Can I store the energy my system generates - instead of exporting it?

Most of the solar power systems in New Zealand are grid-connected systems i.e. connected to the electricity poles and wires (the grid) to pull in electricity or feed back electricity to the grid. They cannot store the power in the home for use at night without adding storage batteries to the solar power system.

However off-grid solar power systems are designed to store electricity in batteries for homes who are not connected to the grid. However, batteries for off-grid systems can be expensive, cost in some cases as much as 50% of total system cost.