A well-designed solar system pays for itself over time, but the gap between a good install and a mediocre one comes down entirely to the installer, their accreditation, and how they design the system for your roof.
TopChoice curates a Top 5 list of trusted, independently reviewed solar panel installers in each city, focused on accreditation, installation quality and reliability. Choose your location below to see our recommendations.
Live in Christchurch, with more cities being added as they're researched and reviewed.
The Top 5 solar panel installers in each city cover the full range of work.
Design, supply and installation of rooftop solar for homes.
Larger-scale systems for businesses, retirement villages and schools.
Pairing solar with home battery storage to use more self-generated power.
Standalone power systems for rural properties not connected to the grid.
Combining solar with an EV charger for a single, coordinated install.
System design, lines company paperwork and any required consents.
TopChoice recommendations are editorially curated by our New Zealand team. Rather than listing every business that pays to appear, we research each local market and shortlist only the solar installers who consistently stand out.
We don't host our own reviews. Instead, we draw on public reputation signals from Google and other platforms, alongside the wider research that goes into each list. Every solar installer is assessed using a consistent framework that considers factors such as:
Every Top 5 list is reviewed periodically and can change over time as businesses grow, improve, or fall short, so the recommendations stay current and worth trusting.
Before you commit, it pays to ask a few key questions.
Accredited installers work to an industry code of conduct.
Confirm panels, inverter, mounting, wiring, paperwork and connection are all covered.
Panel and inverter brand affects performance and warranty support.
Many homeowners install solar first and add a battery later.
A good installer manages retailer and network connection paperwork for you.
TopChoice takes a curated approach by limiting each city to just five recommended solar installers. This avoids the clutter common in open directories and makes it far easier to compare your options without endless scrolling.
Solar is a significant investment, and it's hard to know who to trust. We do the legwork, so you can shortlist quickly and reach out with confidence. Every solar installer on our lists is independent, local, and chosen on merit. Featured placements may be available and are clearly labelled, but they never influence the editorial rankings.
Cost depends on system size, panel and inverter brand, and roof complexity. Get at least two or three itemised quotes to compare like for like, and check what's included, panels, inverter, mounting, wiring, retailer paperwork and network connection.
As of October 2025, most residential rooftop solar installations under 40 square metres per roof no longer need building consent, which covers typical residential systems. Confirm with your installer or council if your project is larger or more complex.
SEANZ (the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand) is the solar industry's independent body. Accredited members work to a code of conduct, which is a useful signal when comparing installers who all claim to do quality work.
Surplus electricity your system generates is exported to the grid, and your retailer pays a buy-back rate for it. From July 2026, major retailers must offer time-of-use pricing and pay rebates for electricity exported at peak times, so it's worth comparing retailer export rates alongside installer quotes.
We currently have a researched Top 5 solar panel installers list live in Christchurch, with Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin and other locations being added over time.
No. Featured placements are available and clearly labelled, but they do not influence the editorial rankings within our Top 5 solar panel installers lists.
Get in front of more local customers and grow your business with TopChoice.
List Your Business