Solar options for home in 2022

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Solar options for home in 2022 - 2026

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226 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 63

#3474173 26-Mar-2026 21:26

MadEngineer:

So, what's everyone's total SQM of panels? Is it over 40sqm? Did you get an engineer's report for the load capacity of your roof?

12 panels here, 1.762×1.134×12 = 24sqm. I did not get an engineers report for the install, but it was on the council plans when the new roof was put on during a reno 5 years prior.

HarmLessSolutions

1230 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 812

Subscriber

#3474174 26-Mar-2026 21:32

dantheperson:

I've got a solar system installed by Harrisons in 2024. With the regulation changes last year, i'm keen to get the inverter setup with the increased voltages Vector now allow. Im seeing constant output drops due to high voltages on sunny days. Harrisons have been basically unresponsive to my requests over several months.

Given the grid related settings on fronius gear cannot be altered by the end user, does anyone have an idea what i'd need to do to get another company to take over support of the inverter? Anyone been in a similar situation? Guess i'd just have find another solar company and pay for the time taken to chase approval from Vector and login to the UI and click a few buttons?

We've got a Fronius Primo 8.2. Resetting the voltage parameters is only a 5-10 minute job for a competent tech. We're still struggling though with opening up the export cap from 5 kW to up to 8.2 kw but the inverter is still restricted to 5 kW by a voltage related issue from what our installer can understand. Fronius want him to jump through hoops and supply settings he's already given to them but they still can't solve the issue for us and several other Fronius equipped customers.

https://www.harmlesssolutions.co.nz/

kangaroo13

87 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 90

#3474176 26-Mar-2026 21:33

HarmLessSolutions:

kangaroo13:

Battery is necessary. MPPT inverters can simply move their operating point to limit output at any given moment, if that's what is needed by the grid.

Same - when some Aussies complain about the 'negative' FiT at certain times of the day - i.e. paying to export to the grid : easily avoided with a modern inverter.

Our situation can't really be compared to Australia's. Their baseload generation is largely coal which can't be throttled or halted as our hydro can so restricting solar input to protect their grid from overload is their only real option.

Realised a typo in my original - meant to say that residential batteries are UNNECESSARY to manage excess generation from residential solar, as there are other ways to prevent excess generation causing havoc with the grid.

Yes - agree that we have quite a different situation to Australia, with the benefit of hydro to soak up excess solar and that it can be spun up quite quickly as needed. Another reason we don't need household batteries to time-shift the flow of excess solar generation onto the grid.

We should be ensuring our hydro generation is sufficient for peak demand on low solar and wind days. Some pumped hydro would also augment our current hydro storage, to help manage the day/night demand cycle.

bigreddog

236 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 117

Subscriber

#3474374 27-Mar-2026 12:45

HarmLessSolutions:

We've got a Fronius Primo 8.2. Resetting the voltage parameters is only a 5-10 minute job for a competent tech. We're still struggling though with opening up the export cap from 5 kW to up to 8.2 kw but the inverter is still restricted to 5 kW by a voltage related issue from what our installer can understand. Fronius want him to jump through hoops and supply settings he's already given to them but they still can't solve the issue for us and several other Fronius equipped customers.

Export limit is about a 30second job to change (if you have the technician password)

Tauranga
Quic Fibre (use R213449EPZJ3R for free setup)

mudguard

2328 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1250

#3474400 27-Mar-2026 13:45

May not be the correct forum for this. But as to migrating off mains gas, where to start? We have a gas hob only so that's pretty easy far as cooking is concerned.

However the gas hot water is the tricky one. Obviously we have no tank. There's a spot I'd like to put one, but no idea how feasible it is (upstairs, cylinders are heavy etc). And also potential for solar down the line and also I've seen external (to the house) cylinders with heat pump heating.

Where to start? Builder, plumber, sparky, all of the above?

HarmLessSolutions

1230 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 812

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#3474422 27-Mar-2026 14:17

bigreddog:

HarmLessSolutions:

We've got a Fronius Primo 8.2. Resetting the voltage parameters is only a 5-10 minute job for a competent tech. We're still struggling though with opening up the export cap from 5 kW to up to 8.2 kw but the inverter is still restricted to 5 kW by a voltage related issue from what our installer can understand. Fronius want him to jump through hoops and supply settings he's already given to them but they still can't solve the issue for us and several other Fronius equipped customers.

Export limit is about a 30second job to change (if you have the technician password)

I understand there's a different level of access available on Fronius Gen24 inverters than for our 8.2 Primo. If the setting change was as simple as you're suggesting our very experienced installer would have solved the issue by now.

https://www.harmlesssolutions.co.nz/

pipe60

129 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 33

#3474425 27-Mar-2026 14:23

mudguard:

May not be the correct forum for this. But as to migrating off mains gas, where to start? We have a gas hob only so that's pretty easy far as cooking is concerned.

However the gas hot water is the tricky one. Obviously we have no tank. There's a spot I'd like to put one, but no idea how feasible it is (upstairs, cylinders are heavy etc). And also potential for solar down the line and also I've seen external (to the house) cylinders with heat pump heating.

Where to start? Builder, plumber, sparky, all of the above?

Have done a few installs where we put an external heat pump hw system where the gas califont was, makes for an easy change over.

Jase2985

13735 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

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Lifetime subscriber

#3474867 29-Mar-2026 08:01

dantheperson:

I've got a solar system installed by Harrisons in 2024. With the regulation changes last year, i'm keen to get the inverter setup with the increased voltages Vector now allow. Im seeing constant output drops due to high voltages on sunny days. Harrisons have been basically unresponsive to my requests over several months.

