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: 17/08/2015
Size: 2 kW
Running for: 3 months
Comments on the installation: "Hassle free, took less than a day."
Comments on the system performance: "Satisfactory. Not sure how much savings though."
Advice: "Go green."
Review Date: 11/08/2015
Size: 2.8 kW
Running for: 60 days
Comments on the installation: "From quoting right through to explaining the day to day operation of the system, our providers and installers were brilliant to work with. Clean, tidy workers onsite."
Comments on the system performance: "Not what my original expectations were, but as we learn how to utilise the system, we are seeing the benefits, not just now but for our future plans."
Advice: "Do the research in regards to you current power supplier, they all offer different rates for buy back, but also understand how and when you will be able to view the difference in import and exported energy, as yet I haven't found a energy provider that digitally shows me what I want to see."
Review Date: 31/07/2015
Size: 2 kW
Running for: About two months
Comments on the installation: "Yes very impressed with sales and installer. Took one day to install ... left my house as if they had not been there ..,"
Comments on the system performance: "Well .. I founfd the hot water vac tube panel the best and made a good difference .. As for power solar panels not so impressive ... As changed power company and. Ended up with slightly after negotiation's higher per kilowatt but yes it's working well and have at the moment 400 kW of export power to get refund @8 cent a KW ..."
Advice: "Overall great ... Good move looking forward to the new better storage system tat will be here soon ...,
Stay with your power company a neg the price of power and meter .. Then get some prices from other companies to keep them honest ... Do your home work .. Watch the plus GST ... Use the al up including GST every time ...."
Review Date: 18/07/2015
Size: 2 kW
Running for: 3 months
Comments on the installation: "Installers efficient but were delayed by a bout of bad weather."
Comments on the system performance: "When the sun is up it is producing very well. will be better when some council trees are removed. At present we are saving between $2 and $3 per day based on last years power accounts."
Advice: "It was a good decision although we are thinking of increasing the size of the system and are looking at the option of storing surplus generation."
Review Date: 07/07/2015
Size: 3 kW
Running for: 12 days
Comments on the installation: "Researched on the web and got 5 quotes. Went with World solar as they were by far the most economical and used quality components. They did a great job."
Comments on the system performance: "Only been 20 days in the darkest coldest part of the year but is producing on average 5.5 kWh per day which is about one third of our daily winter requirements. Hasn't come through on power bills yet, but will make a difference and will only get better as the weather improves."
Advice: "Research carefully, and don't get a system too big for your needs. Ours is probably a bit big for us at present (only 2 people) but want to get electric vehicle in near future so will suck up the extra power easily then. If you have to export too much to the grid you get very little back. (5.75c/kWh from Genesis )."
Review Date: 16/06/2015
Size: 5 kW
Running for: 12 days
Comments on the installation: "I am happy with the solar installation product in every way. The installers were respectful of my property and did a professional job. The installers did the job efficiently and in a good time frame."
Comments on the system performance: "By adapting to using electricity when the Solar P.V. system is generating I have found the system performs very well. I haven't yet had my WIFI monitoring of the system set up but the last week's Meridian electricity usage update stated I had used 65% less electricity for that week. The Solar P.V. system had only been operating for 50% of that week. I calculated that if it had been a whole week the Solar P.V. system was operating ,I would have paid only 32% of my normal electricity bill I would have had not with the Solar P.V. system. For winter it is performing quite well but I can't be too specific because i don't yet have WIFI monitoring. At this early stage I haven't yet received a power bill covering Solar P.V. system usage, but I will definitely be saving a noticeable and worth while amount."
Advice: "It is a long term investment, you pay up front for the system but in 7 or 8 years time the savings will have paid for the system if you buy a $7,059.99 system. From then on you get cheap electricity bills. It is a good way to prepare for retirement if you buy the system at least 7 years before retiring. Electricity is the second highest overhead for living so if you can reduce that over head you are at a distinct advantage financially."
Review Date: 20/05/2015
Size: 1.5 kW
Running for: 2 months
Comments on the installation: Time taken - "almost a full day"
Comments on the system performance: "It looks to be producing well but I haven't been able to gauge how much it has reduced my power bill because the retailer has not yet installed the appropriate meter."
Advice: "Make sure the retailer is on board if you are not going completely off-grid."
Review Date: 17/05/2015
Size: 4 kW
Running for: 2+ Months
Comments on the installation: "Very good, quick and very helpful."
Comments on the system performance: "Currently saving about 2/3 of earlier (pre-solar) bills."
Advice: "Mysolarquotes provided an extremely useful service with 3 providers contacting me and all visiting and giving quotes. We did not select the cheaper, but the one who appeared to understand our needs and were technically convincing that they knew what they were talking about. It was an electricain we were talking to, not a sales person."
Review Date: 05/05/2015
Size: 1.5 kW
Running for: 1 month
Comments on the installation: "Installation was quick and pain free except that when the salesperson came and checked my verandah (where the panels are installed) he didn't see that some of the purlins were rotten and so I had to get them back to remove the panels to allow the builder to replace them. The whole process took two hours plus there would have been two hours travel and they charged me for a whole day which I thought was a bit rich. Also, the salesperson said they would put some panels on the north-west facing verandah and some on the north east facing one which, unless you use micro-inverters on each panel is impossible with a single inverter. I would say that buyers really need to be well educated on solar systems and their requirements before purchasing them so as to get the best from their installation."
