Help & Support
Find answers to common questions and learn how to get the most out of Frontier Solar.
🚀 Getting Started
- 1Dashboard — Start here for a summary of average electricity rates and estimated solar savings across all providers.
- 2Providers — Browse and sort the full pricing table. Filter by plan type (Standard, EV, Time-of-Use) to narrow down your options.
- 3Calculator — Select a provider and enter your monthly electricity usage and desired solar system size to see personalised savings estimates.
- 4Upload — Keep the data fresh by uploading a CSV with the latest provider rates, or reset back to the built-in defaults at any time.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is Frontier Solar?
Frontier Solar is a free tool that lets you compare electricity pricing across major New Zealand providers and estimate how much money you could save by installing a rooftop solar PV system.
How current is the pricing data?
The default pricing data was sourced from provider websites and publicly available rate schedules as of 2024. Prices include GST. Electricity rates change frequently — always verify the latest rates directly with your provider before making financial decisions.
Can I update the pricing data myself?
Yes. Use the Upload page to upload a CSV file containing your own provider pricing data. The file must include columns for provider, planType, dailyCharge, peak, offPeak, night, peakExport, offPeakExport, and nightExport. A template CSV can be downloaded from the Upload page.
What do the peak, off-peak, and night rates mean?
Peak rate applies during high-demand hours (typically 7am–9am and 5pm–9pm). Off-peak covers daytime shoulder periods, and night rate applies during overnight hours. Your actual TOU periods may vary by provider.
What does "export rate" mean?
Export rates are what your electricity retailer pays you for excess solar energy you export back to the grid. Some providers offer different export rates for peak, off-peak, and night periods. Higher export rates mean greater earnings from your solar system.
How is the solar savings estimate calculated?
The calculator uses a weighted average of peak, off-peak, and night rates (40%/35%/25% consumption split) to estimate your electricity cost. It assumes 60% of generated solar energy is consumed on-site (reducing grid purchases) and 40% is exported at a weighted average of the provider's export rates (70% peak / 25% off-peak / 5% night). Solar generation figures are based on NIWA data for Wellington at a 15° north-facing tilt. System cost is estimated at $2/W installed.
Why is the data based on Wellington?
Solar generation data is sourced from NIWA's resource database for Wellington, NZ. Wellington figures represent a good middle-ground for illustrative purposes. Actual generation will vary depending on your location, roof pitch, orientation, and shading.
What is the payback period calculation?
Payback period is calculated as: System Cost ÷ Annual Savings. This is a simple estimate and does not account for panel degradation over time, maintenance costs, or future changes in electricity prices.
Is this tool affiliated with any electricity provider?
No. Frontier Solar is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any electricity provider.
How do I reset the provider data to the defaults?
On the Upload page, click the "Reset to Defaults" button. This will restore all provider pricing to the original built-in dataset.
📄 CSV Upload Guide
To update provider pricing, upload a CSV file with the following columns (header row required):
| Column | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| provider | text | Provider name (e.g. Contact Energy) |
| planType | text | Plan type: Standard, Low User, or Spot |
| dailyCharge | number | Daily fixed charge in dollars (incl. GST) |
| peak | number | Peak rate in $/kWh |
| offPeak | number | Off-peak rate in $/kWh |
| night | number | Night rate in $/kWh |
| peakExport | number | Peak solar export rate in $/kWh |
| offPeakExport | number | Off-peak solar export rate in $/kWh |
| nightExport | number | Night solar export rate in $/kWh |
Download the template CSV from the Upload page to get started quickly.
⚠️ Disclaimer
All estimates are indicative only and should not be taken as financial or energy advice. Always verify current rates directly with your electricity provider before making any decisions.