Solar PV potential in New Zealand by location
Below is the average daily output per kW of Solar PV installed for each season, along with the ideal solar panel tilt angles calculated for various locations in New Zealand. Click on any location for more detailed information.
Explore the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential across 86 locations in New Zealand, from Kerikeri to Oban. We have utilized empirical solar and meteorological data obtained from NASA's POWER API to determine solar PV potential and identify the optimal panel tilt angles for these locations.
Feel free to contact us if you wish for us to include a general Solar PV Analysis for a certain city or location not already listed here for New Zealand. We will be more than happy to manually add it for you.
| Location | Subdivision | Latitude | Longitude | kWh/day Summer | kWh/day Autumn | kWh/day Winter | kWh/day Spring | Panel Tilt Angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerikeri | Northland | -35.225 | 173.9445 | 7.21 | 4.23 | 2.78 | 5.72 | 30° North |
| Whangarei | -35.7274938 | 174.3165604 | 7.13 | 4.03 | 2.71 | 5.56 | 31° North | |
| Ruakaka | Northland | -35.8871 | 174.4 | 7.13 | 3.97 | 2.65 | 5.53 | 31° North |
| Warkworth | Auckland | -36.3981 | 174.6689 | 7.17 | 4.00 | 2.69 | 5.58 | 31° North |
| Kaukapakapa | Auckland | -36.5841 | 174.6006 | 7.17 | 4.00 | 2.69 | 5.58 | 32° North |
| Kumeu | Auckland | -36.759 | 174.5678 | 7.17 | 4.00 | 2.69 | 5.58 | 32° North |
| Auckland | Auckland | -36.8506 | 174.7679 | 7.17 | 4.00 | 2.69 | 5.58 | 32° North |
| Waterview | Auckland | -36.8655 | 174.6876 | 7.17 | 4.00 | 2.69 | 5.58 | 32° North |
| Avondale | Auckland | -36.882 | 174.6922 | 7.17 | 4.00 | 2.69 | 5.58 | 32° North |
| New Windsor | Auckland | -36.8981 | 174.6924 | 7.17 | 3.94 | 2.62 | 5.55 | 32° North |
| Mount Roskill | Auckland | -36.9024 | 174.7322 | 7.17 | 4.00 | 2.69 | 5.58 | 32° North |
| Papakura | Auckland | -37.0625 | 174.9322 | 7.51 | 3.97 | 2.66 | 5.84 | 32° North |
| Thames | Waikato Region | -37.1387 | 175.5356 | 7.08 | 3.80 | 2.43 | 5.19 | 32° North |
| Pukekohe | Auckland | -37.1984 | 174.9089 | 7.51 | 3.97 | 2.66 | 5.84 | 32° North |
| Waihi | Waikato | -37.382 | 175.8287 | 7.09 | 3.86 | 2.50 | 5.23 | 32° North |
| Waihi Beach | Bay of Plenty | -37.3972 | 175.9311 | 7.08 | 3.80 | 2.43 | 5.19 | 32° North |
| Morrinsville | Waikato Region | -37.647 | 175.5141 | 7.08 | 3.86 | 2.50 | 5.23 | 33° North |
| Mount Maunganui | Bay of Plenty | -37.6538 | 176.2115 | 7.36 | 3.96 | 2.51 | 5.46 | 32° North |
| Ngaruawahia | Waikato | -37.6681 | 175.1536 | 7.09 | 3.86 | 2.50 | 5.23 | 33° North |
| Matua | Bay of Plenty | -37.6699 | 176.1326 | 7.36 | 3.96 | 2.51 | 5.46 | 32° North |
| Tauranga | -37.6869653 | 176.1654272 | 7.36 | 4.02 | 2.58 | 5.50 | 33° North | |
| Hamilton | -37.7825893 | 175.2527624 | 7.09 | 3.86 | 2.50 | 5.23 | 33° North | |
| Raglan | Waikato Region | -37.7968 | 174.8858 | 7.51 | 3.97 | 2.66 | 5.84 | 33° North |
| Matamata | Waikato Region | -37.8126 | 175.7638 | 7.08 | 3.80 | 2.43 | 5.19 | 33° North |
| Melville | Waikato | -37.8134 | 175.2842 | 7.09 | 3.86 | 2.50 | 5.23 | 33° North |
| Cambridge | Waikato Region | -37.8887 | 175.4695 | 7.08 | 3.86 | 2.50 | 5.23 | 33° North |
| Whakatane | Bay of Plenty | -37.9755 | 176.9737 | 7.36 | 4.02 | 2.58 | 5.50 | 33° North |
| Kawerau | Bay of Plenty | -38.1019 | 176.7046 | 7.01 | 3.65 | 2.37 | 5.21 | 33° North |
| Rotorua | Bay of Plenty | -38.1296 | 176.2444 | 7.02 | 3.71 | 2.43 | 5.24 | 33° North |
| Te Kuiti | Waikato Region | -38.3383 | 175.1705 | 7.09 | 3.76 | 2.37 | 5.24 | 33° North |
