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New Zealand solar comparison

Compare solar quotes from vetted NZ installers

Cut your power bill and lock in cheaper energy for decades. Tell us about your property and we'll match you with up to 3 trusted local installers — free, and with no obligation.

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Typical 5–7kW home system

$10,000–$16,500

Indicative installed cost in NZ (EECA benchmark ~$2,000/kW). Your quote depends on roof, region and system size.

Typical payback
7–10 years
Panel warranties
up to 25 years
Regions covered
12 across NZ
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How it works

Three simple steps to compare solar

1

Tell us about your property

Answer a few quick questions about your home or business, region and power use. Takes about two minutes.

2

Get matched with installers

We connect you with up to 3 vetted solar installers who service your region and do the work you need.

3

Compare and choose

Compare quotes, panels, batteries and warranties side by side — then pick the installer that suits you.

Learn more about how CompareSolar works →

Why go solar

Cheaper power, more control, lower emissions

Lower power bills

Generate your own electricity during the day and rely less on rising grid prices.

Strong NZ sunshine

Most of New Zealand gets enough sun for solar to perform well year-round.

Add a battery

Store daytime power for the evening peak, or for backup during outages.

Long warranties

Quality panels are warrantied for decades and need very little maintenance.

Solar by region

Find solar installers near you

Sunshine hours and installers vary by region. Explore solar in your area.

Auckland 3.8 PSH Wellington 3.9 PSH Christchurch 3.7 PSH Hamilton 3.7 PSH Tauranga 3.8 PSH Dunedin 3.4 PSH Nelson-Tasman 3.7 PSH Hawke's Bay 3.8 PSH
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Panels & equipment

Compare the brands NZ installers use

LONGi Solar

21-22%

World's largest solar manufacturer, excellent efficiency, strong warranty support in NZ.

25-year warranty · China

Trina Solar

20-21%

Tier 1 manufacturer, great value for money, widely available in NZ.

25-year warranty · China

JinkoSolar

20.5-21.5%

One of world's top manufacturers, excellent performance in varied conditions.

25-year warranty · China

Canadian Solar

19.5-21%

Established brand, strong quality control, good low-light performance.

25-year warranty · Canada/China

REC Solar

21-22%

Premium panels, excellent in low light, strong European engineering.

25-year warranty · Norway/Singapore
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Common questions

Solar in New Zealand — FAQs

How much do solar panels cost in New Zealand? +
EECA puts the current benchmark at around $2,000 per kW installed, so a typical home system runs roughly $8,500 for 3kW, $11,500 for 5kW, and about $14,000–$16,500 for a popular 6–7kW system. Adding a battery typically costs another $5,000–$15,000+. Prices vary by panel quality, roof complexity and location, so the best way to know is to compare a few quotes. (Indicative; source: EECA / Gen Less, Dec 2025.)
How long does it take for solar panels to pay for themselves? +
EECA and Consumer NZ both put the typical payback for residential solar in New Zealand at around 7–10 years, with savings of roughly $1,000–$1,500 a year on a 5kW system. The biggest driver is how much of your own generation you use during the day, because grid power costs far more than the rate you earn exporting surplus. (Indicative; source: EECA, 2025.)
Do I need council consent for solar panels? +
Since 23 October 2025, roof-mounted solar generally does not need a building consent — arrays under 40m² per roof (in wind zones up to 'High') are exempt, and larger arrays are exempt if a chartered engineer signs off the fixings. The Building Code still applies, and resource consent under your District Plan can still apply for heritage or character properties, so check with your council. Your installer will advise. (Source: MBIE Building Performance, Oct 2025.)
Can I install solar panels on a north-facing roof? +
North-facing roofs are ideal in New Zealand as they receive the most sun. East and west-facing roofs also work well — north-east or north-west orientations typically still generate a large share of optimal output. Your installer will model expected generation for your specific roof.
What happens to excess solar power I generate? +
Surplus power is exported to the grid and your retailer pays a buyback (feed-in) rate for it. There is no national feed-in tariff, so rates vary by retailer — currently from around 11c/kWh up to about 23c/kWh on the best time-of-use plans. From 1 July 2026, large retailers must offer at least one time-varying buyback rate that rewards peak exports. Compare current rates on Powerswitch. (As at June 2026.)
Do solar panels work on cloudy days? +
Yes — panels still generate on cloudy days, though at reduced output. New Zealand averages about 4 kWh/m² of solar energy per day, and most of the country gets enough sun for solar to perform well year-round, even allowing for overcast weather.
See all solar FAQs →

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