# CompareSolar — Full LLM Corpus

CompareSolar (comparesolar.co.nz) is New Zealand's independent solar
comparison service. We match homeowners and businesses with vetted local
solar installers. Free, no obligation. We are not an installer.
All figures below are indicative guidance only and are not quotes.

## Verified Direct Answers (as at June 2026)
- Installed cost: ~$2,000/kW (EECA). ~$8,500 (3kW), ~$11,500 (5kW), ~$13,000–$17,000 (6–7kW), ~$20,000 (10kW).
- Payback: ~7–10 years (EECA, Consumer NZ). Returns ~6–14%/yr; savings ~$1,000–$1,500/yr on 5kW.
- Subsidy: NONE nationwide (Govt rejected a scheme in 2025). Some bank green loans (e.g. Westpac 0%); lines-company peak-export rebates via the power bill from 1 Apr 2026.
- Export buyback: retailer-set (no national tariff), ~11–23c/kWh; time-varying rates mandated from 1 Jul 2026. Compare on Powerswitch.
- Consent: roof solar generally building-consent-exempt since 23 Oct 2025 (<40m²/roof, wind zones up to High); Building Code + District Plan still apply.
- Battery: adds ~$5,000–$15,000+ (~$1,250/kWh); on cost alone EECA says panels-only generally returns best today; good for backup.
- Uptake: ~408 MW distributed solar at Dec 2024 (Electricity Authority), ~50% YoY growth.
- Sources: EECA (eeca.govt.nz), Consumer NZ (consumer.org.nz), Powerswitch (powerswitch.org.nz), Electricity Authority (ea.govt.nz), MBIE (building.govt.nz).

## Solar by Region (peak sun hours = average daily generation hours)
### Auckland (/regions/auckland/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.8/day
- Population: 1,700,000
- New Zealand's largest city has strong solar potential, with a typical north-facing system generating around 1,390 kWh per kW installed each year.

### Wellington (/regions/wellington/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.9/day
- Population: 215,000
- Despite its windy reputation, Wellington is among New Zealand's better-yielding regions for rooftop solar.

### Christchurch (/regions/christchurch/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.7/day
- Population: 380,000
- Canterbury's main city has solid, consistent sunshine through the year, making solar a sound option for most homes.

### Hamilton (/regions/hamilton/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.7/day
- Population: 180,000
- Waikato's largest city has good year-round solar potential, with generation in line with the national average.

### Tauranga (/regions/tauranga/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.8/day
- Population: 160,000
- The Bay of Plenty's sunny climate makes Tauranga one of the stronger regions for rooftop solar.

### Dunedin (/regions/dunedin/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.4/day
- Population: 130,000
- Further south the days are shorter in winter, but Dunedin still offers viable, worthwhile solar generation.

### Nelson-Tasman (/regions/nelson-tasman/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.7/day
- Population: 100,000
- Nelson is one of New Zealand's sunniest places by sunshine hours, giving the Nelson-Tasman region excellent solar appeal.

### Hawke's Bay (/regions/hawkes-bay/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.8/day
- Population: 175,000
- Hawke's Bay's east-coast sunshine makes it one of the better-performing regions for solar installations.

### Queenstown-Lakes (/regions/queenstown-lakes/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.3/day
- Population: 50,000
- Alpine conditions mean cooler temperatures but clear skies, so solar remains a practical option in the Queenstown-Lakes district.

### Waikato (/regions/waikato/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.7/day
- Population: 500,000
- The broader Waikato region offers consistent solar potential close to the national average across its towns and farmland.

### Canterbury (/regions/canterbury/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.7/day
- Population: 650,000
- Canterbury benefits from reliable sunshine across the South Island's east coast, supporting strong solar generation.

### Otago (/regions/otago/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.4/day
- Population: 250,000
- Central Otago's clear skies help offset its southern latitude, giving the wider Otago region solid solar potential.

### New Plymouth (/regions/new-plymouth/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.9/day
- Population: 85,000
- Taranaki's main centre is among New Zealand's higher-yielding locations for rooftop solar.

