Solar Shake‑Up: With the Report In, It’s Time for Action

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com

Now that the report is in, it’s time to see some action. That was the message from Regulation Minister David Seymour today as he welcomed a new Sector Review Report aimed at making residential and small‑to‑medium solar installation “the simplest in the developed world.” Speaking earlier on Newstalk ZB, Seymour said that if Australia can streamline solar installation, New Zealand should be more than capable of doing the same.

The Ministry for Regulation’s report lays out a series of changes designed to cut red tape, slash approval times, and make solar a realistic option for everyday Kiwi households. Seymour says the current system is bogged down by unnecessary bureaucracy, with some installations requiring up to six separate sign‑offs and five site visits before a single panel can be switched on.

Under the proposed reforms, approval for a standard residential solar setup could drop from around $640 and three months to just $200 and six days. For small‑medium installations — such as farmers adding panels to a milking shed — costs could fall from as high as $11,000 and six months to $1,300 and one month.

One of the most significant recommendations is legalising plug‑in solar systems, which Seymour says have been unnecessarily restricted. These smaller units, already common in Germany and the UK, allow renters and apartment dwellers to generate their own power without rooftop installations.

The report also calls for a more risk‑based inspection model, replacing mandatory electrical inspector visits with accredited installers who are already on site. This change alone could save consumers up to 45 days and around $600. Processing times for lines companies would also be slashed, with residential approvals dropping from 10 working days to the next working day.

Energy Minister Simeon Brown says the proposals align with the Government’s wider push for affordable, reliable energy and greater household control over power bills.

Seymour says the review is comprehensive and fast — now the Government needs to prioritise implementing it so Kiwi families can finally benefit from cheaper, faster solar.