Given the grid related settings on fronius gear cannot be altered by the end user, does anyone have an idea what i'd need to do to get another company to take over support of the inverter? Anyone been in a similar situation? Guess i'd just have find another solar company and pay for the time taken to chase approval from Vector and login to the UI and click a few buttons?

As i have mentioned to you, they can be altered by the end user, you just need the technician login for your inverter. So you really need to get in touch with the person who installed the inverter. I would be going back to Harrison's with the CGA as the inverter is not fit for purpose if it keeps dropping out due to high voltage, given there is a quick and easy solution to this.

You also dont need vector approval, 2-minute job once you have the password.

MadEngineer:

So, what's everyone's total SQM of panels? Is it over 40sqm? Did you get an engineer's report for the load capacity of your roof?

24 panels 1.1x1.7m = 44.8sqm

Nope, but mine was on a new garage.

Jase2985

13735 posts

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#3474868 29-Mar-2026 08:03

bigreddog:

HarmLessSolutions:

We've got a Fronius Primo 8.2. Resetting the voltage parameters is only a 5-10 minute job for a competent tech. We're still struggling though with opening up the export cap from 5 kW to up to 8.2 kw but the inverter is still restricted to 5 kW by a voltage related issue from what our installer can understand. Fronius want him to jump through hoops and supply settings he's already given to them but they still can't solve the issue for us and several other Fronius equipped customers.

Export limit is about a 30second job to change (if you have the technician password)

he has an older model Fronius inverter so its done on the screen on the inverter.

LightbulbNeil

71 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 16

#3474876 29-Mar-2026 08:56

Re Roof engineering.

When we were going through the house specifications for the new build, stipulated that the roof loading be rated for the installation of Solar hot water and Solar electrical systems. They came back and asked is there any particular area that needed the reinforcing. I said that I wanted all of it the same load rating, so that it will not matter where the installations are going to be taking place. The builder asked what all the extra work in the trusses and framing was needed for? My reply , I think solar panels are like a sail on a boat. Has a lot more forces invlolved during a storm than you will ever realise.

We have 30 panels on our roof spread out over 5 faces. Only been installed for 2.5 years, but is all OK at this stage.

dantheperson

226 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 63

#3475244 29-Mar-2026 20:05

Jase2985:

As i have mentioned to you, they can be altered by the end user, you just need the technician login for your inverter. So you really need to get in touch with the person who installed the inverter. I would be going back to Harrison's with the CGA as the inverter is not fit for purpose if it keeps dropping out due to high voltage, given there is a quick and easy solution to this.

You also dont need vector approval, 2-minute job once you have the password.

I'd be surprised if the installer gives out the technician login to the end user, as AS/NZS 4777.2 requires that the end user cannot change voltage settings. I did question the need for Vectors approval, the Harrisons installer (the one time they actually responded to me) was sure that was the case. I enquired with Vector myself and they confirmed any change to the Voltage settings needs their prior approval, even if it is to follow their guidance on moving to Australia A

cddt

1973 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1906

#3475344 30-Mar-2026 06:19

LightbulbNeil:

Re Roof engineering.

When we were going through the house specifications for the new build, stipulated that the roof loading be rated for the installation of Solar hot water and Solar electrical systems. They came back and asked is there any particular area that needed the reinforcing. I said that I wanted all of it the same load rating, so that it will not matter where the installations are going to be taking place. The builder asked what all the extra work in the trusses and framing was needed for? My reply , I think solar panels are like a sail on a boat. Has a lot more forces invlolved during a storm than you will ever realise.

We have 30 panels on our roof spread out over 5 faces. Only been installed for 2.5 years, but is all OK at this stage.

I realised that solar was a non-starter for us (for now) when I thought this through. The roof framing is still original and more than a century old, and a little worse for wear.

cruxis

512 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 346

#3476574 1-Apr-2026 13:14

Now that its April 1st I want to apply for a increase to my export limits, but cant find the link or way how to do it. Orion network. Has or anyone in Christchurch also going to apply.

Generation application updates | The Orion Group

CokemonZ

1106 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 313

#3476597 1-Apr-2026 14:26

Anyone looked at a solar carport?

This has popped up on my feed a few times over the past couple of weeks.

SolarPort - Solar powered Carport | Lightforce Solar

Seems like it might be a go for me - decromastic tile so can't install solar on my roof, and dont want to replace roof.

Also might be easier to upgrade panels in the future if that becomes a cost effective exercise.

richms

29107 posts

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+1 received by user: 10222

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#3476598 1-Apr-2026 14:32

CokemonZ:

Anyone looked at a solar carport?

This has popped up on my feed a few times over the past couple of weeks.

SolarPort - Solar powered Carport | Lightforce Solar

Seems like it might be a go for me - decromastic tile so can't install solar on my roof, and dont want to replace roof.

Also might be easier to upgrade panels in the future if that becomes a cost effective exercise.

From what I was told its also available from JA Russells and some other place - all from the same vendor.

I am still waiting on someone to make a cantilever one or one that angles sideways instead of front to back. Then I will get a row of them along the fence line as pool side verandahs.

Edit: found this FB post from goodwe about JA Russells. https://www.facebook.com/61573757222644/posts/-seanz-2025-goodwe-x-j-a-russell-ltd-pvbm-product-showcasingjust-completed-two-a/122145785084791907/

Richard rich.ms

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