### Palmerston North (/regions/palmerston-north/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.8/day
- Population: 90,000
- The Manawatū's main city has solid, consistent solar generation through the year, close to the national average.

### Whangārei (/regions/whangarei/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.9/day
- Population: 55,000
- Northland's warm, sunny climate makes Whangārei one of the stronger regions for rooftop solar.

### Rotorua (/regions/rotorua/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.7/day
- Population: 75,000
- Rotorua and the central Bay of Plenty get good year-round sun, supporting worthwhile solar generation.

### Gisborne (/regions/gisborne/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.9/day
- Population: 38,000
- On the sunny East Coast, Gisborne is one of New Zealand's better-performing places for solar.

### Invercargill (/regions/invercargill/)
- Peak sun hours: 3.2/day
- Population: 55,000
- As New Zealand's southernmost city, Invercargill has shorter winter days, but solar still pays off for daytime power users.

## Solar Installers
### SolarZero (/installers/solarzero/)
- Regions: auckland, canterbury, christchurch, dunedin, gisborne, hamilton, hawkes-bay, invercargill, nelson-tasman, new-plymouth, otago, palmerston-north, queenstown-lakes, rotorua, tauranga, waikato, wellington, whangarei
- Services: panels, battery
- Finance available: ask installer
- SolarZero provides residential solar and battery storage through a subscription-based energy service agreement with no upfront equipment cost.

### Harrisons Solar (/installers/harrisons-solar/)
- Regions: auckland, canterbury, christchurch, dunedin, gisborne, hamilton, hawkes-bay, invercargill, nelson-tasman, new-plymouth, otago, palmerston-north, queenstown-lakes, rotorua, tauranga, waikato, wellington, whangarei
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial
- panels: AIKO
- inverters: Fronius
- batteries: Tesla Powerwall
- Finance available: yes
- Harrisons Solar provides residential and commercial solar systems, battery storage and EV charging through locally operated franchises across New Zealand.

### Lightforce Solar (/installers/lightforce-solar/)
- Regions: auckland, canterbury, christchurch, hamilton, hawkes-bay, nelson-tasman, new-plymouth, palmerston-north, queenstown-lakes, rotorua, tauranga, waikato, wellington, whangarei
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial, offgrid
- inverters: GoodWe, Sigen
- batteries: Sigenergy
- Finance available: yes
- Lightforce Solar is a New Zealand-owned solar provider offering home, commercial and agricultural solar, battery storage and EV charging through a national network of solar hubs.

### ZEN Energy Systems (/installers/zen-energy-systems/)
- Regions: auckland, canterbury, christchurch, dunedin, gisborne, hamilton, hawkes-bay, invercargill, nelson-tasman, new-plymouth, otago, palmerston-north, queenstown-lakes, rotorua, tauranga, waikato, wellington, whangarei
- Services: panels, battery, commercial, offgrid
- panels: LONGi
- inverters: GoodWe, Redback, Selectronic, TBB Power
- batteries: Pylontech, TBB, Redback
- Finance available: yes
- ZEN Energy designs and installs residential, commercial and farm solar power systems with battery storage, hybrid and off-grid options across New Zealand.

### Future Energy (/installers/future-energy/)
- Regions: auckland, canterbury, christchurch, dunedin, gisborne, hamilton, hawkes-bay, invercargill, nelson-tasman, new-plymouth, otago, palmerston-north, queenstown-lakes, tauranga, waikato, wellington, whangarei
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial, offgrid
- panels: Suntech
- inverters: SolaX
- batteries: Tesla Powerwall, Sigenergy, SolaX AELIO
- Finance available: yes
- Future Energy is a 100% New Zealand-owned provider of solar, battery storage, EV charging, heat pump and ventilation solutions for residential, commercial and rural customers.

