Solar panels NZ cost and prices, fully installed
A typical home solar system in New Zealand costs $8,000 to $18,000 fully installed, and the most common 6.6kW size is around $10,000 to $14,000. See what each system size costs, what the price includes and what it saves, with Trina Solar panels and Growatt inverters.
Solar panel prices by system size
In New Zealand, solar panels are priced as a complete installed system, not panel by panel. The table shows what a home solar setup costs at each common size, with the panels, inverter, mounting, wiring and licensed installation in one price.
| System size | Installed price | Estimated savings a year | Typical payback | Panels | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4kW | Lower end of $8,000 to $18,000 | Around $1,500 | About 5.5 years | 9 Trina Solar panels | Small homes and apartments |
| 6.6kW, most common | $10,000 to $14,000 | $2,000 to $3,500 | 4 to 6 years | 15 Trina Solar panels | Average NZ home |
| 10kW | Upper end of $8,000 to $18,000 and above | Around $4,200 | About 4 years | 22 Trina Solar panels | Larger homes, EV charging, battery plans |
A 5kW system sits between the first two rows. It uses about 12 panels, produces around 6,500 kWh a year and costs less than a 6.6kW system.
Savings and payback are the typical Auckland results from our solar calculator. Your own figures depend on your roof orientation, when you use power and the size you install. A 10kW system moves further above the range once a three phase inverter or a battery is added.
What the installed price includes, and what changes it
Installation is not a separate line on an Apollo Energy quote. The solar panel installation cost is built into one price for the whole system, so you can compare quotes on a like for like basis.
Included in every installed price
- ✓ Site assessment and system design
- ✓ Trina Solar panels with a 25 year warranty
- ✓ Growatt inverter with a 10 year warranty
- ✓ Mounting rails, wiring, isolators and safety switches
- ✓ Installation by licensed electricians
- ✓ Council consent where required, and retailer connection
- ✓ WiFi monitoring and a handover walkthrough
What moves the price up or down
System size. More panels cost more, though the price per kW usually falls as the system grows.
Panel model. The premium Vertex S+ DE09R, with N-type cells and a 30 year performance warranty, is priced above the standard Vertex S+.
Inverter type. A string inverter suits a solar only system. A hybrid inverter makes the system battery ready and comes with our larger packages.
Battery storage. Adding a battery raises the solar setup cost and needs a hybrid inverter. See solar batteries for sizes.
Your roof and switchboard. Roof type, height, access and any switchboard or three phase work all affect the final quote.
What your solar panels pay back
Most NZ homes cut their power bill by 50 to 80 percent after going solar. A typical 6.6kW system saves $2,000 to $3,500 a year and pays for itself within 4 to 6 years, then keeps generating for the rest of its 25 year panel warranty.
$0 deposit finance
Finance options with $0 deposit let you start saving on power while you pay the system off over time.
Estimate your own numbers
Tell our solar calculator your power bill and we will send a personalised estimate of system size, savings and payback.
Pricing for businesses
Commercial systems are priced per site and many businesses cut electricity costs by 50 to 70 percent. See commercial solar.
The panels behind every price on this page
Apollo Energy installs Trina Solar panels exclusively. Trina is one of the world's largest solar panel manufacturers, with over 170GW shipped globally, and its Tier 1 panels rank among the highest in independent efficiency and reliability tests.
A panel for every project
We select the right Trina Solar panel for your installation, balancing output, roof space, looks and budget.
Vertex S+ (Residential)
Best for: Homes with standard roofs
- ✓ 420 to 440W output per panel
- ✓ Compact size fits more roofs
- ✓ All-black option
- ✓ Strong low-light performance
- ✓ 25 year product warranty
Vertex S+ DE09R (Premium)
Best for: Maximum efficiency
- ✓ 445 to 470W output per panel
- ✓ N-type TOPCon cell technology
- ✓ Higher efficiency in hot weather
- ✓ Lower degradation over its life
- ✓ 30 year performance warranty
Vertex (Commercial)
Best for: Large commercial rooftops
- ✓ 550 to 670W output per panel
- ✓ Larger format, fewer panels
- ✓ Suited to flat-roof mounting
- ✓ Lower installation cost per kW
- ✓ 25 year product warranty
Solar panel cost questions answered
How much do solar panels cost in NZ?
A typical home solar system in New Zealand costs between $8,000 and $18,000 fully installed, depending on its size. The most common 6.6kW system for an average home is around $10,000 to $14,000. We confirm your exact price after a free assessment of your roof and power use.
How much does solar panel installation cost on its own?
We do not price installation separately. The installed price covers design, panels, inverter, mounting, wiring, licensed installation, council consent where required and monitoring, so the figure on your quote is the full cost of the system.
What does a solar setup with a battery cost?
A battery adds to the price of the solar system and needs a hybrid inverter. The cost depends on battery size and brand, so we quote it for your home. Our solar batteries page explains which sizes suit which households.
Are solar panels worth the cost in New Zealand?
For most homes, yes. A typical 6.6kW system saves $2,000 to $3,500 a year and pays for itself within 4 to 6 years. Quality Tier 1 panels like Trina Solar are designed to last 30 years or more, so the savings continue long after payback.
Can I spread the cost of solar panels?
Yes. Finance options with $0 deposit are available, so you can start reducing your power bill straight away while you pay the system off over time. Ask for a quote and mention finance.
How much do solar panels degrade over time?
Trina Solar panels degrade by about 0.4 to 0.55 percent a year. After 25 years you can still expect around 85 percent of the original output, and N-type TOPCon panels degrade even less.
Get an exact price for your solar panels
Every roof is different. Book a free assessment and we will size the system, confirm your installed price and show your expected savings.
Get Your Free Quote →