| Tolaga Bay | Gisborne | -38.3647 | 178.3045 | 7.27 | 3.73 | 2.57 | 5.54 | 33° North |
| Gisborne | -38.6640913 | 178.0227931 | 7.28 | 3.73 | 2.57 | 5.54 | 33° North | |
| Taupo | Waikato Region | -38.7304 | 176.0706 | 7.02 | 3.71 | 2.43 | 5.24 | 33° North |
| New Plymouth | -39.0571533 | 174.0794082 | 7.17 | 3.77 | 2.37 | 5.56 | 34° North | |
| Napier | -39.5108848 | 176.8764428 | 6.92 | 3.54 | 2.43 | 5.28 | 34° North | |
| Napier City | Hawke's Bay | -39.5233 | 176.8442 | 6.92 | 3.54 | 2.43 | 5.28 | 34° North |
| Hastings | -39.6302214 | 176.8304088 | 6.92 | 3.54 | 2.43 | 5.28 | 34° North | |
| Havelock North | Hawke's Bay Region | -39.6636 | 176.8759 | 6.92 | 3.54 | 2.43 | 5.28 | 34° North |
| Whanganui | -39.9330715 | 175.0286083 | 7.02 | 3.71 | 2.32 | 5.35 | 35° North | |
| Waipawa | Hawke's Bay Region | -39.9479 | 176.5936 | 6.92 | 3.54 | 2.43 | 5.28 | 35° North |
| Marton | Rangitikei | -40.0793203 | 175.3792768 | 7.02 | 3.62 | 2.29 | 5.36 | 35° North |
| Dannevirke | Manawatu-Wanganui | -40.2014 | 176.1053 | 6.87 | 3.47 | 2.32 | 5.25 | 35° North |
| Palmerston North | -40.3544628 | 175.6097478 | 7.02 | 3.62 | 2.29 | 5.36 | 35° North | |
| Foxton | Manawatu-Wanganui | -40.4662 | 175.2986 | 7.02 | 3.62 | 2.29 | 5.36 | 35° North |
| Levin | Manawatu-Wanganui | -40.6341 | 175.2786 | 7.02 | 3.62 | 2.29 | 5.36 | 35° North |
| Takaka | Tasman District | -40.8524 | 172.8001 | 7.02 | 3.49 | 2.29 | 5.54 | 35° North |
| Paraparaumu | Wellington | -40.8979 | 174.9765 | 7.38 | 3.83 | 2.35 | 5.85 | 35° North |
| Paraparaumu Beach | Wellington Region | -40.8979 | 174.9765 | 7.36 | 3.76 | 2.29 | 5.81 | 35° North |
| Hibiscus Coast | -40.900557 | 174.885971 | 7.38 | 3.83 | 2.35 | 5.85 | 35° North | |
| Masterton | Wellington | -40.9584 | 175.6557 | 7.02 | 3.62 | 2.29 | 5.36 | 35° North |
| Upper Hutt | -41.1249326 | 175.0656426 | 7.09 | 3.56 | 2.17 | 5.51 | 35° North | |
| Porirua | -41.1380517 | 174.8472141 | 7.14 | 3.66 | 2.15 | 5.74 | 35° North | |
| Lower Hutt | -41.212695 | 174.8996648 | 7.14 | 3.66 | 2.15 | 5.74 | 35° North | |
| Petone | Wellington Region | -41.2286 | 174.8672 | 7.14 | 3.66 | 2.15 | 5.74 | 35° North |
| Wainuiomata | Wellington | -41.266 | 174.9448 | 7.14 | 3.66 | 2.15 | 5.74 | 35° North |
| Picton | Marlborough | -41.2867 | 174.0083 | 7.14 | 3.66 | 2.15 | 5.74 | 36° North |
| Te Aro | Wellington Region | -41.2892 | 174.7812 | 7.11 | 3.60 | 2.09 | 5.69 | 35° North |
| Wellington | -41.2923814 | 174.7787463 | 7.14 | 3.66 | 2.15 | 5.74 | 36° North | |
| Nelson | -41.2985321 | 173.2443635 | 7.02 | 3.58 | 2.20 | 5.48 | 36° North | |
| Richmond | Tasman | -41.332 | 173.1817 | 7.02 | 3.58 | 2.20 | 5.48 | 36° North |
| Blenheim | Marlborough | -41.5268 | 173.9475 | 7.02 | 3.58 | 2.20 | 5.48 | 36° North |
| Culverden | Canterbury | -42.7628 | 172.8518 | 6.50 | 3.33 | 2.01 | 5.11 | 37° North |
| Rangiora | Canterbury | -43.2985 | 172.581 | 6.60 | 3.47 | 2.06 | 5.55 | 38° North |
| Upper Riccarton | Canterbury | -43.5283 | 172.565 | 6.61 | 3.47 | 2.06 | 5.55 | 38° North |
| Christchurch | Canterbury | -43.5379 | 172.6151 | 6.61 | 3.47 | 2.06 | 5.55 | 38° North |
| Rolleston | Canterbury | -43.5813 | 172.3844 | 6.60 | 3.47 | 2.06 | 5.55 | 38° North |
| Lincoln | Canterbury | -43.6518 | 172.4877 | 6.61 | 3.47 | 2.06 | 5.55 | 38° North |
| Ashburton | Canterbury | -43.885 | 171.7413 | 6.54 | 3.42 | 1.95 | 5.32 | 38° North |
| Temuka | Canterbury | -44.2291 | 171.2854 | 6.22 | 3.31 | 1.90 | 5.30 | 39° North |
| Twizel | Canterbury | -44.2582 | 170.1092 | 6.78 | 3.51 | 2.04 | 5.64 | 38° North |
