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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?


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. "

Paul, Waitakere City, Auckland

Paul

Review Date: 24/09/2022

Size: 8.58

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: 5.3

Expected pay back period: 15 years

Comments on the installation: "Excellent. Value proposition. Professional, friendly and knowledgeable sales, installation and back up staff. Two weeks from signing contract to completed installation. Installation was done very professionally and property was left tidy. Very satisfied and will definitely recommend the company."

Comments on the system performance: "System performing delivering double the proposal power. Have saved $150 per month and this is in a particularly wet Winter. Cannot wait for clear weather to be constant."

Advice: "As the weather becomes more intense/severe in both Summer and Winter and we increasingly use our heating and cooling appliances, not only will it be increasingly costly, the power grid is going to come under pressure to deliver, so secure your supply by installing solar now before the rush."

Grant, Tauranga, Bay Of Plenty

Review Date: 22/09/2022

Size: 7kW

Running for: 1 week

Expected return on investment: ?

Expected pay back period: ?

Comments on the installation: "Installation is fine. Installation was long and protracted due to an out of town installer, Covid, supply issues, weather, and communication difficulties. "

Comments on the system performance: "System working well. Not had a power bill yet."

Advice: "Should have done this sooner."

Jullian , Waimakariri, Canterbury

Review Date: 04/08/2022

Size: 5.6

Running for: 10 weeks

Expected return on investment: 12

Expected pay back period: 8

Comments on the installation: "Fantastic service from all, completed in two days"

Comments on the system performance: "Excellent"

Paul, Western Bay of Plenty, Bay Of Plenty

Review Date: 27/07/2022

Size: 4.8kw

Running for: 1 month

Expected return on investment: 5%

Expected pay back period: 11yrs

Comments on the installation: "Yes very respectful. Shipping delay for inverter meant the installation was done in two visits a month apart but this wasn't caused by the installing company, more a reflection of the times with supply issues everywhere."

Comments on the system performance: "Saved about $60 on my monthly power bill in first month but this was mid-June to mid-July so output from the solar would be at its lowest for the year. Saving was expected for this time of year but hoping for more output as the seasons change."

Advice: "You need ot have load which can be used during the period of output from the panels. Hot water is a good example - fit a timer so that the hot water cylinder is only on during periods of possible solar output. Spa pools and under-floor heating are other examples of load which can be scheduled to run during periods of the day when solar is likely to be operating."

Luke, Hamilton, Waikato

Review Date: 15/07/2022

Size: 6.2

Running for: 8 weeks

Expected return on investment: 8%

Expected pay back period: 12 years

Comments on the installation: "Yes they were pretty good, took a few days "

Comments on the system performance: "All seems to be working well however they decided to install the panels at 90 degrees compared to the design spec as it was easier for them, in hindsight I wish I hadn’t let them do it as it has resulted in more shading impact which has reduced performance."

Advice: "Batteries are overpriced but would add value to the system"

Ram, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 14/07/2022

Size: 5kw

Running for: 1 month

Expected pay back period: 10yrs

Comments on the installation: "Yes and they did it in 6 hrs"

Comments on the system performance: "Savings depends on the weather"

Advice: "It is a option for alternative energy."

DEBBIE, Rotorua, Bay Of Plenty

Review Date: 08/06/2022

Size: 5kw

Running for: 1mth

Expected return on investment: 17.5%

Expected pay back period: 8yrs

Comments on the installation: "Awaiting concent from Unison was painful took over a month. Tradies for job were awesome."

Comments on the system performance: "$150+ cheaper"

Advice: "Change to solar now"

Brian, Far North, Northland

Review Date: 19/05/2022

Size: 8.5

Running for: 3 weeks

Expected return on investment: 8%

Expected pay back period: 9 years

Comments on the installation: "Very pleased with there manner and installation was very fast"

Comments on the system performance: "To early to know but pleased with the amount of KW been produced"

Advice: "So far very pleased"

Lesley, Nelson, Nelson/Tasman

Lesley

Review Date: 08/05/2022

Size: 3.95kWp

Running for: One month

Expected return on investment: 15%-20%

Expected pay back period: 5-6 years

Comments on the installation: "The installation was done in one day. The installers were respectful, although, their movement on the roof may have loosened some bolts."

Comments on the system performance: "The system has been working as it should. We have only had one bill and we went from 506 kWh in the previous month to 413kWh. The bill is further reduced by the solar rebate."

Advice: "There is a learning period for when to use appliances and charging the car while the panels are producing. The Fronius app allows you to see the use versus the production. "

Hugh, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Hugh

Review Date: 15/03/2022

Size: 4.8kw

Running for: 4 months

Expected return on investment: 10%

Expected pay back period: 10yrs

Comments on the installation: "Great installers, nice people. It did not take long to install the panels, a day I think."

