Almost every party has a rooftop solar policy for New Zealand's election
Almost every political party in New Zealand has an election policy to get solar panels onto rooftops across the country, according to RNZ. The election is scheduled for 7 November, and early voting had opened by 25 October.
The parties give different reasons for backing solar. The National Party says rooftop solar will strengthen New Zealand's energy resilience and help lower power bills. If it is elected, National has pledged low-cost loans for rooftop solar. Labour says solar power will create local jobs for electricians, installers and roofers. The Green Party says solar power will provide abundant, affordable renewable energy.
Solar has moved from the fringes of political debate to a full election issue this year, RNZ reported in September. Energy more broadly has been described as a key issue for the election, according to the New Zealand Herald.
The government has its own solar programmes. Under its Electrify NZ programme, it has committed to doubling renewable electricity generation, according to a Ministry for the Environment document. In August, the government announced that 500 schools nationwide had been selected for solar technology as part of a plan to improve schools' energy affordability. The government has also set a target of 50% of total final energy consumption coming from renewable sources by 2035.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has repeatedly committed in 2026 to keeping New Zealand in the Paris Agreement, the international climate accord, to secure continued access to global markets. Luxon has also said the 7 November election will be decided on economic issues.
