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The evidence is clear: investing in solar will save you money, while significantly reducing your carbon footprint.
- How it works
How 'Grid-tied' solar works
The ‘grid’ is the name given to the electricity network that delivers power from generators (like the Clyde Dam) all the way to your home via pylons and power lines.
A ‘grid-tied’ system is where a home has solar panels to generate electricity as well as a connection to the electricity grid. ‘Off-grid’ systems do not have a grid connection.
Grid-tied solar is by far the most popular set up in New Zealand. It works as below:
When sunlight hits the solar panels on your roof, they produce direct current (DC) electricity.
Your inverter converts this DC electricity into alternating current (AC) which is the type of electricity all the lighting and appliances in your home run on.
This AC electricity is patched into your switchboard, and flows through your home on all your existing wiring – just like the electricity coming from the grid
When the sun is out, your panels are producing electricity you can use. If you need any more at any particular time, you are automatically topped up with electricity from the grid without any interruption in power supply. That’s the key advantage of being ‘grid-tied’ over ‘off grid’.
If you don’t use all the electricity your solar panels are producing (e.g., if you’re not home) then the excess electricity is returned to the grid, and you get a ‘buy back credit’ from your power company. The size of this credit varies depending on how much electricity you return to the grid, and the price your power company pays for ‘buy back’.
If you have a battery installed as part of your system you can charge this up during times you don’t use all of your solar-generated electricity (e.g., during the day), and then use it later (e.g., when you come home at night)
- How to get started
Getting solar installed
Every roof and every family is different. That’s why solar isn’t just a one-size-fits-all purchase.
The process starts with our qualified solar technician determining the size and make-up of the system you require based on:
- Your household’s typical power usage
- The angle, size, and construction of your roof
- The amount of sunlight in your area across the year
- The outcomes you are looking for (e.g., how self-sufficient do you want to be)
- Your budget
Our solar technicians will then design a system that will work specifically for you – including any additional options you’d like to consider – and present a final plan and a quote. This plan will also cover the potential savings and payback timeframe, so you get a good overall view of what you’re investing in.
If you decide to go forward with the plan, we will schedule you in for an install as soon as you are ready. Installs are generally completed within 3–5 weeks of confirmation of the plan.
After your install, Garden City Solar will support you while you get used to the system, help you fine-tune your power plan to maximise the benefits, and be there to answer any questions and troubleshoot any issues whenever you need us.
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