Getting connected: how solar grid connection works in NZ

There’s a step in every grid-connected solar project that homeowners rarely hear about until it matters: getting the local network’s approval to connect. Here’s how it works in plain terms.

Your lines company has a say

Beyond the electrical standards and any building requirements, the local lines company (your electricity distributor) has to approve your system connecting to their network and exporting power. This is called a distributed generation (DG) connection, and it’s a normal part of every grid-tied install, run under Part 6 of the Electricity Industry Participation Code.

How the application works

For most homes, a simplified application covers it. Your installer submits the details — the inverter and its Declaration of Conformity to AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 (including Amendments 1 and 2), a single-line diagram of the system, and the proposed export limit. Some networks keep an approved-inverter list; if the inverter isn’t on it, the conformity documents go with the application. The network reviews it and either approves it or sets conditions, such as an export limit.

Export limits are part of the deal

The network may cap how much power you can send back, to protect the local grid. New Zealand is moving toward a higher default export limit — up to 10 kW where the network allows — under the Electricity Authority’s 2026 changes, but the exact figure still depends on your network and location.

Who handles all this?

A good installer manages the DG application for you — it’s part of a properly run job, not something you should have to chase yourself. If the process is being skipped or fudged, that’s a warning sign. For installers who want to get DG applications right the first time, smoothing out this process is a core part of what SolarLink’s consulting does.

Sources

• Export Limits Amendment 2026 — Electricity Authority
• Certification requirements for PV systems — WorkSafe New Zealand