A Smart Investment for Businesses
Unlock the potential
Do you have an unused rooftop or open space?
Businesses in New Zealand often face high electricity costs – what if we told you, your business could save up to 30% of your energy expenses by installing solar panels?
Why should your business invest in commercial solar systems?
Cut Electricity Costs by Up to 30%
Reduce your operating expenses by locking in lower and predictable energy costs for decades. Solar is a strategic investment that improves your bottom line.
Quick Payback Period in 5-7 years
Commercial solar systems pay for themselves in around 5–7 years, with 25+ years of low-cost electricity thereafter — a decision that makes financial and operational sense.
Improve Sustainability Performance Instantly
Solar demonstrates leadership in sustainability. Every 100 kW of installed solar offsets roughly 8,000 - 9,400 of CO₂ annually. Achieve measurable sustainability targets while saving money.
Higher Asset Value. Future-Ready Business.
Make your building work for you. Solar increases the market value of your property for shareholders and investors, strengthens your ESG profile, and enhances corporate reputation.
*Electricity cost reductions and payback period, based on internal project modelling and portfolio data as of March 2026
Commercial Solar Cases - Reduced carbon footprint across NZ
New Zealand’s Largest Rooftop Solar at Mānawa Bay
Sunergise delivered New Zealand’s largest rooftop solar system — a 2.3 MWp array powering the Mānawa Bay retail centre at Auckland Airport. This landmark installation offsets hundreds of tonnes of CO₂ annually and sets a new benchmark for clean energy in Aotearoa.
Commercial Solar Cases - Reduced carbon footprint across NZ
Award‑Winning Solar at Parliament House in Wellington
Our solar system at Parliament House won the Best Grid Connected Renewable System at the SEANZ Awards 2023, recognising its high‑quality design and seamless integration with a heritage building. This 204 kWp installation supports lower emissions and showcases renewable energy leadership at New Zealand’s seat of government.
Our Solar System Types
Solar systems can be designed and constructed to suit a variety of applications. Discover our solutions here.
Simple Energy
Characteristic:
Uses existing roof space for solar panels
Benefits:
Cost-efficient energy generation
Quick installation
Applications:
Any available roof at warehouses, offices, factories.
Ideal for first-time solar adopters
Sunergise Hero Reference:
Coca Cola Amatil, Fiji – South Pacific’s largest privately-funded Solar System
1MWp, 1.3 GWh per year, 100,821 kg CO2 savings per year
Large-Scale Energy
Characteristic:
Freestanding solar panels on land
Benefits:
High energy output
Suitable for large energy needs
High ROI
Potential to expand over time
Applications:
Sites with unused land or unsuitable roof space
Large-scale systems like solar farms
Sunergise Hero Reference:
Kapuni Solar Plant, South Taranaki – NZ’s largest grid-connected solar power plant
2.613 MWp, 3.4 GWh per year, 257,158 kg CO2 savings per year
Aesthetic Energy
Characteristic:
Solar panels integrated into architecture
Replaces traditional building materials
Benefits:
Combines renewable energy with design aesthetics
Visually appealing
Enhances corporate branding
Bespoke and unique look of your business building
Applications:
Facades & roofs
New builds or major refurbishments
Sunergise Hero Reference:
Kings Plant Barn, Auckland – New Zealand’s most sustainable garden centre
182.88 kWp, 206 MWh per year, 15,017 kg CO2 savings per year
Functional Energy
Characteristic:
Modular carpark shading with integrated solar panels
Benefits:
Dual-purpose structure: covers vehicles while generating electricity
Visually appealing
Applications:
Carparks of any size
Sunergise Hero Reference:
Parliament House, Vanuatu – Shaded solar carport for 112 cars
767.2 kWp, 1.29 GWh per year, 94,041 kg CO2 savings per year
Ready to unlock your energy savings with a trusted solar partner?
Ways to Fund and Invest in Solar
IRD Tax Incentive
The IRD Investment Boost allows businesses to immediately deduct 20% of the cost of a new solar systems from their taxable income. This upfront deduction is in addition to standard annual depreciation, helping businesses reduce tax liabilities, improve cash flow, and accelerate the return on their solar investment.
No Upfront Cost with PPAs
With a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), your business can install a solar system without any upfront capital investment. You simply pay for the solar energy generated or consumed (depending on your PPA model). Sunergise is offering both models, giving your business the flexibility to choose the approach that best fits.
Our Process - Transform your business in 5 steps
1) Assessment & Consulting
We start with a detailed assessment as well as analysis of energy needs and costs to identify the best solar solution for your commercial building.
2) Financing & Contracting
Your business receives a customised proposal including financing options (direct purchase and PPA), initial solar system design and all technical, financial and environmental figures.
