Cost guide · updated June 2026
How much do solar panels cost in New Zealand?
EECA puts the current benchmark at around $2,000 per kW installed. So a typical 5kW home system costs roughly $10,000–$13,000, and a 6–7kW system about $13,000–$17,000. Your exact price depends on your roof, region and whether you add a battery.
Compare quotes for your home →Indicative costs by system size
| System size | Typically suits | Indicative installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | Small home, lower usage | $7,500 – $10,000 |
| 5 kW | Average NZ home | $10,000 – $13,000 |
| 6–7 kW | Family home, higher usage | $13,000 – $17,000 |
| 10 kW | Large home / small business | $18,000 – $22,000 |
Indicative ranges based on EECA's ~$2,000/kW benchmark (Dec 2025) and typical installer pricing — not a quote. Actual pricing varies by installer, region and roof. Adding a battery typically adds $5,000–$15,000+ depending on capacity.
Payback and savings
EECA and Consumer NZ both put the typical payback period at around 7–10 years, with savings of roughly $1,000–$1,500 a year on a 5kW system. After payback, the power your system generates is essentially free for the rest of its life. The single biggest lever is self-consumption — using your own generation during the day — because grid power costs far more (around 35c/kWh) than the rate you earn exporting surplus.
Solar buyback (export) rates by retailer
There's no national feed-in tariff, so each retailer sets its own buyback rate for the surplus you export. From 1 July 2026, large retailers must offer at least one time-varying rate that rewards peak exports. Rates change often — these are current as at June 2026; compare live rates on Powerswitch.
| Retailer | Buyback rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | 19–23c/kWh | Time-of-use; higher for battery plans |
| Electric Kiwi | 23c peak/kWh | 11.5c off-peak (incl GST) |
| Ecotricity | 21c peak/kWh | 16c off-peak |
| Meridian | 15–17c/kWh | Flat; up to 24c winter-peak on some plans |
| Mercury | 11.1c/kWh | Flat; varies by network (eff. Jan 2026) |
As at June 2026 — verify the current rate on each retailer's site or Powerswitch before switching.
See the full solar buyback rates guide →Are there subsidies or rebates?
No — there is no nationwide government subsidy, rebate or feed-in tariff for residential solar, and EECA's Warmer Kiwi Homes programme does not cover solar. What does exist: some banks offer low- or zero-interest green loans (for example Westpac's interest-free top-up for energy-efficiency upgrades), and from 1 April 2026 lines companies pay small peak-export rebates via your power bill. Check with your bank, council and lines company for current options.
What's included in a quote
- ✓ Solar panels and mounting hardware
- ✓ Inverter (and battery, if chosen)
- ✓ Installation, electrical work and grid connection paperwork
- ✓ Workmanship warranty and product warranties
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in New Zealand?+
What affects the price of a solar system?+
Are there subsidies for solar in NZ?+
Sources
Figures on this page are indicative guidance, not a quote. Verified as at June 2026 — always confirm current pricing and rates with your installer or retailer.
- EECA / Gen Less — Solar costs and savings — as at 2025-12
- Consumer NZ — Are solar panels right for your home? — as at 2026-03
- Powerswitch (Consumer NZ) — Solar buyback rates — as at 2026-06
- RNZ — Government rejected solar subsidies for minor tweaks — as at 2025-10
- Electricity Authority — New ways to power consumers (time-varying buyback) — as at 2026-07-01
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