Frequently Asked Questions

Our grid-tied systems start from $6,000 installed — that includes 6 × 505W Tier 1 solar panels, a 5kW inverter, and full installation. Premium systems with higher-output panels or hybrid inverters start from $10,000. Battery storage can be added from $4,500. Off-grid systems start from $10,000, with larger systems sized to your load and site. Every system is designed around your specific energy needs, so the best way to get an accurate figure is a free assessment.

Yes. Low-interest green energy loans are available through ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, and Westpac. These loans are specifically designed for renewable energy purchases and typically offer better rates than standard personal loans. We can talk you through the options as part of your free assessment.

Most of our customers see a payback period of 7–10 years — after which the system is essentially generating free electricity. The average Canterbury household pays around $3,400 per year in power bills; our customers typically reduce that to around $1,200. With electricity prices continuing to rise, every year the numbers improve in your favour.

Yes — this is one of the most common misconceptions we encounter. Canterbury has some of the best solar irradiance in New Zealand. A well-designed system will generate meaningful energy year-round, not just in summer. The key word is 'well-designed' — a system sized and oriented correctly for your property and usage will absolutely deliver a strong return. If it doesn't stack up for your specific situation, we'll tell you.

We start with a free assessment — we look at your power bills, your roof, and your energy goals, and give you honest advice on what makes sense. From there we design a system tailored to your property, supply and install all the equipment, commission and test the system, walk you through how to monitor and get the most from it, and provide all compliance documentation. From first contact to a running system typically takes around 4–6 weeks.

All grid-connected systems require consent from your local power network (lines company), and in some cases a council consent is also required. We take care of all of this for you — it's part of the service. In some straightforward situations you may only need to notify your electricity retailer, but wherever consents are needed, we handle the paperwork so you don't have to.

For a standard grid-tied system, the physical installation is typically completed in one day. Larger or more complex systems — including off-grid setups — may take longer. We don't leave until the system is running, tested, and you understand how to use it.

Most roofs are suitable, but there are a few situations that can make solar difficult. Heavy shading from trees or nearby buildings will reduce performance significantly. Certain roofing materials — including asbestos-based roofing — require special handling or may not be suitable. And roofs with a complex shape or limited unobstructed space can restrict how many panels we can install. We assess all of this during your free site visit and will give you an honest picture before you commit to anything.

Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not direct sunlight — so they do produce on overcast days, just at a reduced output. In winter, shorter days and lower sun angles mean less generation than summer, which is entirely normal. A properly designed system accounts for seasonal variation so that you're still getting meaningful generation year-round. We don't overstate what a system will produce — our customers know what to expect before we install.

This depends on the type of inverter your system has. Standard grid-tied inverters shut down automatically during a grid outage — this is a safety requirement to protect linespeople working on the network. If you want power during an outage, you need either a battery storage system with a backup function, or an inverter specifically designed for islanding. We can advise on the right option if backup power is important to you.

Not necessarily — and we'll give you an honest answer rather than a sales pitch. For many households, a well-sized grid-tied system without batteries delivers an excellent return on investment. Battery storage makes most sense if you want backup power during outages, if your retailer's buyback rate is low, or if you have high evening electricity usage. If batteries don't stack up financially for your situation, we'll say so.

We're brand-independent, which means we recommend equipment based on what's right for your situation — not what we happen to stock. We have hands-on experience with virtually every micro-inverter brand available in New Zealand, most major string inverter brands, and all the leading battery and off-grid platforms including Sonnen, SMA, Selectronic, Outback, Victron, and Schneider. Shane was one of the first Fronius Service Partners in New Zealand and holds the highest level of Fronius technical certification.

We provide a 5-year workmanship warranty on all our installations. Equipment carries manufacturer warranties on top of that — panels typically come with a 25-year product and performance warranty, while inverter warranties are generally 5–10 years depending on the brand. If anything goes wrong, we're here to sort it.

You call Shane directly. We don't disappear once the job is done — many of our customers have been calling us for advice years after their installation. As a certified service partner for leading brands including Fronius, we can diagnose, repair, and optimise systems that others have struggled with. We also service and repair systems installed by other companies.

Yes. Shane regularly receives calls from homeowners whose systems are underperforming, throwing faults, or were not installed correctly. With experience across virtually every inverter and battery brand on the market, he can usually diagnose and resolve issues that other installers can't. If you're having problems with your existing system, get in touch.