Jun 13, 2025
RNZ
Government moves to boost household solar power: "a massive win for energy security"

RNZ reports on the changes announced by Ministers SImon Watts and Chris Penk that aim to increase the uptake of residential rooftop solar. Rewiring Aotearoa's Mike Casey said the changes to voltage limit would mean more generation, "which is exactly what New Zealand needs… for households in Australia, the average size for solar systems is about 10kWh. In New Zealand it's 5 or 6kWh because solar installations are being built to the size people are allowed to export. This allows for higher levels of solar panels to be on homes. It makes larger systems more economical. When you finance solar panels on your mortgage it probably costs you 13c per kWh - there are many retailers out there buying power off you at more than 13 per kWh. So every piece of power that you don't use in your home that goes back to the grid is actually still in the economic best interest of the household."

He said the more solar that was generated on the rooftops of New Zealand, the more it backed up the hydro system and meant it could be used more as a battery.

"It's a massive win for energy security."

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