No, there is currently no general government subsidy or rebate for installing solar panels on your home in New Zealand. As of October 2026, there’s also no government-backed feed-in tariff, although power companies do pay for surplus solar electricity exported to the grid.
That could change. Labour has proposed a solar subsidy of up to $3,000 for eligible low and middle-income households. But this is an election promise, and you can’t apply for it today.
A frequently asked question we get is, “What is the NZ Government doing to help encourage solar?” When we first published this article in 2022, the short answer was “not much”. There’s now a bit more happening, although much of it is still on the drawing board.
Here’s what’s available now, what’s been promised, and whether it’s worth waiting.
What Help Is Available for Solar Power Right Now?
Without beating around the bush, most homeowners still need to pay for their own solar power system. But there are ways to make the upfront cost easier to manage.
Low-interest bank loans for solar
Several New Zealand banks offer low or zero-interest loans for solar panels and batteries. These generally work as a top-up to your mortgage, so you’ll need to meet the bank’s lending and equity requirements.
| Bank | Interest rate | Maximum loan | Low-interest period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westpac | 0% | $50,000 | 5 years, with the loan fully repaid over that time |
| ANZ | 1% | $80,000 | 3 years |
| ASB | 1% | $80,000 | 3 years |
| BNZ | 1% | $80,000 | Up to 3 years |
These are bank loans rather than government subsidies, and you still need to repay the money borrowed. For the 1% offers, check what rate applies to any remaining balance once the special rate ends.
Kiwibank has a different offer. Its Sustainable Energy Loan can provide a contribution of up to $2,000 over four years if you borrow more than $5,000 for an eligible system. Lending conditions apply.
See our guide to financing a solar power system for more details.
Payments for surplus solar power
If your solar panels generate more electricity than your home needs, you can export the surplus to the grid. Your power company pays you for this through its solar buy-back rate.
It isn’t a government subsidy, but it does help your system pay for itself. Rates and plan conditions vary, so it’s worth comparing what’s available.
Compare solar buy-back rates in NZ.
Making solar easier to install
Government support doesn’t have to come in the form of a cheque.
On 17 August 2026, the Government announced plans to reduce solar approval costs and delays, speed up lines company processing, and legalise plug-in solar for renters and people living in apartments.
These changes could make solar more accessible. However, announcing changes and having them in place are two different things.
What Solar Subsidies Are Being Promised for the 2026 Election?
Solar has become an election issue, with parties proposing different ways to help people cover the upfront cost.
| Party | What’s being proposed? |
|---|---|
| Labour | A subsidy of up to $3,000 for eligible low and middle-income households, alongside government-backed finance through lines companies or a rates-linked scheme. |
| National | A Home Energy Fund offering property-secured loans, repaid over 10 years through rates or when the property is sold. |
| Greens | Zero-interest loans for household solar and batteries, alongside support for community renewable energy. |
These are proposals, rather than schemes you can apply for now. What actually goes ahead will depend on the election result and the policies the next government puts in place.
Read our breakdown of the solar election promises.
Should I Wait for a Government Solar Subsidy?
My view? I wouldn’t put your solar plans on hold purely because a subsidy might be coming.
Labour’s proposed $3,000 contribution could certainly help, particularly if the upfront cost is what’s stopping you. But eligibility matters, and an election promise isn’t money in your pocket. Labour says it would have its scheme running within 12 months of taking office, rather than immediately after the election.
Waiting also has a cost. Every month you delay is another month without the savings your solar system could be making.
For example, if a system would save your household $2,500 a year, waiting a year means missing out on $2,500 in savings. Your actual savings will depend on your roof, system size, power plan and how much solar electricity you use at home.
I’d start by getting quotes and checking whether you qualify for a low-interest bank loan. That gives you real numbers to work with, rather than trying to make a decision around a subsidy that may or may not become available.
See how much solar power systems cost in NZ.
Why Aren’t There Government Subsidies for Solar in New Zealand?
Financial incentives such as direct subsidies have played a pivotal role in boosting solar power in many countries worldwide. New Zealand has taken a different approach.
We already generate most of our electricity from renewable sources, mainly hydro, geothermal and wind. In 2025, renewables supplied 88.5% of New Zealand’s electricity. That gives us a different starting point from countries that rely heavily on fossil fuels.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no reason to encourage solar. Lower power bills and giving households more control over their electricity costs are good reasons in their own right.
There has also been targeted government funding for solar projects. That’s different from a general subsidy available to homeowners across the country.
A Short History of Government Solar Support in NZ
The solar hot water subsidy
Launched back in 2007, a government subsidy gave consumers $500 towards a solar hot water system. This was solar thermal technology, which heats water, rather than the photovoltaic solar panels that generate electricity.
The scheme ended in 2012. So, if you remember hearing about a government solar grant years ago, this may be the one you’re thinking of.
Māori and public housing renewable energy funding
In 2020, the Government established the $28 million Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to trial renewable energy technologies, including solar panels and batteries.
This supported selected housing projects. It wasn’t a solar rebate that every homeowner could apply for.
Solar on schools
Government support has also extended to schools. In August 2026, 500 schools were selected for the Government’s $30 million Solar on Schools programme.
A step in the right direction, even if it doesn’t help pay for panels on your own roof.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Subsidies in NZ
Is there a government rebate for solar batteries in NZ?
There is currently no general government rebate for home solar batteries. Some bank green loans can cover batteries as well as solar panels, so it’s worth checking with your bank.
Does New Zealand have a solar feed-in tariff?
New Zealand doesn’t have a government-backed solar feed-in tariff. Instead, electricity retailers offer their own buy-back rates for surplus solar power exported to the grid. The rate you receive depends on your retailer and power plan.
Can renters get a solar subsidy?
There’s no general government solar subsidy available to renters at present. Labour’s proposed subsidy would include eligible renters, while the Government has announced plans to legalise plug-in solar systems that could be taken with you when you move.
Both are worth keeping an eye on, but neither announcement should be confused with a grant you can claim today.
Hi Steve, that is true, the $16M then extended to $28M was allocated to the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund. This funding stopped at the start of the current National party's coalition Government.