### Solar Hub (/installers/solar-hub/)
- Regions: auckland, canterbury, christchurch, hamilton, tauranga, waikato, wellington, whangarei
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial, offgrid
- panels: LONGi, JA Solar, Trina, AE Solar
- inverters: Deye, Sigenergy
- batteries: Pylontech, Sigenergy, Deye
- Finance available: yes
- Solar Hub is an Auckland-headquartered, Kiwi-owned company that designs and installs solar, battery and energy-management systems for homes, businesses and farms.

### SkySolar (/installers/skysolar/)
- Regions: auckland, hamilton, hawkes-bay, new-plymouth, palmerston-north, tauranga, waikato, wellington, whangarei
- Services: panels, battery, commercial, offgrid
- panels: Trina Solar, REC
- inverters: SolaX Power, Fronius
- batteries: Sonnen, Alpha-ESS
- Finance available: ask installer
- SkySolar is a New Zealand-owned company that supplies and installs solar PV, battery storage and home energy management systems for homes and businesses.

### SolarKing (/installers/solarking/)
- Regions: auckland, canterbury, christchurch, dunedin, gisborne, hamilton, hawkes-bay, invercargill, nelson-tasman, new-plymouth, otago, palmerston-north, queenstown-lakes, rotorua, tauranga, waikato, wellington, whangarei
- Services: panels, battery, commercial, offgrid
- Finance available: ask installer
- SolarKing designs and installs commercial, off-grid and home solar energy systems throughout New Zealand.

### Sunshine Solar (/installers/sunshine-solar/)
- Regions: auckland, canterbury, christchurch, hamilton, hawkes-bay, nelson-tasman, new-plymouth, palmerston-north, tauranga, waikato, wellington, whangarei
- Services: panels, battery, commercial
- panels: Tongwei, DAS Solar
- batteries: Alpha ESS
- Finance available: yes
- Sunshine Solar is a New Zealand-owned solar provider operating since 2004 with over 8,000 residential and commercial installations nationwide.

### Infinite Energy (/installers/infinite-energy/)
- Regions: dunedin, otago, queenstown-lakes
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial, offgrid
- batteries: Tesla Powerwall, Sigenergy
- Finance available: ask installer
- Infinite Energy is a Central Otago family-owned company established in 2013 that designs and installs solar PV and renewable energy systems for homes and businesses.

### Solar Electrix (/installers/solar-electrix/)
- Regions: hamilton, rotorua, tauranga, waikato
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial, offgrid
- panels: Jinko Tiger Neo, Phono Solar Quasar
- inverters: Fronius
- batteries: Tesla Powerwall 3
- Finance available: ask installer
- Solar Electrix is an owner-led, registered-electrician solar installer delivering grid-tied, hybrid and off-grid systems across Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty.

### Bay Solar (/installers/bay-solar/)
- Regions: hamilton, rotorua, tauranga, waikato
- Services: panels, battery, commercial, offgrid
- Finance available: yes
- Bay Solar is a locally owned Bay of Plenty installer run by two brothers with over 500 completed solar installations.

### Solar Northland (/installers/solar-northland/)
- Regions: whangarei
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial
- Finance available: ask installer
- Solar Northland is a locally owned (non-franchise) Northland installer serving Kerikeri, Whangārei, Kaitaia, Kaikohe and Waipapa with panels, batteries and EV chargers.

### Cellpower (/installers/cellpower/)
- Regions: hawkes-bay
- Services: panels, battery, commercial, offgrid
- inverters: Victron
- Finance available: ask installer
- Cellpower is a Hastings-based solar specialist operating since 2001, supplying grid-connected and off-grid solar systems for homes, businesses and off-grid use.

### Solarsun Solutions (/installers/solarsun-solutions/)
- Regions: hawkes-bay
- Services: panels, battery, commercial, offgrid
- Finance available: yes
- Solarsun Solutions is a Hawke's Bay solar installer designing and installing solar systems for homes, farms and businesses across Napier and Hastings.

### Taranaki Solar (/installers/taranaki-solar/)
- Regions: new-plymouth
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial, offgrid
- panels: AE Solar
- inverters: Solis, Fronius, GoodWe
- batteries: BYD, Tesla Powerwall, Sigenergy
- Finance available: yes
- Taranaki Solar is a 100% Taranaki owned and operated installer with over 200 residential and commercial solar installations across the region.

