Reviews From Solar Power System Owners

Maggie, Christchurch City, Canterbury

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 "

Alan, Waimakariri, Canterbury

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"

Stephen, Banks Peninsula, Canterbury

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."

Jonny, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 25/03/2024

Size: 6kW

Running for: 1 month

Expected return on investment: 10

Expected pay back period: 9

Comments on the installation: "One day, they were all good"

Comments on the system performance: "Looks good so far, although it has only been a month"

Advice: "Getting 3 quotes made it easier to compare and decide."

Nigel, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 28/02/2024

Size: 6.2kW

Running for: 5 weeks

Expected return on investment: Don’t know really.

Expected pay back period: Less than 17 years

Comments on the installation: "Excellent timely installation over 2.5 days. Sending power to the grid the following day. "

Comments on the system performance: "Performance excellent. Power output surprisingly good on a cloudy day. Use of grid has declined about 65%. "

Advice: "Just do it. Help yourself, help the planet "

Lyn, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 09/02/2024

Size: 5kW battery

Running for: 4 months

Expected return on investment: Can't remember but believe I'm well ahead as EV charging all solar

Expected pay back period: Don't know, am looking for an easy to use spreadsheet to recalculate as I expect this wkill be greatly reduced.

Comments on the installation: "Very impressed with installation, everything from products to procedures and results."

Comments on the system performance: "I must be well ahead of ROI. All my EV charging is solar so I am saving a bundle there as well as well as running the house. At present my electricity bill is in credit so it will be interesting to check results after 12 months."

Advice: "Go for it. Get as many panels as will fit, a battery with at least 5kW, and if you have an EV, install an Evnex charger."

Sue , Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 29/01/2024

Size: 4.5kw

Running for: 5 months

Expected return on investment: Unknown

Expected pay back period: 10-11 years depending on power consumption

Comments on the installation: "Excellent. Installers were respectful of our property and it took less than a day and then the electrical inspection on a later day only took a short period."

Comments on the system performance: "Quite happy with the performance of the system although it is producing less power than I would have thought for some of the very hot days we have had this summer. We haven't paid anything for power bills since the system was installed due to credits given for swapping power supplier, credits for power exported, and credit for the meter swap despite using our heat pump to cool the house on very hot days. We are in credit and hope this will continue so that the credit gets used up in the winter months when we use more power and the solar power system produces less power. The Goodwe inverter can feel very hot to the hand but we wanted a smaller inverter and one that did not have a noisy fan."

Advice: "Well worth it if you would like to contribute to a greener future and be more self-sufficient. We found both the NZ and AU solar quotes websites very useful for learning about panels, inverters etc so we were more knowledgeable when speaking with the 4 different companies we got quotes from and think this knowledge contributed to us getting a good price. We chose Lightforce."

Maurice and Linda, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 16/12/2023

Size: 6kw

Running for: 2 months

Expected return on investment: 70

Expected pay back period: 8 years

Comments on the installation: "Our installers and whole experience was absolutely fantastic - couldn’t fault a thing from you guys to our chosen provider (and all providers were top class and hard to choose - price won the day). Took 1 day, very respectful - utterly fabulous!!"

Comments on the system performance: "It is great!!"

Advice: "Go for it but own them - I think there are cheaters out there and you guys need to be more “out there” I was lucky to find you through research!!"

Richard, Selwyn, Canterbury

Review Date: 26/09/2023

Size: 6.15W

Running for: 1 month

Expected return on investment: not sure on this question but it is estimated sola will, make up 59% of power usage.

Expected pay back period: 7.15 years

Comments on the installation: "they were great"

Comments on the system performance: "power powers saving as per the model indicated."

Andrea, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 12/02/2023

Size: 5kw

Running for: 1 month

Expected return on investment: Don't know not the cheapest but definetly best help information and service

Expected pay back period: 9-10 years

Comments on the installation: "Great, took 3 days due to rain half day"

Comments on the system performance: "More than thought but still getting used to it, still need to import power at times as no battery . We produce 2-5 times amount used but buy back 17c/kw whereas peak charges 30c /kw"

Advice: "Octopus great company to sign up with no hassle and did it within 2days. Check solar company communicates as over Christmas ball was dropped and we had to chase up compliance ."

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"

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."

Hugh, Christchurch City, Canterbury

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."

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"

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"

Marina, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 09/11/2020

Size: 5kW

Running for: 7 weeks

Expected pay back period: 6 - 7 years.

Comments on the installation: "Due to COVID lockdowns this took over 12 weeks please do not take this as a guideline for installation. I was very happy with the installers and they were very polite and very professional. Thankyou."

Comments on the system performance: "There has been a saving for the last month but I am expecting bigger savings in time as I have only had this for 7 weeks now."

