What solar actually costs in New Zealand
A 6.6kW solar system in New Zealand costs from $11,990 installed, and a 5kW system from $9,990, both GST inclusive. Most homes reach payback in five to nine years depending on region. A fair installed price sits between roughly $1.70 and $2.00 per watt for quality tier-1 equipment.
Prices by system size
Here is what we charge. Most solar companies will not publish this, which is exactly why we do.
- Panels
- ~12
- Output
- ~6,750 kWh/yr
- Suits
- 1-2 people, smaller home
- From
- $9,990
- Est. saving
- ~$1,400
- Panels
- ~15
- Output
- ~8,900 kWh/yr
- Suits
- 3-4 people, most popular
- From
- $11,990
- Est. saving
- ~$1,900
- Panels
- ~18
- Output
- ~10,800 kWh/yr
- Suits
- 4-5 people, or an EV
- From
- $14,490
- Est. saving
- ~$2,250
- Panels
- ~23
- Output
- ~13,500 kWh/yr
- Suits
- Large home, EV, heat pumps
- From
- $17,490
- Est. saving
- ~$2,700
- Panels
- ~15
- Output
- ~8,900 kWh/yr
- Suits
- Evening peak, backup
- From
- $18,990
- Est. saving
- ~$2,600
Output modelled on Auckland's 2,060 annual sunshine hours. Southern regions produce less, Nelson and Gisborne slightly more.
What a fair price looks like
The most useful number in solar is price per watt. Divide the total installed price by the system size in watts and you can compare any two quotes instantly, regardless of how they are presented.
In New Zealand, a fair installed price for quality tier-1 equipment sits between roughly $1.70 and $2.00 per watt including GST. Below that, something has usually been left out. Well above it, you are paying a margin that is not buying you better hardware.
Worked example: a 6.6kW system at $11,990 is $1.82 per watt. That is where a competitive, properly specified quote should land.
We are publishing this knowing it lets you audit us too. That is the point.
What is included in our price
Every quote we issue includes all of the following. If another quote is cheaper, check it includes the same list, because this is where the difference usually hides.
- Tier-1 panels and inverter, with full manufacturer warranties
- Mounting and racking, coastal-rated where your address requires it
- Scaffolding and site safety
- All electrical work by an EWRB-registered electrician
- Switchboard or meter board upgrade if your property needs one
- Network connection application and grid connection
- Monitoring setup
- Waste removal and site clean
- Travel within our service areas
- 25-year performance warranty and our workmanship guarantee
What makes a cheaper quote cheaper
There are only a few honest ways to be cheaper, and a lot of dishonest ones. Here is what to look for.
Usually legitimate
- A smaller system. Check the kW, not the panel count.
- Lower-tier panels with shorter product warranties.
- A simpler roof. A single-storey, single-plane, north-facing roof genuinely costs less to do.
Usually not
- Scaffolding excluded, then added later.
- Switchboard upgrade excluded, then added later.
- No coastal rating on a coastal property. This is not optional near the sea and it is the most common omission in Auckland.
- Network application left to you.
- A workmanship guarantee that is verbal, or nonexistent.
- An installer who is not a SEANZ member, which quietly disqualifies you from bank green loans at around 1%.
That last one costs more than the discount saves for most people.
Payback
Payback depends on your region, your roof and how much power you use during the day. Broad ranges:
- Northern and sunnier regions, five to seven years
- Central regions, six to nine years
- Southern regions, nine to fourteen years
Two things shorten it: using more of your own power during daylight, and rising power prices. Two things lengthen it: heavy shading, and a roof facing the wrong way.
You do not pay this upfront
Most Kiwi homes pay nothing upfront. The major banks lend up to $80,000 as a green top-up on your mortgage at around 1% p.a. fixed for three years, and for many households the repayment is less than the power they stop buying.
Our price promise
Bring us a cheaper like-for-like quote and we will beat it by $300. If we genuinely cannot, we will send you a $200 Prezzee card.
Questions about cost
Prices shown are indicative, GST inclusive, and are not a quote. Actual pricing depends on your home, roof, power use and electricity plan, and is confirmed in your tailored quote.
All finance is subject to lender approval. Rates, terms, eligibility criteria and lending amounts are set by the lender, not by Solar.co.nz, and change without notice. The figures on this page are indicative only and are not an offer of finance or financial advice. Talk to your bank or a financial adviser about your circumstances.
Get your real number.
Our prices are honest, but your roof is specific. A free 60-second quote gets you the actual figure for your address.