Check if you need a consent to install photovoltaic (solar) panels

When you may need a consent to install photovoltaic panels

Under the NZ Building Regulations there is a lot of building work you can do yourself.

Ground-mounted solar panel arrays up to 40 square metres in size can be built when the design is carried out or reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer.

When determining the position of a panel array, consideration needs to made to:

• location and wind zone
• compliance with the relevant electrical regulations and standards
• check your proposal does not breech planning regulations, including those regarding site coverage and permitted activity.

You might need a resource consent

If you plan to install photovoltaic panels, you need to check if you need a resource consent.

For example:

• the property may be in a special interest or heritage zone
• adding the photovoltaic panels on the roof may affect height-to-boundary restrictions.

Contact us to check if you need a resource consent to install photovoltaic panels. If one is required it needs to be obtained before you start building work.

You might need a building consent

If you plan to install photovoltaic panels as your roof cladding, you will need to apply for a building consent.

Find out more about photovoltaic panels