| 20.08 kWh Solar Array | 23,515kWh Est. Annual Production | 4yrs 7mths Payback | $4,260 Year 1 Savings |
Project Overview
Commercial solar Auckland businesses are increasingly turning to solar to offset rising electricity costs, and NZ Labour Hire’s Penrose site is a strong example of the returns on offer. Based at 34 Greenpark Road, the labour hire company was facing an annual electricity bill of around $6,340. Future Energy modelled the site’s real energy consumption, averaging 64kWh a day, and designed a 20.8kW solar array projected to produce 64.4kWh a day, closely matching that demand. The system is expected to cut NZ Labour Hire’s annual power bill to roughly $2,080, delivering $4,260 in savings in year one alone and paying for itself in 4 years and 7 months, with a 22.8% internal rate of return over the system’s 25 year lifetime.
The Challenge
As a labour hire business, NZ Labour Hire’s Penrose site carries steady daytime power demand from office operations and site facilities, and rising electricity costs were putting pressure on overheads. Rather than install a generic commercial solar package, the brief was to size a system against the site’s actual consumption pattern across every season, not just an average day. Future Energy’s modelling broke down energy use into 30 minute billed periods across a full year, capturing how demand shifts between winter, spring, summer and autumn. The challenge was designing an array large enough to meaningfully reduce grid dependence and deliver a strong payback timeline, without over building a system that would export far more than it could earn back through credits.
The System
Solar Array – 32 Longi Panels at 20.8kW
The system uses 32 x Longi LR7 72HVH 650M solar panels for a combined array output of 20.8kW, installed at an 18 degree tilt angle and oriented to make the most of the Penrose site’s roof. The panels are backed by a 15 year materials and processing warranty and a 30 year linear power warranty, guaranteeing at least 88.85% of rated output after three decades, giving NZ Labour Hire long term certainty over the system’s performance.
SolaX X3 PRO 15K G2 Inverter
A SolaX X3 PRO 15K G2 inverter, rated at 15kW AC output, converts the array’s DC output for use on site and export to the grid. With a maximum efficiency of 98.5% and built in export power control, the inverter is closely matched to the array size to keep conversion losses to a minimum. It carries a 10 year warranty and includes smart monitoring so performance can be tracked throughout the system’s life.
No Battery Storage
This installation is solar only, with no battery storage included. The system was sized to maximise self consumption and export value from the site’s daytime usage pattern, capturing 43.3% of total generation for onsite use and exporting the remainder under a feed in tariff. Battery storage can be added later if NZ Labour Hire’s energy needs or tariff structure change.
The Results
- 20.8kW solar array installed, producing an estimated 23,515kWh a year, close to the site’s measured 64kWh a day average consumption
- Year 1 savings of $4,260, with payback in 4 years and 7 months
- 44% of total energy use covered by clean energy, with solar self consumption of 43.3% and the remaining 56.7% exported to the grid
- 2.8 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided every year
- A 22.8% internal rate of return and a net present value of $70,030 over the system’s 25 year lifetime
- Estimated year 1 export earnings of $1,733, on top of the direct savings from self consumed solar
Commercial scale power. Commercial scale savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a commercial solar system save on electricity bills in NZ?
Based on NZ Labour Hire’s Penrose installation, a 20.8kW system can save a commercial site in the vicinity of $4,260 in its first year, with savings compounding as electricity prices rise over time. Over the system’s 25 year lifetime, accumulated savings are projected to reach more than $113,000.
What size solar system does a commercial site need?
It depends on the site’s consumption profile, tariff structure and available roof space. Future Energy models actual usage data across every season, broken down into 30 minute billed periods, to size a system, like the 20.8kW array installed for NZ Labour Hire, that maximises self consumption without over building.
How long does a commercial solar installation take to pay for itself?
NZ Labour Hire’s 20.8kW system is projected to pay for itself in 4 years and 7 months, after which the system continues generating savings for the remainder of its 30 year warrantied lifespan, with an estimated internal rate of return of 22.8%.
What warranties come with a commercial solar installation?
This installation includes a 15 year materials and processing warranty and a 30 year linear power warranty on the Longi solar panels, guaranteeing at least 88.85% of rated output after three decades, plus a 10 year warranty on the SolaX inverter.
Running a commercial site with high power bills? Future Energy designs commercial solar Auckland systems sized to your actual consumption data, not guesswork, so you can see a clear payback timeline before you commit. Get in touch for a free feasibility assessment.
