FAQ's

Welcome to our Solar FAQ page, where we aim to provide clear and helpful information about solar panel systems. Understanding the cost and value of solar energy can be a crucial step in making an informed decision about whether solar power is right for your home or business. In this section, we address some of the most common queries regarding solar panel costs, pricing, and the overall investment involved in home solar systems in Whangarei and the rest of Northland Our goal is to help demystify solar energy costs and highlight the benefits of this sustainable energy solution.

Want some quick answers? Here are the questions our clients often ask

How much will it cost?

A grid-tied solar energy system for your home could cost anywhere from $6,000 or $8,000 to $13,000 plus. It depends on a range of factors, including your power needs, the design of your roof and whether it’s in shade for part of the day, and which kind of panels, inverter, and other technology you choose. This price range does not include battery storage and there might be other costs such as building consent or council planning fees. If you would like a quote, we can visit your site to assess the space and talk with you about your energy use and needs.

How much could solar save me?

How much you save will depend on the size of your system and how much of its solar output you can use. The average household can easily cover 50% or more of their electricity needs with solar. Even without a battery, this can be increased to 75% or more by changing habits and using timers or ‘smart’ controls to turn on high consumption appliances during the day, when they’ll be powered by your solar panels. By adding an appropriately sized battery you can cover 100% of your average daily electricity needs virtually all the time.

What happens to the solar power I don’t use?

If you have a grid-tied system without battery storage, any solar power you don’t use during the day will be exported back to the grid, and you’ll receive a credit on your power bill. Not every power retailer buys energy back from its customers and the buy-back rate varies between them, from 7 cents to 16 cents per kWh. It’s worth shopping around!

How long will it take my solar system to pay for itself?

The average payback time for a solar energy installation is between eight and 10 years, but it depends on how well your system performs and how much of the generated power you can use. We can give you a good estimate of your likely payback time after an assessment of your site and household power use.

How long will my solar system last?

You can expect your Jinko N-type solar panels to last for at least 30 years, at which time they should still be producing 87% of their original output. REC Alpha panels are similarly long-lasting and guarantee at least 92% of their original power output after 25 years. Inverters and batteries typically last between 10 and 15 years but the high-quality Enphase IQ microinverters we use often last 20 years or more.

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