5kW solar system: installed price and what you get
A 5kW home solar system typically costs $11,000 to $13,000 installed in New Zealand in 2026 (Solar Scout). It uses 11 or 12 panels on about 24 m² of roof and generates roughly 6,750 to 7,250 kWh a year in Auckland.
What you get
- System size
- 5kW
- Panels
- 11 to 12 × 440W panels
- Roof space
- about 24 m² of usable roof
- Suits
- Smaller or efficient homes using around 6,000 to 8,000 kWh a year
- Panel and inverter brands
- Named in your contract
- Suits a household that is home some of the day, or a smaller home with a heat pump.
- At about 24 m² it sits well inside the 40 m² limit for the roof-mounted building consent exemption, if your wind zone is High or lower.
- Simply Solar publishes a 4.4kW (10-panel) package at $9,595 installed on a single-level home with a tin roof (source).
Included in the price
- Panels, inverter, racking, cabling and surge protection
- Scaffolding or edge protection where needed
- Lines-company application
- Import/export meter arrangement
- Inspection and certificates
- Monitoring app set up
- Installer's workmanship warranty passed through to you
Not included: roof repairs or switchboard upgrades the survey finds. You see those in writing before you sign.
Estimated output by region
| Region | Lines company | Yearly output | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Vector | 6,750 – 7,250 kWh | Waitlist |
| Waikato | WEL Networks | ~7,000 kWh (NZ average) | Waitlist |
| Bay of Plenty | Powerco | 7,250 – 7,750 kWh | Waitlist |
| Wellington | Wellington Electricity | 6,250 – 7,000 kWh | Waitlist |
| Canterbury | Orion | 6,500 – 7,250 kWh | Waitlist |
| Otago | Aurora Energy | ~7,000 kWh (NZ average) | Waitlist |
Actual output depends on roof direction, pitch and shade, which the survey measures. See how it works and what solar costs in NZ.
5kW package questions
How much does a 5kW solar system cost in NZ?
Typically $11,000 to $13,000 installed in 2026, according to Solar Scout. Published package prices are often for single-level homes with metal roofs (Simply Solar), so check what a quote assumes.
How much power does a 5kW system make?
Solar Scout puts Auckland output at 1,350 to 1,450 kWh per kW per year, so 6,750 to 7,250 kWh a year. Wellington is a little lower (1,250 to 1,400 per kW) and Bay of Plenty a little higher.
Is 5kW enough for my house?
Solar Scout sizes an average three-bedroom home using 7,000 to 9,000 kWh a year at 5 to 6.6kW. If your yearly use is under about 8,000 kWh, 5kW is often enough. The payback calculator runs your own numbers.
Do I need a building consent for 5kW?
Usually not. Since 23 October 2025, roof-mounted arrays under 40 m² in a wind zone no higher than High are exempt (EWRB). The work must still meet the Building Code.
Sources
- Solar Scout, Solar panel costs NZ (checked Sept 2026)
- Simply Solar, Solar panel costs (package prices) (checked Sept 2026)
- Solar Scout, How many solar panels do I need (updated 1 Apr 2026) (checked 1 Apr 2026)
- EWRB, Solar panel consent exemption changes (checked Sept 2026)
- MySolarQuotes, Lines companies' solar application fees (updated Aug 2026) (checked Aug 2026)
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