At Southern Solar, the products we install matter just as much as how we install them.
Solar technology moves fast — and we make it our job to stay current. We continuously assess emerging products, manufacturers and technologies to ensure the systems we install are reliable, high performing and suited to real Southern conditions.
Our focus is simple: the best value, the best performance, and the longest usable life — for the places we live.
There is no ‘standard’ system size that works for every home.
We review:
A battery allows you to store solar energy generated during the day and use it in the evening or overnight — rather than exporting it to the grid at a lower rate and buying it back later at a higher one.
We model your usage data, export patterns and retailer pricing to show
whether a battery is cost-effective for your household — and if so, what size
makes sense.
If it doesn’t make financial sense now, we design your system so a battery
can be added later when circumstances change.
Solar panels generate electricity when the sun shines. This power is used first by your home to run appliances, heating, and other loads.
At night, your home draws from stored battery power (if available) or pulls from the grid as usual. The system switches seamlessly.
Any excess power is either stored in a battery (if installed) or exported to the grid. You receive a buy-back credit for exported energy.
Every Southern Solar residential solar project starts with analysis, not assumptions.
Every roof is different. We review orientation, shading, structural suitability and electrical infrastructure before recommending anything.
We analyse your actual usage data to size the system correctly to prepare a full design and quote outlining expected performance, savings and ROI.
We’ve installed solar systems across Central Otago, Wānaka and Queenstown, and understand the conditions, building styles and the requirements of councils and energy generators.
Southern Solar didn’t just install panels — they redesigned our entire electrical setup to work with solar and our EV charger. The attention to detail was exceptional.
Once your system is live, you’ll have full visibility into how it’s performing through a clean, intuitive monitoring dashboard.
We also provide ongoing support to help you understand your data and optimise usage patterns — especially in the first few months as you adjust to solar.
We don’t use off-the-shelf packages. Every component in your system — from solar
panels to inverters, batteries and energy management — is carefully selected for proven
performance in New Zealand’s demanding environments.
Whether it’s heavy snow loading in Central Otago, extreme winter cold, or coastal
conditions, we specify products that are built to last and continue delivering energy long
into the future.
Many major New Zealand banks offer “green” home loan top-ups which cover the installation of home solar. Banks require a quote or proposal from a SEANZ-certified
authorised provider for solar panels and batteries.
SEANZ maintains an authorised provider directory for members approved to supply and install solar systems for renewable energy loans provided by partner banks (including Westpac, ASB, ANZ, Kiwibank and BNZ). These green loans typically offer interest rates as low as 0% to 1% p.a., making solar more affordable than ever. To qualify, you generally must have an existing mortgage with the lender and use a SEANZ-certified installer like Southern Solar.
Complete the form, send an email to office@southernsolar.co.nz or phone 021 70 30 62
to start your solar assessment
Common questions about residential solar in Wānaka and Central Otago
Most residential installations are completed in 2-4 days, depending on system size and complexity. This includes mounting the panels, running cabling, installing the inverter, and connecting to your switchboard. We’ll provide a specific timeline during the design phase and work around your schedule where possible.
Yes. Solar panels generate power whenever there is daylight — not just direct sunshine. While output is higher on clear, sunny days, modern panels are efficient even in diffuse light. In Wānaka and Central Otago, winter sunshine is often very strong despite cold temperatures, and panels actually perform more efficiently in cooler conditions.
Solar panels typically come with 25-year performance warranties and 10-15 year product warranties. Inverters usually have 5-10 year warranties (extendable in some cases). We also provide a workmanship warranty on the installation itself. All warranty terms are outlined clearly before you commit.
In most cases, residential solar installations are permitted activities and don’t require council consent. However, if your property is in a heritage zone, has specific covenant restrictions, or if you’re installing ground-mounted panels, consent may be required. We review this during the site assessment and handle the approvals process if needed.
Savings vary depending on system size, your energy usage patterns, and your retailer’s rates. A well-designed system typically offsets 40-70% of household electricity use. We model your specific usage data and pricing to give you a realistic projection — not a generic estimate. Most residential systems in the region have a payback period of 8-12 years.
Very little. Panels are designed to be self-cleaning in most conditions (rain does most of the work). We recommend a visual inspection every year or two, and occasional cleaning if you’re in a particularly dusty location or near farmland. Inverters should be checked periodically. We offer maintenance packages and remote monitoring to keep track of system performance.
In most cases, yes — if the system is designed with future expansion in mind. We size the inverter and wiring to allow for additional panels or battery storage down the track, so you’re not locked into your initial setup. This is something we discuss during the design phase.
Standard grid-connected solar systems will shut down during an outage for safety reasons (to protect line workers). If you want backup power during outages, you’ll need a battery system with islanding capability, which allows your home to run independently from the grid when needed. We can design for this if it’s a priority.
Still have questions? We’re here to help.
Southern Solar is a SEANZ approved installer. SEANZ provides an authorised provider directory for
members approved to supply and install solar systems for renewable energy loans provided by partner
banks.
SEANZ | EWRB | NZEIA
