Solar Power FAQ's
General
1. Why choose Powersmart?
2. Is a Powersmart grid connected solar system environmentally friendly?
3. Does Powersmart do the design and installation of all your systems?
4. What is grid connected solar?
5. Does a grid connect system use batteries?
6. What is a grid connect system with Back-up?
7. Does a grid connect system shut-down automatically when grid power is unavailable?
8. How do I choose which system is best for me?
9. Is a solar PV system a wise investment?
10. How can I reduce the amount of power in my home so I can buy a smaller grid connected solar system?
11. Do you provide solar hot water systems or heat pumps?
12. Do you install on all types of roofs?
13. Will my roof orientation and roof slope affect my solar system performance?
14. What do the solar panels look like on a typical roof?
15. If I’m building a new house and the grid is a long way away, should I pay to bring the lines in or install an off-grid system?
16. How much does a solar system cost?
17. What are the warranties for the panels, inverter, workmanship and installation and who is responsible for the these?
18. Can solar power systems be insured?
19. How much installation experience do you have?
20. What New Zealand standards does the inverter meet?
21. What New Zealand standards do the panels meet?
22. Do your inverters have Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)?
23. What brand of panels do you install and what is the difference between them?
24. Does the weight of the panels put too much pressure on the roof?
25. Can solar panels withstand hail?
26. Can solar panels resist strong winds?
27. What is the difference between monocrystalline, multicrystalline (or polycrystalline) and thin film solar modules?
28. What is the difference between kW and kWh?
Installation
1. Is it easy to install?
2. How long does it take from commitment to finalisation and energy production?
3. Do you need to do a site visit to finalise the quote?
5. Can I keep my current electricity retailer?
6. Does the mounting system allow airflow under the panels to help cool them?
Owning a solar power system
1. Can I still use all of my electrical appliances?
2. Will I still have power if there is a grid power outage?
3. What will my electricity bill / rebate look like?
4. If my system generates exactly the electricity that I use do I have to pay tax on that usage or is it only on the payment for the surplus sold back to the grid that I am taxed?
5. Can I see how much electricity my system is producing?
6. Do the systems require maintenance?
7. Could you advise of the potential costs of up-scaling?
8. How long will my system last?
General Questions and Answers
1. Why choose Powersmart?
We use only top quality, A-grade solar modules from reputable suppliers, with industry leading warranties and performance characteristics. Our systems are built to last! We use only marine grade aluminium and stainless steel hardware for our roof mounting systems. We receive an average of 9.5 out of 10 for customer service and satisfaction. Click here to find out more
2. Is a Powersmart grid connected solar system environmentally friendly?
Yes. Grid connected solar is quite possibly the cleanest way to produce electricity. Powersmart’s systems will last for more than 25 years without significant maintenance. During the system's life it will require no fuels other than sunlight and will produce no emissions. Every home that buys a grid connected system will be offsetting the need for carbon emitting gas fired and coal power plants. click here to find out more
3. Does Powersmart design and install all of their own systems?
Our in-house team design and install our systems. In some special instances we resource out to independent contractors for the installation of your system.
4. What is grid connected solar?
Grid connected solar is a solar photovoltaic system without batteries. Your home is hooked up to both the national grid and your Powersmart solar system so you will always have electricity available at the flick of a switch; even at night, or if it is cloudy. You can install a system of any size and you will only ever be billed if your power consumption is in excess of the amount you are generating. By being grid connected with solar, you may never have to pay a power bill again! Click here to find out more
5. Does a grid connect system use batteries?
Typically, our grid connected systems do not use batteries, however we do offer grid-connect systems with back-up for customers with special requirements (see point 7. below). Batteries are generally quite expensive and require regular maintenance. The electricity grid acts as a 100% efficient and maintenance free battery while also providing unlimited ‘on demand’ energy. This is what makes grid connected solar so attractive. It has all of the benefits of being attached to the electricity grid but without the continually rising cost of electricity.
