Is Solar Power Worth It in NZ?

With electricity prices continuing to rise, more Kiwi homeowners and businesses are asking the same question: is solar power worth it in NZ? The short answer: for many New Zealand properties, yes — when the solar power system is designed properly for the site and usage. But the real value depends on how much energy you use, when you use it, and what you want from the system (bill savings, energy independence, or backup power).

At Apollo Energy, we’ve delivered a wide range of home solar power system and commercial solar systems projects across Auckland and beyond. Below, we’ll break down what “worth it” looks like using real project outcomes.

What makes a solar power system worth it?

A solar power system in NZ is typically “worth it” when you can do one (or more) of the following:

• Generate enough power to offset a meaningful portion of your electricity bill

• Use a good share of that solar energy during the day (or store it with a battery)

• Reduce reliance on the grid and protect yourself from future price rises

• Improve resilience during outages with smart battery storage

The biggest mistake people make is choosing a system based only on size — instead of matching it to household or business consumption patterns.

Home solar power system: real-world NZ generation matters

One of the most common concerns we hear is: “Will solar actually generate enough in NZ?”

In Schnapper Rock (Auckland), a homeowner installed a 10kW solar power system paired with a 10kWh battery and achieved 1,300+ kWh per month, outperforming early expectations. That level of production can make a very noticeable difference to household energy costs — especially when the home is set up to use solar energy efficiently.

Key takeaway: A well-designed home solar power system can generate strong month-to-month output in NZ conditions — particularly when panel layout and shading are planned properly.

Is it better to install solar during a new build?

If you’re building a new home, solar is often easier (and cleaner) to integrate.

In a North Shore new-build installation, a 10kW home solar power system was planned during construction so the cabling could be routed discreetly for a seamless finish — helping the home benefit from solar savings from day one, without visible conduit later.

Key takeaway: New builds are an ideal time to install a solar power system because the design integration can be smoother and more visually tidy.

“Is my home too small for solar?” Not necessarily.

Solar isn’t only for large homes. A smaller system can still deliver meaningful value.

In Patumahoe (Auckland), a homeowner chose a 5kW solar power system (with an optional scalable battery storage pathway). The focus wasn’t chasing the biggest system possible — it was about practical bill relief and long-term savings.

Key takeaway: Even a compact home solar power system can be worth it when it’s sized to your needs — and it can be designed to expand later if your usage grows.

Commercial solar systems: often even stronger ROI

For many organisations, commercial solar systems can be especially compelling — because businesses tend to use more power during the day, which aligns perfectly with solar generation.

A commercial project in East Tamaki (Auckland) deployed a 130kW system, estimated to generate around 178,000 kWh annually and deliver about $32,000 in annual savings.

Key takeaway: If your business has consistent daytime load and suitable roof space, commercial solar systems can reduce operating costs and exposure to future electricity price increases.

Do you need a battery for solar to be worth it?

A solar battery isn’t required for solar to deliver value — but it can increase the benefits depending on your lifestyle and priorities.

For example, an Auckland home installed an 8kW solar power system with a 10kWh battery, aiming not only for bill savings but also for additional energy resilience and backup during outages.

A battery can help you:

• Use more solar energy in the evening

• Reduce grid reliance

• Improve resilience during outages (depending on the system configuration)

Key takeaway: Batteries are most valuable if you want greater energy independence, evening self-use, and backup capability.

So… is solar power worth it in NZ?

For many Kiwi homes and businesses, yes — a solar power system is worth it when it’s designed around real-world usage and roof conditions.

• A well-built home solar power system can generate strong monthly power and reduce electricity bills.

• Commercial solar systems can deliver meaningful annual savings, especially for daytime-heavy operations.

• Adding a solar battery can increase self-consumption and improve resilience where that matters.

If you’re considering solar, the best next step is not choosing a size first — it’s understanding your usage profile and matching a system to it.

Ready to explore the right system size?

At Apollo Energy, we design and install solar power system solutions across NZ — from compact home solar power system installations to larger-scale commercial solar systems.

If you’d like a quick, practical recommendation, start with:

• Your city/region

• Whether it’s residential or commercial

• Your typical monthly bill (or kWh usage)

• Whether backup power is important to you

Then we can advise what system range (5kW, 8kW, 10kW, or commercial scale) makes the most sense for your goals. If you want a quick starting point, try a solar power calculator NZ estimate to get a rough idea of what solar power system size might suit your property and savings goals.