Question 1

How does a solar system actually work?

Accepted Answer

Panels capture sunlight and produce DC electricity. An inverter converts DC into AC, which your home runs on. Your house uses that solar first, excess flows back to the grid for credits, and at night you pull from the grid as usual.

Question 2

What makes up a solar system?

Accepted Answer

Five main parts: panels (capture sunlight), inverter (converts DC to AC), mounting rails (attach panels to roof), wiring and isolators (connect to your home), and a monitoring app. Optional: battery and smart meter.

Question 3

What is a grid-connected solar system?

Accepted Answer

The default NZ setup. Panels feed your home, excess flows back to the grid for credits, and you draw from the grid at night. No battery or off-grid kit. The inverter shuts off during outages for safety. About 99% of NZ home solar is grid-connected.

Question 4

Is solar worth it in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

The short answer: yes. Auckland gets 41% more sunshine than Berlin, and Germany has 100x more solar installed. Most NZ homeowners see a return on investment within 5 to 8 years. After that, much lower power costs for another 17+ years.

Question 5

Do solar panels work on cloudy days?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Panels still generate power from diffuse sunlight on cloudy days, just at reduced output. New Zealand's UV levels are high even on overcast days. Your panels won't stop working just because the sun's behind a cloud.

Question 6

Are solar panels effective in winter?

Accepted Answer

Yes, just less so. NZ winter generation runs roughly 40 to 50% of summer output. Panels actually like the cold (they run more efficiently in low temperatures), the issue is just shorter days and lower sun angle. A well-sized system still delivers meaningful savings year-round.

Question 7

Will my solar work during a power outage?

Accepted Answer

By default: no. Standard grid-tied solar shuts off automatically during an outage, for safety reasons (so it doesn't electrocute linesmen working on the grid). To keep power during outages, you need a battery with backup capability.

Question 8

Is my roof suitable for solar?

Accepted Answer

Most NZ roofs are fine. The ideal is a north-facing roof with minimal shading and a 15-30 degree pitch, but east and west-facing roofs work well too (just generate slightly less). Heavy shading from trees or buildings is the bigger problem.

Question 9

Will solar panels make my house look bad?

Accepted Answer

Modern panels are sleek, all-black, and sit close to the roof line. Most people walk past a solar home and don't notice. If aesthetics matter, premium panels (frameless, black-on-black) plus tidy cable management make a noticeable difference.

Question 10

How much does solar cost in NZ?

Accepted Answer

A typical 6.6kW system costs between $15,000 and $16,000 fully installed. Solar costs have dropped over 75% in the last 15 years. Most Kiwi homeowners pay it off in 5 to 8 years through power bill savings, and the panels last 25+ years.

Question 11

Can I afford to go solar?

Accepted Answer

Most Kiwis can. Five major banks (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, Westpac) offer green loans at 0 to 1% for 1 to 5 years with no setup fees and up to $80,000 covered. The monthly repayment on a typical system is often less than the monthly power bill saving.

Question 12

How much will I save on my power bill?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your roof, your usage, and your export rate, but most homeowners save 50 to 80% on their electricity bills. A typical 6.6kW system generates around $2,000 to $3,000 in savings per year.

Question 13

Is there a government subsidy for solar?

Accepted Answer

No. There's no government subsidy or rebate for residential solar in New Zealand. Solar pays for itself through power bill savings alone, and five major NZ banks offer 0 to 1% green loans for solar.

Question 14

Can I get a green loan for solar?

Accepted Answer

ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, and Westpac all offer green loans for solar at rates between 0% and 1% for the first 1 to 5 years. Most cover up to $80,000 with no setup fees.

Question 15

Will I make money exporting power to the grid?

Accepted Answer

Your retailer pays you for excess solar (the export rate) at 8c to 21c per kWh in NZ. You make more by using your own solar than exporting it, since retail rates are higher than buyback rates.

Question 16

How can I maximise my solar savings?

Accepted Answer

Three levers: use power during the day (dishwasher, washing machine, EV charging when the sun's up), pick a retailer with a strong export rate, and consider a battery if you're often out during the day.

Question 17

How many solar panels do I need?

Accepted Answer

A typical NZ home uses a 6.6kW system, which is around 15 panels. Smaller homes might only need 10, while larger properties could use 20+.

Question 18

What's the difference between string and micro inverters?

Accepted Answer

String inverters are cheaper and most common in NZ. Microinverters sit under each panel, cost more, but handle shading better and isolate faults to a single panel.

Question 19

Should I buy or lease my solar system?

Accepted Answer

Buy if you can. Leasing locks you into long contracts, complicates selling your home, and over the system's lifetime costs more than ownership. Green loans at 0 to 1% mean even Kiwis without savings can effectively buy.

Question 20

What's the best solar panel brand in NZ?

Accepted Answer

Tier-1 panels from manufacturers like LG, Canadian Solar, Trina, Jinko, and REC dominate NZ installs. Look for 25-year product warranties and an installer workmanship warranty of at least 10 years.