6. What is a grid connect system with back-up?
A grid connect system with back-up is a system that includes extra components for when grid power is unavailable, in this instance the solar system automatically changes to behave like an off-grid system. This set-up provides your home with uninterrupted power regardless of the grid and is recommended for those who need a back-up system for medical reasons or for areas that commonly experience power outages. However, most people find that a grid connect system usually fulfils their power usage requirements.
Should you want to include a back-up to your grid-connect system, we will need to include a battery bank and other components to a standard grid connect system, this roughly adds a minimum of $10,000 to the system cost and is contingent on your back-up requirements. To provide an accurate quote for your back-up system, you will need to fill out our energy audit form and send it back to us so we can quote you for a complete system that suits your power needs.
Click here to find out more
7. Does a grid connect system shut-down automatically when grid power is unavailable?
Yes. Grid connect systems are required by law to automatically shut down once grid power becomes unavailable. Inverters have a built in function to turn themselves off when the grid goes down. This safety requirement ensures that no electricity is being fed back into the grid and as a result allows workers to safely work on the lines without any risk of electrocution.
8. How do I choose which system is best for me?
There are a few things you should consider when you are trying to decide what size system you are interested in. You should base your solar system purchase on the following in order of priority:
- 1.) your budget;
- 2.) your available roof space;
- 3.) the amount of electricity you consume (kWh) per year or your yearly electricity bill amount ($) you want to offset. Solar power savings calculator
Our quotes provide you with enough information to give you a general idea of our system capabilities. One of our sales agents can provide you with some further insight and advice should you want further guidance in finding a system that will suit your needs and targets. Click here to contact us
9. Is a solar PV system a wise investment?
Yes, Powersmart grid connect solar systems will reduce your electricity expense and add value to your home or building providing a reasonable return on investment. A Powersmart grid connected solar system will produce returns starting around 8%, and reach 100% payback within 10 years.
Solar power savings calculator
10. How can I reduce the amount of power in my home so I can buy a smaller grid connected solar system?
You can install any size system you want that suits your home and budget. There are several ways you can reduce the electricity demand in your home. Some easy, cost effective measures include: installing energy efficient light bulbs, low flow shower heads and faucet heads and properly insulating your hot water tank. Further, more expensive measures include upgrading to 6 star energy rated appliances, replacing your windows with double pane glass and possibly replacing your house insulation. You can also install solar water heaters or hot water heat pumps to further reduce your energy demand.
Click here for energy saving tips
11. Do you provide solar hot water systems or heat pumps?
No, Powersmart specialises solely in the installation of solar photovoltaic systems.
12. Do you install on all types of roofs?
We install on most roof types. Our systems are designed to be mounted to most roofing structures including metal, composite, and clay/concrete tile. Your roof type will dictate the type of mounting we will use for the installation of your system and it will have an effect on the overall price of your system.
13. Will my roof orientation and roof slope affect my solar system performance?
The orientation and slope of your roof does matter. The optimal orientation is facing true north, but east and west facing roof slopes are ok too. The optimal roof slope is 30°. In most cases a roof angle between 10° and 60° is fine to install on. Otherwise, we do offer tilt mounting systems to optimise system production. Please use the chart below as a guide to better understand the effect of different roof pitches and orientations on system performance.
14. What do the solar panels look like on a typical roof?
Take a look at the many images on our website and the Portfolio page to get a better idea. We can usually mount solar panels directly to your roof at its current slope and aspect so they do not change the architectural look of your roof line. Our solar panels are slightly iridescent with a blue and black colour.
15. If I’m building a new house and the grid is a long way away, should I pay to bring the lines in or install an off-grid system?
Typically it is best to pay for connection to the national grid but it depends on the distance and the total cost to do this. Being connected to the grid provides you with ‘on demand’ energy but you are at the mercy of the electrical company’s pricing. You would however be able to install a grid connect system that will assist you in recuperating some of the connection costs. You would then have the benefit of being attached to the electricity grid without the continually rising monthly costs.