3) Engineering & Procurement
Our engineers finalise the solar system design while all materials for installation are procured and delivered.
4) Installation & Commissioning
Our solar experts team install the system on-site, including any necessary civil works, and conduct thorough testing until your solar project is fully operational.
5) Operations & Maintenance
After commissioning, we provide monitoring, maintenance, and performance checks to ensure your solar system delivers long-term energy and savings.
FAQs
Understanding Commercial Solar
Commercial solar refers to solar power systems installed for businesses, organisations, or community facilities to generate electricity on-site. Unlike residential solar, commercial systems are typically larger in scale, designed to meet higher energy demands, and can significantly reduce electricity costs, provide long-term energy security, and support sustainability and net-zero goals. These systems often include solar panels, inverters, and sometimes battery storage (BESS), making them a smart investment for businesses looking to lower operational costs and reduce their carbon emissions.
Yes – commercial solar can significantly reduce your electricity bills by up to 30% and protect against rising energy prices. With commercial solar, your system can generate part or all of your energy supply on-site, reducing reliance on the grid and demonstrate your commitment to sustainability. Many New Zealand businesses have already recognised the financial and environmental benefits of commercial solar. Sunergise, as an award-winning solar installer, ensures you get the maximum value from your solar system.
A typical 100 kW commercial solar system in New Zealand can generate around 110,000–130,000 kWh of electricity per year, enough to cover a significant portion of a medium-sized business’s energy use.
Yes! Commercial solar panels still generate electricity on cloudy days and during winter, production is only a bit lower than on sunny days. A well-designed system ensures your business maintains reliable energy supply year-round.
Any excess energy your commercial system generates can be stored in batteries for later use or exported to the grid for buy-back credits. Storing or exporting energy ensures your system is always working efficiently, even when your business isn’t using all the energy.
Commercial solar panels are designed for a long lifespan between 25–30 years or more. Most panels come with a 25-year performance warranty. With a little maintenance, your solar system can continue saving energy and reducing electricity costs well beyond its warranty period.
Installation & Project process
Installation timelines for commercial solar panels vary depending on the project size:
- Small projects (100 kW–500 kW): 1–4 months
- Medium projects (500kW–2 MW): 4–8 months
- Large projects (over 2 MW): 8–14+ months
These timelines include all of our process steps from assessment, contracting, engineering design and installation.
Maintenance for a commercial solar system is usually simple and low-effort.
Typical tasks include:
- Keeping panels clean
- Monitoring system performance to make sure everything runs smoothly
- Professional check-ups every 1–2 years
With a Sunergise PPA, we’ll maintain your solar system for you during the duration of the PPA. If you own the system via a direct purchase, you can always reach out to us if you have any questions or need guidance.
Commercial solar panels typically last 25–30 years. At the end of their life, Sunergise takes care of recycling, recovering materials like glass, aluminum, and silicon. This makes your solar investment sustainable and environmentally responsible.
Cost, ROI & Financing
Commercial solar costs typically range from NZ$ 1,400 to NZ$ 1,800 per kW installed in 2026. The final price depends on factors like system size, panel type, installation complexity, location and any additional equipment like batteries or inverters. Our solar experts are happy to advise you and provide a no-obligation quote tailored to your business. Contact us here.
The average payback period for commercial solar in New Zealand is typically 5–7 years, depending on system size, energy usage, location, and incentives. After payback, your business continues to enjoy virtually free electricity.
Direct purchase of the solar power system lets your business investing upfront, gaining full ownership, maximum ROI, and access to tax incentives such as the Investment Boost, which allows New Zealand businesses to claim a larger deduction in the first year of their solar investment.
Solar loans provide a way to finance your system over time while still benefiting from ownership. However, businesses should consider that solar loans involve interest costs, repayment obligations, eligibility requirements, and potential impacts on the balance sheet.
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are the most flexible financing option for commercial solar systems. With a PPA, a third-party funds and owns the system, and your business pays only for the solar energy you use (energy consumption PPA) or the generated solar energy (energy generated PPA). This allows a lower kWh price compared to the grid electricity rates. Unlike many providers, Sunergise is the only New Zealand company offering both PPA options, giving businesses the flexibility to choose the model that best matches their energy usage and financial goals. No upfront capital is required, and the PPA allows businesses to start saving on electricity costs immediately while enjoying the environmental benefits of solar energy. Read more about our PPA offering here.
You can export any excess solar electricity you generate back to the grid and get paid at the buy-back rates of your electricity retailer.
Whether GST applies depends on your registration:
- If you are GST-registered and use business assets to generate the electricity, GST does apply to the exported power.
- If you are not GST-registered, your exported solar electricity is GST-free.