Grid connected solar power systems
An example of a 10kWp grid connected solar system in Christchurch.
We design and install grid connected PV solar power systems for New Zealand homes, schools and businesses.
What does 'grid connected' mean?
A solar energy system that is 'grid connected' is connected to New Zealand’s national electricity network, commonly known as the ‘grid’. This means you can draw down power from the grid when you need it, and sell back any surplus energy you generate as well.
How does a grid connected solar system work?
You can generate power from a number of sources, depending on the resources you have available at your home or commercial property. Power generation options usually include photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and other less common options are wind turbine and micro-hydro generation. Any combination of these methods can be employed. The energy generated is either used directly by the home/business or fed back into the grid.
How do I sell my excess power back to the grid?
Your home or property has a meter installed that measures how much electricity is used at that location. We replace this with a two-way (import/export) meter to measure both the energy you take from the grid, and what you feed back into it. If you use more than you generate, you will have a power bill to pay. If your solar power system generates more energy than you use, you will receive a credit on your power bill. Most energy retailers will buy back excess solar energy, we can provide assistance when it comes to choosing the best retailer for you.
How do you design the right solar power system for my property?
An average household in New Zealand consumes around 8,500kWh of energy each year, which costs about $250 per month, depending on the rate you pay to your power provider. We can design a solar power system to match your energy usage or a portion of it. Our technicians will work with you to design and size a grid connected power system to meet your needs, based on your energy consumption, your budget, the space available, and the renewable generation resources available at the location. The system can be designed so that you can add to it over time if your power use increases or as your budget allows.
How much will it cost to get a grid connected solar energy system installed?
We offer a free, no-obligation design and quote service. Obviously, the cost of each system will vary depending on a range of factors, but to give you an idea, our grid connected systems start at $6,990.00 for a fully installed 2kWp package, expandable to 3.5kWp. Without factoring in the added value to your home, a correctly designed and installed solar system will pay for itself within about 6 or 7 years.
Does a grid connected solar system add value to my home?
A grid connected solar system will either reduce or eliminate your power expenses, reduce your carbon footprint and add value to your home. Research in Australia estimates, that every 1kWp of solar added to your home will increase the value by approximately $6,500NZD.
string inverter grid tie solar system
A string inverter is a single inverter, with one or multiple strings of PV solar panels connected to it. Each string of solar panels is connected in series, producing a high DC (Direct Current) voltage.
In most situations we would recommend Fronius string inverter systems. The overall system cost is less, greater reliability and efficiency.
micro inverter grid tie solar system
Individual micro inverters mount and connect behind each solar panel, and are connected in parallel at 230vac. If you have 20 solar panels, you will have 20 microinverters, all of which operate independently.
Micro inverter systems can be a good option if you have multiple roof faces and orientations to locate your solar panels, or if you have potential issues with the shading of the solar PV panels.
