It can be hard to know where to start the process of installing solar at your home. Find out how to research solar companies, request and review quotes, and what to expect during the installation phase.
Key steps to start the process
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1
Find solar companies
How to find a reputable solar installer in New Zealand.
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2
Compare quotes
Always get multiple quotes from qualified installers.
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3
The installation process
Know what to expect from the process, start to finish.
Research solar companies
Check online to get a feel for what solar companies offer, then pick some to explore further. Solar can be installed by both solar providers, and registered electricians.
You may want to look into:
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- Services offered — Check that your installer has previous experience with solar installations — ideally ask for a reference from a recent customer.
- Level of experience — Are they a newly established company, or highly trusted with references from previous customers?
- Potential savings — Are there any package deals or discounts available that you could take advantage of?
- Clarity of website information — Is their website easy to understand or is it hard to find the information you need?
If you know people who have installed solar, ask them about their experiences as part of your research.
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SEANZ
Find a member of the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand.
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Master Electricians
Find a registered Master Electrician by searching their website.
Source quotes
As you would with any large purchase, it pays to get 2 or 3 quotes so that you can compare the advice they give you, as well as costs.
On site assessment
We recommend that you choose an installer who can come to your home to do an onsite assessment. To plan the right system for your home, they will need to assess your property’s suitability.
Questions to ask installers
When an installer visits your home, it’s the perfect time to ask some key questions. This can help you get a more accurate quote with fewer unexpected costs.
Compare and accept quotes
Once you’ve got the quotes, review them for:
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- Clarity — Installers should provide a full breakdown when they quote, so that you have visibility of all the elements and understand exactly what you’ll be getting.
- Customisation — Have they planned your system with your needs and concerns in mind?
- Cost — Will the quoted installation meet your needs and be within the budget you discussed with them?
- Confidence — Are there warranties for the workmanship and hardware included in your quote? The longer the warranty, the better.
When you accept the quote you usually need to pay a deposit upfront, about 10% to 30% of the total cost.
Activating finance
Most banks offer green loans that can be used to finance solar systems. You need to have a quote before you can apply for financing from your bank.
The solar installation process
Once you’ve accepted a quote and made a deposit, the solar company will set an installation date.
An install often involves an electrician, an installation crew and inspectors, and is usually complete in 4 weeks or less. This can take longer if any parts need to be ordered and shipped, or the installation is particularly complex (for example, if you require scaffolding).
Consents and network connections
Building consent is no longer required to install rooftop solar panels on most existing homes (with some exceptions).
Your installer will lodge a distributed generation application for you. If your system is under 10 kW this should be quick and easy, and the cost should be minimal.
It will generally take 1 to 2 weeks to have the application approved by your network operator.
Meter reconfiguration
Before your system can be switched on, your installer will need to request that your electricity meter is reconfigured to enable two-way metering, so that you can sell any excess power back to the grid. This could happen before or after installation day.
Once metering is done the network updates your house’s status to ‘distributed generation’ and export is enabled. Until this is complete, you can still generate power for yourself, but you can’t sell any back to the grid.
Installation day
Usually, the installation takes place in one or two days. This will include:
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- Panels, inverters and other components will be delivered (or this may have happened earlier).
- On some roofs, the installers may put temporary railings in place for their safety, or they may need to put up scaffolding.
- Metal rails will be attached to the roof.
- The solar panels will be attached to the metal rails.
- The inverter will be installed – usually on the wall of your garage (or another safe location).
- Cabling will be installed to connect the solar panels on your roof to the inverter.
- The inverter will be connected to the switchboard and a circuit breaker added.
- After installation, the installer will send you (and the electrical inspector) a certificate of completion.
Electrical inspection
Following your installation, your installer will arrange for a registered electrical inspector to come to your home and check the installation to make sure it has been done correctly and is safe. If it meets the requirements, you will be given an Electrical Safety Certificate for your new system.
The wait time for this inspection could be as soon as the next day or could be several weeks during busy periods. The cost of this inspection should be included in your installer’s quote.
Learn how to use your new system
At the end of this process, your installer will turn the system fully on and should show you the basic functions of the inverter. They’ll also discuss maintenance and cleaning instructions for your system, common troubleshooting advice, and leave any instruction manuals with you.
If your system has one, your installer will connect you to a monitoring app that you can use to track and manage your solar production. They should run you through how to use the app.
Next step
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Maintain and optimise
Learn how to get the full benefit from solar.
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Improve home efficiency
Tips for improving energy use in your home.