Best Solar Installers in New Zealand
We assessed 161 solar installers in New Zealand and ranked the top 5 on public rating quality, review volume and how recent the reviews are. The businesses listed below hold 3,550 Google reviews between them. No business can pay for a place in these rankings. Last updated 30 September 2026. How we rank →
Before you hire
Whether you use a dedicated solar power company or an electrician who installs solar panels, 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 #1 Hubands Energy, #2 The Conduction Company, #3 Hiko Electrical, #4 Future Energy, and #5 Harrisons Solar, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you hire.
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1
Hubands Energy
★ 4.9 1,351 reviews Top5 Score 1925★ 1,252 4★ 88 3★ 4 2★ 3 1★ 4Hubands Energy gets solar systems installed on time and pairs that with after-hours support, including one case where a technician arrived within thirty minutes to diagnose a grid fault and stayed until power was fully restored. Their team also keeps clients in the loop on monitoring their system and thinks ahead about future energy needs the client had not yet considered.
location_on 15 Kioreroa Road, Port Whangārei, Whangarei
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2
The Conduction Company
verifiedVerified★ 5.0 616 reviews Top5 Score 1875★ 609 4★ 4 3★ 1 1★ 2The Conduction Company covers heat pump installs, switchboard relocations, SmartVent ventilation systems, LED lighting, network cabling, and CCTV work, making them a practical single call for varied home electrical jobs. Jordan and Reuben are named across multiple jobs for clear communication, same-day responsiveness, and taking time to explain systems to clients before leaving.
Reviews most often describe: Landlords and homeowners needing fast, multi-trade electrical work
- ✓ SmartVent system installs with on-site explanation of how they work
- ✓ Quoted, scheduled, and completed without delay on small and large jobs
- ✓ Office communication praised alongside on-site crew across multiple jobs
location_on 8A Rowe Street, Onehunga, Auckland schedule Open 24 hours
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3
Hiko Electrical
★ 5.0 286 reviews Top5 Score 1815★ 281 4★ 5Hiko Electrical installs solar panels and inverters as part of broader home electrical projects, with named crew members like Micah and Chris coordinating each stage so work is organised before anyone arrives on site. Repeat clients have brought them back specifically for their solar systems, citing tidy workmanship and a team that communicates clearly through booking, installation, and beyond.
location_on 6/5 Reynolds Place, Papamoa, Tauranga
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4
Future Energy
★ 4.8 321 reviews Top5 Score 1785★ 298 4★ 7 3★ 3 1★ 13Future 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.
location_on 29 Olive Road, Penrose, Auckland
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5
Harrisons Solar - Waikato
↑ 1★ 4.9 159 reviews Top5 Score 1735★ 155 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.
Before you hire a solar installer in New Zealand
Drawn from 200 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 solar system costs between $10,000 and $14,000 installed, covering panels, inverter, and labour. Adding a battery such as a Tesla Powerwall 3 pushes the total to $20,000 or more depending on capacity.
Roof type, shading, and inverter brand all affect the final price, with premium brands like Fronius or SolarX sitting at the higher end. There is no government subsidy for residential solar in New Zealand as of 2025, so financing options from your installer or bank are worth exploring upfront.
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 this before signing anything at ewrb.govt.nz using their public register. Beyond the legal minimum, look for membership of the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ), which requires members to meet conduct and competency standards, and ask whether the installer holds SolarCert certification, a specialist solar PV competency programme that goes beyond the base electrician licence.
One reviewer noted their installation passed an electrical inspection with the inspector commenting positively on quality, which is a good outcome to aim for. Skipping these checks increases the risk of a system that fails grid connection approval from your local lines company or voids manufacturer warranties.
How accurate are the payback period and savings estimates I'm being given? expand_more
Payback estimates in New Zealand for a 5kW to 10kW system range from 8 to 12 years under realistic conditions, but that figure shifts significantly depending on how much of your solar generation you actually use yourself. Export buy-back rates from retailers sit around 8 to 17 cents per kWh, while you pay 28 to 35 cents to import power, so the less you export, the faster your payback.
One reviewer calculated a six-year payback as a low user who generates well in excess of daily needs, while another found that overcast days severely reduced output, highlighting that shading and weather assumptions in a sales estimate can be optimistic. Before signing, ask your installer to show the savings calculation broken down by self-consumption rate and export rate, not just a headline annual saving figure.
What are the warning signs of a solar installer you shouldn't hire? expand_more
- –No system walkthrough or app setup after installation is a clear red flag, with multiple reviewers reporting being left with a system they did not know how to use.
- –Installers who do not disclose site constraints such as inverter sizing limitations or wifi requirements until after deposit is paid are shifting risk onto you.
- –Missed installation appointments without any communication, especially repeat occurrences, signal an operation that cannot manage its own scheduling.
- –A salesperson who is responsive but an installation team that is poorly briefed on the specific job suggests the two sides of the business are not coordinated.
- –Post-installation silence when you report a fault or request follow-up is the most serious warning sign, with some customers waiting months without contact after spending tens of thousands of dollars.
- –Refusing to remeasure disputed materials or costs, and responding with aggression when questioned, indicates a company unlikely to honour warranty obligations fairly.
What should you ask before hiring a solar installer? expand_more
- –Ask whether the installer holds a current Registered Electrician licence with the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) and whether they are a member of the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ) or hold SolarCert certification.
- –Ask for the savings estimate to be broken down by assumed self-consumption rate and the specific export buy-back rate used, since a calculation based on high export returns will overstate your actual savings.
