What Happens When You Get Solar Installed in NZ

What a good quote includes

A properly detailed quote should cover everything required to get your system from a truck to your roof and connected to the grid. If your quote is a single line saying “6.6 kW solar system - $14,500”, ask for a full breakdown.

• Scaffolding
• Cabling and electrical work
• Inverter(s) and controllers
• Surge protection
• Racking and mounting system
• Any roof work needed
• Labour
• Consent applications (if needed)
• Electrical inspection
• Distributed generation application
• Import/export meter installation
• Battery setup (if applicable)

Deposit: Typically 10 to 50% upfront. Some installers like Lightforce require 50% before they submit the DG application. The industry standard is 10 to 20%, with the balance due on completion.

The site assessment

Before quoting, a good installer checks your property in person (or at minimum, via detailed satellite imagery with a follow-up visit). Here is what they are looking at:

• Roof condition: Structurally sound? Can it support panel weight? Roofs over 20 years old should be replaced first.
• Roof orientation and pitch: North-facing is optimal in NZ. East/west still works. Ideal pitch is 20 to 40 degrees.
• Roof material: Metal, asphalt, tiles all work. Slate needs special mounting.
• Shading: Trees, chimneys, neighbouring buildings blocking sunlight during peak hours.
• Available roof space: A 10 kW system needs 25 to 30 panels, each roughly 1.7m x 1m.
• Switchboard capacity: Old switchboards may need replacement. This is one of the most common surprise costs.
• Mains cable capacity: Can your electrical supply handle the solar addition?

Some installers can do the initial assessment without you being home. But you should be available for questions, especially about your switchboard location and any planned renovations.

What it is and why it matters

The DG application is required under Part 6 of the Electricity Industry Participation Code. It tells your lines company you are adding generation to the network. They check that your inverter meets the AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 standard and that the local network can handle the export.

Legally, EDBs cannot unreasonably refuse connection if your equipment meets the technical standards. But they can take their time approving it, and some do.

Approval times by lines company

This is where it gets regional. The difference between a 10-minute auto-approval and a 30-business-day manual review is massive. Here is what to expect based on your EDB:

New Zealand has 29 EDBs, each with their own application form, process, and timeline. Your installer will know which one covers your area, but it helps to ask upfront how long they expect approval to take.

The shift to 10 kW export limits

The Electricity Authority has proposed mandating a 10 kW default export limit (up from the previous 5 kW standard). A decision is expected around April 2026. Many EDBs have already moved voluntarily: WEL Energy, Aurora Energy, Unison, Powerco, PowerNet, Northpower, and Counties Energy are all at 10 kW.

Wellington Electricity is a notable holdout at 5 kW per phase. If you are in Wellington with a larger system, ask your installer how this affects your design.

Building consent (usually not required)

Since 23 October 2025, most residential solar installations in NZ do not need a building consent. The new exemptions work like this:

• Under 40 sq m total array area and wind zone “High” or less: no consent, no engineer needed
• Over 40 sq m or higher wind zone: no consent needed if a Chartered Professional Engineer designs or reviews the installation
• Applies to both residential and non-residential buildings

Consent may still be needed for heritage buildings, structural alterations to non-compliant roofs, or properties in high wind zones like exposed Wellington hillsides.

Before they arrive

• Scaffolding: Erected a couple of days before the install. Required for two-storey homes. Clear your gardens, paths, and access areas.
• Neighbour notice: If the installer needs access to a neighbouring property for scaffolding, they will let you know.
• Be available: You should be home (or reachable) on install day. The team needs access to your roof, switchboard, loft, and electricity supply.

The install, step by step

Will my power go off?

Yes, briefly. The electrician needs to disconnect your supply while connecting the inverter to your switchboard. This typically takes 1 to 2 hours, not the full day. Power is on for most of the install while the team works on the roof.

Weather and rescheduling

Rain means the install gets rescheduled. Wet roofs are a safety hazard, and outdoor electrical work requires dry conditions. Indoor prep (inverter mounting in a garage, wiring prep) can continue, but panel installation and roof wiring cannot.

1. Electrical inspection (Record of Inspection)

Grid-connected solar is classified as high-risk prescribed electrical work in New Zealand. An independent licensed electrical inspector must verify the installation and issue a Record of Inspection (RoI), which gets lodged on the Energy Safety high-risk database.

Separately, the electrician who did the work issues a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) and Electrical Safety Certificate (ESC) within 20 days of completion. You receive a copy.

Timeline: Could be next day, or several weeks during busy summer periods. Your installer arranges this. If they do not, that is a serious red flag.

2. Smart meter upgrade

This is the step that surprises everyone. Your existing meter cannot measure electricity flowing in two directions. It needs to be replaced with an import/export smart meter so your power company knows how much you are consuming from the grid and how much you are sending back.

Your installer requests the meter change from your power company. The timing is entirely in the power company’s hands.

Timeline: 3 to 5 weeks typical. Up to 30 working days. Some providers cover the cost (valued $150 to $230). Others charge around $100.

Critical: if you turn your system on before the smart meter is installed, your power company will charge you for the solar you export instead of crediting you for it. Keep the system off until the new meter is in.

3. Grid connection and first power

Once both the RoI and the smart meter are done, your installer (or you) switches the system on. From this moment, you are self-consuming solar power and exporting surplus to the grid. Your power company starts crediting you for exports.