| Timaru | Canterbury | -44.3912 | 171.2496 | 6.22 | 3.31 | 1.90 | 5.30 | 39° North |
| Kurow | Canterbury | -44.603 | 170.5653 | 6.74 | 3.44 | 1.98 | 5.58 | 39° North |
| Wanaka | Otago | -44.696 | 169.1497 | 6.65 | 3.32 | 2.01 | 5.41 | 39° North |
| Glenorchy | Otago | -44.8518 | 168.3812 | 6.08 | 2.91 | 1.71 | 4.66 | 39° North |
| Cromwell | Otago | -44.8833 | 169.3833 | 6.67 | 3.32 | 2.01 | 5.41 | 39° North |
| Queenstown | Otago | -45.0226 | 168.7289 | 6.59 | 3.20 | 1.84 | 5.42 | 39° North |
| Te Anau | Southland | -45.419 | 167.7121 | 5.88 | 2.73 | 1.53 | 4.81 | 39° North |
| Dunedin | -45.8795455 | 170.5005957 | 6.20 | 3.15 | 1.78 | 5.21 | 40° North | |
| Mosgiel | Otago | -45.8807 | 170.3395 | 6.14 | 3.09 | 1.72 | 5.15 | 40° North |
| Tapanui | Otago | -45.9345 | 169.2606 | 6.56 | 3.20 | 1.84 | 5.42 | 40° North |
| Gore | Southland | -46.0881 | 168.9509 | 6.29 | 2.78 | 1.53 | 4.96 | 39° North |
| Kaitangata | Otago | -46.2745 | 169.8445 | 6.33 | 2.85 | 1.59 | 5.02 | 40° North |
| Invercargill | -46.4178708 | 168.3614659 | 6.34 | 2.85 | 1.59 | 5.02 | 40° North | |
| Otatara | Southland | -46.4301 | 168.2967 | 6.33 | 2.85 | 1.59 | 5.02 | 40° North |
| Bluff | Southland | -46.596 | 168.3339 | 6.33 | 2.85 | 1.59 | 5.02 | 40° North |
| Oban | -46.8978621 | 168.1284057 | 6.34 | 2.85 | 1.59 | 5.02 | 40° North |
Solar Panel Tilt Angle in New Zealand
So far based on Solar PV Analysis of 86 locations in New Zealand, we've discovered that the ideal angle to tilt solar PV panels in New Zealand varies between 40° from the horizontal plane facing North in Oban and 30° from the horizontal plane facing North in Kerikeri.
These tilt angles are optimised for maximum annual PV output at each location for fixed-panel solar PV installations. If you click on one of the locations above, there is further detail on ideal seasonal tilt angles as well (in case your solar panels are adjustable).
Depending on where you are based in New Zealand, the ideal angle to tilt your solar panels will vary by approx 10 degrees (between 40° from the horizontal plane facing North and 30° from the horizontal plane facing North).
New Zealand solar PV Stats as a country
New Zealand ranks 78th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 146 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year New Zealand is generating 29 Watts from solar PV per capita (New Zealand ranks 58th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in New Zealand?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in New Zealand. The government offers a range of grants and subsidies to help businesses reduce their energy costs and increase their use of renewable energy sources. These include the Solar PV Grant Scheme, which provides up to $20,000 per installation towards the cost of installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems; the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, which provides funding for electric vehicles; and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s Business Energy Management Programme, which helps businesses identify ways to save money on their energy bills. Additionally, some local councils offer rates rebates or other incentives for businesses that install solar panels.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in New Zealand? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Elevate the performance of your solar PV installation by utilizing our thorough guide. Determine the best panel tilt angle using real-world data, debunk prevalent misconceptions and grasp how geographical location influences solar power yield.
