True Solar

True Solar We make solar smart, simple, and sustainable.

Two sunsets, one install.A satisfying end to a long day installing 32 panels on this metal tile roof. This higher-consum...
25/08/2026

Two sunsets, one install.

A satisfying end to a long day installing 32 panels on this metal tile roof. This higher-consumption home has usable north-east and west roof faces, so we designed the array to spread generation across the day rather than relying on one aspect.

The system uses a Sigenergy Energy Controller, with a smart hot water timer to make better use of excess solar. A good example of designing around how a household actually uses energy, rather than simply chasing maximum annual generation.

| | |

The sun sets the schedule.Hot water is usually the biggest opportunity for increasing self-consumption, but many everyda...
14/07/2026

The sun sets the schedule.

Hot water is usually the biggest opportunity for increasing self-consumption, but many everyday appliances can help too. Washing machines, dishwashers, dryers, underfloor heating, baking, charging an electric lawnmower or other household tasks can often be shifted to the middle of the day when your solar system is generating.

The more of your own solar electricity you use, the less you buy from the grid, increasing savings and improving payback.

One of the biggest changes with solar is simply becoming more aware of when the sun is doing the work.

| | |

A carefully sized 34-panel system.Another install completed a few weeks ago. With 34 panels, this is a larger residentia...
09/07/2026

A carefully sized 34-panel system.

Another install completed a few weeks ago. With 34 panels, this is a larger residential system, sized to generate slightly more electricity than the household is expected to use over a typical year. For many homes, that's a sensible balance between reducing grid reliance and avoiding unnecessary oversizing.

The panel layout also came together nicely, giving the roof a clean, symmetrical appearance, especially in the late afternoon light at the end of a long day on site.

We paired it with a Sigenergy 10 kW hybrid inverter, allowing export up to the new 10 kW network limit while making it straightforward to add a battery in the future if the household's needs change.

| | |

A great report released this week by Rewiring Aotearoa highlights just how compelling home electrification has become, b...
02/07/2026

A great report released this week by Rewiring Aotearoa highlights just how compelling home electrification has become, both financially and environmentally.

One figure in particular always amazes me. Over its lifetime, rooftop solar delivers electricity for around 6 c/kWh if purchased outright, or around 12 c/kWh when financed through a home loan. By comparison, transmission and distribution charges alone are around 17 c/kWh.

In other words, even if electricity generation were free, grid power would still cost more than solar. Combine that with lower emissions and improved energy independence, and it's easy to see why more Kiwi households are making the switch.

| | |

A recent install with some numbers to put solar into perspective.This is a fairly typical New Zealand home, not a high-c...
30/06/2026

A recent install with some numbers to put solar into perspective.

This is a fairly typical New Zealand home, not a high-consumption household. We installed a 14-panel system with a Sigenergy hybrid inverter and Shelly smart hot water control for around $13,500 all up.

Their annual power bill is expected to reduce from around $2,100 to $420, saving approximately $1,680 per year. That gives a payback of just under 8 years, or a simple return of about 12.4% annually.

These results are broadly representative of a standard NZ household and can be applied to you, depending on your usage.

For an asset on your own roof with long warranties and reduced exposure to rising electricity prices, it’s a strong long-term investment.

| | |

One of the simplest ways to get more value from solar is to focus on hot water.The more electricity you use directly fro...
20/06/2026

One of the simplest ways to get more value from solar is to focus on hot water.

The more electricity you use directly from your solar system, the less you buy from the grid. That means lower bills and faster payback. Hot water is a great place to start because it typically accounts for around a third of an average household's electricity use.

If you have an electric hot water cylinder, you already own a large thermal battery. It doesn't need to heat all day, and with the right inverter or smart controller there are cost-effective ways to run it mainly when excess solar is available.

| | |

Another recent rural install completed.We intentionally oversized this system to provide plenty of generation year-round...
18/06/2026

Another recent rural install completed.

We intentionally oversized this system to provide plenty of generation year-round and paired it with a Sigenergy hybrid inverter. It's a compact, cost-effective unit that allows a battery to be added later, which is particularly useful in rural areas where power outages can be more common.

We also installed a Shelly smart controller for the hot water cylinder, allowing it to run mostly from excess solar generation. It's a simple, low-cost way to increase self-consumption by using the existing hot water cylinder as a thermal battery.

Practical, future-ready solar that suits how people actually live.

| | |

When comparing solar quotes, don't just look at the price. Warranties matter too.How long is the manufacturer's warranty...
09/06/2026

When comparing solar quotes, don't just look at the price. Warranties matter too.

How long is the manufacturer's warranty? Are they a well-established company? If a panel fails, does the warranty cover replacement labour, or only the value of the panel itself?

It's also worth asking about the installer. Do they stand behind their work? Do they have appropriate insurance?

At True Solar, we select equipment from established manufacturers, provide a 5-year workmanship warranty, assist customers with supplier warranty claims, and carry public liability insurance to cover any accidental damage during installation. Hopefully you’ll never need any of it, but it’s reassuring to know it’s there.

| | |

Another Christchurch install completed.This household's current electricity use is relatively low, but we intentionally ...
04/06/2026

Another Christchurch install completed.

This household's current electricity use is relatively low, but we intentionally sized the system a little larger to account for future electrification. Like some homes, they currently use gas for hot water, but with Aotearoa New Zealand's gas supply tightening and prices rising, switching to electric hot water is becoming increasingly attractive.

Hot water typically accounts for around a third of a household's energy use. A hot water heat pump can often be a straightforward replacement for an outdoor gas cylinder, making use of the existing water and electrical connections while using far less energy than a standard electric cylinder.

Designing for where a home is heading can be just as important as designing for where it is today.

| | |

Another install completed recently. This home had a smaller north-facing roof area combined with usable east and west ro...
21/05/2026

Another install completed recently. This home had a smaller north-facing roof area combined with usable east and west roof faces, so we designed the system across all three aspects. That allowed us to maximise the stronger north generation while also extending production into the mornings and evenings when household demand is often higher.

At smaller inverter sizes, many systems are limited to two roof orientations. In this case, we selected a less commonly offered inverter with three MPPTs to give more flexibility in the design and better match the roof layout available.

Every home is different, which is why careful system design matters.

| | |

Address

Auckland, Waikato And Canterbury
Panmure

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+64800280600

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when True Solar posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to True Solar:

Shortcuts

Share

Category