Solar and the 2026 Election: What Each Party Is Proposing
Last updated: 3 November 2026. Information only. Wild Ox Energy does not support or endorse any political party.
New Zealand votes on Saturday 7 November 2026, and power prices are a big issue. Several parties have announced policies that would affect households thinking about solar. Below is a plain-English summary of what each party has proposed, in alphabetical order, based on published policies and independent summaries.
Important: right now there is no government cash grant for household solar in New Zealand. Everything below is a proposal. What actually happens will depend on who forms the next government and what is agreed in coalition talks.
ACT
No specific household solar loan or subsidy announced.
Focus on reducing regulation and barriers to new electricity generation, and stronger enforcement against misuse of market power.
Proposes letting households sell their surplus solar power to whichever buyer offers the best deal, not only their own retailer.
Green Party
Zero-interest loans for household solar panels and batteries.
A right to solar for renters and legal plug-in solar panels.
$200 million for community-owned renewable energy; solar on more than half of public homes within four years; $80 million for renewable energy in Māori housing.
A new publicly owned energy company, Kiwipower.
Labour: SolarSaver
A proposed $160 million programme over four years.
Government-backed, long-term, low-interest loans for solar and batteries, repaid through your power bill or a property-linked scheme.
Subsidies of up to $3,000 for eligible low- and middle-income households, including renters.
A $30 million fund for community batteries, plug-in solar for renters, and free independent advice through EECA.
Main schemes intended to be running within 12 months of taking office.
National: Home Energy Fund
Low-interest, long-term loans (around 10 years) backed by central government and participating councils, for solar, batteries and insulation.
Repaid through your rates or when the property is sold; at least 20% equity required.
Rooftop solar allowed without council consent, plug-in solar panels in shops within six months, and new safety rules for solar finalised.
New Zealand First
No detailed household solar incentive announced.
Proposes that households selling surplus solar to the grid get the same price they pay to buy power.
Wants to split electricity generation from retail and develop a national energy strategy.
The Opportunity Party
Low-interest loans for household electrification through a proposed Ratepayer Assistance Scheme.
Support for community energy projects and a target of 30GW of renewable generation by 2050.
Te Pāti Māori
Focus on energy sovereignty, Māori participation in energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels and imports.
No detailed household solar loan or subsidy has been published.
What this means for you
Most parties agree on making solar easier and cheaper, but the details differ and may change after the election.
Some help is available now: most banks already offer 0% to 1% green home loans for solar. See our guide: 0% and 1% Green Loans for Solar in NZ.
If you are thinking about solar, it can still be worth getting a free quote now so you know your numbers when any new scheme starts.
We will update this page after the election once the new government's plans are clear. Questions? Contact us or call 022 103 5002.
Sources: Consumer NZ, The energy election: What's on offer for households? (October 2026); Power Compare, NZ Election 2026: which parties are promising solar loans (22 October 2026); party policy announcements. Summaries are simplified; check each party's published policy for full details.
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