how does home solar power works
To set up a residential solar system, you’ll need several key components, each playing a crucial role in ensuring your system operates efficiently and effectively. By carefully selecting and integrating these components, you can create a robust and efficient solar energy system tailored to your home’s needs.
solar panels
PV (Photovoltaic) panels are the foundation of any solar solution, determining electricity generation.
Quality panels and a well-designed plan ensure optimal performance. We supply premium panels from Tier 1 manufacturers, global leaders in Solar PV.
We are proud to partner with:
solar invertor
Solar Inverters are the brains of your solar system, managing solar generation, house/load consumption, battery recharge/discharge whilst also exporting any surplus energy, all at the same time!
We partner with suppliers that offer a range of single phase, three phase, Grid-tied and Hybrid inverters from 3kW – 20kW.
battery storage
Battery storage will maximise savings on your power bills and give you true energy independence. Lithium-ion batteries give you the power to store and use your energy in your home when and how you want.
All our batteries are modular and can scale to suit homes of any size.
premium solar packages, the ultimate power bill slashers!
essentials package
- 12 Solar Panels + 6kW Inverter
- Output: Up to 6kW
- Great for: Small households or low energy users
Perfect for smaller homes or those starting their solar journey. Enjoy reliable energy savings and reduce your monthly power bills with an affordable, compact setup.
family package
- 18 Solar Panels + 7.5kW Inverter
- Output: Up to 7.5kW
- Great for: Medium-sized homes and families
Our most popular choice for Auckland families. Generate more power to meet your daily needs, cut your grid dependence, and enjoy a balanced mix of savings and performance.
premium package
- 24 Solar Panels + 10kW Inverter
- Output: Up to 10kW
- Great for: Large homes or heavy power users
Go all-in with maximum efficiency and energy independence. The Premium Package delivers top performance for larger homes or high energy users, ideal for future-proofing your power needs.
battery packages
Step into the future of clean energy with Affordable Solar’s Solar Panel + Panasonic Battery Package, the perfect balance of power, storage, and premium Panasonic technology.
Panasonic Sunvolt Solar System
Panasonic Sunvolt Solar System
Grid-Tied Solar Systems
A grid-tied solar system connects your panels to the Auckland power grid, letting you use solar power and send excess back for credit. No battery is required, but adding one can boost savings and provide backup during outages.
hybrid solar systems
A hybrid solar system combines solar panels, batteries, and a grid connection. It lets you store daytime energy for night use, cut power bills, and keep your home running even during blackouts.
off-grid solar systems
An off-grid system runs fully independent from the grid, storing solar energy in batteries for night or cloudy days. Ideal for rural areas, though not all setups (like Tesla Powerwall) support off-grid use.
interest free finance options
Click on the tabs below to learn more
Min - Spend
Fee
Affordable Solar Finance Fee
Full Terms & Conditions
$500
New Customers: $55 establishment fee | Existing Customers: $35 advance fee Annual cardholder fee $50 (payable in 2 x $25 6-monthly instalments)
0.00%
17 months interest free is available on Long Term Finance (LTF) for in-home purchases only. Min spend $500. Lending criteria, $50 annual Account Fee, fees, Ts&Cs apply. $55 Establishment Fee applies to your first LTF transaction, $35 Advance Fee applies to subsequent LTF transactions. Min payments of 3% of the monthly closing balance or $10 (whichever is greater) are required throughout interest free period. Paying only the minimum monthly payments will not fully repay the loan before the end of the interest free period. Standard Interest Rate of 28.95% p.a. applies to outstanding balance at the end of LTF Interest Free Period. Rates and fees subject to change. Columbus Financial Services Limited and Consumer Finance Limited reserve the right to amend, suspend or terminate the offer and these Ts&Cs at any time without notice.
Min - Spend
Fee
Affordable Solar Finance Fee
Full Terms & Conditions
$500
New Customers: $55 establishment fee | Existing Customers: $35 advance fee Annual cardholder fee $50 (payable in 2 x $25 6-monthly instalments)
7.00%
36 months interest free is available on Long Term Finance (LTF) for in-home purchases only. Min spend $500. Lending criteria, $50 annual Account Fee, fees, Ts&Cs apply. $55 Establishment Fee applies to your first LTF transaction, $35 Advance Fee applies to subsequent LTF transactions. Min payments of 3% of the monthly closing balance or $10 (whichever is greater) are required throughout interest free period. Paying only the minimum monthly payments will not fully repay the loan before the end of the interest free period. Standard Interest Rate of 28.95% p.a. applies to outstanding balance at the end of LTF Interest Free Period. Rates and fees subject to change. Columbus Financial Services Limited and Consumer Finance Limited reserve the right to amend, suspend or terminate the offer and these Ts&Cs at any time without notice.
Min - Spend
Fee
Affordable Solar Finance Fee
Full Terms & Conditions
$500
New Customers: $55 establishment fee | Existing Customers: $35 advance fee Annual cardholder fee $50 (payable in 2 x $25 6-monthly instalments)
8.5%
48 months interest free is available on Long Term Finance (LTF) for in-home purchases only. Min spend $500. Lending criteria, $50 annual Account Fee, fees, Ts&Cs apply. $55 Establishment Fee applies to your first LTF transaction, $35 Advance Fee applies to subsequent LTF transactions. Min payments of 3% of the monthly closing balance or $10 (whichever is greater) are required throughout interest free period. Paying only the minimum monthly payments will not fully repay the loan before the end of the interest free period. Standard Interest Rate of 28.95% p.a. applies to outstanding balance at the end of LTF Interest Free Period. Rates and fees subject to change. Columbus Financial Services Limited and Consumer Finance Limited reserve the right to amend, suspend or terminate the offer and these Ts&Cs at any time without notice.
