10kW solar systems
A 10kW solar system costs from $17,490 installed in New Zealand, uses around 23 panels and generates roughly 13,500 kWh a year in Auckland conditions. Since the national export limit doubled to 10kW in May 2026, systems this size can export at full output for the first time, and typically save around $2,700 a year.
Why this size only recently started making sense
This is the most important thing on this page. Until 2025, most New Zealand lines companies capped residential export at 5kW. A 10kW system would generate well but could not sell its surplus, so the economics did not stack up for most households.
On 11 May 2026 the default export limit rose to 10kW nationally, and distributors now have to justify any lower limit on safety or reliability grounds. Some also offer dynamic limits that flex above and below it.
Most solar advice online has not caught up with this. If you are reading a guide that tells you to stop at 6.6kW, check when it was written.
Who this suits
- An EV, or plans for one. Charging can add 2,000 to 3,000 kWh a year
- A larger home, four bedrooms or more
- Heat pumps plus heat pump hot water
- Monthly power bill over about $400
- A battery now, or planned
- Roof space of roughly 45 square metres
- A home business, or someone working from home full time
Why bigger costs less per watt
A 10kW system at $17,490 is around $1.75 per watt. A 5kW system at $9,990 is $2.00 per watt. The fixed costs of an install, scaffolding, labour, network application, inverter and connection, are much the same regardless of how many panels go on the roof, so the more panels you fit, the lower the cost per watt.
Adding panels later means paying those fixed costs twice.
A note on three-phase
Systems approaching or above 10kW may need a three-phase connection or a different inverter configuration depending on your property and your lines company. We check this before quoting.
This page is general information only and is not financial advice. Prices shown are indicative, are not a quote, and are confirmed in your tailored quote. Finance is subject to lender approval, and green loan rates and terms are set by the lender, not by Solar.co.nz.
Ready to stop overpaying for power?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from a local NZ team.