Infinite Energy are Central Otago specialists in solar power technologies and QT Magazine talked to CEO Regan Heal about renewable energy solutions for local homeowners.

Are Infinite Energy’s solar solutions bespoke?

The market is full of system packages however we are strongly against solar being productised and highly recommend having a solution designed and tailored for each property and its energy usage. Whether someone is investing $10,000 or $100,000 it is a big investment and the wrong product can lead to dissatisfaction.  Our goal is to make it easy for homeowners to get it right.

What are the budget considerations for new or existing homes?

Solar is a long term investment and should be treated with thorough due diligence. All buildings use a large amount of energy over their life so generating a portion of this through solar is a no brainer. There is no cheaper form of renewable energy available – it’s that simple. Pricing depends on specifications but as a rule of thumb a very meaningful residential system without battery storage is around $15,000 to $20,000 and upwards of $30,000 for solar plus storage. In a new build this might only represent about three per cent of the total build cost.

As a general rule we expect to see most systems generating a full return on the initial capital outlay within five to eight years leaving more than 20 years of reliable generation to follow  and solar panels under warranty for up to 30 years.

How much battery storage do homes require including for an EV?

In most cases Infinite Energy specifies modular battery solutions that can be scaled over time. There are great opportunities in the market currently to force charge batteries with low cost or free grid power (off peak) to realise massive gains for our clients through managing batteries. Home EV charging and home solar can be a perfect marriage that sometimes depends on circumstance like how often the car is at home during the day. With smart EV chargers we can vary how much charge is going to the car depending on other electrical loads or cars can be charged from low cost off peak power.

What types of battery are available?

There are hundreds of different battery brands, types and we see our role as providing sound advice based on our research and knowledge gained over hundreds of installs. We understand the different battery chemistries, different applications and customer objectives. As an independent, family owned business we’re not affiliated to any one brand and often specify from a pool of six or seven key supply partners.

What is the first step in engaging with Infinite Energy on a project?

The assessment triggers the bespoke design process which does not cost the client anything –  it’s obligation free. With the right information and a clear brief we can go about designing a solution. This is very different from selling a product sight unseen. There are no one size fits all approaches in our business as no two customers are alike so  it starts with a consultation which is definitely not a sales call.