Is Investing in Solar Worth It?
Solar is an investment, it’s not something you just splash out on, we get that. Like any major project on your home, a home solar system requires due diligence to ensure your investment is worth it.
To help give our solar clients peace of mind we always start our initial chat with what’s important to you and come to the table with genuine information that can help guide your investment decision based on your goals.
We thought we’d give you a little insight into those first steps before we install solar, read on to find out how we help you be sure you’re installing solar for the right reasons.
Why Invest in Solar?
Solar is a great alternative to power from the grid with significant savings on your energy bills and a smaller environmental footprint. From new builds to renovations the investment can often be offset by cheaper power bills. New Zealand’s major banks also want to help people create more environmentally friendly homes by offering 0%-1% loans for sustainable projects including solar panels.
What are your reasons for investing in solar?
In our experience, our clients have three main reasons for investing in solar:
1. Financial
Solar panels can significantly reduce your electricity bills, giving you more freedom to do the things you love, and bonus, solar panels can increase the value of your home. Buyers can be willing to pay a premium for the potential savings on power. Read our case study to find out how much Sharon saved.
2. Off Grid Living
Solar energy means you have less reliance on the grid, we can even help you become completely energy independent – helpful if you live in rural areas prone to power outages - a common occurrence in some of our rural communities.
3. Environmentally conscious
Going green by using solar energy reduces your carbon footprint. Solar power is a clean, renewable resource that helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions and our reliance on fossil fuels. It’s not just for new builds either, retrofitted solar panels can help make your existing home greener and more environmentally friendly.
Once we know your goals, we provide information on how investing in solar will help you meet those goals.
When determining if solar is a good investment, we consider your specific goals and energy needs. We like dealing in facts. Here’s how we do it:
If your goal is financial savings:
We start by analysing your current electricity bills. We have a specialised programme that creates a customised solar panel system tailored to your energy usage. The programme can predict your potential annual savings before installation.
If your goal is energy independence:
If you’re wanting to go ‘off grid’, we assess the feasibility of solar panels with or without battery storage depending on your usage patterns, and create a custom solar system that will help reach your goals to become completely independent.
If your goal is a green home:
We can provide information on how much carbon dioxide your solar system will offset giving you peace of mind you’ll be on your way to reaching your green home goals.
We take our time to make sure your solar system is tailored to you.
Operations Manager Mitch Hancock says “there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes before those solar panels go up. We put a lot of thought into the best approach for each customer and systems often look quite different from client to client.”
“We’ve invested in technology that helps us create accurate, cost effective solar systems tailored to your home,” says Mitch.
“And, we know what works for different households. Not all solutions need a solar system battery for example. If your children have left home and you're retired, you can make significant savings on power without the need to add on a battery. The cost of a battery can sometimes make a whole solar system inaccessible so it’s important to talk to knowledgeable installers who can suggest options for your budget.
And, if you have a family bach, you can save money on power while you’re not there by linking your bach’s solar system to your main home system. This way, any power generating while you’re not there, can be used at home,” explains Mitch.
“When solar systems are installed they all look very similar from the outside but they are actually quite tailored to each home and it’s important to get that behind the scenes work right,” says Mitch.
Are You Considering Solar?
If you’re considering solar in Tauranga but want some practical advice from experienced solar panel installers, talk to us about your goals and we can provide verified, accurate information that will help you feel confident in your decision to invest in solar.