Solar Power

Installing solar panels in your home is a great way to be proactive in powering your home with clean, safe, renewable energy.

A one-off investment in solar power can provide years of savings by off-setting your power bill. Every kilowatt of energy you use from your solar system is a kilowatt of energy you didn’t have to buy from your power company.

What is Solar Power?

Solar Power is electricity that is produced using solar panels. Luckily New Zealand has many sunny days throughout the year, that’s why our country generates a lot of solar energy. Electricity can be produced even when it’s cloudy, however, not during the nighttime. Solar power is simply a method of converting the sun’s energy into electricity for us to use just like any other form of electricity. 

The technology behind solar electricity is fairly simple - solar panels are installed in your home in a spot that captures the sunlight, the panels produce electricity when exposed to the sun, this electricity is directed into your home. 

Installing solar power in your home can be an attractive option if you want to take control of your electricity bill and do something good for the environment. 

Benefits of Solar Power

• Off-set the cost of your power bill. Electricity generated by your solar panels can help offset the costs on your power bill, providing a long term solution to growing electricity bills. Every kW of solar power you use is a kW of energy you didn’t have to buy from your power company.
• A one-off investment for years of savings. A one-off investment in Solar Power can provide years of “free” electricity via solar in years to come.  
• Add value to your property. Green energy solutions are becoming more popular in New Zealand. An investment in Solar Power could add value to your property in the future.
• Be in control of your power bill. The capacity to create your own electricity reduces your reliance on the electricity grid and electricity retailers. Solar Power allows you to take control of your future electricity consumption and electricity bill.
• Do something good for the environment. Solar panels create a more sustainable cleaner energy mix.

How much does Solar Power Cost?

Homes that rely on a ‘traditional’ electricity supply will be at the mercy of energy companies and fluctuating energy prices. The ability to generate your own electricity with solar can put you in control of your power bill.

Installing Solar Power in your home will involve an upfront cost to install the Solar Power system.  The solar electricity you generate for your home will help off-set the cost of your power bill for the lifetime of the solar system. 

We have seen the cost of installing solar energy systems reduce over the last five years or so. This has put solar energy within reach of many more New Zealand homes. 

The cost of installing a solar system will depend on your home daytime energy use and the system size you need. For example, if you have a family home with young children and work away from home, you may find your home is empty during the morning, but busy in the afternoon. A small kW system might be a good fit for you. 

If you’re retired or work at home, you’ll find yourself home for most of the day, and a larger system may work to erase a higher percentage of your grid energy use. 

If you are considering Solar for your home, the best first step will be to have a solar feasibility assessment. The assessment will take a detailed look at your home’s electricity needs, previous power bills, and whether your home’s location is suitable for solar power. 
 

How does Solar Power work?

PV panels (short for ‘photovoltaic’) are installed in areas of your home that capture the sunlight, usually on your roof or on brackets. The panel is then connected to an inverter, which looks a little like an electricity meter box.

When sunlight hits the cells in the PV panel, electrons are loosened and move around. The electrons are then captured and start to move in the same direction around a circuit, generating what is known as a Direct Current (DC).The current moves down cabling to your inverter, where it is converted into an Alternating Current (AC) - the kind of electricity that can be used in your home. 

Is Solar Power a good option in New Zealand?

New Zealand is a lucky country for many reasons, one of which is the amount of sunlight we receive throughout the year. Solar panels work when the sun is shining, which we regularly experience even in the cooler parts of the country. 

This means that many homes across New Zealand would be good candidates for solar energy systems. Solar panels can help offset some of the cost of your power bill and provide a long term solution to growing power bills. 

Solar Energy is a great option for many homes in New Zealand, but it won’t be a suitable solution for everyone. If you are thinking about installing solar panels in your home, we recommend getting a free solar feasibility assessment with Choice Energy.

The assessment is free, with no obligation, and if solar energy isn’t the best option for you the Choice Energy Assessor will let you know. Solar Energy Experts will take a detailed look at your needs, looking at prior electricity bills and assessing your site for solar panel viability to create a solar solution built specifically for you.
 

How to get Solar Panels installed in New Zealand

The process of installing solar energy in your home can be surprisingly simple. Simply request a free solar feasibility assessment.  

Your assessment will check the following:

• Assess your eligibility: a detailed review of your needs, looking at previous power bills and assessing your site for solar panel viability. A solution will be created specifically for you. 
• Install: you will be helped through the installation process by an experienced project manager and accredited team of installers.
• Support: Unlike other solar providers, Choice Energy will provide you with ongoing support for the lifetime of the system.