Commercial Solar FAQ
Financial & ROI Questions
Commercial solar system costs vary depending on the size of your business, your energy consumption, and the complexity of the installation. We provide a full site assessment and customised quote before any commitment is made. Contact us to arrange a no-obligation consultation.
We work with a range of financing options to suit different business situations, including outright purchase and business loans provided by your bank or EECA. We can help connect you with suitable finance providers and talk you through what makes sense for your cash flow.
Most commercial solar systems in New Zealand achieve ROI within 5 to 8 years, depending on your energy usage, system size, and current power costs. With electricity prices continuing to rise, many businesses are seeing payback periods shorten over time.
New Zealand currently does not offer direct solar grants, but businesses can take advantage of the ability to depreciate solar assets and, in some cases, access EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) funding programmes. We stay up to date with what’s available and will make sure you don’t miss out on anything applicable to your situation.
This depends on your system size and how much of your energy you use during daylight hours. Many commercial clients see reductions of 40–70% on their electricity bills. Businesses that operate primarily during the day tend to see the greatest savings.
For most businesses, yes, particularly those with high daytime energy consumption and significant power bills. We won’t recommend a system that doesn’t stack up financially for your situation. Our assessments are honest and based on your actual usage data.
Solar is increasingly recognised as a value-adding asset for commercial properties. It reduces operating costs, which improves the overall attractiveness of the property to buyers or tenants. While exact valuation uplift varies, it is generally viewed positively by commercial property valuers.
Solar systems are low maintenance, but there are some ongoing costs to be aware of, primarily periodic panel cleaning and occasional inverter servicing. We offer monitoring and maintenance packages so you always know your system is performing at its best. All systems we install come with comprehensive product and workmanship warranties.
System & Technical Questions
System sizing is based on your historical electricity usage, available roof or ground space, and your budget. We carry out a full energy audit and site assessment to recommend the right size system for your needs.
Yes. We design systems with scalability in mind wherever possible. If your business grows or your energy needs increase, we can assess options to expand your system or add battery storage at a later stage.
Solar may not be the right fit for businesses that operate predominantly at night (such as some hospitality or security operations), businesses with very low electricity usage, or those with heavily shaded or structurally unsuitable roof space. We’ll be upfront with you if solar isn’t the right solution for your situation.
Most commercial installations take between one and five days depending on system size and complexity. We plan installations carefully to minimise disruption and will work with you to schedule around your busiest periods wherever possible.
We use quality, proven brands with strong track records for performance and reliability. Our preferred products are backed by solid warranties and are appropriate for New Zealand’s climate conditions. We’ll walk you through the specific products recommended for your project and why.
Solar panels are typically warrantied for 25 years and often continue performing well beyond that. Inverters generally have a lifespan of 10–15 years. We factor component lifespans into our ROI calculations so you get a realistic picture.
For most commercial businesses, a grid-tied system without batteries is sufficient and delivers the best return on investment. Battery storage makes more sense if you want energy independence, have time-of-use tariffs, or need backup power. We’ll help you weigh up the options.
Our team handles all aspects of the electrical integration. As a licensed electrical contracting business, we ensure your solar system is connected safely, correctly, and in compliance with all New Zealand standards and network requirements.
Operational & Risk Questions
On cloudy days your system will still generate power, just at a reduced level, panels don’t require direct sunlight, only daylight. Grid-tied systems will not operate during a power outage for safety reasons (to protect line workers). If outage protection is important to your business, battery storage with backup functionality is an option worth discussing.
Yes. Your solar system feeds into your overall electrical setup and offsets your consumption from the grid. You don’t need to divide your business, the two sources work together seamlessly to power your operations.
Modern solar systems are highly reliable with very little downtime. The main components, panels and inverters are designed for years of continuous operation. Remote monitoring means any issues are typically identified and addressed quickly.
Solar panels benefit from periodic cleaning (frequency depends on your location and environment) and an annual system check is recommended. Inverters should be inspected regularly. We offer maintenance plans to take care of this for you.
DMAK Electrical handles all servicing and repairs. As a local Hawke’s Bay business, we’re close by and able to respond promptly. We’re not a big national company that leaves you waiting, you’l deal with our team directly.
We provide a workmanship guarantee on all installations, and the products we install carry manufacturer warranties covering panels (typically 25 years product and performance warranty) and inverters (typically 5–10 years, extendable). We’ll outline all warranty details clearly before you sign anything.
Are there risks to my roof or building structure from installation?
When installed correctly by qualified professionals, solar poses minimal risk to your roof or building. We carry out a structural assessment before installation and use appropriate mounting systems for your roof type. Any penetrations are properly sealed and weatherproofed.
Environmental & Branding Questions
A typical commercial solar system can offset several tonnes of co2 use per year depending on system size. We can provide estimated carbon savings specific to your system as part of your proposal.
Yes. Most systems include monitoring software that tracks your generation and consumption in real time. This data can be shared on dashboards, used in staff communications, or published for customers, great for transparency and internal engagement.
Generating your own renewable energy can contribute toward sustainability certifications and ratings such as Toitū carbon, reduce or NABERSNZ energy ratings. We can provide generation data and documentation to support any certification process you’re pursuing.
Solar directly supports the Environmental pillar of ESG by reducing reliance on grid electricity and lowering emissions. It also demonstrates to stakeholders, investors, and customers that your business is taking meaningful steps toward sustainability, increasingly important for procurement decisions and staff attraction.
Vendor & Service Questions
DMAK Electrical has extensive experience across commercial electrical projects throughout Hawke’s Bay. Our team is fully licenced and brings a high standard of workmanship to every installation. Get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk you through our experience relevant to your type of business.
Yes. We’re happy to connect you with previous commercial clients and share examples of completed projects. Local references and real-world results speak louder than brochures, just ask. Please click here to view recent case studies. (will be linked)
Yes. We manage the full process including building consents (where required), compliance documentation, and grid connection applications with your local network operator. You don’t need to navigate that yourself.
We don’t disappear after installation. DMAK Electrical offers ongoing monitoring, maintenance packages, and is available for any questions or issues that arise. As a locally based business, ongoing support is something we take seriously.
For a no-obligation site assessment and quote, contact the DMAK Electrical team today.