Install Guide

Getting solar on your roof

So you’re thinking about jumping on the solar bandwagon? Good on ya! Here’s what the journey looks like for most Kiwi homes.

Is Your Place Actually Suitable?

Before you get too excited, you’ll need someone to check if your home’s a good candidate. They’ll have a look at:

Your roof situation – North-facing is gold in NZ, but east and west can do the job too. They’ll look at the pitch, available space, and condition.

Shade issues – That massive pōhutukawa might be gorgeous, but if it’s casting shadows across your roof, it’ll mess with your solar output. Same goes for the neighbor’s two-story extension or that tall chimney.

How you use power – If you’re cranking the heat pump all evening but the house is empty during sunny days, that affects your setup. The installer will probably ask to see your power bills to get the full picture.

Getting a Quote That Stacks Up

A decent installer will sort you with a proper quote covering:

The nuts and bolts – How many panels, what size system, and the gear they’ll use
What you can expect – How much power it’ll generate and what that means for your power bill
The promises – Warranty details (you want 25+ years on those panels)
The bottom line – Total cost, how long before it pays itself off, and when they can get it done

Don’t be shy about getting a few quotes to compare. Some places offer “no money down” deals or payment plans, which can take the sting out of the upfront cost.

Signing on the Dotted Line

Once you’ve picked your installer, sorted the finance, and are ready to crack on:

Check your power company’s game plan – Not all retailers are created equal when it comes to buying your excess solar. Some might offer 8-10 cents per kWh while others barely scrape 5 cents. It pays to shop around.
Council paperwork – Most standard installs don’t need consent, but if you’re in a heritage zone or Devonport, you might need to jump through extra hoops. Your installer should know the score.

Sorting Your Meter

This bit’s crucial but often overlooked. Your old meter probably can’t handle the two-way street of solar power, so:

Give your power company a buzz to check if your current meter can track exports
If not, you’ll need a fancy new smart meter with export capability
Some power companies will upgrade it for free (chur!), others might sting you $100-$200
Don’t leave this till the last minute – getting a new meter sorted can take a week or two depending on where you live and who your retailer is

Installation Day

When the big day rolls around:

The crew will rock up with your panels and gear
They’ll secure everything to your roof – proper Kiwi installations need to handle everything from Canterbury nor’westers to Auckland’s humidity
They’ll sort all the wiring and safety bits
Most jobs wrap up in a day or two

Getting Connected

An inspector will check everything’s up to scratch and meets NZ electrical standards
Your power company will update your account to recognize you’re now feeding into the grid
You might notice a new line item on your bill for “exported electricity”

Living the Solar Life

Once you’re up and running:

Most systems come with an app so you can get oddly obsessed with watching your power generation (trust me, it happens to everyone)
You’ll start shifting your power habits – suddenly doing the washing at midday makes total sense
You’ll feel pretty smug during summer heatwaves when your air con is basically running for free
And you’ll enjoy the warm fuzzy feeling of doing your bit for the planet while saving a few bucks

There you have it – you’ll be harvesting sunshine like a pro and boring your mates about your power bill savings in no time!

The best first step?

Get a proper assessment of your home. Every property is different, and a professional can tell you exactly what kind of setup would work best for your situation.