Advice: "It is a long term investment but well worth it in all aspects. "

Kelvyn, Ashburton, Canterbury

Review Date: 09/11/2020

Size: 5.670kw

Running for: Since end of July 2020

Expected return on investment: 20 to 25%

Expected pay back period: 5yrs

Comments on the installation: "The install went very smoothly - great team of guys. Took day and half to complete"

Comments on the system performance: "Performance has been good. Over first two full months I saved $381 which is just slightly more than one months power bill, so saving is 50%. One of these months was very cloudy so I expect to save more as we get more consistent fine days "

Advice: "To get the most out of your system you need to have a Catch-power unit which will divert any surplus to heat your hot water before going back to grid. Further put in the smart meter. This allows you to see what you are generating and what you are pushing back to grid. It helps you re-train your use of appliances. Also on cloudy days you can see if you need to boost your hot water. I would recommend that you split the panels. We have 6 panels on east facing roof so we start generating power at sunrise (6.30am currently), and we have 12 panels on north facing roof. I would recommend putting up as many panels as you can fit. Also shop around power suppliers for best power rate they sell to you and best buy back rate. Be aware of 12 month great buy back offers - you will pay for it later. We went with Auric Electrical and Plains Power. Great service and good buy back rate as well as cheap rate on power you buy off them. "

Ian, Timaru, Canterbury

Review Date: 24/05/2019

Size: 3 kw

Running for: Two months

Expected return on investment: 100

Expected pay back period: 6 years

Comments on the installation: "Took three occasions to finally finish took over two months ,two months to pay back meter cost "

Comments on the system performance: "A bit late in the season ask next year "

Advice: "Solar I feel is the way to go along with solar water heater "

Wayne, Christchurch City, Canterbury

Review Date: 24/09/2018

Size: 4.8kW

Running for: 3 months (from 3/7)

Expected return on investment: Not applicable

Expected pay back period: Not applicable

Comments on the installation: "Very smooth: I had exposed, strengthened and plywood-sheeted the area for the inverter/battery, and exposed an access panel into the roof void that the DC wiring was run through. Plus pre-drilled all the holes through studs, needed to fit the DC conduit through. Roof is Monier Centurion concrete tile, and the installers did not break one tile, for a 15 panel install."

Comments on the system performance: "System has consistently produced power and from mid-August onwards is capable of getting the 9.8kWh battery up to 100%. The discharge of battery coasts us through till night rate time at 9pm, so the only peak-rate grid power used is early morning, and on very overcast days, some evening draw. As we run a spa pool and electric hot water, these two constitute the bulk of the residual power bill. Both are night rate draw. It is Very Important to choose a supplier who offers low off-peak rates, and those rates being applicable for the most time. E.g. 9pm to 7am. For the last three months, our grid consumption has averaged out at 16-17c/kWh, which includes daily charges, and is around half the usual peak-time rate. We expect that during summer, and perhaps with the addition of circuitry capable of switching mid-day power to the hot water, the residual grid bills will fall much further. But as there's a daily lines charge (another thing to shop around for: lowest daily rate...) the power bills will never be zero. We should mention that the inverter set-up is 'maximise self consumption' so there is little export back to the grid and any such export is in any case worth only around half the average import rate quoted above. In other words, it is not going to help the ROI much if any under these settings. A further refinement we will pursue once the consumption and generation mix has run through a whole season, is to have the 'maximise self consumption' profiule adjusted so that the battery will receive some charge off peak from the grid, and the early-morning peak-rate consumption could thereby be supplied from the battery rather than from the grid. This won't be an immediate change."

Advice: "We were unconcerned about ROI: the main attraction was that having our own small power station renders us less vulnerable to grid outages - there is an Essential Supply/backup capability built in - and the install cannot be subtracted in the way that bank deposit or KS funds conceivably could in a crunch. The system is a top-quality LG/SolarEdge/StorEdge mix, and it will require a battery replacement half-way through its 25-30 year life. The main point of the battery is quite simple: backup/essential supply, plus the time-shifting of consumption to off-peak rates. It isn't for everyone, as the investment needed is roughly double that of a conventional grid-tied panel plus small inverter deal. But the battery effects on the wider grid, given the way we utilise it, is actually positive: it reduces peak grid load during the day, and because the battery is mostly capable (given good insolation during the day) of supplying all household needs until off-peak time, and often beyond, the evening peak on the grid is thereby much reduced. Plus, as the evening consumption peak is coming from the battery, any residual call on the grid is both smaller and later than it would otherwise be, meaning that grid generation need not be capable of the very high ramp-up rates otherwise experienced if solar alone is used, no batteries, and when the sun sets the grid demand can be both high and sudden, hence high ramp-rate generation needed. So every battery-plus-solar install that happens is a net positive for this grid design aspect. "

Ann, Hurunui, Canterbury

Review Date: 24/03/2018

Size: not sure - 7 panels plus a solar hot water panel

Running for: 3 months

Expected pay back period: no investment! We lease from SolarCity and did not buy panels. Saving loads from day 1! Cost of lease lower than purchase price and not stuck with dated technology - they will update and no cost.

Comments on the installation: "Excellent - less than a day."

Comments on the system performance: "Power bills are less than half overall - that includes the lease and connection charges. We would be paying about $200 per month this time of year; last month's bill was about $100."

Advice: "Don't waste money buying a system that will be obsolete before it has paid for itself. We couldn't be happier than we are with SolarCity."

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."

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."