Looking to install residential solar? Let our free guidelines shed light on good practice
EECA has supported the development and release of a new Publicly Available Specification (PAS) that gives Kiwi homeowners a clear, practical guide to choosing and using solar energy and battery storage at home.
SNZ PAS 6014:2025 Residential solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems provides useful advice for:
- Homeowners, on different solar and/or battery system types, choosing one appropriate to your needs, how they interact and how they sell surplus electricity back into the system.
- For suppliers and Installers, to clarify the compliance landscape for different solar PV systems and outline their legal responsibilities.
- And for wider Industry to highlight how solar technology supports a more resilient and balanced electricity network, unlocking new business opportunities and enhancing energy security.
Sponsored for free access by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), the new PAS helps you make smart, safe decisions about solar power, whether you’re just starting to explore options or ready to install a system.
Developed by a committee of industry experts and drawing upon international good practice, the guidance is all about making solar simple and empowering households to feel confident about investing in solar, through trusted information about what works best for their home, how to stay safe, and how to get real value for money.
Standards New Zealand’s Principal Project Manager who oversaw production of the PAS, Chris Forsman says, ‘EECA have provided a range of publicly available specifications, free guidance for consumers and industry professionals, that help end users save not just energy but importantly money. PAS are a type of non-mandatory guidance that, like standards, still uses industry experts to develop content, still uses a consensus approach to make sure it works for a broad user base and represents all the right needs, but are much quicker to produce\. They allow good practice to get out there quickly to help shape rapidly developing markets and can help bring about positive change and adoption of new technologies.’
What's covered?
The PAS covers everything from how solar panels and batteries work, to choosing the right installer, understanding your home’s energy use, and getting the approvals needed to connect to the grid.
Installation
The PAS also stresses the importance of professional installation. Solar systems must meet New Zealand’s strict safety standards, and installations must be approved by local electricity distribution companies. Unsafe systems including DIY setups and illegal plug-in panels can cause electric shocks, fire risks, or even result in being disconnected from the grid.
Another key factor is understanding how your home is wired. Many homes in New Zealand are connected via a single phase, but some have multiple phases. The type of inverter you install needs to match your setup and if it doesn’t, you could lose out on savings. The PAS explains why getting this right from the start is essential.
Storing vs selling power
It also explains why using your own solar energy on-site is usually more valuable than selling it back to your power company, because what you’re paid to export power is often much lower than what you pay to buy it.
While adding a battery may be costly, they allow you to store power for use later in the day or during power cuts, increasing both energy resilience and independence. Pairing a well-sized solar system to generate energy and a battery to store that energy, can keep essential appliances like lighting, refrigeration and medical devices running even when the grid is down.
New Zealanders can access a single-user PDF available exclusively from Standards New Zealand:
SNZ PAS 6014:2025 Residential solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems(external link)
Helping New Zealanders shift towards energy resilience
Minister for Energy and Climate Change Simon Watts, welcomed the new PAS in an address recorded for the SEANZ/Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand Conference 2025. He acknowledged the role the guidance can play in reducing barriers for many homeowners and how distributed generation is a key part of New Zealand’s future energy mix, to support local resilience and emission reductions:
‘Historically, the uptake of solar technology in New Zealand has faced several challenges — including high upfront costs, complex financing options, and a lack of clear, independent technical guidance that’s easy for everyday homeowners to understand
This PAS directly addresses some of those barriers by providing clear technical guidance for homeowners and industry, and identifying options for affordable solar solutions where possible. Developed collaboratively by Standards New Zealand in partnership with industry experts, academic institutions, and government regulators – the guideline offers robust, impartial advice.’
Part of a suite of technology and energy-saving guidance
The guidance complements EECA’s other range of tools and research to help assess the benefits of solar for your home, including EECA’s Solar Power Calculator, which helps estimate potential payback periods and savings based on your location and energy use.
Genless Solar Power Calculator(external link)
You can find the PAS, along with a range of other energy-reduction and technology incorporation related guidelines sponsored by EECA, here: