Frequently Asked Questions

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels capture photons in sunlight whenever the sun is up, no matter what the temperature is outside. This electricity can be used by any electrical appliance. Solar Hot Water systems transfer thermal energy, or heat, from the sun directly to water, which is stored in your hot water cylinder. Learn more about the differences here.

A solar only system will not operate during a power outage. If you want protection from power cuts you need to add battery storage. Learn more about how a battery will automatically power you through an outage here.

Solar inverters convert DC power produced by your solar panels into AC electricity for your home or business. Learn more about what to look for in a solar inverter here or see our range here.

Solar panels only produce power during daylight. If you want to use this solar energy at night, you need to store it in a battery, ready to be discharged at night.

A good quality solar panel will perform close to max output for 25-30 years and should continue, with a slight decrease in efficiency, well beyond that. Read more about the lifespan of solar panels here and the lifespan and warranties of other components here.

There are three main solar set-ups: Grid-tied solar only: Includes solar panels and an inverter which is connected to the national grid. Hybrid solar: Includes solar panels and an inverter which is connected to the national grid, plus battery storage. Off-grid system: Includes solar panels, an inverter and a large battery storage system. Off-grid systems are not connected to the grid so are completely self-reliant. Learn more about each type here.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels use semiconductors to capture photons from sunlight and convert them into Direct Current (DC) electricity. DC electricity is converted to Alternating Current (AC) electricity through an inverter. It can then be used by any electrical appliance in your home. If you produce more than you need, excess energy is stored in a battery or automatically sold to the grid for credit on your power bill. Read more about how solar panels work here or understand the difference between Solar PV and Solar Hot Water here. 

Yes, solar can be installed on the flat roofs of new builds or existing homes and businesses. Understand more about your roof’s suitability for solar here.

Yes, our survey, design and quote service is 100% free with no obligation. However, when you see the figures, we’re confident you’ll want to go ahead! Book your free survey here.

Not right now, and we believe government incentives are unlikely in the medium-term future. However, banks offer very low interest loans for energy efficient upgrades, which can be spent on solar and batteries. Read more about finance for homeowners here.

A common myth is that solar only works if your roof faces north. While it’s true that north-facing panels produce the most total energy, roofs facing east or west will still produce about 85% of a north-facing roof. Understand more about your roof’s suitability for solar here.

A 15º-45º roof will give you the best year-round performance. If needed, we can use tilt frames to adjust the pitch of your panels. Understand more about your roof’s suitability solar here.

Your solar system comes with warranties for each of the individual components and our workmanship. Read more about warranties here.

The right energy retailer for you depends on your solar set-up, usage patterns and your priorities. We’ll help you choose the right retailer during the design phase. See our most recommended retailers here.

A typical house will have around 10-24 panels. However, to ensure the best possible return on your investment we’ll design and model your solar system specifically to your needs. Get in touch to book a free survey.

Yes. We can design a system based on your plans and estimated energy use. Incorporating solar into your project early will save time, money and likely result in a more aesthetic installation. Read more about solar for new builds here.

Solar panels that are attached to your roof are usually covered by your home insurance policy. If the panels are not attached to your home, such as a ground mount system, then they will be covered under a contents insurance policy. It’s a good idea to speak to your insurance company to ensure that your sum insured is enough to cover the replacement of your solar system too. 

Many major banks in New Zealand are now offering very low or even no interest loans for energy efficient upgrades including solar and battery storage. Read more about them here.

If your business has unused roof space, this can be transformed into an asset that actively reduces your everyday operating costs by supplying free power from the sun direct to your business.

Solar offers an excellent return on investment, especially for energy hungry businesses who can maximise self-consumption during the day. Typically businesses with solar see a 10-20% return on investment. 

Our experts will help you build the business case and provide precise modelling to predict your returns – now, and as energy prices rise.

The principles of solar design and installation are the same for businesses and residential homes. We’ll take into account your location, energy profile and priorities to design a system that works for your business. Because businesses are often high energy users during the daytime, they can maximise self-consumption and often see even better returns than residential users.

Solar effectively ‘fixes’ the price you will pay for power for the life of the system. This not only saves you money, but also provides business certainty freeing you from the rising cost of power. 

Powering your business with renewable solar energy reduces your emissions – with detailed monitoring and data for ESG reporting – and is a visible statement of your commitment to sustainability.

Yes, a solar system is a depreciating asset and businesses can claim depreciation deductions to reduce their taxable income.

No, Powerwall 3 is not currently compatible with Powerwall 2. Learn more about it here.

Yes, we are Powerwall Premium Certified Installers and Tesla Powerwall 3 was launched in 2024. Read more about it here.

Yes, around 75% of our customers opt for a battery. Battery storage will make you more self-sufficient, protect you from power outages and maximise your financial savings. Read more about the benefits of battery storage here.

Yes, a battery can be retrofitted to a solar system. However, installing a battery at the same time usually costs less in the long run. This is particularly true for Tesla Powerwall 3, which comes with an inbuilt inverter. 

Yes, a battery only system can be used on a variable retail plan to store energy from the grid when it is cheap, for use during peak pricing times. However, you miss out on the major benefit of free solar power.

 We start by building your energy profile using a load sheet. This helps us calculate the energy required based on the appliances you use and how long you use them. 

Off-grid systems are not connected to the grid, while grid-tied and hybrid systems are. An off-grid system is sized to cover your year round demand, with plenty of battery storage for back up. Hybrid systems can rely on a grid connection for back-up, so are usually only sized to power you through till the next day or for short outages. Learn more about the different types of systems here. 

 Every off-grid system needs to be tailored to your specific energy needs. We take the time to understand your usage and design a system that ensures reliable power, even during low-sun periods. 

Before you go ahead, we’ll model the system’s expected solar production against your usage to accurately predict your expected financial savings. Every home and solar system is different, but most people see a 10–20% return on investment with a payback period of around 7–10 years. Lifestyle adjustments or adding a battery can save you even more. Read more about how much solar can save you here or try our ROI calculator.

Energy retailers set the price you are paid for exporting solar energy to the grid and it varies by retailer. Check your power bill for your export rate or see the latest buy-back rates here.

The solar panels we supply are guaranteed under warranty for 20 years plus. But with no moving parts, good quality solar panels from reputable suppliers are known to last for many decades without failing. Read more about how long solar last here.

It does depend on the capability of recycling facilities available but the short answer is, yes. Glass, aluminium and silicon are all materials that can be separated and recycled. In NZ, Phoenix Recycling Group are able to recover 98% of the materials in a solar panel for reuse. Read more about the sustainability of solar here.

Energy payback is the time it takes a solar system to produce more clean energy than it took to manufacture. Studies have found this to be around 1-2 years of operation. Read more about the sustainability of solar here.

A standard residential solar system installed in an area like the lower South Island saves approximately 968kg of carbon every year. Read more about the sustainability of solar here.

Solar reduces your carbon footprint by producing clean, renewable energy for your home. Electrifying fossil fuel appliances and vehicles to power with solar can reduce your carbon footprint even further. Read more about reducing your carbon footprint with solar here.

Maximising your self-consumption, adding a battery, and choosing the right energy retailer are just some of the ways you can increase your savings. Read more about optimising your solar system here.

With few moving parts, solar systems require very little maintenance. We recommend regular visual checks, a manual clean every year and a professional inspection of the whole system every 5 years. Read more about solar panel maintenance here.

Yes. Every solar system we install includes industry-leading warranties on products, our workmanship plus lifetime technical support from our experienced local team. Learn more about why our aftercare service is the best in NZ here.

Yes, this is a great way to maximise self-consumption and improve the return on investment for your solar system and car. Read more about charging your EV on solar here.

Yes, if you have a Tesla Powerwall and a Tesla Electric Vehicle, you can use the ‘Charge on Solar’ feature to automatically charge your car when you have excess solar generation. My Energi’s Zappi EV charger also has this feature, which can be used with any Electric Vehicle. Learn how to set up this feature for Tesla here or on My energi Zappi here.

Energy retailers set the price you are paid for exporting solar energy to the grid and it varies by retailer. Check your power bill for your export rate or see the latest buy-back rates here.

Think Solar Group is a group of locally-owned companies who specialise in the design and install of quality solar systems, batteries and off-grid solutions. We have branches across the South Island: in Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and Wanaka. Each one is locally owned and operated while benefiting from knowledge and buying power of our wider group.

We service the entire South Island from our branches in Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and Wanaka. Find your local branch here.

Yes, not only are we 100% NZ-owned, each of our branches are owned locally by people who live in those communities.

No, we never use subcontractors. We specialise in solar and take the time to train and upskill our 100% in-house team. Read more about our commitment to our in-house team here. 

Yes! We’re growing and always looking for great people from all different backgrounds to join our team. https://thinksolar.co.nz/careers/