Solar power
Run on sunlight, we’ll show you how.
Will solar energy work for you?
Solar is about using the power of the sun to power your home - you can also sell the electricity you generate back to the grid.
If you answer yes to most of these questions and you own the house, then a solar power system could be a good option.
Is someone home during the day?
Solar generates energy during daylight hours. Is someone at home to use it?
Do you have electric hot water?
This can be up to 30% of your energy bill and works well with solar.
Is your roof in good condition?
Solar panels last up to 25 years. Will your roof last that long?
Does your roof get enough sunlight?
Limited shade and north facing work best but east and west can work too.
The power of a battery
Adding a battery to your solar power system means you can draw on the electricity that you generate during the day to use later. This should cut your electricity bill down further.
Genesis-approved installers offer a range of up-to-date battery solutions and technologies. They’ll help sort the best option for you.
Sell your solar electricity back with HomeGen
HomeGen is when you sell the electricity you generate back to the grid. You get 12 cents per kWh exported to the grid and this appears as a separate credit on your bill.*
It’s available to customers with approved generation equipment installed (solar, wind or micro-hydro) who have less than a 50 kW output.
To get set up for HomeGen, you also need an import/export meter. This costs $127 including installation. To order your meter and get paid for your excess solar electricity, please fill out our HomeGen application form.
Powering Emirates Team New Zealand
We raised the roof - a Kiwi first
How we helped power Emirates Team New Zealand
Innovative technology has always been Emirates Team New Zealand's ethos - so we took powering them to a new level by installing curved solar panels to their Auckland base.
Commitment to sustainability allowed us to push the boundaries of energy production and design on this job. This roof was the first of its kind in New Zealand (this size) and provided inexhaustible energy - just like the winning crew. Watch how it came to life.
Electricity
We power it all. Houses, flats, sleep-outs, new builds. Any place you want electricity, we’ll turn it on.
Bottled gas
Order bottled gas through our app and get it delivered fast. A few taps and it’s on its way. You can track the delivery too.
Electric vehicles
An EV, smart choice. Take advantage of our Energy EV plan to get power 50% cheaper at night plus a load of other benefits.
*HomeGen terms apply.
Got some questions?
Whilst there are costs to you in purchasing and owning the solar system, solar power will help you to reduce your monthly electricity spend by offsetting the energy usage in your house. How much your monthly electricity bill will reduce by will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the system that you install, how much electricity your system generates, and how much electricity you use during the day.
If your roof is in good condition, and gets a lot of sun, it is probably a good candidate for solar. Genesis does not recommend installing solar on old roofs. The panels are expected to last for over 25 years so it is not recommended to install them on a roof that may need replacing during the life of the system.
We currently offer 12c/kWh for electricity exported to the grid.
All the Solar PV panels are designed to be mounted on top of an existing or new roof and are not normally heavy enough to cause structural problems. However, bolts are used to secure the system to your roof and if the panels are removed, these bolts will remain.
The size of the system is often determined by the available roof space of the property and size of the system you require. As a guide, most panels are 992mm wide by 1640mm high in size. Approximately 8 m2 of roof space is required per 1 kW of solar panels.
Solar PV systems do not need generally require planning permission unless the property is a listed historic building or in a conservation area. Genesis does not install on heritage listed buildings. You will be responsible for obtaining any consents required for the installation of the System. If your home is on a cross-leased property, you may need consents from other property owners on the cross-lease and we recommend you discuss this with your cross-lease neighbours.
Most councils take the view that installing a solar PV system is energy work (like installing a heatpump) which means it is exempt from requiring a building consent. However, some Councils don’t. For example, we know Hamilton City Council requires a building consent, whereas Auckland Council, Tauranga City Council, Manawatu District Council, Wellington City Council, Nelson City Council, Christchurch City Council, and Dunedin City Council all allow the installation of solar PV systems without a consent. It is worth checking with your council. Heritage listed buildings or homes in heritage areas will most likely require a building consent.
Once your system is installed you will be provided details on your systems warranty and who to contact should there be any faults.
Solar photovoltaic panels require little maintenance. Your panels can build up dust and other material over time. Solar panel cleaning is not that different from cleaning your windshield. This can be done with soapy water and a soft brush.
No, the solar panels require you to be connected to the local grid for them to operate. If power is cut to your home, the solar panels will not operate. This is a safety mechanism to protect appliances at your property and for the safety of network maintenance personnel.
Solar panels that face north get the maximum amount of sunlight during daylight hours to generate electricity. Placing panels on an east or west-facing roof will still produce a substantial amount of power. It is not recommended that you install panels with a southerly aspect.