Otherwise, an off-grid system could be a more affordable option for your new build. Contact us for an off-grid system quote to compare pricing and see if it would be a more suitable option for you.
16. How much does a solar system cost?
The price of Solar has dramatically decreased over the years. Grid connected solar systems are an investment in your home and will turn a cash expense into an investment with a positive return. There are very few technical requirements around system sizing, and you can install any system size that suits your home and budget. Please click here if you would like a free quote for a solar power system.
17. What are the warranties for the panels, inverter, workmanship and installation and who is responsible for these?
• Powersmart Solar stands by a 5 year complete system warranty
• Our systems are specifically designed for 25 year maintenance free life
• Components warranty:
Solar Panels:
• Our Solar panels come with 5/25 year manufacturer’s/power warranty
• The panels will still be producing 80% of their original output after 25 years
Inverters:
• 5 year parts and labour warranty
• Please note that an inverter warranty extension is available up to 25 years for an additional fee. Contact us for more details.
18. Can solar power systems be insured?
Generally yes they can be insured under your home and contents insurance. We recommend that you call your insurance company to confirm this before you go ahead with purchasing a system.
19. How much installation experience do you have?
• We have installed hundreds of systems throughout Australasia
• We are also developing our commercial portfolio click here to find out more
• We’re current panel members for the ACT Government Solar Schools Program and have installed numerous systems through this
• We’ve also completed some government projects
• Click here to see our full portfolio
20. What New Zealand standards does the inverter meet?
AS4777 – approved inverters list
21. What New Zealand standards do the panels meet?
IEC61730 – approved for use and rebates by the Clean Energy Council
22. Do your inverters have Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)?
Yes. All modern grid connect inverters have Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)
23. What brand of panels do you install and what is the difference between them?
Suntech and Sunrise.
The difference between the two;
- Suntech - is a well known brand and is one of the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world.
- SunRise - is a new company that is aggressively looking to expand its customer base. They have manufactured panels on the behalf of Suntech and are backed by insurance firm CHUBB.
Physically and electrically they are practically the same, both are:
- 190W mono crystalline – 24V panels
- Size: 1580mm x 808mm x 35mm
Both brands have the same length warranties:
- 10 year limited product warranty
- 25 year performance warranties
Solar panels are the most reliable component in the solar system. We are confident in recommending both solar modules. The 190W mono crystalline panel is the most common panel on the market today, should anything happen to one of your panels that is not covered by any warranties or insurance it would be easy to source a similar panel to replace it. There are no moving parts in the panels and as such they will sit on your roof for over 25 years continuously transforming sunlight into electricity.
Click here to find out more
24. Does the weight of the panels put much pressure on the roof?
With our panels you do not have to worry about the pressure on your roof:
- The 190W panels are only 15.5kg per panel and being that the panels are 1.2 meters square each they weight 12.9kg per meter square. With mounting components included the solar power system will weigh between 14-15kW per meter square.
(The weight per square meter for each of the panels mentioned above is much less than roofing tiles).
We attach the panels to the supporting beams inside your roof. The solar panels are relatively light and can easily be supported by the existing structure of most homes. On older homes you may need a structural engineer to analyse your roof. As a general rule of thumb, if it is safe to walk on, it is safe for a solar array.
25. Can solar panels withstand hail?
Solar panels are typically built with high-strength tempered glass and are often rated to sustain direct hits from 1-inch hail at 50 mph. Since these arrays are typically mounted with the pitch of your roof (at an angle), it is unlikely for them to sustain a direct hit.
26. Can solar panels resist strong winds?
When mounted properly Powersmart Solar’s systems are designed to withstand winds up to 125mph (Category 2 hurricanes peak out at 110 mph).
