NZ & Australia  |  Solar & Battery  |  Free Tool

Solar Panel
Calculator

Enter your power bill and roof details to find out how many solar panels you need, your expected annual savings, and when your system pays for itself.

Free. No signup required.

8–14 yr
Typical NZ solar payback period
25 yr
Standard panel performance warranty
400 W
Standard modern solar panel output

Calculate Your Solar System

Enter your monthly power bill, location, and roof direction to get a system size estimate and payback calculation.

Your Location

Power Usage & Roof Details

Check a recent power bill or use your average across seasons.

Peak Sun Hours by Region

More peak sun hours = more power generated per kW of installed panels.

RegionPeak sun hours/daykWh/kWp per year
Nelson / Marlborough (NZ)5.01,460
Canterbury / Christchurch (NZ)4.51,314
Auckland (NZ)4.21,226
Wellington (NZ)3.81,109
Perth (AU)5.81,693
Brisbane (AU)5.51,606
Adelaide (AU)5.31,547
Sydney (AU)4.71,372
Melbourne (AU)4.21,226

Figures assume north-facing panels at optimal tilt angle and 80% system efficiency.

Maximising Your Solar Investment

Run high-consumption appliances (dishwasher, washing machine) during daylight to maximise self-consumption
A north-facing roof at 20–30° pitch gives the best output in NZ and southern Australia
Even partial shading on one panel can significantly reduce whole-string output
Get at least 3 quotes — prices vary significantly between installers
Check your retailer's export buyback rate before assuming large export income
Solar panels lose about 0.5% efficiency per year — output at year 25 is about 88% of day-one output

Frequently Asked Questions

How many solar panels for a NZ house?

A typical home spending $200/month on power needs a 6–8 kW system (15–20 panels) in Auckland to cover about 80% of consumption. Use the calculator above for a personalised estimate.

How long does solar take to pay back in NZ?

Typically 8–14 years depending on location, bill size, and install cost. After payback, you generate essentially free electricity for another 10–15 years. Nelson and Canterbury typically pay back faster due to higher sun hours.

Does a battery improve payback?

A battery increases self-consumption from ~35% to ~75%, reducing grid imports. However, the $8,000–$15,000 battery cost typically extends the total system payback period. Whether it makes sense depends on your usage pattern and export rate.

Running a Solar Installation Business?

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