Residential Parts & Kitsets
Customers enjoy free specification and technical advice.
We are a team of local solar engineers with over 30 years of experience
Leaders in Residential Solar Parts
Support that lasts a lifetime
With more than 30 years of experience in sourcing, specifying, installing, and offering after-sales support to the residential market, including tiny homes, off-grid setups, and custom solutions, we're here for you. We provide ongoing support for all products bought from us during their warranty period. This includes New Zealand-based product testing, robust warranties, and expert advice from qualified solar engineers to ensure peace of mind.
Free Specification Service
We provide a thorough specification service for individuals or businesses interested in buying from AA Solar, and we deliver parts or pre-configured kitsets anywhere in New Zealand. You can schedule a consultation over the phone at 09 887 9767 or through webchat, and once it's done, we'll promptly send the product to you or your chosen electrician or installer.
Product Breadth
Discover the ideal selection of solar panels and accompanying equipment, encompassing batteries, inverters/chargers, and monitoring devices. We also offer complete do-it-yourself solar kits, ideally suited for tiny homes, baches, and houses. Every product we offer has undergone personal testing, and we are fully confident it will provide years of trouble-free performance when installed and operated according to specifications.
How much does battery storage cost?
The cost of the battery storage system depends on many factors, such as energy requirements, enabling equipment required (some products have built-in inverters, others don’t), location, and many other factors. The most significant factor for off-grid systems is how much energy you need. Generally, small off-grid systems can range from $10,000 to $20,000. Most family homes usually range from $25,000 to $35,000, and large or luxury homes can be from $50,000 upwards.
Prices are given as general indications only, and we recommend seeking an accurate indication of what a system would cost for your specific needs. These price indications may vary without notice.
What Inverter should I get?
Our recommendation on which inverter best suits your home will depend on several factors. Some of the fundamental questions include (1) Is the application grid-tied/off-grid, (2) what source(s) of DC energy you want to connect to the inverter, and (3) what grade of the inverter are you after – bronze/silver/gold/platinum. Typically, some applications need an inverter only for supplying AC loads; other times, you may need an inverter charger. You may want a multimode, hybrid or string inverter for grid-connected systems. It is best to talk to our specialist staff, who will happily offer various options to ensure you get what you want and need. If you like, you can email us an online enquiry form, talk to us on chat or call (09) 887 9767.
Off-Grid Solar Parts
These systems operate independently from the traditional grid network to meet household electricity needs. An off-grid system will generally require a battery bank to store the electricity generated by the PV modules. This allows the stored energy to be consumed at night and under cloudy (low generation) conditions. A charge controller (or regulator) is used to correctly charge and prevent battery overcharging. An inverter converts the DC power to AC for use with AC household appliances.
The five main components of an off-grid solar system:
- Solar Panels
- Battery Inverter/Charger or multi-mode Inverter
- Solar Inverter (AC) or Solar Charge Controller (DC)
- Battery Bank
- Backup Generator
Hybrid Solar Parts
The solar panels in a hybrid solar system convert sunlight into electricity that is then used to power your home. The excess energy produced during the day is stored in the battery bank for later use. This means you can continue to power your home with solar energy even when the sun goes down.
The hybrid inverter is an essential system component, allowing you to switch seamlessly between solar and grid power. When the solar panels produce enough energy to power your home, the inverter directs the excess energy to the battery bank. The extra energy can be sent to the grid if the battery bank is fully charged.
Common Solar Hybrid System Equipment may include:
- Solar Panels
- Charge Controller
- Battery Bank
- DC Disconnect (additional)
- Battery-Based Grid-Tied Inverter
- Power Meter
Why is a hybrid solar system a great investment?
Hybrid solar systems are efficient, reliable, and an excellent investment for homeowners looking to go solar. The system allows you to generate energy, reducing your dependence on the grid and saving you money on electricity bills. Additionally, the battery storage component of the system provides a backup power source during power outages.
Why are hybrid solar systems environmentally friendly?
They produce clean energy with no emissions and reduce peak energy consumption. By lowering your peak energy consumption, you are helping the country reduce its reliance on coal and gas-generated power sources. Homeowners can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet by installing a hybrid solar system.
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels are made of highly excitable, conductive materials. When the sun’s rays hit the solar panels, the reaction creates direct current (DC) electricity. Most homes use alternating current (AC) electricity, so your solar-generated DC energy will pass through an inverter to become AC electricity. Then, it flows through your home’s wiring and behaves like the power you’ve used your whole life.
How much electricity does a typical house consume?
Energy consumption can vary significantly from one home to another. However, using the NZ Electricity Authority’s record, a house on average uses about 7,000 kWh of electricity per year, but the amount used depends where in New Zealand you’re living and how your house and hot water are heated. In 2017, the average residential consumption varied from about 5,870 kWh on the West Coast to 8,550 kWh in Canterbury.
What Installation Standards do I need to comply with?
Installations must comply with AS/NZS 3000, grid-tied inverters must comply with AS/NZS4777, and off-grid inverters must comply with AS/NZS4509. Talk to our friendly team to find out more.
Grid Tied Solar Parts
A Grid-Tied Solar System is a type of solar energy setup that's connected to your regular power supply without the need for a battery. It works by using sunlight to generate electricity with solar panels, which can be used to power your home during the day. If you produce more electricity than you use, the extra power goes back into the grid, and you get paid for it.
Common Grid-Tied System Equipment could include:
- Solar Panels
- Battery-Based Grid-Tied Inverter
- Power Meter
Find what you're looking for
Power for Tiny-Home, Bach or House
Solar Panels
Unrivalled range sized from 5W to 670W
Batteries & Accessories
Batteries, Chargers, Monitors & more
Inverters & Accessories
Options for everywhere and everyone
Solar Controllers
Every size for every occasion
Installation Accessories
Mounting, protection, cables
Kitsets
Customised to your specific needs
Solar Appliances
Trackers, Satellites, AV, Fridges & more
Residential Solar Solutions
Recent Projects
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Is solar energy reliable and powerful enough for my home?
Solar can meet most of your daytime energy needs if appropriately sized and installed to maximise sun exposure. This can be further enhanced with the addition of a battery. We are also exceptionally experienced with Off-Grid Solar Solutions, where a backup generator often further supports solar and batteries. There is a reason NASA powers its satellites using solar power: solar power is abundant, reliable, and cost-effective.
Will my solar panels generate electricity during cloudy, rainy or snowy days? What about at night?
Your solar panels don’t need sunshine, per se, to generate electricity as much as they need direct, unobstructed access to the sun’s UV rays. Like how your skin still tans when it’s overcast outside, your solar panels will still generate electricity during cloudy, rainy or snowy days – they won’t produce as much energy as they do during clear days. Solar panels do not generate electricity at night since the sun isn’t out. This is when staying on the grid comes in handy. Or you can add a battery and generator to go off grid.
What effect does shading have on a solar panel?
Read about the effects of shading on solar panels over on our blog.
AA Solar can simulate the effects of shading and provide the most suitable system configuration for your next project. Call us on 09 887 9767 if you’d like to discuss a project.
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