True Solar

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

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.

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Here’s a balanced take on the string vs microinverter debate. Modern string inverter systems are still the most common c...
14/05/2026

Here’s a balanced take on the string vs microinverter debate. Modern string inverter systems are still the most common choice because they’re simpler, cheaper, and work very well for most homes. Microinverters are more expensive but can make sense on heavily shaded or highly complex roofs, where each panel benefits from operating independently.

But modern string inverters now come with multiple advanced MPPTs, meaning two or more different roof orientations and moderate shading are handled far better than many people realise.

For most households in Aotearoa, a well-designed string system is still usually the most practical and cost-effective option. Both approaches have their place, what matters most is designing the right system for the home.

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Most of our work comes through referrals, which tends to keep us honest.Every system is designed from the ground up with...
06/05/2026

Most of our work comes through referrals, which tends to keep us honest.

Every system is designed from the ground up with an engineering-led approach, tailored to the home rather than taken from a template. The focus is on getting the fundamentals right: performance, cost, and long-term reliability.

The aim is simple — reduce bills, improve resilience, and cut emissions without unnecessary complexity.

We keep things small and considered, selecting proven components and designing systems that genuinely fit how people live, not just what looks good on paper.

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A recent new-build install where the north-facing roof area was limited. Rather than stretching smaller arrays across no...
20/04/2026

A recent new-build install where the north-facing roof area was limited. Rather than stretching smaller arrays across north and east or north and west, or even multiple roof faces, and adding cost and complexity, we opted for a simple east–west design.

It produces slightly less over the year, but importantly keeps upfront costs down and spreads generation across the day, better matching morning and evening demand.

With export tariffs expected to reduce over time, maximising self-consumption is increasingly important. Thoughtful design, not just chasing peak output, often delivers the best overall outcome.

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For those who like data (like me), this one’s worth a look.This analysis comes from a 2025 study by the Energy Efficienc...
16/04/2026

For those who like data (like me), this one’s worth a look.

This analysis comes from a 2025 study by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), using 47,000 real households across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. Not models, not assumptions — actual consumption data. The result? Solar systems delivering internal rates of return above 8%, and up to 11–12% in some cases, depending on usage. Much higher than what you can get for leaving your money in the bank.

What stands out is how strongly returns improve with higher electricity demand, and how northern locations are not necessarily more suitable for solar.

For an asset on your own roof, with a 30 year lifespan and no tax on the savings, it’s a compelling, evidence-based investment.

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We’ve just completed a battery retrofit for a customer looking for a bit more resilience and independence from the grid....
08/04/2026

We’ve just completed a battery retrofit for a customer looking for a bit more resilience and independence from the grid. Timely, with Cyclone Vaianu forecast to hit this weekend and likely bring some outages.

The system was already performing well, but adding a battery means they can now store excess solar and keep essential loads running if the grid goes down. It also increases self-consumption, further reducing reliance on grid electricity.

Batteries don’t suit every household yet from a purely financial perspective, but for those valuing backup and resilience, they can make a lot of sense.

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There’s a practical financing option for solar in New Zealand that isn’t always widely known: green loans.Most major ban...
06/04/2026

There’s a practical financing option for solar in New Zealand that isn’t always widely known: green loans.

Most major banks, including BNZ, ANZ, Westpac, ASB and Kiwibank, now offer 0–1% loans for around 3–5 years to fund solar (with or without batteries).

They’re typically structured as a simple home loan top-up, with a straightforward application process, usually just a quote and proposed install date. In many cases, the power bill savings largely offset the repayments.

Even if you don’t need finance, it can still make sense to use it and keep your cash working elsewhere.

We’re an approved provider for these, so happy to help guide you through it.

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Always appreciate feedback like this.This is what we have set out to achieve. Clear communication, clear modelling and b...
30/03/2026

Always appreciate feedback like this.

This is what we have set out to achieve. Clear communication, clear modelling and benefits, and a system that does what it’s meant to do.

Solar can be technical, but the experience shouldn’t feel that way.

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Another recent install completed. This household wanted to keep the upfront cost as low as possible, and fortunately the...
09/03/2026

Another recent install completed. This household wanted to keep the upfront cost as low as possible, and fortunately the house has a large north-west facing roof. That orientation actually performs very well here in Aotearoa, generating slightly more than a purely north-facing array thanks to stronger afternoon sun.

By keeping all the panels on one roof aspect we avoided the extra cost and complexity of multiple arrays. We also added a smart hot water timer so the hot water cylinder heats mainly when excess solar is available. In effect, the existing hot water cylinder becomes a simple thermal battery - something most homes already have. A practical, low-cost setup and a happy customer.

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A common thought is that it makes sense to wait until solar gets cheaper. But in Aotearoa New Zealand, the economics hav...
03/03/2026

A common thought is that it makes sense to wait until solar gets cheaper. But in Aotearoa New Zealand, the economics have already shifted.

Recent research from groups like Rewiring Aotearoa and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority show that falling panel costs and rising electricity prices mean rooftop solar now stacks up financially for many Kiwi households.

While technology will continue to improve and prices may edge lower, each year you delay is a year of missed savings on power bills.

Solar systems typically pay back in around 6–8 years, and after that you’re generating very low-cost electricity with reduced exposure to price rises.

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Auckland, Waikato And Canterbury
Panmure

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

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