New Zealand Solar Panel Cost Index
June 2026 Edition
Solar system pricing across 1,209 suburbs and all 15 regions. No rebates exist in NZ, so these are the real installed prices.
$1.70-$2.00 per watt installed. 8-10kW systems run $15,000-$18,000. Whole market: $8,000-$19,000.
Solar Cost by Region
Hardware and install pricing is broadly national in New Zealand. What moves an individual quote is roof complexity, access and installer travel, not the region itself.
| Region | Suburbs | 5kW Installed | 8-10kW Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 177 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Northland | 98 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Waikato | 135 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Bay of Plenty | 59 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Gisborne | 23 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Hawke's Bay | 55 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Taranaki | 59 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Manawatu-Whanganui | 119 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Wellington | 80 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Nelson & Tasman | 29 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Marlborough | 23 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| West Coast | 33 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Canterbury | 155 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Otago | 108 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Southland | 56 | $11,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$18,000 |
Key Findings
The sticker price is the final price
New Zealand has no solar rebate of any kind, so there is nothing to subtract and no paperwork to chase. At $1.70-$2.00 per watt installed, quotes outside that band deserve a second look in either direction.
Buyback rates pay 7-12c/kWh and are not mandated
There is no regulated feed-in tariff. As at June 2026, Meridian pays 8-12c/kWh, Contact 8-10c and Electric Kiwi 8-10c for exports. Plans change regularly, so comparing retailers is part of the solar decision.
Self-consumption is worth roughly 3x exporting
With grid power around 35c/kWh and buyback at 7-12c/kWh, every kWh used at home is worth about three times one exported. Shifting hot water, appliances and EV charging into daylight hours does more for payback than any discount.
Green loans cut the financing cost to 0-1%
ANZ, ASB and BNZ offer green home loan top-ups at about 1% p.a. fixed for 3 years (up to $80,000), and Westpac offers 0% up to $50,000 over 5 years. For mortgage holders, that is the closest thing NZ has to a solar subsidy.
Methodology
The PumpSwap Solar Cost Index is compiled from published New Zealand installer pricing guides and manufacturer pricing, covering 1,209 suburbs across all 15 regions. Prices reflect fully installed systems including panels, inverter, mounting and labour, GST inclusive, and are indicative as at June 2026. They are estimates, not quotes.
Cite This Data
Journalists and researchers are welcome to cite this data with attribution:
Source: PumpSwap New Zealand Solar Panel Cost Index, June 2026. pumpswap.co.nz/solar/cost-index