Power is Changing Hands
Solar panels and solar power solutions for a sustainable New Zealand
At ZEN, we empower Kiwis to harness solar energy, creating a sustainable and resilient future for homeowners, businesses, and communities.
Empowering sustainable energy choices
COMMITMENT TO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
We're committed to guiding customers in their journey towards energy self-sufficiency. We do this by providing reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective solar solutions that deliver long-term value.
Energy independence
There’s now more control than ever for how and when power is used in your home or business.
Energy
resilience
Battery systems now ensure a reliable and consistent power supply that you can depend on.
Energy
sustainability
Solar energy reduces reliance on the grid and fossil fuels, lowering your carbon footprint.
Energy value
Solar is the most cost effective form of energy available and our solutions are designed to reduce energy costs and encourage energy efficiency.
Trusted solar expertise across NZ
Why choose zen
Discover the expertise, quality, and commitment that make ZEN the trusted choice for solar solutions, from installation to long-term support.
New Zealand-owned business, proudly serving Kiwis since 2014
1,000+ installations across New Zealand, from homes to large-scale projects
Over 50 years of combined solar engineering and technical design expertise
Customised solar solutions designed to match your unique energy needs
World-leading products chosen for performance and durability
Rigorous technical reviews are completed on every installation
Lifetime support to maximise your solar investment's value and performance
Discover your ideal solar system
SOLAR SYSTEMS TAILORED TO YOUR ENERGY NEEDS
Our solar systems are designed to meet your specific energy goals—whether you’re focused on lowering costs, achieving energy independence, or building resilience against supply volatility. Explore our options to find the perfect balance between self-sufficiency, sustainability, and savings.
Grid-tied
solar systems
Bill savings and grid connection
Perfect for those who want to remain connected to the grid while reducing their energy bills through solar energy.
Hybrid battery
solar systems
Flexible energy supply with backup
Ideal for customers looking for both grid connection and energy storage to ensure resilience and backup power during outages.
Off-grid
solar systems
Complete energy independence
Best suited for those seeking complete independence from the grid and full reliance on solar energy for a self-sufficient energy system.
Residential and commercial solar expertise
WE POWER HOMES AND BUSINESSES ACROSS NEW ZEALAND
With over 1,000 installations completed, ZEN leverages deep design and technical expertise to deliver tailored solar solutions for projects of any scale, ensuring each system meets the unique requirements of both residential and commercial properties.
Tailored solutions for homes
From urban homes to rural and off-grid properties, ZEN provides reliable, customised solar systems to fit the unique energy needs of every household. Our experience spans systems ranging from:
- Urban homes: Starting from 5kW systems (12 panels) for small to medium households
- Off-grid properties: Scaling up to 35kW systems (84 panels) for expansive properties requiring full energy independence
Full-Scale solutions for business
ZEN partners with New Zealand's public and private sectors, delivering solar solutions to meet diverse energy and sustainability goals. Our expertise covers a range of system sizes, including:
- Smaller operations: Starting from 30kW systems (70 panels) for offices, retail, and community hubs
- Large-scale facilities: Scaling up to 1MW+ systems (1,620+ panels) for factories, logistics centres, and other major operations
Save more with solar energy
Five ways you save with solar
1. New Zealand’s cheapest energy
Rooftop solar now delivers energy at less than half the cost of grid electricity, immediately reducing your power bills.
2. Earn from excess power
Energy retailers pay between 7c and 17c per kWh for surplus solar, boosting your system’s return on investment.
3. Protect against rising prices
Grid electricity costs are set to rise, but investing in solar locks in low energy costs for the next 25+ years.
4. Affordable energy storage
With battery prices now more competitive, hybrid solar systems can store energy, ensuring resilience and avoiding peak charges.
5. Strong return on investment
Solar consistently delivers double-digit returns, outperforming many traditional investments like property, shares and term deposits.
Solar panels and technology built for NZ
PREMIUM TECHNOLOGY FOR SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE
Award-winning brands, trusted worldwide
At ZEN, we select only the highest-quality solar products from trusted global brands who have been in the solar industry for years, ensuring long-lasting performance and service reliability in New Zealand’s challenging environment.
How ZEN delivers solar solutions
Our end-to-end process
Solar installation expertise across NZ
OUR INSTALLATION PARTNER NETWORK
IS NATIONWIDE
We can support your energy transition almost anywhere in the country.
We work with many of New Zealand’s best solar electricians with proven track records in their region and well-regarded local knowledge. Many are proudly SEANZ-certified too.
Clean energy, happy customers
Ready For
Your Power
to Change Hands?
Start your switch to solar today. Get in touch and we can support your journey to energy savings, sustainability and self-sufficiency.
No strings attached.
Frequently asked questions
What is a grid-connected solar power system?
Solar panels are installed on your roof and produce electricity in DC current. This electricity is converted to AC current through your solar inverter and then delivered via your house’s switchboard, to your appliances, such as your television, hot water cylinder, fridge and heat pump. Any excess electricity generated will be sent back to the grid, for which you will get a credit on your electricity bill if your electricity retailer has a buyback offer.
How long does a solar system installation take?
The length of installation depends on the size of the solar power system, whether it includes batteries and the roof condition, but will typically take anywhere between 1 day for a grid-tied installation and 2 days for a more advanced battery based system.
Are solar panels effective in winter?
They are effective during the winter months; however you will notice a considerable drop on the overall solar generated compared to the summer months. This is normal due to the height of the sun in the sky and there being less sunlight hours over the winter months.
Is my house suitable for a solar power system?
If your roof is in good condition, and gets a lot of sun, it is probably a good candidate for solar. We do 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.
Are solar power systems good for the environment?
Solar power is the most abundant renewable energy resource on Earth. Solar power systems do not emit any CO2 and their costs have been consistently reducing. In contrast, fossil fuels are being depleted, with unpredictable prices that are typically trending upwards. Additionally, they are not renewable. Solar power is the clear answer for the future of energy as it localises energy generation at the point of consumption and passes the power to choose back to the individual home owner. Although many large entities are not yet committed to solar power, a household can proactively choose to benefit from having a solar power system on its roof.
What is the buyback rate?
Most power companies currently pay at 8c/kWh for electricity exported to the grid. You will need to contact your power company to confirm their buyback rate.
How much will I save?
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.
What size are the solar panels?
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.
How much maintenance do solar panels require?
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 water and a soft brush.
Will solar panels operate if we experience a powercut?
Yes the solar panels will still produce power however the solar inverter requires you to be connected to the grid for the inverter to operate and provide power to your home. This is a safety mechanism to protect appliances at your property for the safety of network maintenance personnel.
Which direction should my solar panels face?
Solar panels that face north get the maximum amount of sunlight during daylight hours to generate electricity. Placing panels on the 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.
What if my property is 3-phase?
Three phase properties may require a 3-phase solar system. With a three phase solar system there may be instances when you will import energy on one phase while exporting energy on another phase. This is because all three phases operate independently of one another. You may want to ask your installer to check the loading on each phase as part of the installation process.