Support FAQ

Compare current generation against your own history in Solar.web (same season, similar weather) rather than against a single sunny day. Short-term dips from cloud, shading or seasonal change are normal. A sudden ongoing drop, or zero output in full sun, is worth investigating - note any error codes and contact us.

This is normal. Output depends on how much sunlight hits the panels, so it drops in winter (shorter days, lower sun) and on cloudy, rainy or shaded days. Over the year it balances out, and there's usually plenty of generation in the sunnier months. Your Solar.web history shows the seasonal pattern.

Use power while the sun is shining - run the dishwasher, washing machine and heat your hot water cylinder during the day rather than at night. Set your hot water timer to daytime, charge your EV on solar surplus, and if you have a battery use the right operating mode. The more solar you use yourself, the more you save versus exporting it at a lower buy-back rate.

Solar systems need very little maintenance: an annual panel clean, the occasional visual check, and keeping the inverter/battery connected to WiFi so it receives firmware updates and we can monitor it.

You can clean them safely from the ground or a stable platform with a soft brush and water - please don't climb onto or walk across the roof, and never use abrasive tools or chemicals. If panels are hard to reach safely, use a professional cleaner.

Once a year is plenty for most NZ homes - use a soft-bristle brush and water only (no chemicals or detergents usually required). There's usually enough rain in New Zealand to keep panels clear of dust.

If you're concerned that there is an issue with your system or an error code is being displayed give us a call and we'll get things sorted for you.

Flashing usually isn't a fault. Please review this video for a summary on what all the lights mean

Check out this video which explains how to turn your Fronius inverter off and on again. This is the first step for nearly any issue.

Self-Powered prioritises using your own solar and storing the surplus for use at night. Savings mode (Time-Based Control) tries to achieve the cheapest power bill possible. If you have a peak and off-peak rate with your energy supplier it will top up cheaply overnight and discharge at the most valuable times. The battery may deliberately not fill to 100% from solar because it knows it can charge cheaply later.

How to simulate a power cut inside the Tesla system and watch the video to explain how best to use your battery in an extended power outage.

Good practice is to pair your mobile device to your Tesla Powerwall. Follow the Tesla app instructions and watch the video to know more.

Setting your battery into savings mode is easy - follow the instructions inside the video.

This is common in time based control (savings) mode inside the Tesla system. Check out the video for more information.

Usually if you are lucky enough to have a Tesla Powerwall installed you should be a "time of use' energy plan with your energy retailer. This will give you access to off peak power rates and you can run your Tesla Powerwall in savings mode to achieve the cheapest possible power bill for your set up.

Choose a retailer/plan with a strong solar buy-back (export) rate. If you have a battery and are on a day/night plan, a cheap overnight rate can also be worth a lot. Compare the export rate and your day/night import rates together to work out the best plan for your set up.

You need an import/export meter installed, then your power retailer credits you a 'buy-back' rate for the surplus solar you send back. Buy-back rates in NZ vary by retailer (roughly 8-23c/kWh), so it pays to be on a plan with a good solar rate. Remember each unit you use yourself is worth more than exporting it.

Export is limited by your solar hardware and by your network company's approval, not by a setting you can simply turn up. Check out the video to know more.

First step is to check you have an import/export meter fitted. Next step - check with your local business owner or retailer to make sure that the process has been started to install your import/export meter.

The Fronius Wattpilot has three modes via the Solar.wattpilot app: Standard (charges at your set rate), Eco (charges only from cheap power or surplus solar - needs at least ~1.4kW of surplus, great when the car's home during the day), and Next Trip (charges as cheaply as possible by a deadline you set). Eco mode is the one that maximises solar self-use.

Vember analogue timers are simple to use - check out this video which talks you through how to operate them.

Yes - please let your insurer or broker know, as the system is now a fixture on your home and should be covered under your house insurance policy.

Welcome! Get in touch with us and follow the video for next steps.

Yes we can install an EV charger to any system.

Yes we can install a Tesla Powerwall 3 to any system.

You're in safe hands with Harrisons Solar. Our panels have a 25-30 year product warranty plus a 25-30 year performance warranty.  Fronius inverter: 10 year warranty (we apply for this for you; extensions are available via solarweb.com). Tesla Powerwall: 10 year warranty with the added benefit that the Tesla Powerwall has an unlimited cycle warranty in NZ! Harrisons is also proud to offer a 10 year workmanship warranty.

They're all in the owner's manual we prepared for you in your Harri portal - including your Record of Inspection (RoI), Certificate of Compliance (CoC), datasheets for your panels/inverter/battery, user guides and shutdown procedures, and warranty details. Let us know if you can't access it.