It comes down to how much power you use during daylight hours. Every unit you use yourself saves the full retail rate — roughly 28 to 36 cents — while exported power earns closer to 8 to 16 cents. A well-sized system can cut a typical household bill substantially, and businesses running through the day often save more again. We'll model it against your actual usage before you commit.

Often, but not always. Without one, surplus daytime generation is exported for less than you'll pay to buy power back that evening. A battery shifts that energy into the peak, and from 1 July 2026 larger retailers must offer at least one plan paying more for power exported at peak times — which improves the case further. We'll tell you honestly whether the numbers stack up for your situation.

Yes, just at reduced output. Panels respond to daylight, not direct sun, so they keep generating through Taranaki's overcast stretches. Annual production is what counts, and New Plymouth's 2,000-plus sunshine hours a year put it in good shape nationally.

Panels typically carry 25-year performance warranties and keep producing well beyond that, with output tapering off slowly over time. Microinverters and batteries have their own warranty terms, which we set out clearly in your quote.

Very little. There are no moving parts, and rain handles most of the cleaning. We recommend a periodic check of mounts and electrical connections, and with panel-level monitoring any drop in output shows up straight away rather than going unnoticed.