The Best Solar Panel Companies in Auckland
Updated 26 April 2023
Summary:
Our Auckland Solar Panel guide covers:
Summary:
- In this guide, we outline what’s important when considering purchasing solar panels for your Auckland home. With estimated costs around $8,000 to $10,000 for a 3kW solar system size (comprising of ten 300W panels), it's by no means an ordinary purchase. We have handpicked ten trusted solar panel providers who have an excellent reputation among Auckland home owners.
Our Auckland Solar Panel guide covers:
How Much Does Solar Panels and Installation Cost?
- A standard home will require around 3kW of panels, which will cost between $8,000 and $10,000. This will include an inverter (a device which converts DC power generated by the panels to AC power used by your home).
- Research by Consumer New Zealand suggests the payback period ranges considerably based on the price you pay for electricity.
- A ten-year warranty won't cover adverse weather or accidents such as cricket balls or other flying objects.
- Installation comes standard from most solar panel companies, but check to see if there are additional extras such as monitors.
- Batteries, which store your power rather than selling it into the grid, remain very expensive to purchase in New Zealand and we have not considered them for this guide.
​
10 Must-Know Solar Panel Facts
Auckland is a perfect location for solar electricity generation, and even on cloudy days, panels on your roof can generate a reasonable amount of electricity. But before you call a solar panel provider, it’s essential to know the vital facts.
1. You need a north-facing roof with no shade
These are essential must-haves. Solar power generation sinks when shade from a tree, house or any other structure covers your panels. Most power is generated between 11am to 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
2. You can’t store the electricity you generate (unless you buy a battery, which is expensive)
While the electricity can be directed to heating your hot water system or general appliances, unless you have a battery (which few homeowners do), the surplus electricity is sold into the national grid. You won’t earn what you pay for electricity, meaning your potential to save money can be limited.
3. The upfront solar panel installation cost will be around $10,000
It’s not cheap, and while prices are falling, you’ll need to estimate the opportunity cost of this investment. For example, if you invested $10,000 in the bank at 2.50% p.a. after tax for 20 years and had it compound every year, you would have around $16,500 available. It’s arguable as to whether you’d save $16,500 on your electricity costs by using solar.
4. You can still switch electricity company
Having solar panels doesn’t fix you to any power provider, so you switch to a cheaper company any time you want.
5. Auckland is a hotspot for solar power generation
While Northland, Nelson and Napier may be well-known sunspots, solar electricity generation is dependent on daylight hours. Auckland isn’t short of daylight hours, and historically reports around 50% of its daylight hours being sunny, with the remainder being cloudy or hazy.
6. Solar panels could affect your house price
7. You don’t need planning permission from Auckland City Council
Unless you’re altering your roof, you generally won’t need any planning permission to install solar PV panels. If in doubt, check with the council (LINK).
8. Solar panels are, generally, low maintenance and hassle-free
9. Run your appliances in sync with your solar generation to maximise savings
In the winter, there’s less sunlight so you’ll have to buy more energy. However, during the day, it’s a good idea to set appliances to run as your electricity is generated.
10. The quote stage is very important, so make sure you know what to ask (and what answers to expect)
We've listed five essential questions to ask in the next section. Solar installation is a big decision, and the quote stage is when you should get all the answers you need.
1. You need a north-facing roof with no shade
These are essential must-haves. Solar power generation sinks when shade from a tree, house or any other structure covers your panels. Most power is generated between 11am to 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
2. You can’t store the electricity you generate (unless you buy a battery, which is expensive)
While the electricity can be directed to heating your hot water system or general appliances, unless you have a battery (which few homeowners do), the surplus electricity is sold into the national grid. You won’t earn what you pay for electricity, meaning your potential to save money can be limited.
3. The upfront solar panel installation cost will be around $10,000
It’s not cheap, and while prices are falling, you’ll need to estimate the opportunity cost of this investment. For example, if you invested $10,000 in the bank at 2.50% p.a. after tax for 20 years and had it compound every year, you would have around $16,500 available. It’s arguable as to whether you’d save $16,500 on your electricity costs by using solar.
