Funding for homeowners

If you've decided to install a solar water heating system, you may be eligible for government financial assistance of $1000.

There are two options for funding:

  • a contribution of $1000 towards the cost of a loan to pay for a solar water heating system, or
  • a grant of $1000 towards the cost of a system.

Criteria for financial assistance

Only systems published by EECA are eligible for financial assistance. EECA publishes participating suppliers’ systems that have been tested to NZ Standards and performance modelled.

The cost of the system, including all installation costs and building consent cost, must not exceed the threshold for that system set by EECA. However, even if you purchase a system for higher than the threshold price, it may still be a good decision for your household and a cost effective purchase. Use our online calculator to assist you with your decision.

Systems that are eligible for funding assistance

How do I get a grant or loan?

What do I do to get a cash grant?

Step 1: Choose an eligible packaged solar water heating system

Step 2: Contact a participating supplier or their installer and ask for a quote (quote should include the total cost of the system, all installation costs, building consent and GST).

Step 3: Check your quote is below the threshold for finance assistance for that system.

Each individual threshold is based on that particular system's performance and is listed under the system description.

The theshold is found on the packaged solar water heating systems list

Step 4: If you decide to purchase the system, obtain a building consent. Your installer should be able to help with this process.

Step 5: Have your system installed by your installer, and signed off in accordance with the building consent.

Step 6: Complete the Grant Claim Form with your installer.

Step 7: Send the Grant Claim Form to EECA. You will also need to provide a copy of your invoice to verify the installation and your bank account details for payment.

What do I do to get a loan?

Step 1: Choose an eligible packaged solar water heating system

Step 2: Contact a participating supplier or their installer and ask for a quote (quote should include the total cost of the system, all installation costs, building consent and GST) and tell your installer you want to apply for a loan.

Step 3: Check your quote is below the threshold for finance assistance for that system.

Step 4: The installer will contact EECA’s finance provider, Prometheus Ethical Finance, on your behalf to apply for finance. If you are approved for finance, Prometheus will check that all scheme eligibility criteria are met and offer a loan agreement.

Step 5: If you decide to purchase the system, obtain a building consent. Your installer should be able to help with this process.

Step 6: Have your system installed by your installer, and signed off in accordance with the building consent.

Step 7: Complete the Grant Claim Form with your installer who will then send the form with a copy of the invoice to Prometheus.

Step 8: Prometheus will pay the installer for the system. EECA will pay Prometheus $1000 to contribute to the cost of your loan.

Step 9: You will make loan payments for the solar water heating system to Prometheus.

If you are an installer more detail can be found on the Solar Industry section of the website.

Participating suppliers

The following suppliers are participating in the solar financial assistance scheme:

The following installers are approved (by the suppliers above). These installers are part of the solar financial assistance scheme.

Participating suppliers and installers [PDF 93KB]

To claim for financial assistance you must have your system installed by one of these approved installers.

Financial assistance disclaimer


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