Min - Spend
Fee
Affordable Solar Finance Fee
Full Terms & Conditions
$500
New Customers: $55 establishment fee | Existing Customers: $35 advance fee Annual cardholder fee $50 (payable in 2 x $25 6-monthly instalments)
10.0%
60 months interest free is available on Long Term Finance (LTF) for in-home purchases only. Min spend $500. Lending criteria, $50 annual Account Fee, fees, Ts&Cs apply. $55 Establishment Fee applies to your first LTF transaction, $35 Advance Fee applies to subsequent LTF transactions. Min payments of 3% of the monthly closing balance or $10 (whichever is greater) are required throughout interest free period. Paying only the minimum monthly payments will not fully repay the loan before the end of the interest free period. Standard Interest Rate of 28.95% p.a. applies to outstanding balance at the end of LTF Interest Free Period. Rates and fees subject to change. Columbus Financial Services Limited and Consumer Finance Limited reserve the right to amend, suspend or terminate the offer and these Ts&Cs at any time without notice.
green loans
Finance your Solar for $0 upfront with green loans
Take the hassle out of financing your solar system with green home loans. With many banks offering competitive rates, you can enjoy the benefits of solar power without the upfront investment. Our team of experts is here to guide you through the process and help you make the best decision for your home.
ANZ Good Energy Home Loan
1.00% P.A. fixed rate for 3 years, up to $80,000.
ANZ’s Good Energy Home Loan provides up to $80,000 for solar panel installations and other home improvements. Enjoy a fixed rate for 3 years, making your home eco-friendly and efficient. Eligibility criteria apply.
ASB Better HOmes Top Up
Up to $80,000 for home improvements or EV purcahse, 3-year fixed rate.
ASB Better Homes Top Up lets you borrow up to $80,000 for solar panels and home upgrades, fixed for 3 years. Make your home greener with ease. Minimum equity required, along with quotes for solar installations. Exclusions and conditions apply.
BNZ Green Home Loan Top-ups
Borrow up to $80,000 at a 1% p.a. fixed rate for eco-upgrades and EVs. Flexible terms.
BNZ Green Home Loan Top-Ups for Solar and Eco-Upgrades: Finance sustainable changes with up to $80,000 at 1% p.a. fixed rate for 3 years. Improve insulation, ventilation, heating, and go green with electric vehicles. Flexible terms after 3 years.
Kiwibank Sustainable Energy Loan
Up to $2,000 for renewable systems, waived top-up free for existing home loan customers.
Kiwibank Sustainable Energy Loan: Unlock up to $2,000 over 4 years for solar and more. No top-up fee for existing customers. Embrace sustainable energy now.
Westpac Greater Choices Home Loan
Up to $50,000 interest-free for 5 years for a cozier, eco-friendly home.
Westpac Greater Choices Home Loan for Solar and Beyond Elevate your home with up to $50,000 interest-free for 5 years. Enhance insulation, install solar panel, go green with electric transport. Flexibility and no establishment fees make it ideal for creating a more sustainable home and lifestyle.
how much can solar save you?
estimated solar savings
$ 3,095
TO$ 4,422
per yearEstimate Only
Many factors can affect solar power production and cost savings. For a customised quote specific for your property and needs please contact Affordable Solar for a free consultation.
FAQs
When the sun shines, PV (photovoltaic) cells in the solar panels convert sunlight into DC (direct current) electricity.
This energy is converted into AC (alternating current) power, by an inverter (included in your purchase), for use in your home.
Your home appliances (fridge, lights, TV, etc.) use this solar power before drawing any additional power needed from the electricity grid.
Excess energy created can be stored in a battery to be used when the sun goes down or exported back to the electricity grid.
That’s it.
The cost of a solar system varies depending on the size of the system, the type of solar panels, the inverter, and the battery. In New Zealand, the average cost of a solar system for a home is around $14,000 without a battery and $30,000 with a battery.
When your solar system produces excess energy to what you are consuming on-site, it will charge your home battery. If the battery is full of charge, the excess will go back to the grid.
When you have energy consumption on-site that is more than what your solar system is producing, the battery will discharge.
A smart meter is essential for accurately measuring the energy your solar system generates and how much you send back to the grid. It enables real-time monitoring of your power usage, helping you maximise savings and efficiency.
With a smart meter, your electricity retailer can track both the energy you consume and the solar power you export, ensuring you receive the correct credits on your bill. It’s a key part of optimising your solar investment and making the most of your renewable energy.
The installation time for a solar system depends on the size of the system and the complexity of the installation. In general, it takes about 2 days to install a solar system for a home.
A solar green loan is a bank loan that is specifically designed to fund the purchase and installation of solar panels. Solar green loans typically have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment terms than traditional loans, making them an attractive option for homeowners who want to go solar.
Solar systems require very little maintenance. The only regular maintenance that is required is to clean the solar panels once a year. You may also need to replace the inverter every 10-15 years. If you choose Affordable Solar you’ll be looked after by our customer care team and solar technicians for the entire life of your system.
happy customers
The team were great to deal with from getting a quote to the install. I cannot fault them.
If you are on the fence, I would recommend you give them a go.
He was done in about 2 hours and was happy to answer any questions as well as give great advice.
Service was a 10/10 - Highly recommend 👍