Powersmart Solar designs solar power systems specifically for harsh environments and has taken special care to create a robust system that will withstand the elements. The system is designed for use in the tropics where high ambient temperatures, salt-laden air, and risk of cyclones and/or flooding are to be expected.
27. What is the difference between monocrystalline, multicrystalline (or polycrystalline) and thin film solar modules?
Monocrystalline panels are made up of single crystal wafer cells. These require a smaller surface area which is great when you have limited space.
Multicrystalline panels are made from multifaceted silicon crystal. These usually require a larger surface area as they are less efficient when converting the sun’s rays. New technology is diminishing the performance gap between monocrystalline and multicrystalline panels. Evergreen has developed a way to manufacture multicrystalline panels called String Ribbon: this increases the performance of the cells and decreases the amount of silicon waste in production, thereby creating less of an impact on the environment.
Thin film solar panels are created by applying a thin layer of material with photoelectric properties directly onto flexible materials. This process requires much less silicon. Thin film panels are less efficient than crystalline panels and therefore require a large surface area and the thin film degrades faster over time than crystalline panels. Thin film technology is marketed as having the ability to perform better in cloudy conditions, but they aren’t proven to generate more kWh’s in a year than crystalline panels. Click here to find out more
28. What is the difference between kW and kWh?
A kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power, while a kilowatt hour (kWh) is a unit of energy. The difference is that kilowatt defines how much power a device uses or generates at a given moment and a kilowatt hour defines how much energy that device uses or generates over a given time period.
Installation Questions and Answers
1. Is it easy to install?
Yes. Powersmart’s solar systems are designed to be installed with the least amount of labour possible. The panels are mounted to the roof with a top down design saving time and effort. All of the associated wiring is pre-wired with quick connectors. The system is literally ‘plug and play’. In addition, we have made every effort to make the systems compatible to all types of roof structures in New Zealand and Australia. Powersmart is usually able to install residential systems according to their size:
- 1 to 3kW within 1 and half days,
- 3kW+ within 2 days.
2. How long does it take from commitment to finalisation and energy production?
The lead time between ordering and installation is 4 to 6 weeks.
The energy production/commissioning is related to your local utility company’s inspection and assessment, which we administer but can’t control, and usually takes a couple of weeks to finalise. We notify your utility provider to activate, they come to swap up the meter, there is a final inspection, once this is completed the solar system can be turned on.
3. Do you need to do a site visit to finalise the quote?
Not necessarily, we can design and model a system that best suits your home by either viewing your roof from Google Earth or from a roof plan. This will give you an accurate expectation of how your system will be laid out and the power generation of your system. In some instances, we will require a site visit to confirm the layout can go ahead as designed and that there aren’t any significant shading issues.
4. Can I keep my current electricity retailer?
Yes. Most energy companies offer metering and billing arrangements that suit grid connected solar systems. Although we do recommend Meridian Energy if you as they offer the highest rate for exporting solar power back to the grid.
5. Does the mounting system allow airflow under the panels to help cool them?
Yes, there is a 100mm gap which allows airflow. Click here to find out more
Owning a solar power system Questions and Answers
1. Can I still use all of my electrical appliances?
Yes. With grid connected solar you are still attached to the national electricity grid. You can use as much power as you need at any given time.
2. Will I still have power if there is a grid power outage?
In order to comply with the New Zealand Electrical Code the solar system must automatically disconnect itself from the grid should the grid fail. This is done in order to protect workers from electrucution when fixing problems with power lines. We can, however, offer a backup battery system that will allow you to power emergency lighting and a few outlets in your house specifically for this purpose.
3. What will my electricity bill / rebate look like?
Your electricity bill will look the same as it did before, but will have an additional section showing the return that you have achieved with your grid connected solar system. Depending on your electricity usage and the size of your system you could have a $0 bill or even a credit!
4. If my system generates exactly the electricity that I use do I have to pay tax on that usage or am I taxed on the payment for the surplus sold back to the grid?
Neither. The electricity savings generated by your solar power system are not considered taxable income.
