Will solar actually pay back at your house?
A free, NZ-specific look at how many kW of panels you need, what they'll generate, what you'll save and how long until they pay for themselves.
What size do I need?
Not sure how big to go? Tell us a few quick details and we'll recommend a system size — then auto-fill the calculator below.
NZ 2026 Solar Pricing — what you should pay
The NZ market has stabilised around a "gold standard" of about $2.00–$2.50 per watt installed. Cost per kW drops as the system gets bigger — fixed costs (scaffolding, inverter, labour) get spread further.
| System size | Typical installed cost | Cost per kW | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | $8,500 – $10,500 | $2,830 – $3,500 | Small home (1–2 people) |
| 5 kW | $11,500 – $14,000 | $2,300 – $2,800 | Average 3-bed home |
| 7 kW | $15,000 – $17,500 | $2,140 – $2,500 | Current NZ median |
| 10 kW | $20,000 – $24,000 | $2,000 – $2,400 | Large home / EV charging |
Battery Storage
Installed cost averages $1,100 – $1,300 per kWh. Batteries give energy independence and backup, but typical payback is 12–15 years on their own.
| Battery capacity | Average cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kWh | $6,000 – $8,000 | Backup for essential circuits |
| 10 kWh | $11,000 – $13,000 | Most common mid-size residential |
| 13.5 kWh | $14,000 – $16,500 | Tesla Powerwall 3 / equivalent |
Grid-Tied Buyback Rates — April 2026
Retailers compete hard on what they pay you for power you export back to the grid. Switching retailers can be the single biggest ROI lever for a solar setup — pick one of the rows below to instantly recalculate your savings.
| Retailer | Buyback rate (per kWh) | Best for… |
|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | Up to 40c | Peak winter export — variable rates that reward exporting during grid stress. |
| Ecotricity | 21c (peak) | Eco-conscious users; rates vary by time-of-use. |
| Meridian Energy | 17c | Stability — fixed rate on their dedicated Solar Plan. |
| Powershop | 13c | Flexibility and a friendly app for tracking generation. |
| Genesis / Mercury | 12c – 12.5c | Standard baseline for most major retailers. |
Fund the install with a Green Home Loan
Most NZ homeowners don't pay for solar upfront — they borrow it through their bank's Green Home Loan scheme. The catch? Rates are 0% – 1% for eligible energy upgrades, and your monthly power savings usually exceed the loan repayments from day one.
1% p.a. fixed · 5-year term
Up to $50,000 for solar, batteries, heat pumps, insulation, EV chargers.
1% p.a. fixed · 3-year term
Up to $80,000 top-up loan; covers solar, batteries, heat pumps, double glazing.
1% p.a. fixed · 3-year term
Up to $80,000 for solar, batteries, hot water heat pumps, EV chargers.
Rates and eligibility correct as of April 2026. Each scheme requires you to be an existing home loan customer with the bank. Talk to your lender, or find a Power Buddy Finance Expert to walk you through it.