Price Guide

Without the Sales Pitch

What Solar Panels Actually Cost in NZ

Let’s be honest – going solar isn’t cheap. But with power bills climbing faster than house prices in Auckland (well, almost), more Kiwis are asking if it’s worth the investment. Here’s the real deal on what you’ll pay and whether it makes sense.

The Bottom Line: What You’ll Shell Out
Solar prices have dropped heaps in the last decade, but it’s still a significant outlay. Here’s what typical systems cost these days.

Total Cost and Payment Options

Typical setups

Small Setup (3kW)

Good for: Couples, tiny homes, bach owners, or anyone who’s pretty power-conscious Damage to your wallet: $6,000–$8,000 installed What you’ll save: Roughly $600–$1,000 per year off your power bills

Standard Family Setup (5kW)

Good for: Your average Kiwi household with a few kids and the usual appliances Damage to your wallet: $9,000–$12,000 installed What you’ll save: About $1,000–$1,800 yearly (depending on where you live and your usage patterns)

The Full Monty (10kW)

Good for: Large families, power-hungry homes, folks with EVs or heat pumps running 24/7 Damage to your wallet: $15,000–$20,000+ installed What you’ll save: Around $2,000–$3,500 each year

Most systems pay for themselves in about 7-10 years – though that can stretch out if you add batteries to the mix.

What Affects the Price Tag

  1. Panel Quality: Cheap vs. Premium

You can go budget (like buying Pams instead of Whittaker’s), but you might regret it down the track. Premium panels from brands like LG, SunPower or REC:

  • Generate more power from the same roof space
  • Handle our sometimes brutal NZ conditions better (coastal salt spray, anyone?)
  • Last longer with better warranties (25+ years instead of 10-15)
  • Degrade more slowly over time
  1. Inverter Options: Basic vs. Flash

The inverter is like the brains of your system, and you’ve got choices:

  • String inverters: Your basic, no-frills option. Gets the job done for straightforward installs.
  • Microinverters: The fancy option that puts a mini-inverter on each panel. Great if parts of your roof get shaded by that massive pōhutukawa or the neighbor’s two-story extension.
  • Hybrid inverters: Future-proofed to work with batteries when you decide to add them later.

The difference between basic and top-end can add $1,000-$3,000 to your bill.

  1. Batteries: The Optional Extra That Costs a Bomb

Adding a battery is like going from a Toyota to a Tesla – suddenly the price jumps:

  • Small battery (5kWh): $7,000–$9,000 extra
  • Decent-sized battery (10kWh+): $10,000–$15,000+ extra

Are batteries worth it? If you’re in a rural area with dodgy power supply, probably. If you’re in central Wellington with rock-solid grid connection, probably not yet. The tech is improving and prices are dropping each year.

  1. Your Home’s Quirks

Some houses are just easier to kit out with solar than others:

  • Got a nice simple metal roof? You’re laughing.
  • Got a steep, complex tile roof with multiple angles? Prepare to pay more.
  • Living in a character home with ancient wiring? You might need electrical upgrades.

How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off

  • Get at least three quotes – prices can vary by thousands between installers
  • Check the buyback rates from different power companies – some offer as little as 4 cents per kWh while others give you 8-12 cents for your excess power
  • Look at the warranties – not just on panels, but installation workmanship too
  • Ask about CEC accreditation – properly qualified installers are worth their weight in gold

Is It Actually Worth It?

For most Kiwi homes, yeah, it’s getting there. With power prices going nowhere but up (thanks, gentailers), and solar costs coming down, the maths is starting to stack up nicely.

When my mate in Tauranga put in a 5kW system last year, his power bill dropped from $280 to about $80 a month. He reckons it’ll pay for itself in about 8 years, and then it’s basically free power for the next 15-20 years.

Just don’t let anyone sell you a system that’s way bigger than you need – or pressure you into batteries if they don’t make sense for your situation.

Want a hot tip? Get your solar sorted before adding an EV to the family. That way, you’re fueling your car with sunshine instead of your power company’s ever-increasing rates.

The best first step?

Get a proper assessment of your home. Every property is different, and a professional can tell you exactly what kind of setup would work best for your situation.

Start Here
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