The $2 Per Watt Reality: What Kiwis Are Actually Paying for Solar Right Now
By Kristy Hoare on in New Zealand Energy News
My apologies to anyone who has been waiting for our annual price survey. This year has been a whirlwind, but I have finally pulled together the latest pricing data from our online survey.
And the big picture is pretty clear.
The economics of going solar is still holding up well. Solar batteries still come with a bulky price tag, but more Kiwi households are deciding that energy independence is worth paying for.
That is really the shift I am seeing. Solar and batteries are no longer just about squeezing down a power bill. For a growing number of households, they are becoming the new kind of home comfort - not just something nice to have, but something that offers more control, more resilience, and more peace of mind when the weather turns ugly or the power goes out.
Looking ahead, I also do not think prices are about to fall away. If anything, there is a good chance they firm up or rise slightly through the rest of 2026.
Key takeaways at a glance
Looking at residential systems, the average cost in 2025 was $2.04 per watt installed. That is slightly lower than our 2024 result of roughly $2.20 to $2.30 per watt.
Larger systems still offer better value. The average price per watt drops from $2.31 per watt for a 3 to 4 kilowatt system to $1.42 per watt for a 13 to 14 kilowatt system.
The median system size installed in Kiwi homes last year was 7 kilowatts, and the average cost for a 7 to 8 kilowatt system was $15,458.
Battery prices are still high. The average battery cost came in at $1,219 per kilowatt-hour installed, compared with $1,249.79 per kilowatt-hour in our 2024 survey. Bigger batteries still offer better value, with systems 13 kilowatt-hours and above averaging $1,105 per kilowatt-hour.
The $2 per watt benchmark still holds
It is not a huge surprise that residential solar in New Zealand is still sitting at roughly $2 per watt. That benchmark has held up pretty well, with pricing staying relatively flat across last year.
Price per watt is a common industry measure, but it does not always mean much to homeowners. In simple terms, if you are looking at a 5 kilowatt system (roughly 10 to 12 solar panels) you might expect a cost of about:
$2 × 5,000 watts = $10,000
That is not a quote, of course, but it is a useful rough guide.
What we saw in 2025
Solar results breakdown
Based on 151 responses
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average solar install price per watt | $2.04/W |
| Average system size | 7.89 kW |
| Standard Deviation | $0.43/W |
| 25th Percentile | $1.74/W |
| 75th Percentile | $2.36/W |
That is still a pretty wide range. Some households are paying closer to $1.74 per watt, while others are paying more like $2.36 per watt.
Why the difference?
A few common reasons stand out:
- Battery-ready setups — paying extra now for an inverter that can take a battery later
- Optional extras — hot water diverters and appliance controllers
- Microinverters — usually more expensive than standard inverter setups
- Premium components — brands like Aiko, SunPower and REC tend to cost more
- Higher-service installers — better customer care and support often comes at a higher price
- Unavoidable extras — scaffolding for two-storey homes, switchboard upgrades, tricky roof materials, or more complex installs
Bigger systems still deliver better value
This part comes as no surprise. The economies of scale are crystal clear.
Average Price per Watt by System Size
Solar Portion — 151 Responses
| System Size | Avg Price/W |
|---|---|
| 3–4 kW | $2.31 |
| 5–6 kW | $2.20 |
| 7–8 kW | $2.03 |
| 9–10 kW | $1.89 |
| 11–12 kW | $1.66 |
| 13–14 kW | $1.42 |
So yeah, bigger systems generally give you more bang for your buck!
Battery prices: still expensive, still popular
Battery statistics
Based on Solar & Batteries Responses Only — 63 Responses
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average battery price (total) | $13,024 |
| Average battery price per kWh | $1,219/kWh |
| Average battery installed size | 11.1 kWh |
| Most common (mode) battery size | 13.5 kWh |
Batteries are still a big-ticket purchase. But despite that, plenty of people are still fronting up the extra cash.
That tells me this is not just about payback anymore. For many households, a battery is about energy independence, backup during outages, and having more control over how and when they use their power.
There is always plenty of hype around battery prices coming down, but the actual movement has been pretty modest. Based on our survey data, the average price only shifted from $1,249.79 per kilowatt-hour in 2024 to $1,219 per kilowatt-hour in 2025. That is a drop, yes... but not a dramatic one.
Looking ahead to the rest of 2026
At this stage, I would not be expecting solar prices to fall. If anything, there are a few reasons they may rise slightly:
- Freight costs are under pressure again, with fossil fuel price volatility feeding through to shipping
- China has removed export tax rebates on solar panels, which matters because China produces the vast majority of the world's panels
- Local demand is high, and when installers are already busy, there is less pressure on them to sharpen pricing
Put all that together, and the chances of a meaningful drop in system prices this year look pretty slim.
Final thoughts
The headline is that residential solar in New Zealand is still sitting at around $2 per watt, while batteries remain expensive but increasingly desirable.
Solar is still stacking up well for Kiwi households. Batteries are a tougher financial sell in some cases, but people are clearly valuing more than just simple payback. They are paying for resilience, flexibility and a bit more control over their own energy.
Because the market is moving quickly, My Solar Quotes will aim to publish pricing data every six months. If you want to keep up with what is happening, scroll to the bottom of the page and sign up for the monthly newsletter.