- –Confirm that app setup, system walkthrough, and monitoring access are included in the installation, not an optional extra arranged separately.
- –Ask who handles warranty claims after installation, whether that is the installer directly or a third-party service agent, and how quickly they respond to callouts.
- –Clarify the difference between the workmanship warranty offered by the installer and the component warranties on panels, inverter, and battery, as these are separate and may involve different claim processes.
- –Ask whether the quote accounts for any site-specific requirements such as switchboard upgrades, wifi extenders, or scaffolding, so there are no cost surprises after you have paid a deposit.
Also recommended solar installers in New Zealand
Ranked 6 to 10 on the same public review record.
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6
Planet Electrical
↑ 1★ 4.9 188 reviews Top5 Score 1725★ 179 4★ 8 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.
location_on 4/4 Clemow Drive, Mount Wellington, Auckland
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7
AVID Solar
↑ 1★ 5.0 128 reviews Top5 Score 1725★ 127 1★ 1AVID Solar coordinates solar panel arrays, battery storage, EV charger integration, and associated trades like scaffolding and meter upgrades under one project scope. Multiple reviewers who approached four or five companies beforehand chose them for advice that steered away from unnecessary spend, competitive pricing on brands like Tesla Powerwall and Jinco panels, and installation crews who hide cable runs neatly and walk clients through app setup before leaving.
location_on 10/166 Lansford Crescent, Avondale, Auckland
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8
Skilled Electrical Christchurch
★ 4.9 272 reviews Top5 Score 1715★ 254 4★ 14 1★ 4Skilled Electrical puts Liam and his crew on solar roof installs that run into unexpected challenges mid-job, working through complications without passing the disruption back to the homeowner. Glen is named for steering clients toward the right system size for their household before any work begins, and sites are left clean at the end of each day throughout the install.
location_on 8 Moncur Place, Addington, Christchurch
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9
Think Solar Christchurch (formerly Christchurch Solar)
↑ 1★ 5.0 110 reviews +8 Top5 Score 169 +25★ 108 4★ 2Think Solar Christchurch covers solar panel arrays, battery storage systems including Tesla Powerwall, and home automation integration across a range of property types, including steep and difficult roofs. Consultants like Jake, who holds an electrical background, design systems around specific household setups rather than off-the-shelf configurations, and installation crews text ahead, make good any wall penetrations, and leave sites clean.
location_on 65c Brisbane Street, Sydenham, Christchurch
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10
A1 Electrical Contractors Limited
★ 4.9 119 reviews Top5 Score 1675★ 112 4★ 4 1★ 3A1 Electrical covers EV charger installs, outdoor lighting, rangehood wiring, heat pump connections, and general home electrical work, with multiple reviewers returning for a second or third job over several years. Staff like Thomas and Adam follow through on small details, including returning after a job to adjust sensors until they detected movement exactly where clients needed.
location_on 405 Kaikorai Valley Road, Kaikorai Valley, Dunedin
About this ranking
What the 10 solar installers listed above hold, at the 30 September 2026 check.
We first assessed solar installers in New Zealand in March 2026 and have rechecked the ranking six times since. Four different businesses have held first place; Hubands Energy has held it since September 2026. Future Energy has been in the top 5 at every check.
What has changed since March 2026? expand_more
- Sep 2026
Scoring method updated. New first place: Hubands Energy. Hubands Energy entered the top 5 at #1. The Conduction Company entered the top 5 at #2. Planet Electrical left the top 5, down to #6. Skilled Electrical entered the list at #8. Think Solar Christchurch returned to the list at #9.
- Aug 2026
New first place: Hiko Electrical. Harrisons Solar returned to the top 5, up from #6.
- Jul 2026
Scoring method updated. Planet Electrical returned to the top 5, up from #6. Harrisons Solar left the top 5, down to #6. AVID Solar left the top 5, down to #8.
- Jun 2026
Scoring method updated. Hiko Electrical entered the top 5 at #2. Harrisons Solar returned to the top 5, up from #7. AVID Solar returned to the top 5, up from #8. Planet Electrical left the top 5, down to #6. Think Solar Christchurch left the top 5, down to #9.
- May 2026
Future Energy returned to first place. Planet Electrical entered the top 5 at #2. Think Solar Christchurch entered the top 5, up from #6. Harrisons Solar left the top 5, down to #7. AVID Solar left the top 5, down to #8.
- Apr 2026
Scoring method updated. A1 Electrical left the top 5, down to #8.
- Mar 2026
First check. Future Energy #1.
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, and a business whose main Google category is a different trade is held back until a person has checked what it does. A business whose website no longer resolves and that has had no Google review for six months is treated as dormant and left off the page until either changes. Every category and city is rechecked on a rolling cycle, about every two to three months. A location with a subscribing business is rechecked every month, and the whole page updates with it. See how we rank for the full method.
What does a business subscription offer? expand_more
No business can pay for a place in these rankings. Claiming and verifying a listing is free. It adds a phone number to the card and a small trust bonus (+3 points) to its score, for confirming a real operator stands behind the listing. The owner also gets a dashboard showing how their score is made up. A paid subscription provides an enhanced card with more ways to reach the business, including a website link and a detailed profile page. It also refreshes this page monthly and adds ranking history and competitor analysis to the owner's dashboard. The subscription adds nothing to the score. Claim your listing or 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. Sometimes we miss a business that should be here. Check where you rank first. If you are not there and think you should be, get in touch.