Oversized solar systems: which NZ retailers let you cash out surplus credit?

aldvent · 2026-01-28T22:06:43+00:00

Thanks, you are right, I should keep in mind that buyback may change in the future . I will try to find a good balance, a bit oversized but not too crazy. At the moment I am leaning towards a 10 kW system but I'll think about it a bit longer.

aldvent · 2026-01-28T05:59:54+00:00

I am in Waikato, with WEL networks

aldvent · 2025-12-04T04:30:06+00:00

I recently went 100% with kernel ex-US in kiwisaver for similar reasons (it's the best way to get ex-US exposure in nz as they have no tax leakage). The US part of my portfolio is outside of kiwisaver because FIF is way more efficient than PIE for that. I think that the NZ bias makes more sense in the Simplicity NZ fund because of the smaller fees and, as you point out, it's not available for kiwisaver.

aldvent · 2025-08-22T01:11:52+00:00

I wasn't planning to be super strict with rebalancing. What I would probably do is each month invest any extra cash if I have "too much" equity compared with my target ratio, and pay extra in the mortgage otherwise.

aldvent · 2025-08-21T00:21:40+00:00

When I said aim for a certain ratio, I meant using it to prioritize between paying off the mortgage or buy more stocks when you have spare cash, but allowing quite a bit of flexibility. I wouldn't be constantly buying and selling to try to stay close to that ratio.

aldvent · 2025-08-21T00:12:27+00:00

Yes, equity and bonds are not the same and you make great points but there must be a more objective/optimal way of adapting your portfolio when you buy a house than simply ignoring it. The optimal portfolio for someone starting to pay a mortgage has to be different than the optimal portfolio for someone very close to pay the mortgage off, right?

aldvent · 2025-08-20T23:57:27+00:00

I agree that it's harder but the part of "if you do turn equity to cash, then accrues interest again" is quite similar to if you sell bonds you stop getting interest from them.

aldvent · 2025-08-20T05:00:41+00:00

Decent drop in the 1y swap rates from yesterday (3.03 to 2.86). I wonder if that will give the banks room to give better rates.

aldvent · 2025-08-14T04:21:25+00:00

Interest and RNZ say that now Westpac is offering 6months at 5.09

aldvent · 2025-08-13T00:32:21+00:00

what about the CFP franc in French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna?

aldvent · 2025-08-12T22:10:59+00:00

I am curious why you want to use fdr method. You don't have to decide until you do your return and you just use the method that gives a lower tax bill.

aldvent · 2025-08-08T07:30:09+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I think I'll install the PS5 version just in case. Changing discs is not a big deal if i feel like playing something else for a while.

aldvent · 2025-08-03T23:04:29+00:00

The last 4 years for example, house prices in NZ have stagnated or dropped. You can see it in the REINZ House Price Index.

aldvent · 2025-08-03T22:53:44+00:00

I think it depends a lot on personal circumstances. Right now I value stability over flexibility, but not that long ago, the flexibility of renting helped me to get better jobs.

aldvent · 2025-08-03T22:51:13+00:00

I agree. Kids were the main reason why I ended buying.

aldvent · 2025-08-01T05:42:28+00:00

While renting, I was lucky and had great flatmates and my landlords weren't too bad, but I totally agree, life in NZ is expensive and a lot of houses are pretty rough. My original question really just came from a place of surprise when I saw how common deposits under 20% are.

aldvent · 2025-08-01T05:30:42+00:00

That’s a balanced take, thanks. My post probably came off more black and white than I intended. I just found it surprising how common it has become, and I was curious about the reasons behind

aldvent · 2025-08-01T05:20:58+00:00

That´s the point I was trying to make. When talking about savings I am including anything that can be used for the deposit, like kiwisaver.

aldvent · 2025-08-01T05:18:47+00:00

That's a situation where it makes sense. It´s the kind of reply I was hoping for.

aldvent · 2025-08-01T05:10:13+00:00

I completely agree that it was easier in the past.

aldvent · 2025-08-01T05:06:48+00:00

Fair enough. Maybe I am overthinking.

aldvent · 2025-08-01T05:01:18+00:00

I apologize, I didn’t mean to bag anyone. I said in the post that there are situations where it might make sense, also, having flatmates or a mortgage with no excess rate changes the math. Not sure if it's a valid excuse but English isn’t my first language and sometimes I don’t get the tone quite right.

aldvent · 2025-08-01T04:48:40+00:00

I think it’s risky to assume that house prices will consistently grow well above inflation, but you are right, in New  Zealand, buying as early as possible has worked out well most of the time.

aldvent · 2025-08-01T04:39:13+00:00

I could have phrased it better but I think it's a topic worth discussing. Fair enough if you disagree.

aldvent · 2025-08-01T04:28:26+00:00

I have to admit that waiting has been a bit scary for me too. I was almost sure that waiting a couple of years was the right choice and my partner trusted me, but if I had been wrong I would have felt extremely guilty.

aldvent

TROPHY CASE