Comments on the system performance: "Yes they are producing about as much as I expected and we are getting a minimum $100 per month saving on power usage costs"

Advice: "Do it and don't wait too long. It is a good feeling knowing you are doing something good for the country and yourself and the environment as well as seeing and following and managing your power usage. Our panels are black on a black roof and we don't even notice them on our roof when we walk and drive past the house."

Jayant, Auckland City, Auckland

Review Date: 10/02/2022

Size: I installed at 7.2kW syStem.

Running for: 3 months.

Expected return on investment: 6-7%

Expected pay back period: 7-8 years

Comments on the installation: "Took 1 day, they were good."

Comments on the system performance: "The company I used was great. They have met my expectations."

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. "

Greg, Selwyn, Canterbury

Review Date: 10/01/2022

Size: 5kw

Running for: 3 months

Expected return on investment: unknown

Expected pay back period: eight years at todays electricty prices.

Comments on the installation: "Turned up on time, polite, good communication, efficient, no mess. Very easy process."

Comments on the system performance: "More than I expected."

Advice: "Rather than upsizing inverter, have more panels so you can achieve max output for longer periods. "

Mike, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 19/12/2021

Size: 5kw

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: 10%

Expected pay back period: 8

Comments on the installation: "They were highly efficient and respectful at all time"

Comments on the system performance: "Too early to say. Weather has been patchy. Many cloudy days. Basically we get enough from export to cover our night rate use when we hear hot water, washing machine etc"

Advice: "We used World Solar. Completely recommend them"

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."

Michael , Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 13/12/2021

Size: 4.75

Running for: 3 months

Expected return on investment: 40

Expected pay back period: 7 yrs

Comments on the installation: "Installers were very professional and polite, clearing all mess and completing with in the day "

Comments on the system performance: "Performance going well despite many cloudy days, power produced as expected, will be interesting to see what the performance is like in winter, saved 60% on electricity bills on average "

Advice: "Ensure you get at least 4 quotes and compare installation process- several took there time to respond to site visits. Ensure you get a large enough system to save on bills "

Rosemary, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 03/12/2021

Size: 14 panels - around 5kw

Running for: just over a month

Expected pay back period: 8 to 10 years

Comments on the installation: "it took a day but there were a couple of issues to sort out"

Comments on the system performance: "Yes, halved it currently (but it is summer so don't expect it will save much in winter)"

Advice: "I am very happy with it - plus the hot water diverter shows power usage and has made everyone a bit more conscious about it"

Catherine, Far North, Northland

Review Date: 27/11/2021

Size: 3.68kw

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: it will not return on investment but was done for environmental reasons and has saved around $20-30 per month

Expected pay back period: N/A

Comments on the installation: "Very efficient, very knowledgeable and good communication."

Comments on the system performance: "saving $20-30 per month on electricity plus send around $10 per month to grid"

Advice: "With interest rates very low at the moment, the monthly saving on the electricity bill has been worth it and it is good for environmental reasons."

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"

Brian, Tasman, Nelson/Tasman

Review Date: 27/10/2021

Size: 8kw

Running for: 2months

Expected return on investment: 5-8%

Comments on the installation: "Solar sure excellent done what they said they would do on time."

Comments on the system performance: "To early to comment"

Advice: "Do your home work. Keep away from suppliers who want to quote over the phone or net. Deal with suppliers who don use sub contractors. (All work done by own staff)"

Tania, Western Bay of Plenty, Bay Of Plenty

Review Date: 05/10/2021

Size: 5kW

Running for: 2 months

Comments on the installation: "It was fantastic service, efficent and great communication"

Comments on the system performance: "Too soon to tell"

Anura, Kaipara, Northland

Anura

Review Date: 06/09/2021

Size: 5k W

Running for: 11 months

Expected return on investment: 60

Expected pay back period: 6 -7

Comments on the installation: "yes they were. first 1 hour to check location to install items and the second day all done. Third time came for a further check up on the system to ensure it is working well. "

Comments on the system performance: "Brilliant. Savings by solar energy use as well as sale of units to the grid. Everyone should go for solar. "

Advice: "Conduct research on which installer (company) is good as there are a few who do not know quite well. Get a good quote and go to install. My other recommendation is to install battery system too. I did not do it that time but geared to do so now."

Chris, Hamilton, Waikato

Review Date: 17/08/2021

Size: 4.5 kW

Running for: 6 weeks

Expected pay back period: 8-10 years

Comments on the installation: "The company (Harrisons) we went with were great. Installation was very smooth and took one day. No problems encountered. A slight delay in hooking up to the import/export meter but that wasn't the installers fault, just coordinating everything."

Comments on the system performance: "All working smoothly. The app has been helpful in changing our power using habits where we can to maximise solar use. Our installation happened in mid winter so we are realistic about power savings but on good days we are getting 12-16 kWh, so very happy with that. We have only had one full power bill so a bit early to suggest savings but we are using most of w hat we generate and still definitely exporting power."

Advice: "It is a significant upfront cost that would be tricky for some people, but for us it was easy, we are committed to it for environmental reasons, and we are very happy how it is going so far. "