Are Plug-In Solar Systems Legal in New Zealand?
Updated: 3 days ago
Last updated: 20 October 2026
Short answer: not yet, but it’s coming. Plug-in solar is still illegal in New Zealand under a 2012 notice. In August 2026 the Government agreed to legalise it, and both major parties have committed to doing so. Our best estimate is that plug-in solar becomes legal sometime in 2027.
We update this page every time something changes, so bookmark it.
Plug-in solar in New Zealand: the timeline so far
January 2012: A notice under the Electricity (Safety) Regulations bans inverters fitted with a lead and plug. This is the rule that makes plug-in solar illegal today.
7 May 2026: The Ministry for Regulation launches a review of residential solar. For the first time, plug-in systems are explicitly included in a formal New Zealand regulatory process.
30 July 2026: The review is published with 15 recommendations. Recommendation 15 is to legalise plug-in solar.
17 August 2026: The Government agrees to progress the review’s recommendations, including legalising plug-in solar.
8 September to 6 October 2026: The Electricity Authority consults on how its rules should apply to plug-in solar. MyMiniSolar made a submission.
15 October 2026: National pledges that shops can sell plug-in solar within six months of a re-elected National Government. Labour’s SolarSaver policy commits to changing the rules within 12 months of taking office.
7 November 2026: General election.
Next: The regulatory changes below.
Why plug-in solar is illegal in New Zealand
The 2012 notice bans the manufacture, import, sale and use of any inverter fitted with a lead and plug that supplies electricity into a home through a socket.
It was written for cheap grid-tie inverters that could leave the pins of a plug live with 230 volts when it was pulled out of the wall. That was a real risk with the products of the time.
The problem today is classification, not safety. The notice bans a whole category of device, including modern plug-in microinverters that were designed specifically to remove that risk.
What has changed since 2012
Modern plug-in microinverters only produce power once they detect a stable connection to the grid. If the grid goes down or the plug is pulled out, they shut off within fractions of a second. This anti-islanding protection is already required for grid-connected solar in New Zealand under AS/NZS 4777.2.
A UK government-commissioned study in 2026 tested this independently and measured disconnect times of 16 to 19 milliseconds, well inside the 500 millisecond safety limit.
What still needs to happen before plug-in solar is legal
Amend the 2012 notice and update the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010. This is secondary legislation, so it doesn’t need a new law passed by Parliament.
Set technical requirements for New Zealand homes. The Ministry’s review flagged local questions to work through, such as how plug-in systems interact with New Zealand’s household wiring.
Update the Electricity Authority’s rules. This covers how plug-in systems connect to the network, for example whether households need to notify their network company.
Once these are in place, compliant systems can be sold and used legally.
When will plug-in solar be legal in New Zealand?
The Ministry for Regulation’s review suggested 9 to 12 months for the changes needed to enable plug-in solar. Both major parties have now put timelines on it:
National: shops selling plug-in solar within 6 months of a re-elected National Government.
Labour: rules changed within 12 months of taking office.
Allowing time for the election and for the standard to be finalised, our best estimate is sometime in 2027. We won’t promise an exact date, because nobody can yet.
How other countries made plug-in solar legal
Germany has more than a million registered plug-in systems. It uses a framework called DIN VDE V 0126-95, which sets the technical requirements without rewriting the whole electrical code. Germany allows up to 800 watts of inverter output and asks owners to register their system online. Panels-only systems there have a clean safety record.
The United Kingdom legalised plug-in solar in 2026 after independent safety testing.
New Zealand hasn’t decided its own output limit yet. We’re advocating for a German-style approach: reclassify plug-in solar under existing safety rules instead of starting from scratch.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy plug-in solar in New Zealand right now?
You can find kits online, but it’s not legal to plug them in yet. Many cheap kits sold online aren’t designed for New Zealand’s 230 volt system or safety requirements. Wait until the rules change and buy a compliant system.
Are plug-in grid tie inverters legal in New Zealand?
No. The 2012 notice specifically bans inverters with a lead and plug, including grid tie inverters. That’s the rule the Government has agreed to change.
Will plug-in solar be legal no matter who wins the 2026 election?
Both National and Labour have committed to legalising it, and the Government agreed to progress the Ministry for Regulation’s recommendation in August 2026. The timing may differ, but the direction is the same.
How much could plug-in solar save me?
That depends on how much of the power you use while the sun is out. See FAQ on our website.
Who we are
MyMiniSolar has spent over a year working with WorkSafe, the Electricity Authority and the Ministry for Regulation to bring plug-in solar to New Zealand. We’ll update this page as soon as anything changes.
Want to know the moment plug-in solar is legal? Join the waitlist.
Comments