting out slightly over 2kW per day, obviously due to a magnificent spell of weather in Wellington!"

Advice: "I can't wait for a suitable storage device to be developed so that I can cut my ties with Trustpower completely, I find the seven cents a kWh I get back from them an insult when they are charging me about 30 cents for what they sell to me."