4. You can still switch electricity company
Having solar panels doesn’t fix you to any power provider, so you switch to a cheaper company any time you want.
5. Auckland is a hotspot for solar power generation
While Northland, Nelson and Napier may be well-known sunspots, solar electricity generation is dependent on daylight hours. Auckland isn’t short of daylight hours, and historically reports around 50% of its daylight hours being sunny, with the remainder being cloudy or hazy.
6. Solar panels could affect your house price
- For many, solar panels are an attractive asset and could boost the value of your house. But others may see panels stuck to your roof as unsightly and a liability.
- While solar panels will make your house more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, a boost in house price won’t be instant. If the technology is new, then it’s attractive to house hunters, but if your panels are seen as ‘old tech’ then the effect may be the opposite.
- If you’re planning to move in the next 2-5 years, think carefully about investing in solar panels as you can’t take them if and when you move – they become fixtures of the house and pass to the new homeowner.
7. You don’t need planning permission from Auckland City Council
Unless you’re altering your roof, you generally won’t need any planning permission to install solar PV panels. If in doubt, check with the council (LINK).
8. Solar panels are, generally, low maintenance and hassle-free
- A warranty is essential – 20 years is suggested. As long as your panels are installed properly and don’t get damaged by cricket balls, a storm or an accident, things should be plain sailing.
- You may be able to claim on your house insurance for such damage. In terms of maintenance, research outside of New Zealand suggests you may need to replace the inverter every 25 years, which if bought today would cost around $1,500 to $2,000.
9. Run your appliances in sync with your solar generation to maximise savings
In the winter, there’s less sunlight so you’ll have to buy more energy. However, during the day, it’s a good idea to set appliances to run as your electricity is generated.
10. The quote stage is very important, so make sure you know what to ask (and what answers to expect)
We've listed five essential questions to ask in the next section. Solar installation is a big decision, and the quote stage is when you should get all the answers you need.
​
5 Questions to Ask During a Solar Panel Quote
- Ask if there are any extra costs - for example, will a monitor be included so you can track the power output from your panels?
- Ask about the warranty - panels are built to last 20+ years, so make sure the warranty is at least ten years.
- Ask about a service and maintenance arrangement and any associated costs.
- Ask how the panels are going to be installed to your roof, and will the roof need strengthening to support the extra weight?
- Ask to see all the small print and make sure you understand what you're buying. If you don't understand something, ask.
Remember - Don't rush a decision - solar panels are expensive and a very long-term asset. And it's best to get at least three quotes and make sure you're comfortable with the company you select.
​
The Best Auckland Solar Panel Companies Available Right Now
Our list below, which is no particular order, covers solar panel suppliers Auckland-wide. We have selected these based on their history of longstanding service within Auckland, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services and others.
Collins Plumbing and Gas Limited
Base: Henderson, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Sun 7 am – 4:30 pm
Google Review rating: 4.7/5
Website: Collins Plumbing and Gas Limited
Facebook Page: Collins Plumbing and Gas Limited
Email address: info@collinsplumbing.co.nz
Phone: 0800 888 007
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Sun 7 am – 4:30 pm
Google Review rating: 4.7/5
Website: Collins Plumbing and Gas Limited
Facebook Page: Collins Plumbing and Gas Limited
Email address: info@collinsplumbing.co.nz
Phone: 0800 888 007
Customer Feedback:
- Friendly, professional and accommodating staff
- Arrives and finishes on time
- Excellent client communication
Pros:
- Explains the process carefully before proceeding and suggests helpful options
- Operates seven days a week
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Collins Plumbing and Gas Limited has a team of qualified solar technicians who can provide efficient solar panel installation for homes and businesses