Your first power bill after solar may look confusing. If the meter was changed mid-billing period, expect a partial or split bill. Summer bills will show the biggest benefit. Daily fixed charges still apply regardless of solar.

4. Monitoring and buy-back setup

Your installer usually connects the monitoring app on install day. Brand-specific apps (Fronius Solar.web, Enphase Enlighten, SolarEdge mySolarEdge, Growatt ShinePhone) give you real-time and historical production data. Your installer can often remotely diagnose issues through the monitoring platform.

For buy-back rates, you may want to shop around. Rates vary from 7c to 17c per kWh depending on your retailer. Self-consumption is always more valuable than exporting: you avoid buying at 25 to 35c retail rates.

Your installer handles these (red flag if they don't)

• Distributed generation application to your lines company
• Requesting meter reconfiguration/upgrade from your power company
• Arranging the electrical inspection (RoI)
• Issuing the Certificate of Compliance and Electrical Safety Certificate
• System commissioning and testing
• Monitoring setup and WiFi connection
• Notifying your electricity retailer
• Building consent application (if needed)
• Scaffolding arrangement

Your responsibilities

• Pay deposit (10 to 50%)
• Provide your power bill (for ICP number and usage data)
• Provide switchboard photos if requested
• Ensure clear access to roof, switchboard, loft, and garden paths
• Notify neighbours if scaffolding access is needed
• Choose your electricity retailer and buy-back plan
• Keep the system off until the smart meter is installed
• Be available on install day for the final walkthrough

The smart meter bottleneck

This is the single biggest delay most homeowners hit. Your system is installed, inspected, and ready to go, but you are waiting 3 to 5 weeks for a meter technician to show up. There is not much you can do to speed this up, but you can avoid making it worse:

• Confirm your installer has submitted the meter request immediately after installation, not after inspection
• Ask your power company directly for a timeline and follow up if it slips
• If you are switching retailers, do it before installation so the new retailer handles the meter change

Lines company delays

DG approval ranges from 10 minutes (WEL Energy auto-approval) to 30 business days (Wellington Electricity, The Lines Company). If your inverter is not on the EDB’s pre-approved list, the application triggers a manual review and takes longer.

How to avoid it: Ask your installer which inverter they are using and whether it is pre-approved by your local EDB. Using a pre-approved inverter can cut weeks off the timeline.

Electrical inspector availability

Summer is peak solar season, and inspectors are in high demand. During busy periods, you could wait several weeks for the Record of Inspection. Some regions have fewer inspectors than others.

How to avoid it: You cannot control inspector availability, but installers who work with the same inspectors regularly tend to get faster scheduling. Ask your installer about their typical inspection turnaround.

Switchboard surprises

Old or non-compliant switchboards may need replacement before solar can connect. Older houses with black switchboards may contain asbestos, which requires specialist removal.

Cost: $1,500 to $4,000+ depending on scope. A good installer flags this during the site assessment, but sometimes it is only discovered on install day.

How to avoid it: Send your installer clear switchboard photos before the quote is finalised. If your home is older (pre-1990s), ask specifically about switchboard condition during the site assessment.

Weather delays

Rain reschedules the install. NZ’s changeable weather can push timelines out, especially if you are booked during a wet week. This is unavoidable, but building in a buffer week helps set expectations.

Roof issues discovered late

Cracked tiles, loose flashing, or a roof nearing end of life can all cause delays. If your roof is over 20 years old, consider getting it assessed independently before you start the solar process. Replacing a roof after panels are designed for it creates complications and additional cost.

How long does the entire solar installation process take in NZ?

From accepted quote to a live system: 4 to 8 weeks. The installation itself takes 1 to 2 days. The rest is approvals, inspection, and the smart meter upgrade. If the meter is delayed, it can stretch to 10 to 12 weeks.

Do I need to be home on installation day?

You should be available. The team needs access to your roof, switchboard, loft, and electricity supply. At the end of the day, the installer walks you through the system and monitoring. The site assessment can sometimes be done without you.

Will my power go off during installation?

Yes, for 1 to 2 hours while the electrician connects the inverter to your switchboard. Power is on for most of the day while panels and racking are being installed on the roof.

What is a DG application?

DG stands for Distributed Generation. It is an application your installer submits to your local lines company (EDB) for permission to connect solar generation to the electricity network. It is required by law under the Electricity Industry Participation Code. Approval takes anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 business days depending on your EDB.

Do I need building consent for solar panels?

Since October 2025, most residential installations do not need building consent. The exemption applies if your panel area is under 40 square metres and your property is in a standard wind zone. For larger systems or high wind zones, a Chartered Professional Engineer can sign off instead of a full consent.

Can I turn my solar system on before the smart meter is installed?

Technically the system can operate, but you should not. If the old meter is still in place, your power company will charge you for the electricity you export instead of crediting you. Wait for the import/export smart meter before switching on.

What happens if it rains on my scheduled install day?

The install gets rescheduled. Wet roofs are a safety hazard and outdoor electrical work requires dry conditions. Most installers will rebook you for the next available dry day. Indoor prep work (like inverter mounting in a covered garage) can sometimes proceed.

What paperwork should I receive after installation?

You should receive a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) and Electrical Safety Certificate (ESC) from your electrician, plus confirmation that the Record of Inspection (RoI) has been lodged with Energy Safety. You should also receive warranty documentation for panels, inverter, and workmanship.