Question 21

Can I add solar if I have an EV?

Accepted Answer

An EV is the single best way to monetise solar. Charging your car for free during the day instead of paying for public chargers transforms the payback maths. Homeowners with EVs typically go for 8 to 10kW systems.

Question 22

Can I install solar on a rental property?

Accepted Answer

Solar on rentals is possible. The maths is trickier because savings flow to the tenant (who pays the power bill), not the landlord. Solar can justify rent increases or attract better tenants.

Question 23

Can I expand my solar system later?

Accepted Answer

Adding solar later is possible but almost always cheaper to size correctly the first time. Adding panels means revisiting the inverter, updating consents, and a second install bill. Ask about an inverter with spare capacity for future expansion.

Question 24

Do I need a battery with my solar?

Accepted Answer

Most Kiwis don't need a battery right away. If you're home during the day and use most of your solar as it's generated, a battery adds cost without much benefit. If you're out all day or want outage backup, a battery makes sense.

Question 25

Can a battery be added to my existing solar later?

Accepted Answer

Most modern systems are battery-ready, so a battery can be retrofitted later without replacing the inverter. Older systems sometimes need an extra hybrid inverter. Mention future battery plans during the quote stage.

Question 26

Can one battery power my whole home?

Accepted Answer

A 10kWh battery (typical home size) covers an average evening's load (lights, fridge, TV, charging). Heavy loads like heat pumps or EV charging drain it fast. Most homes use a battery to extend solar into the evening, not for full grid independence.

Question 27

How does solar battery storage actually work?

Accepted Answer

During the day, your panels feed your home first. Excess power that would have been exported to the grid charges the battery instead. After sunset, your home pulls from the battery before pulling from the grid.

Question 28

Can I go fully off-grid in NZ?

Accepted Answer

Off-grid is technically possible but expensive. You'd need a large solar array plus high-capacity batteries to cover winter. A hybrid system (solar + battery + grid backup) gives most of the independence at a fraction of the cost.

Question 29

How long does a solar install take?

Accepted Answer

Once your contract is signed, expect 4 to 8 weeks before panels are on the roof. The actual install is 1 to 2 days. The longest part is grid connection paperwork with your distributor.

Question 30

Do solar panels need maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Almost none. Give them a wash once a year, glance at your monitoring app occasionally, and watch for any inverter warning lights. Most quality panels come with a 25-year manufacturer warranty.

Question 31

How do you actually clean solar panels?

Accepted Answer

Soft brush, mild detergent, and water from a regular hose on a cool morning. No high-pressure washers (voids warranty), no abrasive scrubbers, no walking on panels. Once a year is plenty. Window cleaners typically do solar panels for $50 to $100.

Question 32

How long do solar panels last?

Accepted Answer

25 to 30 years is typical. Panels degrade slowly (about 0.5% per year), so a 20-year-old panel still produces around 90% of its original output. Inverters last 10 to 15 years.

Question 33

Should I tell my insurance about solar?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most insurers want to know solar is on the roof, but it rarely changes your premium. Your installer provides an installation certificate to send to your insurer.

Question 34

What if a tree limb damages a panel?

Accepted Answer

Most damage to individual panels is covered by home insurance, treated like any other roof damage. System-wide issues (inverter failure, wiring) fall under the installer's workmanship warranty.

Question 35

Should I restart my inverter after a power cut?

Accepted Answer

Modern inverters auto-restart once the grid stabilises. If yours doesn't come back within 10 minutes after grid power returns, check the inverter screen and contact your installer.

Question 36

How do I avoid solar scams?

Accepted Answer

Red flags: door-to-door sales, prices that seem too good to be true, high-pressure 'today only' deals. Verify the installer is EWRB registered, check Google reviews independently, and take your time.

Question 37

Is solar right for me?

Accepted Answer

Solar makes sense for most NZ homes with a north, east, or west-facing roof, daytime power use, and at least 5 to 10 more years in the home. It's less obvious for full shade, very low daytime usage with no EV or battery plans, or short-term ownership.

Question 38

How does Solar Scout work?

Accepted Answer

Enter your address, answer a few quick questions, and we'll build a personalised solar report from your actual roof. Match with a vetted local installer when you're ready.

Question 39

Will I get bombarded with sales calls?

Accepted Answer

No. You're matched with one vetted local installer, and that's it. If you change your mind, no one chases. No follow-up calls, no pressure, and your contact details only go to your matched installer.

Question 40

How are installers vetted?

Accepted Answer

Every installer in our network is a SEANZ member, EWRB registered, Master Electricians certified, has a minimum of 3 years solar experience, verified references, and a 5-year minimum workmanship warranty. If they don't pass our 6-point check, they don't get your number.

Question 41

What are my options when I sign up?

Accepted Answer

Two paths. Get matched with a vetted installer for a quote, or run the roof analysis first and decide later. Either way is free, no pressure.