Recommended Energy Retailers For Solar And Battery Storage

Picking the right energy retailer can make all the difference when it comes to getting the most from your solar system.

When deciding, think about what’s important to you. Is your priority reducing environmental impact, cutting costs, or keeping things simple?

Also, think about what’s going to work with your setup. Do you have solar only or solar with a battery? Think about your home’s biggest electrical loads — hot water, EV charging, a pool — and what time they turn on.

Here Are Our Four Recommended Electricity Retailers For Solar In New Zealand:

If Sustainability Is Your Main Driver, Then You Can’t Look Pastecotricity. They Are Committed To Sustainability And Renewable Energy.

Ecotricity is the only retailer in New Zealand to offer 100% carbon zero certified electricity, so you can further reduce your carbon footprint, even with imported electricity.

They offer competitive rates for buying electricity, as well as excellent solar export rates.

If you have a battery, Ecotricity has an eco battery plan, that includes higher export rates during peak times (earning you more when paired with Tesla’s Time Based Control).

With solar only you should try to match your power use to when the sun is shining. For example, you can use a hot water diversion, like the Ohm Pilot or if you have an EV and want to charge it from your solar, a Zappi or WattPilot is key.

If you’re armed with a battery and want to be more in control of your power bill, then Octopus offers a great variable plan.

They break down the day into time periods. For each one of these periods they will allocate a different cost for electricity. High in peak times, low in off peak and even cheaper overnight.

If you have a battery like the Tesla Powerwall, you are able to use Time Based Control to program in the variable charges throughout the day. The battery can then make decisions for you on when to charge and discharge, as it knows your usage patterns and the plan pricing.

Octopus also offers one of the highest export rates, including higher rates during peak times (great if you have a battery). So with your summer solar export you can rack up a good credit to chip away at for winter power bills.

Meridian’s solar plan offers a competitive export buyback rate of 17 cents per kWh on a three-year contract. While future buyback rates are uncertain and could fluctuate, locking in this rate gives you the reassurance of knowing exactly what you’ll receive for the next three years.

If you own an EV, Meridian’s EV plan might also be worth considering. It includes low night rates and six months of free charging. Although the EV plan comes with a lower export buyback rate, it can work well with solar if you primarily charge your EV overnight.

To make sure you are always on the best plan, remember, you can shop around and change energy retailers throughout the lifetime of your solar system.

We recommend you wait to change energy retailers until after your solar system is installed and commissioned. To get your solar system live as soon as possible, it’s best to avoid any possible paperwork delays.

We are looking at this stuff every day and can help you choose the right retailer for your solar system and energy profile. This is part of the service we offer, whether you’re new to solar or a seasoned user.

There is also a website that can also help you compare retailers, check out Powerswitch.