Solar in Wellington: Complete Guide for 2026
Fewer hours of bright sun than Auckland, yet Wellington panels produce more. The yield data, Wellington Electricity's new 10kW export rule, and why the wind zone means getting your mounting right.
Peak Sun
Hours
3.9
hrs/day
Avg Power
Rate
31.6
c/kWh
Annual
Sunshine
2,094
hrs/year
Grid Connection
Wellington Electricity
Residential export capped at 10 kW without pre-approval
Wellington has a reputation for wind and grey skies, but it is quietly one of the best places in New Zealand to put solar on your roof. A typical 6.6kW system here generates around 9,444 kWh a year, about 1,431 kWh for every kilowatt installed, which is more than the same system produces in Auckland, despite Wellington getting fewer hours of bright sunshine. Cooler panel temperatures and long summer days do the work that bright-sun hours usually get the credit for. Wellington also has some of the lowest power prices among the main centres, around 31.6c per kWh. Even so, the strong output means a typical system saves roughly $2,100 a year and pays back in around 6 to 7 years (EECA's more conservative national estimate is 7 to 10 years).
The real Wellington catch isn't the weather, it's the wind. Much of the city sits in a Very High or Extra High wind zone, which means a lot of rooftop installs here need the mounting and fixings designed or reviewed by a chartered professional engineer rather than qualifying for the standard consent exemption. It's not a reason to avoid solar, it's a reason to use an installer who does the structural side properly. On the grid side, Wellington Electricity moved to a 10kW default export limit in May 2026, flexibly curtailed to 5kW only when the local network is congested. For how Wellington's strong output compares with the rest of the country, see our full NZ payback breakdown and weigh it against your own roof and power bill.
Want a personalised estimate for your Wellington home? Answer a few quick questions and get matched with Solar Scout-vetted installers.
How much solar will you generate in Wellington?
With 3.9 peak sun hours per day and a production factor of 1.08relative to the Auckland baseline, here's what a typical roof-mounted system generates in Wellington per year.
Savings figures assume a typical 70% self-consumption rate and use the local electricity rate of 31.6c/kWh. Your actual savings depend on roof orientation, shading, and your daily usage pattern.
For the national picture, see how Wellington stacks up against the other 15 NZ regions on annual generation per kW installed.
Electricity and buy-back rates
Wellington households pay an average of 31.6c per kWh for grid power (MBIE QSDEP, latest survey). Every kilowatt-hour you self-consume from your panels saves you that full retail rate. Excess generation flows back to the grid, and your retailer pays you a buy-back rate. The top retailers serving the region:
Self-consumption is the bigger saving: every kWh you use yourself is worth 2 to 3 times more than every kWh you export. For the full national retailer comparison, see our buy-back rates guide.
Wellington Electricity export rules
Wellington Electricity moved to a 10kW default export limit on 11 May 2026, in line with the new national rule for small-scale solar. Rather than a hard cap, it uses a flexible limit that signals systems down to 5kW only when part of the local network is congested. Systems of 10kW or less use the streamlined connection path: a $100 application fee, a $60 inspection fee, and an inverter that is either on the approved list or carries an AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 declaration of conformity. Systems above 10kW are assessed individually. Wellington Electricity does not publish a standard residential approval timeline, so ask your installer to confirm the current turnaround before you commit.
Typical system economics
Below is what a typical 6.6kW system looks like in Wellington from a financial perspective. Real numbers will vary with installer, brand, and roof complexity. For the full national pricing context, our NZ solar installed-cost guide shows what 6.6kW jobs typically include and how to spot a fair quote.
Estimated for a typical 6.6kW system in Wellington
What you can expect
System size
6.6kW
Installed cost
$13,500
Annual generation
9,444 kWh
Annual savings
$2,100
Payback
6.4 yrs
Estimates based on the regional production factor, average local electricity rate, and a typical 70% self-consumption profile. Your actual savings will vary with your roof, usage pattern, and retailer.
Sunshine by month in Wellington
Solar generation tracks closely with sunshine hours. Here's how Wellington's monthly sunshine hours look across the year (NIWA data).
Sunshine hours by month
How Wellington compares month-to-month
Total: 2,094 sunshine hours per year. Range: 105 (winter low) to 250 (summer peak) hours. Source: NIWA.
Choosing the right installer matters more than choosing a panel brand. Workmanship quality, paperwork handling, and how a company services warranty claims drive most of the long-term experience. Our guide to choosing a solar installer in NZ covers SEANZ membership, the questions to ask, and the red flags to avoid.
