Best Solar Installers in New Zealand
We assessed 107 solar installers in New Zealand and ranked the top 5 on their public review record: rating quality, review volume and how recent the reviews are. The 10 listed below hold 1,633 Google reviews between them. No business can pay for a place in these rankings. Last updated 12 August 2026. How we rank →
Before you hire
Solar panel quality and installer experience vary significantly. Ask for the payback period calculation based on your actual power bills, check whether they use tier-1 panels, and confirm what happens to your warranty if the installer goes out of business.
Top 5 Solar Installers in New Zealand
The top 5 solar installers in New Zealand are Hiko Electrical, Future Energy, Suntrenz, Harrisons Solar, and Planet Electrical, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you hire.
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1
Hiko Electrical
↑ 1★ 5.0 278 reviews Top5 Score 181 +85★ 273 4★ 5Hiko Electrical covers solar panel installs, battery system additions, and relocating existing solar setups to new structures, with competitive pricing and no hidden costs reported across jobs. Chris and the team are noted for quoting the day after contact, staying available for follow-up support after installation, and completing work on time.
Reviews most often describe: Solar and battery installs with attentive follow-up support
- ✓ Quotes sent same day as the initial site assessment visit
- ✓ Post-installation follow-up support provided without being prompted
- ✓ Solar and battery jobs completed on time with no surprise costs
location_on 6/5 Reynolds Place, Papamoa, Tauranga
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2
Future Energy
↓ 1★ 4.8 312 reviews Top5 Score 1785★ 290 4★ 7 3★ 3 1★ 12Future Energy installs solar panels, battery storage, and hot water heat pump packages for New Zealand homes, with quotes available via video call and systems set up for grid export monitoring from day one. Reviewers single out salespeople like George for sizing systems to actual usage rather than upselling capacity, which has translated to reported payback periods of around six years for some households.
Reviews most often describe: Full solar and battery system installs, low users
- ✓ Video call quoting available before any site visit is needed
- ✓ Reviewers report power bills dropping noticeably within first months
- ✓ Full solar, battery and hot water heat pump bundles installed together
location_on 29 Olive Road, Penrose, Auckland
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3
Suntrenz Skylights
↑ 1★ 5.0 120 reviews Top5 Score 173 +15★ 118 4★ 2Suntrenz installs sun tubes, solar-powered skylights, and replacement skylight upgrades for New Zealand homes, often completing jobs within days of the first enquiry. Named installers like Jordan and Jonathan visit in person before quoting, work through structural complications on-site, and leave no mess behind.
Reviews most often describe: Homeowners wanting more natural light, fast turnaround
- ✓ In-person site visit before quoting, not photos sent remotely
- ✓ Resolved unexpected structural issues during installation without delay
- ✓ Multiple quote options provided to suit different budgets and needs
location_on 11/4 Aerodrome Road, Mount Maunganui
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4
Harrisons Solar - Waikato
↓ 1★ 4.9 150 reviews Top5 Score 1725★ 146 4★ 2 1★ 2Harrisons Solar walks clients through panel array and battery sizing, including Tesla Powerwall systems, with in-person visits to assess specific building needs before any commitment is made. Andre, Tineka, Ray, and Melissa are each named for keeping clients informed at every stage, and post-install follow-up extends to firmware updates, app walkthroughs, and answering questions well after commissioning.
Reviews most often describe: Buyers wanting guided, no-pressure solar and battery decisions
- ✓ In-person consultations to discuss options before signing anything
- ✓ Post-install support includes firmware help and ongoing questions answered
- ✓ Compliance paperwork including COC and ROC handled and followed up promptly
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5
Planet Electrical
★ 4.9 182 reviews Top5 Score 1715★ 174 4★ 7 1★ 1Planet Electrical coordinates full home electrification projects, combining solar panel systems, Tesla Powerwall battery storage, and EV charger installs in a single scope of work. Andrew handles detailed pre-install site visits and quote adjustments, while on-site crews like Garry and JR leave sites clean, walk clients through system operation, and send texts when they are on their way.
Reviews most often describe: Homeowners wanting solar, battery, and EV integration
- ✓ Pre-install site visit with thorough walkthrough of system options
- ✓ Installers explain app setup and system operation on the day
- ✓ Quoted competitively against multiple other solar companies by clients
location_on 4/4 Clemow Drive, Mount Wellington, Auckland
Before you hire a solar installer in New Zealand
Drawn from 198 customer reviews collected for this page. The first answer is what it costs.
