01/02/2026
1. Initial enquiry (1–7 days)
What happens
• You give an installer:
• Address (for aerial/solar mapping),
• Recent power bills,
• Any preferences (EV, battery later, hot water, etc).
• We send through a detailed solar proposal
• A rough system size (e.g. 5–7 kW),
• Estimated cost,
• High-level savings/payback.
Your jobs
• Decide if you would like any changes made.
• Clarify if you want battery now, later, or not at all (affects design and price).
2. Site visit, detailed design & formal quote (about 1–2 weeks)
What happens
• Arrange a site visit to check:
• Roof structure & cladding condition,
• Switchboard space / condition and how many phases.
• Cable runs, inverter location, shading in reality vs satellite.
• Answer any questions you might have.
3. Accept quote
Book in solar install.
• 4-6 weeks wait before install can be carried out.
Network (lines company) approval
• Apply to electricity distribution company for:
• Connection of a small generation system,
• Any export limits (e.g. max 5 kW per phase).
• Lines company reviews and approves (or approves with conditions).
Retailer/export tariff set-up
• You choose an export buy-back plan with your retailer.
• The retailer arranges meter reconfiguration (import/export meter).This normally happens after install is completed. COC and ROI are sent to retailer. Can be up to 4 weeks if new meter is required.
4. Installation day(s) (usually 1 day, sometimes 2–3)
For a standard 4–8 kW residential system:
• Roof team:
• Fit roof brackets/rails,
• Lay panels,
• Run DC cabling to inverter.
• Electrical team (licensed electrician/line mechanic):
• Mount inverter(s) and any DC isolators,
• Upgrade or tidy switchboard as needed,
• Wire in AC connection and protection,
• Integrate any monitoring, hot water diverter, battery, etc.
• Testing:
• Insulation and polarity checks,
• Earthing and RCD checks,
• Verification against AS/NZS standards and PAS guideline. Standards NZ+1
Most normal homes: 1 full day. Large / complex roofs or battery systems: up to 2–3 days.
5. Inspection & sign-off (a few days to ~2 weeks)
Electrical certification
• Your installer issues:
• Certificate of Compliance (CoC), and
• Electrical Safety Certificate (ESC).
6. Commissioning & handover (same day as final sign-off)
The installer will typically:
• Turn the system on in auto mode,
• Verify:
• Inverter output & voltages,
• Monitoring is working,
• Export is visible at the meter.
• Provide:
• System manuals & datasheets,
• Warranty info,
• Basic “how to operate & shut down” training,
• Handover pack (physical or digital).
Total time from first enquiry to this point is commonly 3–8 weeks, depending on:
• How quickly quotes/approvals move,
• Your availability for site visit,
• Network company and retailer speed.
