Home > Reviews From Solar Power System Owners
We have asked people that brought a solar power system after getting 3 quotes through My Solar Quotes how their solar power systems are going! We asked:
What size system did you install?
How long has your solar power system been running for?
How did you find the solar installation?
How have you found the performance of the solar power system?
Do you have any other comments that you would like to share with New Zealanders thinking about going solar?
Review Date: 30/03/2025
Size: 5.28Kw
Running for: two Months
Expected return on investment: 50%
Expected pay back period: 12 - 14 Years
Comments on the installation: "Installers were very professional at all times and very respectful of ourselves and property. For the distance they came, installation was done over two days. "
Comments on the system performance: "Performance of the system is meeting our expectations. For the two months it has been in operation we have not paid a bill yet and we are in credit on our first power bill, and we are due for our second bill shortly and we expect to be in credit again."
Advice: "I would suggest they get soler. If they can afford to do so. Plus, battery backup. "
Review Date: 13/03/2025
Size: 5kw
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: No idea
Expected pay back period: No idea
Comments on the installation: "They were fantastic. Super respectful and informative. "
Comments on the system performance: "Yeah it's pretty good. Changed part companies at the same time which turned into a nightmare."
Advice: "Nope "
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."
Review Date: 23/02/2025
Size: 5kW
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: not sure
Expected pay back period: 7 years
Comments on the installation: "Excellent performance "
Comments on the system performance: "This January half of last January. But dependent on good deal with Meridian"
Advice: "Get at least three quotes"
Review Date: 19/02/2025
Size: 12kW
Running for: 4 weeks
Expected return on investment: 16%
Expected pay back period: 7 years
Comments on the installation: "No issues, very helpful installers. Took around 6 hours to install. "
Comments on the system performance: "Yes, works well. The enphase system is great. With the app you can monitor each panel and get live info on generation. Our power bill for February so far is -$35"
Advice: "The enphase micro inverter system as supplied in Marlborough by Goodyer Solar is just perfect for our situation. No extra EMF in the garage and no cooling fan noise. "
Review Date: 12/02/2025
Size: 5kW
Running for: 3 months
Expected return on investment: 15
Expected pay back period: 6
Comments on the installation: "The install took 4 installers 3.5 hours which was unbelievably quick with the system operational when they left"
Comments on the system performance: "Absolutely saved on power bills. In 76 days it's generated 2530 kW, I've consumed 514 kW from the panels and 182 kW from the grid, so I've exported 2014 unis. I am in credit each month and am $450 towards recovering the cost of the system "
Advice: "Don't be fooled into going for battery storage. Ascertain how many units you average from the grid daily, in our case, it's less than 3 (may change in winter months), so you would never recover the cost $15k cost of at battery if it costs you $1 day for units from the grid."
Review Date: 28/01/2025
Size: 5kw
Running for: 1 day
Expected return on investment: 100
Expected pay back period: 10
Comments on the installation: "Solar installations happened within a day as expected. "
Comments on the system performance: "We can go off grid with Tesla powerwall attached to solar panels"
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 "
Review Date: 04/01/2025
Size: 8kW
Running for: 4 Weeks
Expected return on investment: To early to estimate
Comments on the installation: "Every Lightforce employee that we had contact with was friendly polite and hard working, the installation was completed within two days."
Comments on the system performance: "Even though we are at the peak period for sunlight the power produced is higher than we expected. We looking forwards to our first power bill "
Advice: "It makes sense with the likely increase in gas prices. also cost and supply of electricity as we become more reliant on it for domestic and transport."
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"
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. "
Review Date: 11/12/2024
Size: 16 panels
Running for: 6 weeks
Expected return on investment: Ask me in 12 months
Expected pay back period: Hope for 7 years - ask me in 12 months
Comments on the installation: "excellent"
Comments on the system performance: "Excellent. Power output as expected. Yes, big saving especially with change of provider, Pulse to Meridien"
Advice: "My wife and I are 80 and we installed the solar because, even though we may not live to see the system pay for itself, we view it as a transfer of capital which is recoverable when the house is sold; additionally we are insulate against the expected increase in power prices."
Review Date: 01/12/2024
Size: 20.3kw
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: Not sure but best decision ever
Expected pay back period: 5-6 years
Comments on the installation: "Amazing took ages from payment to installation but when started was a week"
Comments on the system performance: "Even on a cloudy day we get solar "
Advice: "Do it now especially northland amazing An adaption to using power in day but why we didn't do it sooner I don't know "
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."
Review Date: 29/10/2024
Size: 6
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: 50
Expected pay back period: 7
Comments on the installation: "Yes very good to deal with"
Comments on the system performance: "Solar not working as expected, problem with import/export meter that is taking a while to resolve"
Review Date: 27/10/2024
Size: 5 Kw
Running for: 2 months
Expected return on investment: 3%
Expected pay back period: 25
Comments on the installation: "They were very good. No issues and did not take long"
Comments on the system performance: "It has exceeded expectation to date and produced more power than expected. However, once a full year is completed will be the real test. So far we have not used the grid at all so has saved us the whole power bill and has put back into the grid. Having a battery enables this to occur."
Advice: "Shop around and do the research. Don't necessarily go for the cheapest but the one that will meet your needsnot only now but make sure it is future proofed. As in have more capacity than you think you need at presant."
Review Date: 22/10/2024
Size: 7kw
Running for: 24 days
Expected pay back period: Not sure
Comments on the installation: "The installers were amazing and professional"
Comments on the system performance: "Awaiting our first power bill but system appears to be operating well "
Advice: "The system was `installed by Hilo Electrical through Zen Energy and i couldn't find any fault with there service and advice. "
Review Date: 16/10/2024
Size: 6kW with 16 solar panels
Running for: 5 weeks
Expected return on investment: Unsure
Expected pay back period: 8 years
Comments on the installation: "Installers very professional, courteous and hardworking."
Comments on the system performance: "Really impressed by performance so far. Forecast cost was $210 for month (August/ September) and cost was $136. Solar was only switched on for 20 days of the bill."
Advice: "Go solar."
Review Date: 09/10/2024
Size: 5kw
Running for: 2 Months
Expected return on investment: Not sure
Expected pay back period: 6 years
Comments on the installation: "Harrisons were excellent, the process was calm and not forceful at all. "
Comments on the system performance: "The system is working well. We are making changes every month and we are saving more every month. "
Advice: "Do it, if you manage it correctly you will save money. "
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."
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."
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."
Review Date: 07/08/2024
Size: 6kWp
Running for: 1 month
Expected return on investment: No idea
Expected pay back period: No idea
Comments on the installation: "Installers great job with a tricky install"
Comments on the system performance: "Producing more than anticipated for the time of year"
Advice: "Just do it. It's not just about ROI, a solar installation increases the value of your property, saves the planet and reduces your reliance on NZ's screwed electricity market."
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."
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