Time-of-Use Power Prices: What They Mean for Solar and Batteries in Wellington and Kāpiti

The way New Zealand households pay for electricity is changing — and it could make the timing of when you use, store and export power more important than ever. 

From 1 July 2026, larger electricity retailers are now required to offer time-of-use electricity plans, as well as plans with time-varying rates for power exported from home solar and battery systems. In simple terms, electricity may cost more at busy times and less when demand is low. 

For homeowners considering solar panels in Wellington, solar power on the Kāpiti Coast, a home battery or an EV charger, this is worth understanding before choosing a system. 

What is a time-of-use electricity plan?

A traditional electricity plan charges one rate for each unit of power used, regardless of the time of day. A time-of-use plan has different prices at different times. 

Typically, electricity is more expensive during peak periods — often mornings and early evenings, when households are cooking, heating homes, showering and charging vehicles. It may be cheaper overnight or in the middle of the day, when demand is lower. 

The new rules do not mean every household will automatically save money. You need to choose a suitable plan, and the outcome will depend on how your household uses electricity. A family that uses most of its power in the early evening could pay more on the wrong plan, while a household that can shift usage may benefit. 

What does this mean for solar power in Wellington and Kāpiti? 

Solar panels generate the most electricity during the middle of the day. That can be ideal if you work from home, run a heat pump, heat hot water, charge an EV or schedule appliances during daylight hours. 

However, many households use the most power after work — just as solar production falls away. This is where a properly designed solar and battery system can make a difference. Rather than focusing only on how much power your panels can produce, it is increasingly important to consider when your home consumes it. 

Using solar power in your own home is generally more valuable than exporting it. A good solar installation should therefore consider your daytime load, roof orientation, future plans and practical ways to move energy use into solar-generating hours. 

Where do home batteries fit in? 

A home battery can store excess daytime solar for use later, such as during the evening peak. It can also potentially charge from the grid during low-cost periods and reduce the amount of higher-priced power you buy later. 

That does not mean a solar battery is automatically the right financial decision for every Wellington or Kāpiti household. Its value depends on your electricity plan, consumption pattern, solar generation, backup-power requirements and how much flexibility you have in your home. 

For some homeowners, installing solar now with a battery-ready inverter is the sensible first step. For others — particularly those with an EV, high evening power use or a need for backup during outages — a battery may be worth considering from the outset. 

Smarter solar systems for changing power prices 

Time-of-use pricing rewards flexibility. Smart switchboards, EV chargers, hot-water control and energy-management systems can help households automatically use power when it is cheapest or when solar generation is strongest.

At Solar Studio, we design solar systems for Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast around your roof, energy use and future plans. The aim is not simply to install solar panels — it is to create a system that remains useful as New Zealand’s electricity market changes.