Solar Power Buy-Back Rates

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Solar Power Buy-Back Rates

Solar power buy-back rates are the price per unit at which energy retailers pay for excess/exported solar power from homes or businesses.

The buy-back price ranges between 7¢ to 17¢ per kWh for exported solar power. View the New Zealand solar buy-back price list below.

solar power buy back range - between 7 and 17 cents

To find out how much the buy-back price will affect how much you save on electricity bills, try out our solar calculator.

Get Alerts For Buy-Back Price Updates

The New Zealand Solar Buy-Back Price List

Last updated: 08/12/2023

Energy Retailer

Solar Power Buy Back Rate Per Kwh

Further Details

Max. System Size:

Power Edge

$0.1739 + GST

($0.125 otherwise) 

Residential solar <10kW

Meridian

$0.17 + GST - 5 year, fixed-rate Solar Plan

$0.12**  + GST - Standard Plan

** Standard plan rates are variable during the Term and subject to change with 30 days' notice.

Up to 10kW

Electric Kiwi

$0.125 + GST - MoveMaster Plan

$0.08  + GST - Standard Plan

MoveMaster - Peak power prices are more expensive, off-peak power prices are cheaper. More MoveMaster details here. All Electric Kiwi customers get an hour of free off-peak power every day.

None

Comtricity

$0.15 or $0.14 +GST (depending on region)

No limit

Powershop

$0.13 + GST

Residential customers only

-

Octopus Energy NZ

$0.13 +GST - OctopusFixed

Only available in certain regions of New Zealand. Click here to find out if this offer is available where you live.

OctopusFixed: Off-peak power prices, half price nights, no daily charge for low users and no exit fees.

Up to 10kW, larger on application.

Electric Kiwi

$0.125 + GST - MoveMaster Plan

$0.08  + GST - Standard Plan

MoveMaster - Peak power prices are more expensive, off-peak power prices are cheaper. All Electric Kiwi customers get an hour of free off-peak power every day.

None

Ecotricity

$0.1225 + GST

This solar export rate varies from month to month and the area you live in.

Flick Electric Co

Variable wholesale spot prices, which changes every half an hour.

Flick state their buy-back scheme is a 'trial', although it's been running for more than two years.

Frank Energy

$0.11 + GST

Up to 50kW

Toast Electric

$0.10 + GST

Up to 10kW

Mercury

$0.085 + GST

No limit

Contact Energy

$0.08 + GST

Up to 10kW

Nova Energy

$0.074 + GST

Up to 10kW

Electra Energy

$0.07 + GST

$0.07 minimum, each customer will be advised on the buy-back price when they enquire.

No limits for residential systems

Pulse Energy

$0.07 + GST

No limits

Grey Power

$0.07 + GST

Requirements: must be a residential address and a member of the Grey Power Federation. To be a member you need to be over the age of 50.

Paua to the People

Variable wholesale spot prices

Please note - you can only claim GST if you are GST registered and you will need to inform your energy retailer if you are.

Switching Energy Retailers When Going Solar

Before switching your electricity retailer to a company that offers a better buy-back rate, please check with them what your price for using / importing power bill be.  Some electricity retailers have been known to increase the power price for solar power system owners.

Tip: As soon as you decide on going solar and have figured out which energy retailer to switch to, make the switch asap, as it can cause delays in turning on the system once the solar panels have been installed.

How Do Solar Buy-Back Rates Work?

When solar panels generate more power than what is needed in the home or business, and there are no batteries in the solar power system that can soak up the excess power, the solar power is then exported to the grid.  Your chosen electricity retailer will have a set price (as above) at which they will pay for this solar power. 

This will show up as a credit on your power bill, which is normally subtracted from the cost of buying regular grid power.  If the solar buy-back credit piles up you may be able to be paid for the solar power solar, but not all energy retailers will do this, so best to ask them first.

How Much Difference Does The Buy-Back Price Make?

A good buy-back price is more important for homes and businesses that plan on selling a good portion of their solar power to the grid.  For example, a home that uses 50% of the solar power in its home and 50% of its power will be exported will need to focus on getting a good solar buy-back rate.  If the home is able to use closer to 80% of the power generated then a good buy-back price won't matter as much.

Using our solar calculator, you can see how different buy-back prices would change the amount of savings achieved each year, and you'd be able to see the difference between rates of return.

Learn more about why solar buy-back rates are important in New Zealand.