NZ Lines Company Solar Application Fees & Export Limits 2026

Written by Kristy Hoare, Founder & Solar Market Research Specialist
Last updated: 28th August 2026

Solar Application Fees for NZ Lines Companies - 2026 Guide

All lines companies require consent. If you are going to be exporting solar power to their power lines, then they need to know!  Most solar installation companies take care of this process for you, but here are the details if you'd like to know.

The lines company checks that your solar system and inverter meet its technical requirements.

If you install a solar system larger than 10kW, your lines company may also limit how much electricity you can export to the grid - often to 10kW, and sometimes less.

Below you can find the solar application fees and application forms for each lines company in New Zealand. Observation and testing fees only apply where they are required.

How to read the fees below

For most standard residential solar systems, the lower application fee shown in the table will apply.

If you see two application fees, the cheaper fee is generally for a standard solar system using an inverter already approved by the lines company. The higher fee may apply if the inverter meets the required standards but is not on the lines company's pre-approved list.

It is uncommon for lines companies to require additional testing or observation of your system, so I wouldn’t factor these fees into your solar budget.

Last updated: 10 August 2026

Residential Application Fees and Export Charges - 10kW or less

Export Limits Imposed by Lines Companies

Electricity lines companies place limits on how much power a solar system can export back to the grid at any one time.

These limits exist because local networks can only handle so much power. If too much solar is exported at once, voltage can rise and equipment such as transformers and cables can become overloaded, potentially causing shutdowns or local outages.

Export limits help lines companies keep the network operating safely and reliably.

For many straightforward residential solar connections in New Zealand, the export limit is 10kW, although limits can vary depending on the lines company and the capacity available on the local network.

What does a 10kW export limit mean for a standard 6kW solar system?

Basically, nothing.

A 6kW solar system can only generate around 6kW at peak output, so it can't possibly export 10kW. In reality, some of the solar electricity will usually be used within the home as it is generated, meaning the amount exported will be even lower.

So for a typical 6kW residential solar system, a 10kW export limit places no practical restriction on the system.

What about solar systems larger than 10kW?

This is where export limits become more relevant, but an important distinction is that a 10kW export limit does not necessarily mean your solar system is limited to generating 10kW.

For example, imagine you have a 12kW solar system generating 12kW. If your home is using 3kW at the time, only 9kW is being exported to the grid, so you are still comfortably within a 10kW export limit.

If the home was using very little electricity and the system wanted to export more than 10kW, the inverter or export-control equipment would restrict the amount being sent back to the grid.

Even with a 12kW system, the overall amount of solar generation lost because of a 10kW export limit may be relatively small. Solar systems don't sit at their maximum output all day, and whenever your home is using some of that solar electricity itself, less power needs to be exported.

It's also worth remembering that electricity you use directly in your home is generally much more valuable than electricity you export. Solar buy-back rates are typically considerably lower than the retail electricity price you avoid by using your own solar power.

For most households, maximising self-consumption is therefore more important than maximising how much solar electricity can be exported to the grid.

Export Limits Vary by Lines Company

Export limits and connection requirements can vary between electricity distributors and even between different parts of the same network.

From 11 May 2026, new rules require distributors to use a default export limit of at least 10kW for straightforward, small-scale solar connections wherever the local network has enough capacity. In some areas, network constraints may still mean a lower export limit applies.

If you're considering a larger residential solar system, your installer should check the available export capacity with your local lines company as part of the system design and connection application. 

View all lines companies export limits in the table below.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Do all NZ lines companies charge solar application fees?

A: No. About 9 of the 30+ lines companies across New Zealand charge no application fee for residential solar systems under 10kW. These include Aurora Energy, Buller Electricity, Counties Power, Electra, MainPower, Nelson Electricity, Powerco, ScanPower, and Vector.

However, most other distributors do charge fees, typically ranging from $80 to $350 depending on your location and system details.

Q: What's the cheapest solar application fee in New Zealand?

A: The cheapest option is free - 9 lines companies charge no application fee at all.

If you're in an area with paid fees, the lowest charged is $80 (inclusive of GST) by Electricity Ashburton. After that, the next lowest are around $100 – $115 from companies like Northpower, Electricity Invercargill, and WEL Networks.

The most expensive is Network Waitaki at $160–$350 depending on the application pathway.

Q: What's the difference between Part 1A and Part 1 applications for distributed generation of 10 kW or less?

A: Part 1A (simplified pathway) is faster and often cheaper. It applies to systems up to 10kW that use a pre-approved inverter compliant with AS/NZS 4777. Applications are approved within 10 business days, and terms apply automatically on approval.

Part 1 (standard pathway) applies if your inverter is compliant but not on the network's pre-approved list. Applications can take up to 30 business days, and you have a 30-day negotiation period to agree on connection contract terms after approval.

Most residential solar systems qualify for the faster Part 1A pathway. If you see two application fees in the table, the cheaper one is typically for Part 1A, and the more expensive is Part 1.

Q: Why do some lines companies charge inspection and testing fees?

A: Inspection and testing fees cover the cost of a qualified inspector visiting your site to verify that your solar system has been installed correctly and meets the network's technical and safety requirements.

Some distributors include this as part of their application process (so the fee is mandatory), while others only charge if an inspection is actually needed. In my experience, most residential solar installations don't trigger formal inspections - they're rare unless a specific compliance concern is flagged. A few distributors don't charge inspection fees at all.

Testing fees typically range from $60 to $140 depending on your location and the complexity of your installation.

Q: How long does a solar application take?

A: It depends on which pathway your application takes:

Part 1A (pre-approved inverter): Up to 10 business days for approval decision.

Part 1 (standard application): Up to 30 business days for approval decision, plus an additional 30-day negotiation period for connection contract terms.

In practice, many applications are approved within a few days, especially for Part 1A. Your solar installer can help guide you through the process and answer questions specific to your network's timelines.