Your lines company & retailer
Network approval, export arrangements and import/export metering need to be checked for your property. Requirements and available capacity vary.
Electricity Authority solar guidance ↗Home / The New Zealand solar guide
The New Zealand solar guide
A better decision.
Starts with good questions.
Solar is a long-term decision. Understand how your property, usage and electricity plan work together before choosing a system.
01 / The value of solar
Generate it.
Use it well.
Using solar electricity in your property can reduce electricity purchases. Exported surplus may earn a credit under your retailer’s plan.
The balance matters. A system sized around your daytime demand may offer a different outcome from one sized to fill every available part of your roof. Compare your interval electricity data with a monthly generation estimate.
Look at the whole electricity plan
Buy-back rates are only part of the picture. Import prices, daily charges, time-of-use conditions and any export limits can change the outcome.
Consider storage on its own merits
A battery adds cost and flexibility. Ask whether shifting energy into the evening or supporting selected circuits during an outage is valuable enough for your situation.
Read EECA’s costs and savings guidance ↗Savings explorer
What could your solar
electricity be worth?
An illustrative annual electricity-value calculation. Enter your own assumptions; this is not a generation forecast or a quote.
ILLUSTRATIVE ANNUAL VALUE
$1,430NZD / year- Electricity used on site
- $1,170
- Surplus electricity exported
- $260
Energy value only. Excludes equipment costs, financing, maintenance, degradation, timing effects, battery losses, fixed daily charges and any changes to tariffs or export limits.
Discuss your actual usage ↗How the calculation works
Self-use value = annual generation × self-use percentage × import rate. Export value = annual generation × remaining percentage × buy-back rate. Total = self-use value + export value. Rates entered in cents are divided by 100. This simplified model assumes all surplus can be exported at the entered rate and all self-use offsets that import rate. It does not calculate total bill savings or payback.
03 / Grid & approvals
A few important
connections.
Connecting solar involves more than fitting panels.
Your roof & local requirements
Some installations qualify for building-consent exemptions, subject to conditions. Roof area, wind conditions, structural design and local planning requirements need assessment.
Check MBIE’s solar guidance ↗Funding & finance
Any funding or lending option needs its own eligibility check. Ask your bank about current terms. Do not assume an Australian rebate or incentive applies to a New Zealand installation.
04 / Before you accept a proposal
Know what you’re getting.
The design
Exact equipment, layout, estimated generation, shading assumptions, battery and backup scope if included.
The full cost
Installation inclusions, GST treatment, metering and network costs, exclusions, payment schedule and any finance terms.
The handover & support
Electrical documentation, monitoring access, operating guidance, product and workmanship warranty terms, and support contact.
General guidance checked 19 October 2026. Linked authorities may update their guidance. Project-specific requirements must be confirmed.
Prepared by Energ Link for New Zealand readers. General guidance checked . Refer to the linked authorities for current guidance; project-specific advice requires an assessment.