Solar guides and advice
For Kiwis, from Kiwis
Is solar right for me?
Start here. The questions every Kiwi homeowner needs to answer before committing a cent.
Is My House Suitable for Solar Panels?
Check if your NZ home is right for solar. Roof direction, pitch, shade, and structural factors explained for Kiwi houses.
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How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?
Work out how many solar panels your NZ home needs. Based on your power usage, roof space, and whether you're adding a battery or EV charger.
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Do Solar Panels Work in Winter and on Cloudy Days in NZ?
Solar panels still generate power on cloudy days and through NZ winters. Here's exactly how much output changes and why it still works.
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How Much Solar Power Will I Generate in NZ? (By Region)
Solar output data for every NZ region. Auckland: 1,391 kWh/kW/yr, Wellington: 1,431, Christchurch: 1,340, Dunedin: 1,226. Monthly breakdowns and savings by city.
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Solar Scams in NZ: Real Cases and What They Look Like
Three NZ solar companies entered liquidation in 8 months. Real cases, the 'free solar' / PPA trap, the inflated-payback trick, and the 9-step checklist before you sign.
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Buying Solar Panels in NZ: What You Need to Know
Everything NZ homeowners need to know before buying solar. The buying process, common mistakes, installer insolvency risks, and the gotchas nobody mentions.
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Solar for New Builds NZ: The Pre-Wire and Design Guide (2026)
Solar for new builds in NZ: roof orientation, pre-wire conduit, switchboard sizing, battery-ready walls, and EDB timing. The 8 decisions to lock in at design stage to save $5k-$13k.
ReadCost, finance and buy-back
What you'll actually pay, how to fund it, and how much the grid will pay you back for exported power.
Paying for Solar in NZ: Cash vs Green Loans vs Personal Loans (2026)
Cash vs green loans vs personal loans for solar in NZ. Real monthly payments, total interest costs, opportunity cost analysis, and the gotchas banks don't mention.
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Solar Panel Grants and Incentives NZ (2026)
What financial help is available for solar in NZ? Green loans, EECA programmes, and what NZ doesn't have compared to Australia and the UK.
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Solar Finance NZ: Green Loans Compared (2026)
Compare NZ solar green loans: Westpac 0%, ANZ 1%, ASB 1%, BNZ 1%, Kiwibank variable + cashback. Eligibility, terms, and which is best for you.
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Can I Claim Solar Panels on Tax in NZ? (2026)
How solar interacts with NZ tax, by audience. Owner-occupier, landlord, business, lifestyle block, Air BnB, and buy-back income. General info, not tax advice.
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How to Read a Solar Quote: The Kiwi Buyer's Guide
Real Kiwi solar quotes have hidden gotchas. Line-by-line anatomy, the per-watt sanity check, what's missing, red flags, and a 26-row comparison rubric for 2026.
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Solar Buy-Back Rates NZ: Every Retailer Compared (2026)
Compare solar buy-back rates from all NZ power companies. Octopus, Meridian, Mercury, Genesis, Contact, and more.
ReadPanels, inverters and batteries
The gear that goes on your roof and in your garage. Brand tiers, technology choices, and what lasts.
String Inverter vs Microinverter NZ: Which Is Right for Your Roof?
String inverter or microinverters for your NZ solar system? Real 2026 NZ costs, shade performance, warranty terms (Fronius vs Enphase), and the honest decision rule.
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Solar Battery Storage NZ: Costs, Brands, and Is It Worth It?
Solar battery prices in NZ: Tesla Powerwall, BYD, Enphase compared. When batteries make sense and when you're better off without one.
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Best Tesla Powerwall Alternatives NZ: BYD and Enphase Compared (2026)
The best Tesla Powerwall 3 alternatives in NZ. BYD, Sungrow, and Enphase compared on price, $/kWh, inverter compatibility, and warranty. The honest decision matrix.
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How Long Do Solar Panels Last in NZ?
Solar panel lifespan in NZ: 25-30+ years with 0.3-0.5% annual degradation. What actually fails, inverter replacement costs, and NZ-specific risks like UV and coastal salt.
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Solar Panel Cleaning and Maintenance NZ: Complete Guide
Solar panel maintenance in NZ: cleaning costs $10/panel, dirty panels lose 15-25% output. NZ-specific issues: lichen, salt spray, bird droppings. What to do and when.
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Solar Panels and EV Charging in NZ: The Complete Setup
How to charge your EV with solar in NZ. Smart charger options, how much solar you need, and the real cost per kilometre.
ReadInstallation and installers
How to pick the right installer, what to expect once you sign, and how to stay out of the bad-installer scams.
How Solar Scout Vets Installers
How Solar Scout vets solar installers in NZ. EWRB registration, Master Electricians certification, insurance, and what to look for in a quality installer.
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What Happens When You Get Solar Installed in NZ
The complete NZ solar installation timeline: 4-8 weeks from quote to live system. DG approvals, install day, meter upgrades, and the delays nobody warns you about.
ReadSpecial situations
Off-grid setups, rental properties, and the corners of NZ solar that don't fit the typical homeowner picture.
Can You Go Off-Grid with Solar in NZ?
Off-grid solar in NZ: $40-70k vs $13-18k for grid-tied. Battery sizing, winter challenges, EDB export limits, hybrid alternatives, and who it actually makes sense for.
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Solar Panels for Rental Property NZ: The Landlord's Guide
Should you put solar on your NZ rental? The honest answer: depreciation tax shield, buy-back, property uplift, body corp realities, and the legal trap most landlords miss.
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