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A PRACTICAL STARTING POINT

Plan the system.
Before the products.

A useful solar proposal starts with how your home uses electricity, what your roof allows and what you want storage to do.

Your useYour roofYour battery goalYour future

ONE PRINCIPLE

Design around the home.
Not a bundle.

System size, storage and backup scope should follow the property and the household—not the other way around. The right starting point is evidence: your bills, your daytime use, your roof and your priorities.

FOUR DECISIONS

What shapes
a useful proposal.

You do not need every answer before starting. These are the details worth discussing.

01

YOUR USE

When do you use electricity?

Annual consumption helps frame system size. The time of day matters too: electricity used while solar is generating can be supplied directly, while evening use may change the role of a battery.

Useful to bring
  • A recent bill or annual kWh figure
  • Any hourly usage available in your retailer app
  • Large regular daytime or evening loads
02

YOUR ROOF

What can the site support?

Available roof area, orientation, pitch, shading, material and condition all influence layout. Electrical access and a suitable equipment location matter as well.

Useful to bring
  • Your address and roof type
  • Known shading or roof-condition concerns
  • Photos only when safe and convenient
03

YOUR BATTERY GOAL

Storage and backup are different decisions.

A battery can shift available energy to later in the day. Power during an outage requires compatible equipment, a configured backup arrangement and a clear decision about which loads should be supported.

Useful to decide
  • Whether backup is important
  • Which appliances or circuits are essential
  • How much evening use you want to cover
04

YOUR FUTURE

Plan for what changes next.

An EV, electric hot water, heating, renovation or more people at home can change future demand. Mentioning likely changes early helps keep the design conversation forward-looking.

Useful to consider
  • EV charging
  • New heating or hot-water loads
  • Renovation, extension or changing occupancy

THREE STARTING POINTS

Similar equipment.
Different intent.

Your proposal may combine these ideas. This comparison is a conversation guide, not a system recommendation.

SOLAR

Use daylight well.

Start with generation and how much can be used directly in the home.

Prepare a solar brief
SOLAR + STORAGE

Move energy in time.

Explore how available surplus generation and evening use could shape storage.

Prepare a storage brief
BACKUP

Define the essentials.

Identify the loads that matter during an outage and confirm compatible system requirements.

Prepare a backup brief

WHEN YOU REVIEW A PROPOSAL

Ask for the thinking,
not only the total.

01What electricity-use and site assumptions shaped the design?

02What is included, excluded and still subject to inspection or approval?

03If backup is included, which loads are supported and under what limits?

04What product, installation and workmanship warranties actually apply?

INDEPENDENT NZ GUIDANCE

Check the source.

For independent planning information, use current New Zealand guidance from EECA.

Plan your solar systemUnderstand quotes and installationTry EECA’s solar calculator

READY TO START?

Turn the questions
into a project brief.

Capture the essentials now. Copy your finished brief into an email to our sales team, or attach the downloaded file. You review and send it yourself.

Prepare my brief