Big Energy Retailers to Face New Rules: What It Means for Solar Customers

The Electricity Authority has just announced a big move that could benefit solar homeowners across New Zealand.

From mid-2026, large electricity retailers—those holding more than 5% of the market—will be required to offer more flexible pricing plans, including time-of-use (TOU) tariffs.

Here’s what this means and why it matters if you’re already generating solar power or thinking about making the switch.

What Are Time-of-Use Plans?

Time-of-use pricing means you’ll pay different rates depending on when you use electricity. Under the new rules, electricity will cost more during peak hours (typically weekday mornings and evenings) and less during off-peak times like mid-day and overnight.

This approach encourages smarter energy use—and if you have solar panels, it gives you the opportunity to reduce costs or even get paid more for exporting energy back to the grid during high-demand periods.

Why This Is Great News for Solar Owners

If you’ve already invested in solar, especially with battery storage, these rule changes are designed to help you get more value from your system.

Key benefits include:

• Higher returns for exported power: With peak-time pricing, you'll likely earn more when feeding energy into the grid during those high-demand hours.

• Savings for off-peak consumption: Store solar energy in your battery and use it when electricity rates are lower.

• More control over your energy bill: Time-shifting your energy use becomes even more rewarding.

The Authority’s move is about fairness—ensuring that households who are actively participating in our energy future, like solar users, aren’t subsidising those who aren’t.

Who Will Be Affected?

These changes target the biggest players in the electricity market, including companies like Contact, Genesis, Mercury, Meridian, and Nova. Smaller retailers are not immediately affected, but the shift is likely to influence industry-wide practices.

When Do the Changes Take Effect?

The new rules will come into force in mid-2026, giving both retailers and customers time to adapt. That also means there’s time now to start planning your solar strategy to make the most of the upcoming opportunities.

What Should You Do Now?

• Already have solar? Talk to your retailer about upcoming TOU plans and how they’ll work with your current setup.

• Thinking of adding battery storage? Now’s a great time to explore this option—batteries help maximise TOU benefits by storing energy when it's cheap and using it when rates are high.

• Still exploring solar? This is another strong reason to consider making the switch. The market is evolving in your favour.

Our Take

At Solar Hub NZ, we see this as a strong signal that the energy market is shifting to better support everyday Kiwis who want to take control of their power. Time-of-use pricing aligns perfectly with solar power, rewarding smarter energy use and creating a fairer playing field for everyone.

We’re here to help you understand how these changes affect you, and what steps you can take to stay ahead. Whether you're looking to optimise your current system or considering going solar for the first time, let’s talk.

Contact us today to see how your home can benefit from smarter energy solutions.