### Streamline Solar (/installers/streamline-solar/)
- Regions: new-plymouth
- Services: panels, battery, commercial, offgrid
- panels: Canadian Solar
- Finance available: yes
- Streamline Solar is an Inglewood/New Plymouth-based provider of solar, battery and off-grid solutions for residential, commercial and agricultural customers across Taranaki.

### McNae Group (/installers/mcnae-group/)
- Regions: palmerston-north
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial, offgrid
- Finance available: yes
- McNae Group is a Palmerston North-based solar and electrical specialist with 35 years of experience and over 900 installations across residential and commercial sectors.

### iSolar (/installers/isolar/)
- Regions: wellington
- Services: panels, battery, offgrid
- inverters: Enphase
- Finance available: ask installer
- iSolar is a family-owned Wellington-based electrical and solar company specialising in Enphase grid-connect and off-grid systems.

### CPS Solar (/installers/cps-solar/)
- Regions: canterbury, christchurch
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial, offgrid
- panels: REC, Trina Solar, Jinko
- inverters: Fronius, SMA, Sungrow
- batteries: BYD, Victron Energy
- Finance available: yes
- CPS Solar is a Christchurch-based installer (established 2007) that designs and fits solar energy and EV charging systems for homes and businesses.

### Think Solar Group (/installers/think-solar-group/)
- Regions: canterbury, christchurch, dunedin, nelson-tasman, otago, queenstown-lakes
- Services: panels, battery, commercial, offgrid
- batteries: Tesla Powerwall
- Finance available: ask installer
- Think Solar Group is a group of locally owned solar companies with in-house teams across Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, Timaru, Queenstown and Wānaka.

### Current Generation (/installers/current-generation/)
- Regions: nelson-tasman
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial, offgrid
- inverters: Fronius, Victron
- batteries: BYD
- Finance available: yes
- Current Generation is a Nelson-based installer specialising in grid-tied, hybrid and off-grid solar, battery and EV-charger systems for homes and businesses.

### ESolar (/installers/esolar/)
- Regions: nelson-tasman
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial, offgrid
- Finance available: yes
- ESolar is a Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough/West Coast installer with over 3,000 solar systems installed across residential, commercial, farm and off-grid applications.

### NZ Solar (/installers/nz-solar/)
- Regions: nelson-tasman
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial, offgrid
- Finance available: yes
- NZ Solar is a SEANZ-approved Nelson-Tasman installer offering on-grid, off-grid, rural, commercial and solar hot-water systems across the top of the South Island.

### Solar Guys (/installers/solar-guys/)
- Regions: dunedin, otago
- Services: panels, battery, commercial
- Finance available: ask installer
- Solar Guys is a locally owned Dunedin installer offering residential, commercial and rural photovoltaic systems with hybrid battery-storage options.

### Aspect Solar (/installers/aspect-solar/)
- Regions: dunedin, otago, queenstown-lakes
- Services: panels, battery
- Finance available: ask installer
- Aspect Solar is a Wānaka-based installer designing and installing domestic solar systems with battery storage for Wānaka and Central Otago households.

### Tansley Electrical (/installers/tansley-electrical/)
- Regions: dunedin, invercargill, otago, queenstown-lakes
- Services: panels, battery, ev, commercial, offgrid
- Finance available: ask installer
- Tansley Electrical is a lower-South-Island electrical contractor with branches in Dunedin, Queenstown and Invercargill offering grid-tie and stand-alone solar PV systems.

## Panel, Inverter & Battery Brands
### LONGi Solar — panels (/brands/longi/)
- Efficiency: 21-22%
- Warranty: 25 years
- Origin: China
- World's largest solar manufacturer, excellent efficiency, strong warranty support in NZ.

