Reviews From Solar Power System Owners

Aaron, Waikato, Waikato

Review Date: 27/06/2014

Size: 2.88kW

Running for: 1 year

Comments on the installation: "The solar panel company were great in everyway. Professional and left nothing at the site except a way to make power."

Comments on the system performance: "It performs as well as I thought, it is my second solar system, first was in japan ..2nd in nz.  One difference was in japan you had place to plug in power in a power cut, they need these in nz.  We are only paying about 35-50$ for electricity 2 adults 2 children."

Advice: "Every house that can affoard to get solar has a responsibility to help save the earth.  NZ is not a green country, but we as consumers can make it green, go solar people go solar."

Alison, Hamilton, Waikato

Review Date: 27/06/2014

Size: 3kW

Running for: 2.5 months

Comments on the installation: "Took half a day as they had not factored in that they would have to trench for about a meter."

Comments on the system performance: "Bit hard to tell in 2 1/2 months of very wet weather but have contributed 195 kW hrs to the grid. I have not seen an itemised bill in that whole time from my power and gas provider, Contact. The power and gas bill combined for 2 months with 22% discount was about $200 (which is not measurable in terms of kW hrs.) Contact Energy has a low daily charge and a higher "Low user" cut off point but their billing system is in disarray at the moment. They also have a dual fuel discount of 22% hence the low recent non bill."

Blair, Franklin , Auckland

Review Date: 26/06/2014

Size: 2kW

Running for: 3 weeks

Comments on the installation: "Installation of the system took one day.  It was pleasant experience, with the electrician, being polite, cheerful & respectful."

Comments on the system performance: "Whilst the weather has been more overcast than normal, the system is producing power at times more than expected in the winter months."

Keith & Ako, Marlborough

Review Date: 26/06/2014

Size: 2kW

Running for: 3 weeks

Comments on the installation: "Installation of the system took one day.  It was pleasant experience, with the electrician, being polite, cheerful & respectful."

Comments on the system performance: "Whilst the weather has been more overcast than normal, the system is producing power at times more than expected in the winter months."

Advice: 2kW

Callan, Matamata-Piako, Waikato

Review Date: 25/06/2014

Size: 4kW

Running for: 8 months

Comments on the installation: "Excellent communication and no hassles with instal - we were having a renovation done at the same time and they fitted in easily. Was only a few days - the panels on the roof and then hooking up the electrics with our sparky."

Comments on the system performance: "About what was expected in summer but less than we had hoped in winter. Power bills which had averaged $240pm across the year were little or nothing but are now up to $100"

Advice: "Look at how you use power and where possible use it during the day when it is likely to be free. We also put in a hot water heat pump which only runs between 10am and 2pm - heating a 300l tank which gets us through all day and night. Use timers if you aren't around during the day to turn on dishwashers, washing machines. etc."

Howard, Auckland

Review Date: 25/06/2014

Size: 4kW

Running for: 8 months

Comments on the installation: "Excellent communication and no hassles with instal - we were having a renovation done at the same time and they fitted in easily. Was only a few days - the panels on the roof and then hooking up the electrics with our sparky."

Comments on the system performance: "About what was expected in summer but less than we had hoped in winter. Power bills which had averaged $240pm across the year were little or nothing but are now up to $100"

Advice: "Look at how you use power and where possible use it during the day when it is likely to be free. We also put in a hot water heat pump which only runs between 10am and 2pm - heating a 300l tank which gets us through all day and night. Use timers if you aren't around during the day to turn on dishwashers, washing machines. etc."

John, Rodney , Auckland

Review Date: 25/06/2014

Size: 2kW

Running for: 7 months

Comments on the installation: "Installers were good. Approx 3 weeks delay while ordering parts. Then one day to install."

Comments on the system performance: "It appears to be performing well, but difficult to detirmine savings. Billing system has been based on estimates, based on estimates to the point of absolute cofusion and disbelief. [ I think they must use Lotto to fix there estimated readings !!!!] In an admission that they could not understand there own accounts, Meridian have now cancelled all previous "Accounts" and are starting again from November of last year. Trying to get an answer was, in the extreme, frustrating. The information call line, is difficcult to access, and appears to be staffed by people not equipped to give advice. Hopefully Meridian have now got things sorted

Advice: "In an act of frustration I cotacted Contact Energy. The information they provided was all by email, and again difficult to understand. No one was available to discuss my questions.  If we are to expand the use of solar, it is vitally important that these companies must be required to present information and accounts that are simple to interpret and understand."

Fred & Pauline, Rodney , Auckland

Review Date: 25/06/2014

Size: 2kW

Running for: 6 months

Comments on the installation: "A painless process, the installers were very respectful of our property, asking our opinion and agreement with aspects of the installation before going ahead."

Comments on the system performance: "Really good, in the summer months it saved us about $50 per month, probably about half that in the winter months."

Advice: "If you have the money in your bank, use it to install a solar system, it gives a better return than the bank interest. Borrowing money to install solar panels might not be so economic."

Walter, North Shore , Auckland

Review Date: 25/06/2014

Size: 2kW

Running for: 6 months

Comments on the installation: "A painless process, the installers were very respectful of our property, asking our opinion and agreement with aspects of the installation before going ahead."

Comments on the system performance: "Really good, in the summer months it saved us about $50 per month, probably about half that in the winter months."

Advice: "If you have the money in your bank, use it to install a solar system, it gives a better return than the bank interest. Borrowing money to install solar panels might not be so economic."

Phil, Rodney , Auckland

Review Date: 25/06/2014

Size: 2kW

Running for: 10 months

Comments on the installation: "The installers Sky Solar were very good . time to install about 2 days maybe 3. I recommended them to my to my brother Mike who has since had a 3 kw system installed."

Comments on the system performance: "Performance is good, more than enough for my needs, I am the only one in the house so far my power bill is showing credit".

Advice: "Better than most investments. I recommend it to any one that can afford it and has suitable roof aspect for the panels."

Terry, Rodney , Auckland

Review Date: 25/06/2014

Size: 3kW

Running for: 9 months

Comments on the installation: "he installation took 2 days to install and wired into meter box. The installer was very knowledgeable and clean in his work. We had 10 panels installed."

Comments on the system performance: "The solar power system has produced savings as quoted and have been monitoring the power that it has produced. The power bill has certainly been reduced"

Advice: "Ensure that the solar company imports their products and also their installers work for the company to get the right warranty.Do your own research and obtain three quotes and take time to decide and not be pressured into buying."

Paul, Rotorua, Bay Of Plenty

Review Date: 25/06/2014

Size: 5kW

Running for: 7 months

Comments on the installation: "The guys from S4Solar were fantastic"

Comments on the system performance: "The system has been great , It has more then cut our bill in half"

Advice: "Choose your power supplier carefully"

David, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 25/06/2014

Size: 5kW

Running for: 3 months

Comments on the system performance: "We saved money over the first month but as it was going into winter and it was the worst weather in Christchurch for many years there was not a great saving since."

Advice: "It is a great way to contribute to the CO2 savings for the country"