Brands we trust

When you choose Vital Solar for your residential or commercial solar energy system, you’re choosing from a range of brands and products that have been selected for their ethical practices and their suitability for the New Zealand market.

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Choosing the right solar product

We are proud to supply and install brands of solar panels and systems that are innovative, reliable and made by companies that share our ethical work standards.

We work with Enphase, SunPower and Schletter because of their superior quality, the suitability of their products for the New Zealand environment, and their ethical production and labour practices.

Enphase

The Enphase product range is exceptional, with flexible and scalable microinverters that ensure continuous solar production with no single point of failure.

  • The Enphase microinverter has no fans, no moving parts and no high-voltage DC – which makes it the safest system on the market. (Watch this cool video for a fire captain’s endorsement of the Enphase system.)
  • The defect rate is just 0.05%, meaning a microinverter replacement rate of only one in 2,000.
  • Enphase microinverters are IP67 certified – they can endure just about anything Mother Nature sends their way.
  • The Enphase microinverter system is the most easily adaptable and scalable system – you can start small and easily add on additional solar panels after your initial installation. There’s no need to worry about whether the system can provide enough power – an Enphase system can be scaled up to 500 panels!
  • The Enphase system ensures there is no single point of failure – if for any (rare) reason one of the panels or components stops working, the system can continue to operate rather than shut down. Think of it like a string of Christmas lights where if one bulb blows, the rest continue to work.
  • Enphase also offers a hybrid set-up with the new IQ battery, which is designed to work perfectly in sync with your new or existing system.

And if you need another reason to love Enphase, know that many of their products are designed and tested in Christchurch, NZ. So while they’re an American company, their New Zealand lab employs 120 engineers.

SunPower

Established in 1985 in Silicon Valley, SunPower has been developing and refining solar panels and systems for over 35 years. They now produce some of the highest performing panels on the market that are consistently rated as the most efficient panels globally.

SunPower offers the best warranty options available in the market for solar panels and products. They also have one of the most comprehensive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies we’ve seen amongst providers of solar panels and products.

  • SunPower offers two product ranges for their DC panels – their Performance 6 solar panel range comes with a minimum 25 year warranty, while their Maxeon solar panels carry a 40 year warranty!
  • By combining SunPower and Enphase systems, you get the standard Enphase warranty extended from 10 years to 25 years!
  • SunPower Maxeon 6 has a whopping 0.25% annual degradation (the lower, the better), so even at year 40 you are guaranteed to still be getting 88.3% power output
  • SunPower is fully committed to the ethos of creating a sustainable future by ensuring they provide products made using sustainable practices. Their Conflict Minerals Policy guides them in sourcing products, including minerals, from conflict-free areas.
  • Their Human Rights Statement includes strict supply chain guidelines that work towards eliminating human trafficking and slavery. They are the only company that can provide evidence of where every part of the panel comes from.

Schletter

What comes to mind when you hear the words German engineered? It’s usually quality and attention to detail.

  • Schletter has been around since 1968 and designs, engineers and manufactures globally in various regions around the world suitable to that specific market.
  • The aluminium that Schletter uses is mined in Australia to ensure they are not enabling any modern slavery practices.
  • They use marine grade aluminium which is ideal for many New Zealand properties that are close to the sea.
  • All Schletter products are covered by a 25-year warranty.

Ethical mining and production

We believe no solar product should be made in a factory where there is any potential to exploit workers’ rights and child labour. Unfortunately, this is common practice in lithium mining and battery production.

We’ve researched the products and manufacturing practices of some of the well-known brands, and we are proud to work with ethical companies like Enphase, SunPower and Schletter.

Feel free to read more about the sustainability and ESG policies from SunPower, Enphase and Schletter.

Our guarantee

With extensive experience and certification by New Zealand Master Electricians, we are the trusted solar energy systems provider for Kiwi homes and businesses. With the highest level of compliance available in solar installation, we only work with products covered by a manufacturer’s warranty and we guarantee all our workmanship.

Our commitment

Vital Solar is a proud member of SEANZ, the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand.

SEANZ is an independent organisation that works hard to drive our sustainable energy future, leading the promotion, support and innovation of solar PV and energy storage technologies.

Because we’re members of SEANZ, we work to a strict SEANZ Code of Conduct. It also means you can apply for financing from your bank for solar energy systems from Vital Solar.

FAQs

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Which brands does Vital Solar work with?

We work with Enphase, SunPower, and Schletter, all known for their superior quality, reliability, and ethical production practices.

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Why should I choose Enphase products?

Enphase microinverters offer flexibility, scalability, and safety, with no single point of failure. They are IP67 certified, ensuring durability, and their defect rate is an incredibly low 0.05%. The system can be scaled up to 500 panels and integrates seamlessly with the IQ battery for hybrid setups.

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What makes SunPower solar panels stand out?

SunPower produces some of the highest-performing and most efficient panels globally. Their panels have excellent warranties—up to 40 years for the Maxeon range. SunPower also has strong environmental and ethical commitments, with a focus on sustainability and conflict-free sourcing of materials.

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What are the benefits of combining SunPower and Enphase systems?

By combining SunPower panels with Enphase microinverters, you extend the Enphase warranty from 10 years to 25 years, ensuring long-term reliability and performance.

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What sustainability measures do SunPower follow?

SunPower has a robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy, with a Conflict Minerals Policy and a Human Rights Statement that ensure ethical sourcing, the elimination of human trafficking, and traceability of all components in their panels.

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Why is Schletter a good choice for mounting systems?

Schletter is known for German-engineered quality and uses marine-grade aluminium, ideal for New Zealand’s coastal properties. They ensure ethical sourcing by mining aluminium in Australia and offer a 25-year warranty on all their products.

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What warranties do these brands provide?

  • Enphase: Up to 25 years when combined with SunPower.
  • SunPower: 25-year warranty for Performance 6 panels and 40 years for Maxeon panels.

Schletter: 25-year warranty on all their mounting systems.

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Are Enphase products made in New Zealand?

Many Enphase products are designed and tested in Christchurch, NZ, employing local engineers. Although Enphase is an American company, their NZ lab plays a key role in product development.

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Can I expand my system later with Enphase products?

Yes, Enphase microinverters are scalable, making it easy to start small and add more panels to your system as needed, without worrying about system limitations.

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Is SunPower a sustainable company?

Yes, SunPower is committed to sustainable practices, conflict-free sourcing, and eliminating modern slavery in its supply chain. They are transparent about where every component of their panels comes from.

Find out more about switching to solar

Service Area: Auckland

[email protected]

0800 848 251

5 Collard Place, Henderson, Auckland 0610