When comparing solar panels, you’ll often see an efficiency rating expressed as a percentage. Some panels might be 20% efficient, while others are rated at 22% or higher. It’s easy to assume that a higher percentage automatically means a better solar panel. But that’s not necessarily the case. Understanding what solar panel efficiency actually measures, […]
When you start looking at solar, one of the main decisions is what type of system you actually need. Most residential solar systems fall into one of three categories: grid-tied, hybrid or off-grid. The main difference is how each system connects to the electricity grid and whether battery storage is involved. For most New Zealand […]
A home solar system can sound complicated at first because there are several different pieces of equipment involved. Solar panels, inverters, batteries, meters and the electricity grid all play different roles. In practice, the basic process is quite simple. Solar panels generate electricity, the inverter converts it into electricity your home can use, and […]
Solar panels generate electricity whenever there is enough sunlight, but your home will not always use all of that electricity at the same time it is being produced. So what happens when your solar panels generate more electricity than your household needs? The answer depends on how your solar system is set up. In a […]
New Zealand weather can be unpredictable. A clear morning can turn cloudy by lunchtime, while winter brings shorter days, lower temperatures and plenty of grey skies. So, if you’re considering solar panels, there’s an obvious question: do they still work when the sun isn’t shining brightly? Yes. Solar panels can still generate electricity on cloudy […]
Choosing a solar installer can be difficult. Quotes can look very different, there are plenty of products to compare, and it is not always easy to know which companies will still be there to support their systems years down the track. That is where SOLASSURE™ comes in. SOLASSURE is New Zealand’s independent quality assurance programme […]
If you’re researching solar, you’ve probably heard that a north-facing roof is the best option. While there’s truth to that, it doesn’t tell the whole story. The best roof direction for solar panels depends on where your home is located, how you use electricity and the characteristics of your property. Roof direction is an important […]
One of the first things many homeowners notice when considering solar is the amount of shade around their property. A large tree, a neighbouring house or even a chimney can raise an obvious question: does shading mean solar won’t work? The simple answer is no. Shading can influence how a solar system performs, but it […]
Solar has become a familiar sight across New Zealand, but deciding whether to install solar panels is not simply a matter of finding space on the roof and choosing a system. Every home is different. The way you use electricity, the design of your property, your future plans and your expectations all play a role […]
If you’ve been researching solar, you’ve probably come across solar batteries. They are often talked about alongside solar panels, but many homeowners are not entirely sure what they actually do, how they work, or whether they need one. The short answer is that a solar battery stores electricity generated by your solar system so it […]
One of the first questions people ask when researching solar is also one of the hardest to answer: “How much does solar cost?” The challenge is that there is no single price for a solar system. Every home is different. A small household with modest electricity use will likely have different requirements from a large […]
One of the most common questions people ask when considering solar is surprisingly simple: “Will solar actually work on my home?” Before assessing suitability, it can also help to understand the basics of how solar power systems work in New Zealand. The good news is that many New Zealand homes can support solar panels. However, […]
