Solar Panels NZ – Compare 3 Free Quotes from Trusted Local Installers

An 8kW solar power system (around 16 panels) costs about $15,500 fully installed, including GST. That’s roughly the size Kiwis are now choosing for their homes.

Prices start at around $7,000 for a small 3kW system and go up to about $19,000 for a 10kW system. The final cost depends on the system size, your roof and the equipment you choose.

Want to add a battery? Expect to pay around $13,000 on average, with prices ranging from $8,000 to $18,000 depending on the battery size.

Prices above are based on 151 verified Kiwi installs.

See our solar price guide for a full breakdown of costs by system size.

Most Kiwi homeowners can save around $2,475 a year with solar panels alone, based on our analysis of 279 solar quotes from 2026. Adding a battery lifts estimated savings to around $3,300 a year, as you can use more of your own solar power at night.

Your savings will depend on your system size, how much power you use during the day and your solar buy-back rate. See how to save money with solar.

Yes — but it’s not for everyone.

Going off-grid means you’ll need a large solar array and a high-capacity battery to cover cloudy days and long winter months. These setups are the most expensive option but can make financial sense for rural properties far from the grid.

Find out about the pros and cons of off-grid solar here.

Prefer flexibility without breaking the bank?
Consider a hybrid system: solar panels + battery storage + the grid as backup. You’ll use solar power during the day, battery power at night, and still have the grid to lean on when needed. The best of both worlds, without the off-grid price tag.

To get the best of both worlds - choose a hybrid system (solar + batteries) that uses solar energy during the day, battery power at night, and the grid as additional backup. More info on system types here.

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells. This electricity can be used immediately, stored in a battery, or sent back to the grid. A solar inverter converts the electricity into a form your appliances can use. Learn more here.

For most homeowners, yes. A typical 8kW solar system costs about $15,500 installed and pays for itself in around 7 years (see our 2026 payback data). With panels lasting 25+ years, that means many years of cheaper power after payback.

Adding a battery gives you backup power, but stretches the payback to around 9 years. Solar also helps reduce fossil fuel use.

Find out how much you could save with our Solar Calculator.

For most homeowners, solar maintenance is as simple as glancing at your monitoring app occasionally, watching for any inverter warning lights, and giving the panels a wash once a year or so.

View our detailed solar panel maintenance guide.

No, there’s no government solar subsidy or rebate available to homeowners in New Zealand at this point in time. Labour has promised up to $3,000 for eligible low and middle-income households, but it’s still an election promise. You can’t apply for it just yet.

In the meantime, several banks offer 0% or 1% green loans for solar if you have a mortgage, and power companies pay you for surplus solar power you export to the grid.

Find out more about solar subsidies and what help is available in NZ.

Some of the best solar panel brands that we rate highly and are available in New Zealand include: REC, Yingli, Canadian Solar, DAS Solar, JinkoSolar, Trina Solar, Hyundai, QCells, Canadian Solar and LONGi.

View more details on these solar panel brands and our guide on how to choose the best solar panels for your home or business here.

Currently the best solar buy-back price is $0.17 /kWh from Octopus Energy and Meridian.  

Find all electricity companies' solar buy-back prices here.

The average size of a new home solar power system in New Zealand is now around 8kW. That’s about 16 panels, at a cost of around $15,500 fully installed.

Smaller systems usually start at 3kW (6 panels), while larger setups, like a 10kW system (20 panels), are becoming increasingly common.

A grid-connected solar system offers flexibility in the number of panels you install. If your solar panels don't produce enough energy to meet your needs, the system seamlessly draws power from the grid. Conversely, if your panels generate more power than required, the excess is exported back to the grid.

Learn more in our ‘how many solar panels do I need’ guide.

My Solar Quotes is free for homeowners. Solar installers pay us a small fee for each enquiry we send them, around $50 for a residential home.

We match you with up to three SEANZ member installers who service your area, install the type of system you want and can work on your type of roof. Enquiries are shared evenly between suitable installers. No installer can pay more to get extra leads or priority, so everyone is treated the same.