The Regulation Minister is addressing what he describes as burdensome regulations surrounding rooftop solar installations, which he believes hinder homeowners and businesses from setting up panels efficiently.
David Seymour has initiated a review of the installation process, aiming to make New Zealand the easiest country globally to adopt solar energy.
According to Seymour, only 3-4% of New Zealand households currently use solar power, despite potential annual savings of about $1000 on energy costs.
“The process for solar installation in New Zealand is bogged down by excessive red tape, often taking months for approval,” he remarked.
“There are as many as eight approval stages before small-scale solar systems can be activated. This involves up to five separate site visits by four different entities. For example, during installation, the installer typically cannot disconnect or reconnect fuses, update meters, or perform necessary independent electrical inspections. These tasks require different entities, leading to additional site visits.”
Seymour pointed out that in parts of Australia, approval for similar low-risk solar installations can be obtained within 24 hours.
“In Victoria, Australia, there is only one approval layer for small-scale solar installations. The entire process is managed by the chosen installer. Standard installations are reviewed by a licensed electricity inspector via photos that confirm compliance, with physical site visits required only if something unusual or non-compliant is identified in the photos.”
Seymour noted that over 30% of Australian households utilize solar power.
He made this announcement at Electric Cherries near Cromwell, believed to be the world’s first fully-electric farm, largely powered by solar energy.
Mike Casey, owner and CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, expressed support for the government’s initiative to keep regulations in line with technological advancements.
“In Australia, virtual inspections allow for rapid approval of installations, with some countries using centralized systems that eliminate the need for physical visits, relying on audits to ensure standards are met,” he explained.
Researchers suggest that New Zealanders investing in solar are likely to save more money than they spend.
Casey advocated for national standards for solar across lines companies and the legalization of plug-in solar setups that are gaining popularity overseas.
“Increasing solar adoption in New Zealand is crucial. It’s very safe when installers are well-trained, and given our current low uptake, it’s unlikely to strain the network. Approvals should be instantaneous,” he stated.
Bureaucracy not the biggest barrier – solar expert
Alan Brent, a professor and chair in Sustainable Energy Systems at Victoria University of Wellington, argued that the main obstacle for households considering solar is the upfront cost, not the installation time.
“The duration of installation isn’t a technical issue. I have solar and a battery system at my home, installed within a day. We have all the regulations and technology in place,” he said.
“The initial investment is substantial, and it’s challenging for people to project long-term savings.”
Brent suggested that a public information campaign could help boost solar uptake by clarifying costs and savings for residents.
He also proposed that the government could assist with upfront costs.
“A scheme similar to the GiDI fund—providing long-term, government-backed loans—might be viable,” he mentioned.
According to him, German and Australian residents receive reasonable tariffs for feeding electricity back into the grid, incentivizing solar adoption.
However, Seymour believes that reducing red tape would also decrease upfront costs.
“The more people involved, the higher the costs. Paying different people for disconnection, installation, and reconnection adds to the expense. Simplifying the process could encourage more people to adopt solar, especially if it could be done over a weekend instead of several months,” he noted.
“If we can truly say we have the simplest and most straightforward system globally, the extent to which people take advantage of it is up to them.”