What does a solar installation typically cost? expand_more
A standard 5kW to 6.6kW residential system, which suits most New Zealand family homes, runs between $10,000 and $14,000 installed including inverter and labour. Larger systems or those requiring battery storage will push costs higher, with full solar-plus-battery packages often landing between $18,000 and $28,000 depending on battery capacity and brand. Roof type, shading, and your location all affect the final price, with concrete tile roofs and complex roof geometries adding labour time and cost. No government rebate or subsidy scheme exists for residential solar in New Zealand as of 2025, so the full cost comes out of pocket or through financing.
How do I check if a solar installer is properly accredited? expand_more
Every installer connecting a solar system to the grid must hold a current Registered Electrician licence issued by the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB), and you can verify any installer's registration number through the publicly searchable register at ewrb.govt.nz before signing anything. Beyond that legal baseline, look for membership of the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ), the main industry body whose members must meet competency and conduct standards, and ask specifically whether the installer or their team holds SolarCert certification, which tests solar PV knowledge beyond a general electrician licence. Your local lines company will require grid connection documentation, and an installer with recognised credentials is better placed to get that approval through without delays. One installer noted in reviews that their team issues both a Certificate of Compliance and a Record of Inspection promptly after installation, which is exactly what you should expect and confirm before hiring.
How accurate are the payback period and savings estimates I'm being given? expand_more
A realistic payback period for a New Zealand residential solar system sits between 8 and 12 years under honest assumptions, though one reviewer noted an estimated 6-year payback as a low-usage household, which is at the optimistic end and depends heavily on consuming most of what you generate rather than exporting it. Export buy-back rates from retailers sit around 8 to 17 cents per kWh while you pay 28 to 35 cents to import, so any estimate that leans on high export returns will be overstated and you should ask the installer to show you the assumed self-consumption rate used in their calculation. Households at home during the day and able to run appliances during peak generation hours will see results closer to the shorter end of the range, while those who export a large share will sit toward 12 years or beyond. Adding battery storage typically extends payback to 15 years or more, so ask for a separate payback calculation with and without battery so you can make that call with clear numbers.
What are the warning signs of a solar installer you shouldn't hire? expand_more
- –A salesperson who cannot explain what your system's assumed self-consumption rate is or refuses to break down the savings estimate is a red flag before you even sign.
- –Site constraints such as roof structure complexity, shading issues, or the need for a larger inverter should be identified at the quote stage, not discovered on installation day at your expense.
- –Delay between deposit payment and installation, with no clear communication about revised timeframes, has caused real frustration in reviews and suggests poor project management.
- –No post-installation walkthrough, no app setup assistance, and no follow-up contact to confirm the system is performing as sold are warning signs that after-sales support will be hard to get.
- –An installer who sends a subcontracted crew whose quality does not match what the salesperson promised, or who cannot tell you in advance who will actually do the work, warrants caution.
- –Refusal to itemise charges or provide a written breakdown of materials and labour, as seen in one billing dispute in the reviews, makes it very difficult to challenge errors later.
What should you ask before hiring a solar installer? expand_more
- –Ask for their Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) registration number and check it yourself at ewrb.govt.nz, and ask whether they or their crew hold SolarCert certification for solar-specific competency.
- –Ask what self-consumption rate and export buy-back rate have been used to calculate your payback period, and request a revised estimate based on your actual usage profile and daily routine.
- –Confirm whether app setup, system monitoring configuration, and a post-installation walkthrough are included in the price, since several reviewers highlighted this as something they had to chase.
- –Ask who handles warranty claims after installation, whether it is the installer directly or a third party, and get the workmanship warranty term in writing separate from the panel and inverter manufacturer warranties.
- –Ask whether the installation crew are employees of the company or subcontractors, since installers who use their own staff have shown more consistent on-site quality in the reviews.
- –Ask for a written timeline from deposit to installation and confirmation of what happens, including who pays, if site conditions found on the day require a change to the agreed system design.
Solar Installers ranked 6 to 10 in New Zealand
They scored below the top 5 on the same public review record.
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6
AVID Solar
↑ 1★ 5.0 115 reviews Top5 Score 1695★ 114 1★ 1AVID Solar steers clients toward fit-for-purpose residential solar systems, including panel arrays paired with hybrid inverters and battery options, based on actual household usage rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Kenan, John, and Elizabeth are named repeatedly for fielding detailed questions at every stage, and post-install support extends to app configuration walkthroughs and follow-up check-ins after commissioning.
