Reviews From Solar Power System Owners

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."

Chris, Nelson/Tasman

Review Date: 29/09/2016

Size: 2.34 kW

Running for: 3 Months

Comments on the installation: "Installers turned up when they said they would. Carried out the total job in a couple of hours which was impressive."
Comments on the system performance: "As the days get longer we see an increase in production of course. During the winter months, believe we have saved at least 30% on our power bills, but as this is a new house with electric only heating, it could be an even higher saving."
Advice: "Due to low buy back rates in New Zealand, believe solar investment gives the best return only if you can use your appliances (e.g., dishwasher, washing machine, iron, vacuum cleaner, oven) during the hours of production - pre-programming on appliances makes this quite possible even if you're not at home during the day. Love the idea of reducing our carbon footprint, but think there should be more incentives for more people to do so."

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."

Charles, Waimakariri, Canterbury

Review Date: 04/09/2016

Size: 4 kW

Running for: 2 Months

Comments on the installation: "The Installation went smoothly. The Installers took only about a day to do the entire installation and answered all my questions during the process."

Comments on the system performance: "In spite of it being winter right now, we are quite pleased with the Solar System. We purchased the Power Genie along with the enlighten inverters and are happy with being able to use over 90% of what we generate. We have compared our last two months of generation and according to Contact Energy, we are saving at least 25% of our power bill. We hope to save even more during the Summer months."

Advice: "If you go solar, don't hesitate to go with the Solar Genie to maximize your use of what you generate. Why get paid only a fraction of what the power companies charge you for your own energy generation. Use as much as you can."

Rosemary & David, Palmerston North, Manawatu-Whanganui

Review Date: 03/08/2016

Size: 3 kW

Running for: 3 Months

Comments on the installation: "Superb - very helpful in explaining what they were doing and how the system works."

Comments on the system performance: "Way more than we expected at this time of the year!"

Advice: "Make sure you get a good Power company that has a good invoicing system that is easily understood, and has a positive attitude towards solar power."

John, Whangarei, Northland

Review Date: 28/07/2016

Size: 2.5 kW

Running for: 49 days (I keep a running log)

Comments on the installation: "Yes they respected our property and were very proficient, despite inclement weather."

Comments on the system performance: "Yes, the providers forecast have been spot on for June and July."

Advice: "Yes, we are saving about half the kWh on our previous power bills, because we're very conscious of switching off lights in unattended rooms, running laundry and dishwashers in separate times of day, etc despite being the lowest solar energy in mid-winter months."

Anne, Nelson/Tasman

Review Date: 27/07/2016

Size: 3.6 kW

Running for: 5 months

Comments on the installation: "We went through your company and asked the 3 companies locally to quote. We choose Solar Electric Technology in Richmond, because they were responsive, explained the pros and cons, visited promptly and had good knowledge, only took one day to install."

Comments on the system performance: "We have been delighted with our savings, we can use nearly all we make because we are home all day and can switch on and off to ensure efficiency."

Advice: "If people use Elios4you they can monitor and manage their use very effectively, reducing their power bills and having instant access to their own solar energy. Very positive impact."

Todd, Papamoa, Tauranga

Review Date: 08/04/2016

Size: 3.5 kW

Running for: 3 months

Comments on the installation: "Excellent, previous feedback given."

Comments on the system performance: "It is going really well. Over the past 3 months we have save $455.77 based on our average power bill over the preceding 12 months. Based on some calculations I have made, the system will be paid off from the savings, after 7 years."

Advice: "Definitely worth it if you don't let the savings get absorbed into the "big black hole" we are planning to pay the savings off our mortgage."

Bob, Far North, Northland

Review Date: 06/05/2016

Size: 3 kW

Running for: 2 months

Comments on the installation: "The installer was great and very pleased with the care taken by the installers."

Comments on the system performance: "Very pleased with the system and the feed back from Enphase is great would recommend the system."

Advice: "The system is great once installed there is no further action required and Enphase keeps us informed of the power we are producing."

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."

Alan, Central Otago, Otago

Review Date: 11/06/2016

Size: 5 kW

Running for: 2 months

Comments on the installation: "Installers impressive on PR, speed , tidyness and confident of their know how. Explained what they were doing and why, GREAT

Comments on the system performance: "So far our system has been running during the grimmest time of the year. Poor weather short days,all day fogs,hoare frost and snow. The system has been at least what we expected, goes well under fog cover! We are still learning to use it most efficiently but our power bills so far are about half even though one of the two is an estimate that is obviously a bit over."

Advice: "Ask me again in 12 months and I will really know. I expect it to do much better in summer to offset winter performance. We have an old "Centimeter" in our kitchen that tells us how many grid kW we are using, when the solar is running it tells us how much is being exported.....it takes a little playing to decide if we are importing or exporting. The panels certainly produce what they were designed to produce when everything is ideal weather wise."

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."

Philip, Christchurch, Canterbury

Review Date: 01/07/2016

Size: 5 kW

Running for: 4 months

Comments on the installation: "They were 10 out of 10."

Comments on the system performance: "I find that I need 30 panels not 20. In the winter time we are saving about $120 a month."

Advice: "It is good, clean and the sun gives it to you free. 7 years it will be paid of. NZ Solar were the best."

Tony, Nelson/Tasman

Review Date: 10/03/2016

Size: 2.1 kW

Running for: 1 month

Comments on the installation: "Solar Technology were great. They gave advice, followed up and let us know when there was a delay due to Christmas. Have answered all our queries. Excellent service."

Comments on the system performance: "Solar system has so far performed better than we expected. We will have halved our actual power cost when refund is included.  Over the first 28 days we generated 313kwh. We used 149 kwh of what we produced, we imported 196kwh, so in these 28 days we will pay $49 and save $50."

Advice: "Yes. Get quotes, use SEANZ member. Research value of system,and size needed. We are going to follow up with perhaps a couple more panels facing more NE to get morning sun and will investigate battery storage systems."