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Commercial Grid Connect Solar Power Systems

Reducing power bills should be something we all strive for, New Zealand’s power prices are one of the highest in the developed world; the madness needs to stop.

So how can you reduce carbon emissions for your office, farm shed, or your place of business? Solar power provides a viable option for many businesses, it’s sustainable and very easy to maintain.

A commercial solar power system in New Zealand is generally defined as a solar panel array larger than 10kW. Examples of commercial operations that might consider installing solar power:

Convenience stores (dairy's, liquor stores, grocery stores)
Restaurants / cafes
Hotels
Vineyards
Shopping malls
Factories
Solar farms (solar panels in a large field that can power local communities)

Installing solar power for a business has obvious environmental benefits, but the financial benefits can be particularly attractive as solar power is produced during the day, between 9am and 5pm, the time when most businesses are using a lot of power.

Using your own solar power as it is created will help off-set expensive electricity brought from the grid.

There are so many variables in a commercial environment that can affect your business, but having fixed electricity prices (via solar power) is one way to reduce uncertainty around electricity bills. Solar power helps to protect your bottom line.

Our residential solar power pages has all the information we think you need to know that also applies to commercial solar power systems. From how a grid-connect solar power system works, solar battery storage, and how to choose the best solar panels.

Getting Quotes For A Commercial System

It is important to select the right solar power company, for two main reasons.

Firstly, ensure you get the right system design - If the system is oversized you will be sending a large portion of solar power to the grid, receiving a low buy back rates from an electricity company could significantly diminish your returns .

The second reason is quality - Solar panels are expected to last over 25 years. Quality components alongside quality workmanship will provide a system that can thrive and continue to provide free power for many years.

To get 3 free quotes for a commercial solar power system, click here.

Rough Pricing For Commercial Sized Solar Power Systems

Solar Power System Size	Number Of Solar Panels	Cost
10 kW	Twenty eight 355W panels	*$19,000 inc GST, fully installed.
20 kW	Forty five 440W panels	*$37,000 inc GST, fully installed.
30 kW	Sixty eight 440W panels	*$54,000 inc GST, fully installed.
100 kW	Two hundred & twenty-eight 440W panels	*$180,000 inc GST, fully installed.

This table was last updated 11th June 2025.
*Please only use these prices as a guide. The solar power system prices assume straightforward installation on a metal roof. Prices can vary based on a number of factors.

Financing Commercial Solar Power Systems

Commercial solar power system installers offer financing; either regular financing with low interest rates, a leasing option, or through a power purchase agreement.

1. Cash / CapEx

Financing the system internally by paying outright.

Paying outright gets you the lowest total cost (no interest, leasing fees, or hidden charges).
That means the shortest payback period.
But, large systems tie up capital that might be better used elsewhere in your business.

2. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)

A PPA is a long-term contract where a solar provider installs, owns, and maintains a solar system on your site, and you simply buy the electricity it generates.

No upfront cost - the provider covers design, installation, insurance, and maintenance.
Pay for what you use - you only pay for the solar energy your business consumes on-site. Any excess exported to the grid isn’t charged.
Lower energy costs - the solar rate under a PPA is typically cheaper than standard retail rates.
Certainty - your price for solar power is locked in (sometimes with agreed annual increases), giving predictable energy costs over the term of the agreement.
Off balance sheet - the system remains the provider’s asset, so it doesn’t sit on your company’s balance sheet.

Key things to check:

The contract length (often 10–20 years).
How price increases are structured over time.
Performance guarantees and maintenance responsibilities.

Note: the structure of PPA's can vary - make sure to read the fine print.

3. Loan

Taking a business or green loan means you buy the system (you own it) but stretch the payment over time.

You negotiate with installers like a cash buyer.
If your savings from lower energy bills beat the loan interest, it’s a win.
You retain full upside in export (if your system produces more than you use) and benefit from long-term asset ownership.

Investment Boost for Commercial Solar Systems

From May 2025, businesses can use the new Investment Boost to claim 20% of the cost of new assets upfront as an expense, then continue claiming depreciation as normal on the remaining 80%.

It doesn’t change the total deductions you’ll get over the life of a solar power system, but it does mean a bigger tax break in year one.

Example:

Without the Investment Boost: A $100,000 solar system depreciated at 20% straight-line = $20,000 claimed each year for 5 years.
With the Investment Boost: You can claim $36,000 in year one, then $16,000 each year after.
Either way, by the end of year 4, you’ve claimed the full $100,000.
It’s simply about timing, bringing more of the benefit forward to year one.

Disclaimer: This is general information only. We don’t provide tax advice. For accurate guidance, check the IRD website or speak with your accountant.

Commercial Solar Power Trends In New Zealand

There is a clear trend that commercial solar power is on the rise in New Zealand. The graph below shows the number of commercial (larger than 10kW) solar power systems being installed each year is on the rise, from 16 installations in 2014 to 223 new solar installations in 2024. Commercial solar is growing fast - as of July 2025, New Zealand has 84.7 MW of commercial solar installed.

Everything You Need To Know:

Commercial Grid Connect Solar Power Systems

Getting Quotes For A Commercial System

Rough Pricing For Commercial Sized Solar Power Systems

Solar Power System Size

Number Of Solar Panels

Cost