What it is
The cheapest kilowatt is the one your home never needs. We start by driving the energy demand down with insulation, airtightness and ventilation, then add rooftop solar so the sun covers a real share of what remains.
How we build it
Solar is planned with the roof, not after it: panel layout, roof penetrations and cable runs are resolved at design stage so the weathertightness and the warranty stay intact. At Horton Road the home runs on its rooftop array, grid-tied to the mains with no battery storage; the Blue House and the Green House at Upper Moutere both carry solar; and The Cedar House in Motueka can run self-sufficient on its array. Nelson and Tasman sunshine hours do the rest.
Generating, not just specified
Real arrays, on real roofs.
Horton Road, the Blue House and the Green House all carry solar, and The Cedar House in Motueka can run self-sufficient on its array. Nelson and Tasman sunshine hours doing real work, on homes you can see.
- Building since
- 2006
- Google reviews
- 5.0 stars, 18 reviews
Materials and brands
- Approach
- Reduce demand first: insulation, airtightness and heat-recovery ventilation
- Generation
- Rooftop solar arrays, planned with the roof design
Homes built with this system
We are working back through our builds with professional photography, so images of this system in our own homes will be added over time.
Good questions
Solar and energy, answered.
Do you fit rooftop solar on new builds?
Yes. Panel layout, roof penetrations and cable runs are resolved at design stage, alongside the roof itself, so the weathertightness and the warranty stay intact.
Is your solar grid-tied or battery-based?
It depends on the home. Horton Road runs on its rooftop array grid-tied to the mains with no battery storage; The Cedar House in Motueka is set up to run self-sufficient on its array.
Can every new home be solar-ready even without a battery?
Yes. We plan the roof and cable runs so solar can be added or expanded later, whether or not the first stage includes a battery.
Why insulate and seal the home before adding solar?
The cheapest kilowatt is the one your home never needs. We drive demand down first with insulation, airtightness and ventilation, so the solar array covers a real share of what remains, instead of a home that leaks heat as fast as the panels can make it.
Which of your homes run on solar?
Horton Road, The Blue House and The Green House at Upper Moutere all carry solar, and The Cedar House in Motueka can run self-sufficient on its array.
Talk to the builder who does this every day.
Book a free one-hour consultation with founder Daryl Combes. No obligation, just an honest conversation about your site, your brief and your budget.
Arrange a consultation