Local installers
Solar Scout-vetted solar installers serving Wellington
Every installer in the Solar Scout network is independently vetted. We connect you with the ones operating in your area, never the highest bidder.
- SEANZ Member: Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand
- EWRB Registered: Licensed electrical workers, audited annually
- Master Electricians: National accreditation body for installation quality
- Fully Insured: Public liability cover for every job
Wellington solar FAQs
Is Wellington too windy and cloudy for solar?
No, and the numbers surprise people. Wellington gets fewer hours of bright sunshine than Auckland, but a 6.6kW system here actually generates more power: around 9,444 kWh a year versus about 9,180 in Auckland. Cooler air keeps the panels running efficiently and Wellington's long summer days add up. The wind is real, but it affects how your panels are mounted, not how much electricity they produce.
How much will a 6.6kW solar system generate in Wellington?
Around 9,444 kWh a year, based on roughly 1,431 kWh for every kilowatt installed, which is a conservative real-world figure. That covers a large share of a typical Wellington family's power use. Output peaks over summer (December to February) and dips through the shorter winter days, but the panels still generate on grey, overcast days, just at a lower rate.
How much does solar cost in Wellington?
A 6.6kW system in Wellington typically costs around $13,000 to $15,000 fully installed, including panels, inverter, mounting, wiring and the connection paperwork. Larger systems cost less per kW. Since October 2025 most residential installs no longer need building consent, though Wellington's wind zones often require engineered mounting, which your installer arranges. Always get three quotes.
How long until solar pays for itself in Wellington?
A typical 6.6kW system (around $13,500 installed) saves roughly $2,100 a year through a mix of self-consumption and export, paying back in about 6 to 7 years. EECA's more conservative national estimate is 7 to 10 years, which assumes lower self-consumption. Wellington's power prices are among the lowest of the main centres, but the strong output keeps the payback competitive. The more of your own solar you use during the day, the faster it pays back.
What is Wellington Electricity's solar export limit?
Since 11 May 2026, Wellington Electricity defaults to a 10kW export limit, in line with the new national rule. It is a flexible limit rather than a hard cap: your system may be signalled down to 5kW only when part of the local network is congested. Systems of 10kW or less use the streamlined connection path, with a $100 application fee and a $60 inspection fee, and your inverter needs to be approved or carry an AS/NZS 4777.2 declaration. Bigger systems are assessed individually.
Does Wellington's wind affect my solar install?
It affects the mounting, not the panels' output. Much of Wellington sits in a Very High or Extra High wind zone, and under the building rules a rooftop array in those zones generally needs its fixings designed or reviewed by a chartered professional engineer rather than qualifying for the standard consent exemption. In practice that means more fixing points and properly engineered roof penetrations. It is a strong reason to choose an installer who handles the structural side correctly, which every Solar Scout-vetted installer does.
Do I need building consent for solar in Wellington?
Since October 2025, most residential rooftop solar installs no longer need building consent. The important Wellington exception is the wind zone: if your roof is in a Very High or Extra High wind zone (much of the city is), the mounting generally needs engineering sign-off, which your installer arranges. Your installer will confirm your property's wind zone and what is required.
Who has the best solar buy-back rate in Wellington?
As at early 2026, Octopus Energy (which is Wellington-based) offers the highest published rate at around 19c per kWh at peak times and 14c otherwise. Genesis (12.5c), Meridian (12c), Mercury (11.1c) and Frank (11c) sit in the middle, with Electric Kiwi lower at around 8c. Buy-back rates change every few months and some of the best rates are time-of-use or need a fixed term, so check current rates before you switch. Our buy-back rates guide has the full national comparison.
Do Wellington's hillside and south-facing homes work for solar?
Many do. Wellington's steep terrain means roof orientation varies a lot street to street, so the key is having a north, east or west-facing roof plane with reasonable sun. A pure south-facing roof loses a large chunk of its potential and usually isn't worth it on its own, but plenty of Wellington homes have a mix of roof planes. Shading from the hills and the town belt matters more here than in flatter cities, so a proper site assessment is worth it.
I rent in Wellington. Can I still benefit from solar?
Solar on a rental is the property owner's decision, but Wellington is a rental-heavy city and more landlords are adding it for the property-value uplift and tenant appeal. If you own a Wellington rental, our guide on solar for rental properties covers the depreciation and buy-back details. If you rent, it is worth raising with your landlord.
Written by Ben Wallis
Ben has worked as a licenced electrician in New Zealand for over six years, from residential rooftop systems to large industrial projects. He writes Solar Scout's guides based on real experience in the field, so Kiwi homeowners hear what installers actually think, not what salespeople say.