Comments on the system performance: "The system works pretty well although it could work better. The roof line shades the north east facing verandah roof in the afternoon so the generating period is shorter than it could be in Summer and Autumn. I have yet to see how it performs over winter. The 1.5 KwH system usually provides as much power as I use in a day except, as it is grid-tied rather than using battery storage, at night I use power from the grid. Also, my hot water heater is 3kW so the system doesn't generate enough to heat it. Over winter I have a wet back so that heats the water. I was paying on average $60 a month in electricity I now pay a total of approx $25 a month of which $10 is the daily rate. I've been keeping a tally of daily readings for two months and the daily average net electricity usage is 0.50c excl GST. So yes, the system does save me money. However for a family I'd say a bigger system would be required."
Advice: "If you are a smart electricity user, use the solar generation during the day when it is generating and keep night time use to a minimum, always turn off appliances and don't leave them on standby etc you will save money no doubt. There is encouraging news regarding battery storage with Tesla producing a 7.5kW and a 10kW battery for home gen use. They cost around $3500US and no doubt will come down in price over time. So going off the grid, which is what I want to do, is possible at a reasonable price."
Review Date: 27/04/2015
Size: 2 kW
Running for: 6 weeks
Comments on the installation: "When parts finally arrived, installation went smoothly. Installers were very helpful and it took two days to complete."
Comments on the system performance: "Seems to be working well. I reckon to have saved ~$30 on the last electricity bill."
Advice: "Good idea if you can find the upfront cost of the panels."
Review Date: 22/03/2015
Size: 4 kW
Running for: 3 month
Comments on the installation: "The installation went smoothly with a A1 installer, THEN the wait for a new import/export meter (frustrating)."
Comments on the system performance: "No problem with performance due to a high sunshine hours this summer, as its only been operating for 3 power bills will look at how cost effective it is as winter comes along. Main problem is the over the top estimates from my chosen power company."
Advice: "This is not about solar power BUT the amount of over pricing then lowering the price with subsidys in the insulation trade (boardering on fraud) over smaller installers who offer the same end price (with no subsidys)."
Review Date: 14/03/2015
Size: 3.2 kW
Running for: 2 months
Comments on the installation: "Found the solar installer by on line web search , he was the first to reply, arrive , quote and thus secure the job , the instillation was completed in under the time , with an increased capacity , perfect contact maintained throughout"
Comments on the system performance: "Have not had experience enough to come up with any reliable details of performance , there has been some noticeable drop in power bills , approximately halved , bearing in mind this is over the summer months."
Advice: "Have dealt with Contact for years , they are all but impossible to deal with , the main problem being their inability to call a spade a spade ... their very involved repayment system, has yet to be sorted , several months in ,but their quoted buy in rate by far the most generous around , once working expect to recieve the excellent service provided prior , to the 8mth delays generated, during the change over."
Review Date: 14/03/2015
Size: 5.1 kW, 20 x 255W panels with Enasolar inverta plus immerSUN self-consumption controller
Running for: 3 months
Comments on the installation: "Installers very respectful and courtious. Job done 2 days."
Comments on the system performance: "Solar Living" are Christchurch based and the dialogue has been perfect. I believe they have gone beyound what is expected of a Company. After seeing the performance of Solar Electric pannels they should be compulsary for every new build. Government could do more to promote this energy source."
Advice: ""Solar Living" are Christchurch based and the dialogue has been perfect. I believe they have gone beyound what is expected of a Company. After seeing the performance of Solar Electric pannels they should be compulsary for every new build. Government could do more to promote this energy source."
Review Date: 02/03/2015
Size: 3.24 kW
Running for: 1 month
Comments on the installation: "Great team of guys from Ashburton who installed for Harrisons"
Comments on the system performance: "It's going well, north aspect averaging 13kwh per day. Have not had a power bill as homegen was only recently installed. Delta who install these let the process down and the solar industry needs to find some other company who can provide a better service."
Advice: "Why wait, start saving now."
Review Date: 01/03/2015
Size: 4kW
Running for: 2 weeks
Comments on the installation: "The installers were amazingly courteous and very respectful while explaining what they were doing along the way of the install."
Comments on the system performance: "We haven't had a bill yet but have been checking on the app and it appears to be working really well."
Advice: "Wish I had done it years ago and planning more installs on commercial buildings."
Review Date: 17/02/2015
Size: 3kW
Running for: 3 months
Comments on the installation: "Excellent, trouble free installation. Took 2 half days. However Counties Power took 2 months to install the smart meters but Xmas and New Year did intervene."
