Lightforce Solar vs McNae Group:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, McNae Group had more branded searches than Lightforce Solar among Palmerston North solar installers in New Zealand. McNae Group had about 90 branded searches, while Lightforce Solar had 20. McNae Group made up 32.1% of all Palmerston North solar installer searches we track, and Lightforce Solar accounted for 7.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Palmerston North solar installers, McNae Group appeared in all three answers and Lightforce Solar in none.
Who do people search for more?
McNae Group, about 5 searches for every 1 for Lightforce Solar
Who does AI mention more?
McNae Group, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
McNae Group, the only one of the two named
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Top Palmerston North solar installers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, McNae Group appeared in all three answers. Lightforce Solar did not appear in any of the three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- McNae Group3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Green Solution3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
SES Electrical3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers- Laser Electrical Palmerston North Central3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Harrisons Solar0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Lightforce Solar0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Sunshine Solar0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about Palmerston North solar installers
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which solar installer should I hire in Palmerston North, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best solar installers in Palmerston North, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best solar installer in Palmerston North, New Zealand for solar panels?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“solar power palmerston north”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“solar installers palmerston north”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Lightforce Solar or McNae Group more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Lightforce Solar and McNae Group by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven Palmerston North solar installers we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for McNae Group, Lightforce Solar. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | McNae Group | Green Solution | SES Electrical | Harrisons Solar | Lightforce Solar | Sunshine Solar | Laser Electrical Palmerston North Central |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 26.9% | 19.2% | 19.2% | 19.2% | 3.8% | 7.7% | 3.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 45% | 15% | 10% | 15% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Dec 2025 | 20% | 20% | 15% | 15% | 5% | 20% | 5% |
| Jan 2026 | 26.9% | 15.4% | 11.5% | 15.4% | 7.7% | 15.4% | 7.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 34.6% | 11.5% | 7.7% | 15.4% | 7.7% | 15.4% | 7.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 40.9% | 9.1% | 6.8% | 22.7% | 4.5% | 11.4% | 4.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 25% | 13.5% | 9.6% | 21.2% | 17.3% | 9.6% | 3.8% |
| May 2026 | 31.3% | 15.6% | 12.5% | 18.8% | 9.4% | 6.3% | 6.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 34.1% | 25% | 15.9% | 9.1% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 27% | 18.9% | 18.9% | 16.2% | 8.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 38.5% | 17.9% | 12.8% | 12.8% | 7.7% | 5.1% | 5.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 32.1% | 17.9% | 17.9% | 14.3% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 3.6% |
How has the Lightforce Solar and McNae Group comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- McNae Group was ahead of Lightforce Solar in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lightforce Solar’s share of searches among Palmerston North solar installers in New Zealand moved from 3.8% to 7.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 10 to 20.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, McNae Group’s share of searches among Palmerston North solar installers in New Zealand moved from 26.9% to 32.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 70 to 90.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand Palmerston North solar installers in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, McNae Group lost share of searches among Palmerston North solar installers in New Zealand, from 38.5% to 32.1%.
In September 2026, Lightforce Solar lost share of searches among Palmerston North solar installers in New Zealand, from 7.7% to 7.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Lightforce Solar’s and McNae Group’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Lightforce Solar
2 branded search terms
- light force solar
- lightforce solar
McNae Group
2 branded search terms
- mcnae
- mcnae group
Other head-to-heads among Palmerston North solar installers
- McNae Group vs Green Solution: compare popularity
- McNae Group vs SES Electrical: compare popularity
- McNae Group vs Harrisons Solar: compare popularity
- Green Solution vs SES Electrical: compare popularity
- Green Solution vs Harrisons Solar: compare popularity
- Green Solution vs Lightforce Solar: compare popularity
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