Install Time – Good Things Take Time

Solar companies are like any other good business:
👉They stay busy so no one is standing around burning wages while the cash tap runs dry.

That means:

You won’t be getting your system installed next week.

And honestly — that’s a good thing.

Most solar companies run a 4–6 week install pipeline once you’ve paid a deposit.

During busy periods (just before winter and just before Christmas), this can stretch to 8–12 weeks.

If a company promises to install you “next week”, it’s worth asking:

• Why aren’t they busy?
• Are they putting you before servicing other customers?
• Are you the only person they've said this to? What makes you so special?
• If you need service later… will new customers jump ahead of you?

Fast isn’t always good. Busy usually means trusted.

Distributed Generation (DG) Application

Solar usually can’t be installed until your local lines company approves your system for export to the grid.

Examples of lines companies include:
Powerco, Vector, Mainpower — and many more depending on where you live.

This process is called a Distributed Generation (DG) application and it normally takes 2–4 weeks to be approved.

Solar companies pay a fee to submit this (typically $50–$499, depending on region and system size).
For that reason, most won’t submit it until you’ve paid a deposit (usually 10–50%).

The good news:

✔ 99.9% of systems get approved
✔ 99% are allowed at least 5kW per phase
✔ On three-phase power, that’s typically 15kW total export

💵In rare cases, more than 5kW per phase is approved.

Important to know:
Your export approval does not affect how much your retailer pays you for exported power.
That’s set by your power company — not the lines company.

If you are approved to export more than 10kW in total; that doesn't mean you are guaranteed the best buyback rates.

Export Rates – The Advertised Rate May Not Apply to You

Retailers love advertising big, shiny solar buyback rates… but there’s usually fine print.

Key things to know:

• Octopus, Power Edge, and Meridian only offer their top buyback rates on systems 10kW and under
• If your inverter is over 10kW (two and three phase included), your rate will be lower than the headline rate
  (for example, Meridian’s advertised 17c “anytime” rate won’t apply)
• Emphasis on INVERTER. If you have 15kW of panels and a 10kW inverter, the retailers views your system as 10kW.

If your inverter is over 10kW, better options are usually:

• Genesis
• Powershop
• Ecotricity
• Electric Kiwi

These typically offer around 12–14c per kWh.

When to Change Power Companies

Once people commit to solar, they often want to change retailers straight away. Hold your horses.

Here’s why:

The solar company must apply to your current retailer for a contractor to install an import-export meter. This costs around $199.

👌(Some retailers, like Ecotricity and Power Edge, waive this fee.)

Ask your solar provider about this. They often have to kick off the process for the free meter.

Most “smart meters” are not smart enough to measure exported solar.
So even if you already have one, it will likely still need replacing.

If you change power companies before:

• the system is installed
• and the meter is replaced - things can go pear-shaped:

... You may still be charged $199. The meter contractor may never show up. Your solar may be sent to grid, but not measured or rewarded.

No one wants to argue over $199 while their solar is quietly donating power to the grid.

Correct order:

1. Solar installed
2. Meter replaced
3. THEN change power companies

Import-export meters are retailer-agnostic, so once it’s installed, it works with whichever retailer you move to.

Who Handles What Now?

Once your details are shared with a solar company, they become your main point of contact for:

• Installation timing
• DG application
• Meter change
• System setup

They’ll guide you through the rest of the process from there.

We just give you the roadmap — so nothing feels mysterious (or stressful).