Analysis of government installation data by Harrisons Solar, the nation’s largest residential solar provider, shows the total capacity installed reached 665 MW last month, up 43% on the same time last year and more than double the capacity of two years ago.

Based on this growth rate, the country’s solar capacity will reach over 10,250 MW by 2032, enough to offset the annual electricity needs of all 2.05 million households.

Phil Harrison, managing director of Harrisons Solar, says New Zealand has reached a tipping point in its transition toward a decarbonised energy future.

He says the adoption of new, more efficient solar technologies is set to help cut the number of years the country will take to become self-sufficient from non-renewable power sources.

“For the first time, we can realistically forecast a future where New Zealand will have enough solar capacity to power every home in the country - and that milestone is now firmly within reach.”

Harrison says in just under a year, New Zealand’s solar capacity will reach 953 MW, the equivalent generation of the coal-fired Huntly station.

He says, despite record growth in residential solar and increased consumer interest driven by rising power bills and grid instability, solar currently contributes less than 2% of New Zealand’s total electricity generation.

“Our analysis of Electricity Authority data shows that residential installations made up around 54% of total installed solar capacity last month.

“The number of Kiwi homes with rooftop solar is now almost 68,000 and growing at around over 8,700 annually.

“While it took NZ seven years to reach the first 100 MW in solar capacity, that same amount is now being added every 18 months,” he says.

Harrison says the current phase of growth is similar to other significant home energy shifts.

“We’re moving through a similar adoption curve to what we saw with heat pumps. Early hesitation is now giving way to mainstream acceptance as the economics and the technology both improve.

“The latest generation of photovoltaic technology is an example of this shift in market dynamics. New models now entering the NZ market, such as the world’s most powerful and efficient all black solar panels, the AIKO Infinite series, are capable of producing up to 475 - 490 watts per panel, more than double the output of a typical panel installed just a decade ago.

“This leap in performance means homeowners can now generate more electricity with fewer panels, making systems more compact and more viable for a wider range of properties,” he says.

Harrison says the number of New Zealand homes combining solar with battery storage is also rising sharply, reflecting a growing appetite for energy independence and resilience. According to new data, the total number of households with both solar panels and batteries has increased by 72% since July 2024.

“We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how New Zealanders engage with energy.

“As more homes generate and store their own power, we’re moving toward a decentralised electricity system, one that’s more resilient, less reliant on the grid during peak times, and better equipped to handle disruptions. Over time, this transition could ease pressure on national infrastructure and open the door to innovations like energy sharing between households and community-wide power networks.

“With average returns estimated between 12 and 14 percent, solar is now delivering stronger financial performance than many leading KiwiSaver funds. For homeowners, the data suggests that delaying installation could mean missing out on significant long-term savings,” he says.