### Trina Solar — panels (/brands/trina/)
- Efficiency: 20-21%
- Warranty: 25 years
- Origin: China
- Tier 1 manufacturer, great value for money, widely available in NZ.

### JinkoSolar — panels (/brands/jinko/)
- Efficiency: 20.5-21.5%
- Warranty: 25 years
- Origin: China
- One of world's top manufacturers, excellent performance in varied conditions.

### Canadian Solar — panels (/brands/canadian-solar/)
- Efficiency: 19.5-21%
- Warranty: 25 years
- Origin: Canada/China
- Established brand, strong quality control, good low-light performance.

### REC Solar — panels (/brands/rec/)
- Efficiency: 21-22%
- Warranty: 25 years
- Origin: Norway/Singapore
- Premium panels, excellent in low light, strong European engineering.

### Fronius — inverters (/brands/fronius/)
- Efficiency: 97-98%
- Warranty: 10 years
- Origin: Austria
- Premium European quality, excellent monitoring, long lifespan, great NZ support.

### Sungrow — inverters (/brands/sungrow/)
- Efficiency: 97-98.5%
- Warranty: 10 years
- Origin: China
- World's most installed brand, hybrid battery capability, competitive pricing.

### SolarEdge — inverters (/brands/solaredge/)
- Efficiency: 97-99%
- Warranty: 12 years
- Origin: Israel
- Optimizers for panel-level monitoring, excellent shading performance.

### GoodWe — inverters (/brands/goodwe/)
- Efficiency: 97-98%
- Warranty: 10 years
- Origin: China
- Cost-effective, good hybrid options, expanding NZ presence.

### Growatt — inverters (/brands/growatt/)
- Efficiency: 97-98%
- Warranty: 10 years
- Origin: China
- Affordable hybrid inverters, simple setup, good for DIY monitoring.

### BYD Battery-Box — batteries (/brands/byd/)
- Warranty: 10 years
- Origin: China
- Modular design, LFP chemistry (safer/longer life), scalable, excellent value.

### Tesla Powerwall — batteries (/brands/tesla-powerwall/)
- Warranty: 10 years
- Origin: USA
- All-in-one design, sleek aesthetics, strong brand, integrated backup.

### Enphase Energy — batteries (/brands/enphase/)
- Warranty: 15 years
- Origin: USA
- Modular microinverter system, excellent monitoring, long warranty.

### Alpha ESS — batteries (/brands/alpha-ess/)
- Warranty: 10 years
- Origin: China
- Good value, hybrid compatibility, expanding NZ support network.

### Pylontech — batteries (/brands/pylontech/)
- Warranty: 10 years
- Origin: China
- Modular LFP batteries, compatible with many inverters, cost-effective.

## Frequently Asked Questions
### 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.

### Are there government rebates for solar in NZ?
No. There is no nationwide government subsidy, rebate or feed-in tariff for residential solar — the Government looked at an Australia-style subsidy in 2025 and decided against it. EECA's Warmer Kiwi Homes programme does not cover solar. Some banks offer low- or zero-interest green loans (for example Westpac's interest-free top-up), and from 1 April 2026 lines companies pay small peak-export rebates via your power bill. Check with your bank, council and lines company. (Source: RNZ / EECA, 2025–2026.)

### How long do solar panels last?
Quality solar panels typically last 25–30+ years. Tier-1 brands now commonly offer 25-year product warranties and 25–30-year performance warranties guaranteeing a minimum output (often around 80–87% at year 25). Inverters generally carry 5–12-year warranties (commonly 10) and may need replacing once over the panels' life. Always check the manufacturer's datasheet.

### Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?
Yes — most modern solar systems can have a battery added later. Some older inverters may need upgrading to a hybrid or AC-coupled setup. Note that EECA's view is that, on cost grounds alone, panels without a battery generally give the best return today, though a battery can be worth it for evening use or backup power. Your installer can assess compatibility.

### Do I need to clean my solar panels?
In most NZ locations rain provides enough cleaning. If you're in a dusty area or near the coast (salt spray), occasional cleaning can help. Many installers offer maintenance packages.