About Solar ScoutAbout

Note from our Co-founder, Ben

How we started

People often ask me why we built Solar Scout.

I wish I could credit a spark of genius, or deep insight, but truth be told; Solar Scout was born out of a bad solar installation at the misfortune of my parents.

At the time my parents were considering solar in 2018, I was working as an industrial electrician contracted to Watercare in the Mangere poo pipes here in Auckland (you heard that right), and living right in the middle of town. A solid hour half drive from home in Orere Point.

They were hurried through the process, and weren't given a great deal of information for me to look at until the install was already said and done. By the time I had driven home a few weeks later to check it out, and phoned around a few alternative solar installers to verify a few prices; It was already far too late.

To say the minimum, I lost a few weekends watching late night solar install youtube videos with aussie accents, and driving back and forth from home on weekends to do a job that should've been right the first time.

So when my parents asked me to do it all over again, to find them extra panels and a battery, I was determined to show them how to do it properly. I began typing into good ole' Google to begin comparing options, and well... There is no nice way to say it, the experience was lacklustre.

I found myself squinting to read manufacturer specifications, using calculators that didn't consider my roof or energy use, and nothing digestable I could share with my parents without them looking at me blank-faced. Worst of all, I couldn't find anywhere to get quality information from, that wasn't a solar installer, a power company, or a power company in a costume.

And so, on the 23rd of January 2025, Solar Scout was born.

Three months in, a friend from high-school who I was flatting with, Harnill had been let go from an AI construction camera startup, three days short of finishing a ninety-day trial. So I caught him at a low moment and asked if he would join, thankfully, he said yes.

We built our strict vetting process for installers with a focus on solar experience and qualifications, Harnill began building what is now our LiDAR-powered 3D solar calculator, and in May we brought on our very first three vetted installers in Auckland.

Everything my parents didn't get, in one place, before anyone signs anything.