| 12.35kW Solar Array | 4/4 Roof Faces / MPPT | V2G/V2H Ready | HPBC 2.0 Anti Shading Panels |
Project Overview
Solar installation NZ projects don’t always get a simple, single pitch roof to work with, and Sam’s home in Arthurs Point needed a design that could handle a roof split across several different pitches with shading at different times of day. Future Energy installed 26 of the new Longi 475W bifacial panels, a 12.35kW array, across four separate roof faces, paired with a SolaX VAST hybrid inverter using all 4 of its independent MPP trackers. Sam’s brief was to max out the number of panels his roof could carry, build in the ability to add battery storage later, and future proof the system with V2G/V2H readiness, and the finished system delivers on all three.
The Challenge
Sam’s roof presented two real design problems: several different roof pitches to work across, and shading that shifted through the day depending on the time and the angle of the sun. Rather than settling for a smaller, simpler array on the best performing face, Sam wanted to maximise the total number of panels his roof could carry, which meant designing a system that could treat each roof face as its own independent array. He also wanted the system to be ready for the future, with the ability to add battery storage down the track and full V2G/V2H compatibility for vehicle charging and home backup, without needing to replace the inverter later.
The System
26 High Efficiency HPBC Bifacial Panels at 12.35kW
The system uses 26 x new Longi LR7 54HVD 475M bifacial panels for a combined array output of 12.35kW, split across four different roof faces to make the most of every usable section of roof. These panels use advanced HPBC 2.0, Hybrid Passivated Back Contact, cell technology, which eliminates the front gridlines seen on standard panels for a sleek, all black look and noticeably better low light performance, along with anti shading technology suited to Sam’s roof.
SolaX VAST Hybrid Inverter, 4 MPPT
A 10kW SolaX VAST hybrid inverter manages the installation using all 4 of its independent MPP trackers, one for each of the four roof faces, so every section of the array performs to its own potential rather than being limited by the others. As a hybrid inverter, it’s built to support modular battery storage as a future addition, and is V2G and V2H capable, meaning it can support both vehicle to grid and vehicle to home functionality as that technology becomes available.
No Battery Storage Installed Yet
This installation is solar only for now, with no battery storage included at this stage. The SolaX VAST inverter’s hybrid, modular design means Sam can add battery storage at any point in the future without replacing the inverter already installed, and the system’s V2G/V2H readiness adds further flexibility as vehicle to grid and vehicle to home technology matures.
The Results
- 12.35kW solar array installed using 26 new Longi HPBC bifacial panels, split across four roof faces
- SolaX VAST 10kW hybrid inverter using all 4 independent MPP trackers, one per roof face
- HPBC 2.0 cell technology delivers a sleek all black panel look with no visible front gridlines
- Anti shading technology suited to a roof with shifting shade through the day
- Hybrid, modular inverter design allows battery storage to be added at any stage in the future
- V2G and V2H capable, future proofing the system for vehicle to grid and vehicle to home use
Every roof face working, and ready for whatever comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HPBC 2.0 panel technology and why does it matter?
HPBC, or Hybrid Passivated Back Contact, is a cell technology that moves the panel’s front gridlines to the rear of the cell. That gives the panel a cleaner, all black appearance with no visible grid pattern, and also improves performance in low light conditions, which matters on a roof like Sam’s with shifting shade through the day.
What does V2G/V2H ready mean for a solar inverter?
V2G, vehicle to grid, and V2H, vehicle to home, describe the ability to use a compatible EV’s battery to supply power back to the grid or directly to the home. An inverter that’s V2G/V2H ready, like the SolaX VAST installed for Sam, is built to support that functionality as compatible vehicles and technology become more widely available in NZ, without needing to be replaced.
Can solar panels be installed across multiple roof faces with different pitches?
Yes. Sam’s Arthurs Point installation spreads 26 panels across four different roof faces, managed through a SolaX VAST inverter with 4 independent MPP trackers so each face performs to its own potential. This approach also let Sam maximise the total number of panels his roof could carry, rather than limiting the system to a single best performing face.
Why choose a hybrid inverter if you’re not installing a battery straight away?
A hybrid inverter, like the SolaX VAST installed for Sam, is built to support battery storage as a modular future addition. Choosing one at the time of the initial solar installation means battery storage can be added later without replacing the inverter, which is typically more cost effective than retrofitting a non hybrid system down the track.
Got a roof with multiple pitches or shading through the day? Future Energy designs solar installation NZ systems that make the most of complex roofs, with hybrid, V2G/V2H ready inverters that future proof your investment. Get in touch for a free assessment.
