EasySolar

Solar panels sit on your roof and turn sunlight into electricity. Think of them like a generator that runs on sunshine instead of petrol.

They work best when they get direct sunlight, so the direction your roof faces matters. North-facing is ideal in New Zealand, but east and west can work too.

The inverter is the box that converts the electricity from your panels (which is DC, or direct current) into the type your home uses (AC, or alternating current).

It's like a translator between your solar panels and your appliances. Without it, the electricity from your panels wouldn't work with your TV, fridge, or lights.

A battery stores the extra electricity your panels make during the day, so you can use it at night or on cloudy days.

Without a battery, any extra electricity you make goes back to the grid (and you might get paid for it, but usually less than you'd pay to buy it back). With a battery, you keep that electricity for yourself.

Batteries can be expensive, so they're not right for everyone. We'll help you figure out if one makes sense for your situation.

Going "off-grid" means disconnecting from the power company entirely and running your home only on solar and batteries.

This is possible, but it's expensive and requires a lot of planning. Most Kiwi homes stay connected to the grid, using solar to reduce their power bills while keeping the grid as a backup.

For most people, staying connected makes more sense. You get the benefits of solar without the complexity and cost of going completely off-grid.