Reviews most often describe: Households wanting a right-sized system, not upsold
- ✓ Full installations completed in a single day across multiple jobs
- ✓ System sizing matched to household usage, not maximum upsell
- ✓ Named staff available for questions well after installation is complete
location_on 10/166 Lansford Crescent, Avondale, Auckland
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7
LightenUp - Skylight installation and repairs Wellington and Kapiti Coast
↓ 1★ 5.0 127 reviews Top5 Score 1695★ 126 1★ 1LightenUp fits households needing new skylight installations, leaking skylight replacements, or urgent turnarounds before events like a house sale. Bob checks in proactively mid-job when bad weather hits, coordinates closely with property managers and builders, and named crew members like Drew, Mark, and Justance are singled out for leaving sites cleaner than they found them.
Reviews most often describe: Skylight installs and leak repairs needing reliable communication
- ✓ Calls clients during storms to check for water intrusion
- ✓ Works directly with property managers from quote to final documents
- ✓ Crew tidies and returns furniture to place before leaving each day
location_on 15/43/Unit 25 Bouverie Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
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8
A1 Electrical Contractors Limited
★ 4.9 114 reviews Top5 Score 1665★ 108 4★ 3 1★ 3A1 Electrical Contractors gets domestic electrical work done with quick scheduling and clear communication from first contact through to job completion. Kelsey and the office team are named repeatedly for keeping clients informed, while sparks like Hayden, Thomas, and Adam return to adjust or resolve issues on-site until the outcome is right.
Reviews most often describe: Straightforward electrical jobs needing fast, communicative tradespeople
- ✓ Returns to site to adjust work until it meets expectations
- ✓ Office staff named for proactive communication throughout each job
- ✓ Final bill matches original quote on completed installations
location_on 405 Kaikorai Valley Road, Kaikorai Valley, Dunedin
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9
2E Electrical
★ 4.9 142 reviews Top5 Score 1655★ 129 4★ 9 3★ 2 2★ 1 1★ 12E Electrical coordinates electrical jobs for clients who need clear contact points and reliable scheduling, including remote owners who rely on photos and email to stay across what is happening on-site. Rachael and the team are named for arranging access with property managers, turning up on time, and keeping clients across progress without needing to chase.
Reviews most often describe: Responsive electrical work for clients valuing clear communication
- ✓ Sends photos of on-site findings to keep remote owners informed
- ✓ Coordinates directly with property managers for access and scheduling
- ✓ Arrives on time and responds quickly to urgent callouts
location_on 18F Perclo Place, St Andrews, Hamilton
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10
Think Solar Christchurch (formerly Christchurch Solar)
★ 5.0 93 reviews Top5 Score 1655★ 92 4★ 1Think Solar covers residential solar panel systems, battery storage including Tesla Powerwall, and system upgrades such as extension batteries, with Jake conducting in-person roof assessments and detailed design work tailored to each property. Named installers like Matt, Sam, and Armstrong are noted for thorough on-site work, and the office team follows up after commissioning to help clients through app setup and grid export changes.
Reviews most often describe: Solar and battery installs with hands-on site assessment
- ✓ Jake visits site in person to inspect roof before quoting
- ✓ Post-install support includes Tesla app setup and grid adjustments
- ✓ Install teams return promptly to resolve system faults after commissioning
location_on 65c Brisbane Street, Sydenham, Christchurch
About this ranking
How are the top solar installers in New Zealand chosen? expand_more
This national page is built from our city rankings, so a business appears here only if it already ranks in one of the cities we cover. Each one is scored on its public rating and review record. Businesses outside the area, or whose reviews describe a different line of work, are left out. See how we rank for the full method.
How often are rankings updated? expand_more
Every category and city is recrawled on a rolling cycle, about once a month. This page was last checked on 12 August 2026.
Can a business pay to appear in this list? expand_more
No. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-only and cannot be purchased. Verifying a business is free. A subscription adds a website link on the card, a public profile page, and competitor and ranking history in the owner's dashboard, none of which affects ranking position. See what a subscription includes.
Why isn't my business listed? expand_more
This national page is built from our city rankings, so a business appears here only if it already ranks in one of the cities we cover. The usual reasons for missing out are a Google Business category that does not match, too few reviews to score near the top, or an address outside the area we cover. At the last update, the smallest review count among the 10 businesses listed here was 93. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.