- With 25 years of experience in the industry, there's no doubt they can provide you with professional service when it comes to solar panel system installation and maintenance
- Offers services for solar panel repairs, system upgrades and new installations
Kiwi Solar
Base: Papatoetoe Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 7 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
Website: Kiwi Solar
Facebook Page: Kiwi Solar
Email address: peter@kiwisolar.co.nz
Phone: 09 271 2493
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 7 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
Website: Kiwi Solar
Facebook Page: Kiwi Solar
Email address: peter@kiwisolar.co.nz
Phone: 09 271 2493
Customer Feedback:
- Experienced and certified team of tradesmen
- Has a range of top quality panels available in New Zealand
- Good value for money
- Provides ten years warranty for all their solar system installed
Pros:
- Member of Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand
- Provides free online quote
Cons:
- Does not operate on weekends
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Kiwi Solar offers sale and installation of solar power products covering North, East, South, West and Central Auckland
- They have been in the industry since 1997 and are known for having energy efficient inverters and solar panels
- Offers services for solar water heater installation, solar panel installation and sale and installation of solar inverters
Power Technology
Base: Henderson, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Power Technology
Facebook Page: Power Technology
Email address: sales@powertech.co.nz
Phone: 09 836 6744
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Power Technology
Facebook Page: Power Technology
Email address: sales@powertech.co.nz
Phone: 09 836 6744
Customer Feedback:
- Great service and people
- Ensures that schedules and budgets are met
- Quality outcome
Pros:
- Gives equal importance to complex and straightforward projects
- Offers several different high-quality EV chargers
Cons:
- Only operates on weekdays
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Power Technology has more than 15 years of expertise in the solar power industry
- They work on complex and straightforward solar panel installations within New Zealand, specialising in OEM solar, batteries, backup systems, UPS systems and electronic components.
- Provides services for commercial solar, residential solar, off-grid solar, hybrid solar, grid-connected solar and tailored solar solution
French Electrical
Base: East Tamaki, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Website: French Electrical
Facebook Page: French Electrical
Email address: info@frenchelectrical.co.nz
Phone: 09 274 8082
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Website: French Electrical
Facebook Page: French Electrical
Email address: info@frenchelectrical.co.nz
Phone: 09 274 8082
Customer Feedback:
- High-quality service
- Reasonable pricing
- Quick to respond
- Provides and honours the warranty of service
Pros:
- IQP registered
- Member of Master Electricians
Cons:
- No weekends operations
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- French Electrical is a seasoned electrical company that started in 1974
- Provides services such as solar panel installations and electrical system installations for residential, commercial and even industrial ventures.
- Offers electrical maintenance, repairs and replacements
Lux Solar
Base: Panmure, Auckland
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thur 8 am – 5 pm, Sat 8 am – 1 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Lux Solar
Facebook Page: Lux Solar
Email address: info@luxsolar.co.nz
Phone: 027 458 9674
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thur 8 am – 5 pm, Sat 8 am – 1 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Lux Solar
Facebook Page: Lux Solar
Email address: info@luxsolar.co.nz
Phone: 027 458 9674
Customer Feedback:
- Knowledgeable and helpful staff
- Provides proper options for the client
- Good quality equipment
Pros:
- Guaranteed quality and longevity of the products and systems
Cons:
- Only operates four times a week
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Lux Solar focuses on providing mobile solar systems for marine vehicles and caravans
- Offers products and solar installation kits that are easy to mount.
