Govt launches review to speed up solar installations

The Government is launching a sector review into residential and small-to-medium solar installations, aiming to reduce approval times and make solar uptake easier for households.

Regulation Minister David Seymour says the review will focus on simplifying the installation process, which can currently take months due to multiple approval steps.

“Kiwis need access to reliable and affordable energy. This review will make solar an easy option in New Zealand,” Seymour says.

He says most households could save more than $1,000 a year on power by installing solar panels, with systems typically costing between $8,500 and $11,500 and paying for themselves in about 10 years.

However, uptake remains low, with only about 3–4% of New Zealand households currently using solar.

Seymour says regulatory barriers are a key reason.

“Solar installation in New Zealand is a red tape nightmare. Just getting it approved can take months. In parts of Australia, approval of similar low risk solar can be done in just 24 hours. More than 30% of households in Australia utilise solar power.”

He says New Zealand’s process can involve up to eight layers of sign-off and multiple site visits from different parties before systems can be switched on.

“In New Zealand there are up to eight layers of sign-off before small small-scale solar systems can be switched on. This requires up to five separate site visits, from four separate entities.”

The review follows feedback to the Ministry for Regulation through its Red Tape Tipline, highlighting issues with current rules.

Seymour says the aim is to align requirements with the level of risk.

“Common sense says that if something is low risk, the rules should reflect that. Every unnecessary requirement pushes up costs and puts people off doing sensible things like generating their own power.”

The Government says the review will consider international examples, including Australia, where simplified approval processes and installer-led systems have supported higher uptake.