Solar System Review: 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. "