- Sells solar kits, controllers and panel mounts
Sky Solar
Base: Wairau Valley, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Sky Solar
Facebook Page: Sky Solar
Email address: info@skysolar.co.nz
Phone: 0800 759 765
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Sky Solar
Facebook Page: Sky Solar
Email address: info@skysolar.co.nz
Phone: 0800 759 765
Customer Feedback:
- Provides timely follow up
- Allows customisation of the financial package based on the client's budget
- Professional service
Pros:
- Fully outlines the system cost before the client jumps to any decision
Cons:
- Not operating on weekends
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Sky Solar is a locally operated solar company providing installation service of photovoltaic solar systems within New Zealand
- Offers small scale to large scale solar power solutions for all kiwi homes and commercial businesses
- Provides service for off-grid solar
- Sells solar panels, inverters and batteries
NZ Solar Power
Base: Half Moon Bay, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 am – 6 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: NZ Solar Power
Facebook Page: None
Email address: info@nzsolarpower.com
Phone: 0800 850 888
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 am – 6 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: NZ Solar Power
Facebook Page: None
Email address: info@nzsolarpower.com
Phone: 0800 850 888
Customer Feedback:
- Carefully plans and organise the installation
- Fast completion of the project
- Works around the client's budget
- Installs the system precisely as advised
- Honest and knowledgeable staff
Pros:
- Provides 12 years product warranty and 25-year performance warranty on solar panels that they install
Cons:
- Only available Mondays to Fridays
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- NZ Solar Power, being a member of the Sustainable Energy Association, carefully assess whether solar power would be beneficial for their clients
- Provides a custom solar power solution to meet their requirements
- Covers a wide range of solar power services for all residential and businesses Auckland wide
- Provides services for home solar installation, commercial solar installation and off-grid solar
Able Solar
Base: Takanini, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Thur 8:30 am – 5 pm, Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Able Solar
Facebook Page: Able Solar
Email address: info@ablesolar.co.nz
Phone: 09 267 7065
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Thur 8:30 am – 5 pm, Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Able Solar
Facebook Page: Able Solar
Email address: info@ablesolar.co.nz
Phone: 09 267 7065
Customer Feedback:
- Spends time to explain the system
- Excellent service
- Good client communication
- Helpful staff
Pros:
- Specialises in both renewable energy systems using solar and wind-powered generating equipment
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Able Solar started operating in 1981 and has grown to provide off-grid solar panel installation and solar water pumping services
- Supplies high-quality solar products such as solar panels, inverters and regulators
- Designs and installs off-grid solar panel, hybrid grid-tie solar system and solar water pump
- Sells solar power products
Independent Power
Base: Browns Bay, Auckland
Hours: Mon to Thur 8 am – 4:30 pm, Fri 8 am – 4 pm
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Website: Independent Power
Facebook Page: Independent Power
Email address: sales@indepower.co.nz
Phone: 09 415 6686
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Thur 8 am – 4:30 pm, Fri 8 am – 4 pm
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Website: Independent Power
Facebook Page: Independent Power
Email address: sales@indepower.co.nz
Phone: 09 415 6686
Customer Feedback:
- Excellent service
- Offers quality and durable solar equipment
- Provides helpful advice to their clients
Pros:
- Well-placed to provide everything the client needs to set up a stand-alone power system
Cons:
- Operates during weekdays only
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Independent Power has more than 34 years of experience in the renewable energy industry serving New Zealand as well as the Pacific Islands
- Provides system design, product supply and support service for domestic and commercial markets requiring solar power systems and equipment
- Offers services for system repair, off-grid power solution, grid-connect with battery storage and grid-tie
Lightforce
Base: Campbells Bay, Auckland
Hours: Mon 8 am – 6 pm, Tue to Fri 8 am – 6 pm, Sat 9 am – 12 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Lightforce
Facebook Page: Lightforce
Email address: info@lightforce.co.nz
Phone: 0800 745 400
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon 8 am – 6 pm, Tue to Fri 8 am – 6 pm, Sat 9 am – 12 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Lightforce
Facebook Page: Lightforce
Email address: info@lightforce.co.nz
Phone: 0800 745 400
Customer Feedback:
- Thoroughly explains the process to the client
- Provides comprehensive solar finance options
- Solar system lasting for more than 25 years
Pros:
- Initiates full assessment of the home requiring solar panel installation for a more tailored fit based on their energy requirement
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- iGenerate Solar provides an end-to-end solar solution for homes and businesses
- Provides leasing and financing service to give flexibility to their clients
- Provides quotation, site inspection, installation, monitoring and maintenance
⚠️ Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz has no financial or otherwise relationship with any businesses listed on this page. The pricing information provided is for informational and guidance purposes only and may not accurately represent the actual quotes or final bills for individual services. No provider has paid to appear on our website, and this list should not be considered comprehensive. Please research and obtain quotes directly from a range of businesses to ensure accurate pricing and suitability for your needs.