Comments on the system performance: "Performance satisfactory. Best week averaged 15.6 kWh/day, worst week in mid-Dec was 9.8 kWh/day. Best day = 19.9 kWh. Since solar was connected, 93 days ago we have produced 1236 kWh, averaging about 13.3 kWh/day. We were told that the system would average about 11.7 kWh/day over a year so the estimate looks good. Our power bills for November and January were about 20% less than previous year and we had guests over the festive period, which we didn't have in 2013. Don't know about power back to Contact Energy because no invoice since new meters were fitted. Very cloudy days in Auckland lately, need more sunshine! We had expected to save about 50% of our power bill but I doubt if it will be that much, maybe 30-40%. We need another 9 months to confirm that one way or the other. Contact Energy reducing their power buy back to 8c/kWh just after we decided to go solar was disappointing but we had guessed that would happen. There should be a Government minimum that power companies buy power back from customers for, probably about 15c/kWh. As usual the power distributers are ripping us off! The display monitor is excellent and we haven't tired of following the data. BUT the gadget itself is very temperamental and the slightest (and I mean slightest) brush against the power lead turns the monitor off.
Advice: "If you have funds sitting in a bank getting less than 4% interest then get solar asap. The savings on your power bill will far exceed the interest lost."
Review Date: 09/01/2015
Size: 3kW
Running for:Â Had 1st power account with meter installed
Comments on the installation: "Great communication and job well done in 3 hours including new switchboard in garage."
Comments on the system performance: "Saved $100 the first month"
Advice: "I was surprised how the power goes up and down when cloudy and sunny."
Review Date: 17/12/2014
Size: 4kW
Running for: 15 months
Comments on the installation: "Good".
Comments on the system performance: "Operating to specification. Have yet to pay a bill but have to produce treble what I consume to cover other costs that retailer is adding to the bill - distribution, levies... Eventually had a smart meter installed but I have no access to it. I would like to monitor my consumption. The EnaSolar Inverter (NZ made) is excellent for monitoring production."
Advice: "Add an extra PV panel(s) to cover heating your hot water and avoid installing a separate hot water heating system. Less capital outlay, less equipment."
Review Date: 16/10/2014
Size: 4kW
Running for: 6 weeks
Comments on the installation: "The installers were great, the biggest issue was getting approval from the lines company, this took several weeks and a site inspection by them."
Comments on the system performance: "It has surprised me, it just operates, no need to check, switch or do anything. We have produced over 600 Kw in this time, using 88 % of this. Exporting the other 12%. We have had one power account and reduced our bill by over $100"
Advice: "If they can afford the capital cost, and will be able to use the majority generated, then they should do it."
Review Date: 16/10/2014
Size: 5kW
Running for: 4 weeks
Comments on the installation: "The solar installation was so easy. The installers were delayed because of poor weather but kept us informed of their timetable. They worked hard and efficiently. Unfortunately when the meter was changed a fault in the relay upset our use of night time rates for power and this has still not been corrected even after three attempts by the electricians."
Comments on the system performance: "The savings have not come through yet but I am sure they will be useful. The generation of power has been greater than we anticipated considering the issue with shade that we have."
Advice: "Using solar power is great. I am looking forward to when the technology for storing some of the power generated can happen meaning then that everything that is generated from our roof would be used by us. The price the power company pays for the power we generate does not equal the price we have to pay for the power we use from the company. Being self sufficient in generating power and using power would be so good."
Review Date: 10/11/2014
Size: 2kW
Running for: 3 months
Comments on the installation: "They were very efficient and respectful.They only took about 2 and a half hours to instal the panels."
Comments on the system performance: "I presume we have been saving money but Contact energy haven't installed an import/export meter as yet."
Advice: "I was going to install more panels but as Contact energy have reduced the buyback rate I am having second thoughts."
Review Date: 27/10/2014
Size: 4kW
Running for: 1.5 months
Comments on the installation: "The installation was done well. It did not take long."
Comments on the system performance: "The system performs very well and many times reaches the full 4 kW. This was the best day so far: 2014-10-24 28.24Kilowatts.The system produces an abundant amount of power. More than I need. It does reduce the power bill, but as of yet, I have not received payment from the power company , other than 2.52 NZD, of the exported power. I have switched to Contact energy but they still have not approved me as a vendor. And Trust Power did not read the export reading before doing the switch to Contact Energy."
Advice: "Definitely get a monocrystalline system. They do perform better."
Review Date: 22/10/2014
Size: 5.1kW
Running for: 3 months
Comments on the installation: "The installation went very well and was completed in 2 1/2 days. The installers did an excellent job and left the property clean and tidy.'
Comments on the system performance: "It has been 2 months since the export meter was installed, since then we have imported 980kw and exported 870 kw. We are more than happy with the performance especially since it was middle of winter to early spring."
Advice: "Power will never be cheaper than it was yesterday so now is the best time to start thinking; my wife and me are pleased we made the decision."
Review Date: 15/09/2014
Size: 3.75kW
Running for: 5 days
Comments on the installation: "We used S4Solar to do our installation and had excellent service from them. They took three days to complete the installation and I would recommend them without hesitation."
Comments on the system performance: "Too soon to have a good idea but we're pleased with how it's performing."
Advice: "If you can afford the upfront cost then it's well worth doing both in terms of the long term savings and the environmental benefits."
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