☀️ Peak sun hours in New Zealand by region
Peak sun hours (PSH) is the number of hours per day the sun delivers 1000 W/m². New Zealand averages about 4.0–4.8 PSH — the sunny north (Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty) is highest, and the cooler south (Dunedin, Invercargill) a little lower. Seasons matter: summer days are long and productive; winter output is modest, which is why systems there are sized for the shoulder months too. See our guide on peak sun hours by location.
| Region | Approx. peak sun hours (annual avg) |
|---|---|
| Northland & Auckland | ~4.6 – 4.8 |
| Bay of Plenty & Waikato | ~4.4 – 4.6 |
| Wellington & Manawatu | ~4.0 – 4.2 |
| Christchurch & the far south | ~3.8 – 4.1 |
Use the exact figure for your area in the solar panel calculator and the energy production calculator.
⚡ Electricity prices and solar rules in New Zealand
NZ retail electricity runs roughly NZ$0.28–0.36/kWh all-in — high by international standards — and there is no national net metering or feed-in tariff. Exported solar is typically bought by your retailer at only ~NZ$0.08–0.10/kWh, so the system economics are pure self-consumption: every kWh you use yourself saves NZ$0.30+, while every exported kWh returns under a third of that. Batteries are common for exactly this reason, and many retailers now offer time-of-use plans where the battery's evening discharge is worth even more. Estimate your saving with the solar bill savings calculator.
💡 Why solar still pays back fast in NZ
High retail prices do the work. A 5 kW system in Auckland produces roughly 5,500–6,300 kWh a year — a large share of a typical home's 9,000 kWh — and at NZ$0.30+/kWh avoided, the saving is real even with near-zero export value. Payback commonly lands around 6–10 years. Since NZ's grid is already ~85% renewable, rooftop solar there is primarily a bill-cutting investment rather than an emissions one — both are good, but the money logic is what matters for your wallet. Read our grid-tied vs hybrid guide for the battery question.
💰 System cost & payback in New Zealand
As a rough planning guide (verify with local quotes — prices move):
| System size | Approx. installed cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | ~NZ$7,000 – 9,500 | Small home, low usage |
| 5 kW | ~NZ$10,000 – 13,500 | Typical family home |
| 10 kW | ~NZ$18,000 – 24,000 | Large home / small business |
With high retail prices and self-consumption sizing, payback commonly lands around 6–10 years — faster with a battery on a time-of-use plan. Work out your own numbers with the ROI calculator and size the array with the panel calculator — or design the whole system at once with the system report builder.
🛠️ Field note
The NZ lesson is about sizing for self-consumption. With export worth only ~NZ$0.08–0.10/kWh, a system that is too big simply wastes production. The right approach: profile the household's daytime usage (fridge, heat pump, pool pump, EV charging), size the array to match that curve, and add a battery only if the evening load justifies it. On time-of-use plans, the battery earns its money by discharging during the expensive 5–9 PM window — that is where the NZ maths really works.
🧰 Solar tools for New Zealand
Plan your New Zealand system with these:
- Solar panel calculator — how many panels for your usage and sun hours.
- Solar bill savings calculator — how much you'll cut off the block tariff.
- ROI calculator — payback period in dinars.
- Battery calculator — if you want backup for outages.
- Full system report — design the whole system in one page.
Related reading: how many panels to run a house, grid-tied vs off-grid vs hybrid, and solar panels in hot climates.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in New Zealand without net metering?
Yes — retail prices of NZ$0.28–0.36/kWh make self-consumption solar pay back in roughly 6–10 years even though export is bought at only ~NZ$0.08–0.10/kWh.
How many sun hours does New Zealand get?
About 4.0–4.8 PSH — Auckland and Northland are highest (~4.6–4.8), the far south lower (~3.8–4.1).
Do I need a battery for solar in NZ?
Not always — but with low export value, a battery meaningfully improves the maths if your evening load (heating, hot water, EV) is significant, especially on time-of-use plans.
How much does a 5kW system cost in New Zealand?
Roughly NZ$10,000–13,500 installed. Prices vary by region and roof — get at least three local quotes.
Note: tariffs, net-billing rules and prices in New Zealand change over time. The figures here are approximate, for planning only — always verify with your utility and local installers.