| 30.08 kWh Solar Array | 37,978kWh Est. Annual Production | 6yrs 4mths Payback | $6,746 Year 1 Savings |
Project Overview
Heywood Property, a commercial solar NZ building in Eden Terrace, Auckland, was facing an annual electricity bill of around $11.97K. Future Energy designed a 30.08kW solar array projected to cut that bill to roughly $5.22K a year, delivering $6,746 in savings in year one alone and paying for itself in 6 years and 4 months.
The Challenge
Commercial electricity costs scale with the size of the operation, and Eden Terrace’s rooftop needed to support a solar array large enough to make a meaningful dent in those costs without over building the system. The brief was to size the installation against Heywood Property’s real consumption pattern and deliver a payback timeline that stacked up financially, not just an off the shelf commercial solar package.
The System
Solar Array – 64 Longi Panels at 30.08kW
The system uses 64 x Longi LR7-54HTH-470M solar panels for a combined array output of 30.08kW, backed by a 25 year product warranty and a 25 year linear power warranty, giving Heywood Property long term certainty over the system’s output.
Sungrow SG30CX Inverter
A single Sungrow SG30CX inverter, rated at 29.9kVA AC output, converts the array’s DC output for use on site and export to the grid. The inverter carries a 10 year warranty and is closely matched to the array size to keep conversion losses to a minimum.
No Battery Storage Needed For Heywood Property Yet
This installation is solar only, with no battery storage included. The system was sized to maximise self consumption and export value from the property’s daytime usage pattern, with battery storage able to be added later if Heywood Property’s needs change.
The Results
- 30.08kW solar array installed, producing an estimated 37,978kWh a year
- Year 1 savings of $6,746, with payback in 6 years and 4 months
- Solar self consumption of 49%, with 48% of total energy use covered by clean energy
- 4.7 tonnes of CO2 e avoided annually, 117 tonnes over the life of the system
- Equivalent to 25.3 fewer fossil fuel cars driven a year, or 1,906 trees grown for 10 years
Commercial scale power. Commercial scale savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a 30kW commercial solar system save on electricity bills in NZ?
Based on Heywood Property’s Eden Terrace installation, a 30kW system can save a commercial property in the vicinity of $6,700 in its first year, with savings compounding as electricity prices rise over time.
What size solar system does a commercial property need?
It depends on the property’s consumption profile and available roof space. Future Energy models actual usage data to size a system, like the 30.08kW array installed for Heywood Property, that maximises self-consumption without over building.
How long does a commercial solar installation take to pay for itself?
Heywood Property’s 30kW system is projected to pay for itself in 6 years and 4 months, after which the system continues generating savings for the remainder of its 25 year warrantied lifespan.
What warranties come with a commercial solar installation?
This installation includes a 25 year product and linear power warranty on the Longi solar panels, and a 10 year warranty on the Sungrow inverter.
Running a commercial property with high power bills? Future Energy designs solar 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.