5. Can I see how much electricity my system is producing?
Yes. Different inverters provide different levels of monitoring. In addition to the LCD displays that are standard with most inverters, Powersmart can provide system monitoring software or a standalone display that will allow you to see how much electricity your system is generating at any time. Below is a quick rundown on the monitoring options that different companies provide;
• The Enasolar inverter has WiFi built into it so that you can access system monitoring displays on your PC through your web browser. This requires that you have a home wireless network to function properly.
• SMA Sunny Boy 2000HF and Sunny Boy 3000 to 10000 TL models have digital display monitoring on the inverter and come with Bluetooth which allows you connect your system to your PC through free software provided by SMA called Sunny Explorer.
• SMA Sunny Boy 1700 has a digital display on the inverter and has the option of adding the SMA Bluetooth piggy back which allows you to download the daily system output from your system onto your computer.
• Sunny Webbox;
Similar to what Enasolar offers with the built in WiFi
Requirements: will need to have an ethernet cable close to the inverter location in order to make the sunny Webbox operational
6. Do the systems require maintenance?
Our systems are designed to last for longer than 25 years, maintenance free. But you may want to wash the solar panels if they get dusty or covered in pollen so that they continue to produce the maximum amount of electricity. The systems contain no moving parts and are designed specifically for New Zealand environments. Check out our grid connected systems to read more.
7. Could you advise of the potential costs of up-scaling?
Up-scaling is possible but largely depends on the system size that you are looking for. As a general rule it is harder to expand upon smaller system sizes (1kW to 3kW systems) although not impossible.
Below are a few things you should keep in mind when deciding on your system size with the potential to expand it at a later date:
Inverters
• Inverter size is the key factor to consider when choosing your system
• Smaller inverters have less capability to add on additional panels
• Over-sizing is possible but again, the smaller the inverter the less flexibility to upgrade
• Medium size inverters (specifically 4 and 5kW inverters) are the most flexible as they are designed with a second MPPT tracker (Maximum Power Point Tracker)
• Larger inverters are not all equipped with a second MPPT tracker
• Depending on your system we may recommend you get small or medium size inverters to suit your needs
A second MPPT tracker allows you to:
• Add a different type of panel at a later stage
• Place panels facing a different direction due to its capacity to accommodate the different voltages generated by the two strings of panels
If you are going to expand your system keep in mind:
Panel type
• The panel voltage and watt rating will need to be relatively similar to your existing system in order to function properly.
• Technology is continually improving, a panel may be discontinued if you wait too long to upgrade – which makes it hard to source more of the same
Location of the panels
• If you were to place the extra panels on a different facing roof you will need an inverter with a second MPPT tracker or an separate inverter
Cost
• Additionally there is the 2nd round of installation costs to take into consideration; this makes most small upgrades uneconomical
Time & Technology
• Technology keeps getting better, if you are hoping to expand in the short term then a larger inverter with a plan to upgrade in a short timeframe might suit your needs just fine.
• If you are looking to wait another year or more we would suggest that you size your current system to suit optimal performance and to install another full inverter/panel set-up at a later date
Our Recommendation
• If you are choosing between a number of systems, it is recommended that you make a choice once with no plans to upgrade at a later stage; unless the upgrade will follow in a relatively short timeframe;
• This will allow your system to perform at its maximum operational output; and,
• Ultimately, you could consider putting in another independent solar system in addition to the one you already have installed.
8. How long will my system last?
Given that the solar panels make up the bulk of the system cost this is the most important component to consider. In fact, the solar panels come with a 25 year performance guarantee! Some solar systems have been in operation for over 40 years and are still in operation today.
Our philosophy is to design a solar power system that has a lifetime comparable to the solar panels. That is why our mounting systems are composed of marine grade anodised aluminium (the same as the solar panel frames) and use stainless steel hardware. The inverter is probably the weakest link in the system and has a design life of around 20 years.