New Zealand's government announces plans to simplify residential solar approvals, pledging to cut waiting times from three months to six days and costs from NZ$640 to NZ$200, according to Ministers Seymour and Brown.
New Zealand’s government has announced plans to advance the recommendations of the Ministry for Regulation’s sector review report to simplify the installation of residential and small to medium scale solar panels. According to Regulation Minister David Seymour and Energy Minister Simeon Brown, the goal is to make New Zealand the country where this process is simplest among developed economies. Reflecting broader momentum in solar markets, such as the Foxton solar farm, currently being fast-tracked in the country, or international partnerships such as Risen Energy and Ascania Energy in Ukraine, New Zealand is seeking to accelerate the rollout of its photovoltaic capacity. The report was prompted by complaints received through the government’s Red Tape Tipline, which collects reports of regulatory burden.
The Ministry found that installing a small-scale solar system can involve up to six separate sign-offs and five site visits from four different entities before it can be switched on, a process that can stretch over several months. Once all the recommendations are implemented, the approval cost for a residential installation would fall from about $384 (NZ$640) over three months, to $120 (NZ$200) over six days, according to the government. For small to medium scale installations, such as panels installed on a farm milking shed, the cost would fall from an amount reaching up to $6,600 (NZ$11,000) over six months, to $780 (NZ$1,300) over one month.
The Ministry estimates that implementing these recommendations could deliver net benefits of between $16.8 million and $30 million (NZ$28 million to NZ$50 million) over ten years, through lower compliance costs, reduced delays and the use of plug-in solar. The government also plans to shorten the processing times lines companies take to approve solar requests. A standard residential request would be cut from ten working days to next-day processing, while a medium-sized installation request would be reduced from over thirty days to just five working days.
The government plans to legalise plug-in solar systems, already permitted in Germany and the United Kingdom according to Mr. Seymour. These devices, which connect directly to a standard electrical outlet, could be used by renters and apartment residents who lack access to traditional rooftop solar installation. Mr. Brown notes that the measure would allow renters to buy a plug-in solar kit and take it with them when they move house.
A risk-based inspection model will also be trialled, replacing systematic checks by an electrical inspector on every installation with verification carried out by accredited installers already on site. This measure could save consumers up to 45 days of waiting and up to $360 (NZ$600), according to the government. The report also recommends exempting certain solar installations, particularly larger or ground-mounted systems and those located in heritage or outstanding natural landscape areas, from the requirement to obtain resource consent. This exemption could cut waiting times by up to 30 days and generate savings of between $1,800 and $6,000 (NZ$3,000 to NZ$10,000).
Mr. Brown notes that the government has already doubled the amount of electricity homeowners can export back to the grid, a measure presented as complementary to the easing of installation rules. The minister observes a continuing rise in rooftop solar connections in New Zealand and expects that reducing administrative hurdles and costs should increase household adoption of the technology.
A precise timeline for implementing the measures announced by Messrs. Seymour and Brown has not been disclosed. The government has yet to begin the work needed to trial the new risk-based inspection model and to legalise the use of plug-in solar.
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