The Price of a Solar Power System
The price for grid connect solar power system is now less than 1/4 of what it was seven years ago. Because of the massive drop in solar power prices, systems are more affordable for New Zealanders and it can be thought of as a really good investment.
A standard 3kW system size seven years ago cost $40,000, now in 2016 it averages at around $10,000 to $13,000 (completely installed).
The cost of a solar power system varies depending mainly on the system size you select and the type of roof you have.
Below is a small sample of residential system sizes and the rough price of each:
1.5kW - six 250W panels - on a metal roof - *$6,000 inc GST, fully installed.
3kW - twelve 250W panels - on a metal roof - *$10,000 inc GST, fully installed.
5kW - twenty 250W panels - on a metal roof - *$16,000 inc GST, fully installed.
*Please only use these prices as a starting point if you are thinking about going solar. Prices can vary based on a number of factors.
To get 3 free quotes for your home or business please click here to fill out our online quote request form.
Common Solar Power System Sizes
The mostly commonly purchased solar power system in New Zealand is a 3kW. The 5kW system sits on the larger side of residential household systems. (For more info on sizes please check out our system sizes page.)
You are free to install as many panels on your roof as you like, limited only by your roof size, your budget and the local lines company restrictions (normally 10kW maximum for residential).
Your Goal For Installing Solar Power
When filling out our free quote-request form, you can let the installers know what your goal is when installing the system—if you want to eliminate your power bill, if you want a size that will maximise your ROI, if you have a budget in mind or if you would like to maximise your roof space. That way, installers will know what system size to quote you for and will be able to give you a good idea of the corresponding price.
Different Roof Types Will Affect The Final Price
Metal or tin roofs are normally easier to install a system on and use less components, therefore has a lower cost. Tile, bitumen, shingle roofs normally cost more to install solar panels on. If you have a flat roof there will be a cost in tilting the panels up to a higher angle.
Other Factors That May Affect The Total Price
- Lines company charges - Yes some local lines companies will charge around $200 for admin fees to accept your solar power system exporting excess power sent to the grid. Find out exact prices here>
- Council consent - Some councils around New Zealand will charge you for consent.
Buyers Guide for Solar Power in New Zealand
The exclusive My Solar Quotes buyers guide for Solar PV takes you through the steps of purchasing a solar power system for your home, and the factors you will need to consider at each step.
Click here to download the buyers guide - it's printable and can be saved onto your computer.
Watts The Price of a Solar Power System?
If you like talking and thinking in watts, the average solar power price per watt is now around $2.00/Wp (watt-peak, the maximum electrical power from a solar panel under standard conditions).
What is the Price of Solar Panels in NZ?
If you are curious about the individual price of a solar panel, one of the many components that makes up a complete system - the price of one standard 200W solar panel is approximately $300.
Should I Hold Off From Buying a Solar Power System?
Because the price of solar power has plummeted dramatically over the last decade, we don't expect the same drastic price drops in the future. I would recommend that you can expect to see a 3kW solar power system drop no more than $1,000 in price every year (based on current trends). You might be able to buy a solar power system cheaper in a few years time, but the opportunity cost is not saving on power bills over those two years.
There is a possibility that solar power system prices could go up. If there is ever going to be an increase in price, it will likely be due to exchange rates.
The technology for solar power has not had a revolutionary change over the last 10 years, the energy collection concepts are the same, but the technology does tend to get a bit smarter and a bit more efficient over time. Technologist are improving the efficiency of solar panels every year. This is the efficiency at which the panels convert sunlight into power. According to GTM research conventional panels are likely to improve by approximately 0.3% annually, which isn't fast by any means.
Are There Subsidies For Solar in NZ?
There are no subsidies or incentives in New Zealand for homeowners to install solar power systems. The Government did provide subsidies for solar hot water systems for a few years, but that never applied to solar power.
How My Solar Quotes Can Help You Get Prices!
For a quick and easy way to start your solar power price comparison, click here to get 3 free solar power quotes.
