Distributed generation is equipment used to generate electricity for your own use, which is connected to the Aurora Energy electricity distribution network and is capable of supplying electricity back into the network.
Before you get started
When you generate electricity for personal use and connect it to our network, it's known as distributed generation. There is a process for getting this done safely and once it's done, you'll notice a decrease in your power bills.
The Gen Less Solar tool is a calculator that helps you work out the benefits of installing power generation equipment at your place. It's supported by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). We recommend you check it out.
The Electricity Authority website also has helpful guidance about solar panels here: What do I need to know about solar panels? — Electricity Authority (ea.govt.nz)
How to get connected
The information below outlines the process you need to follow to have your generation system connected, based on the scale of your system.
Please note these processes have been updated to reflect amendments to the Electricity Industry Participation Code (EIPC) 2010. These changes take effect from 1 December 2026, with clauses 39-61 applying from 1 June 2027.
Connecting a small-scale system ≤ 10 kW
If you want to connect a small-scale system of 10kW or less to our electricity network, follow this process.
Connecting a medium-scale system > 10 kW and < 300 kW
If you want to connect a medium-scale system of more than 10kW but less than 300kW to our electricity network, follow this process.
Connecting a large-scale system ≥ 300 kW and <1MW
If you want to connect a large-scale system of ≥ 300 kW and <1MW or more to our electricity network, follow this process.
Connecting a utility-scale system ≥1MW
If you want to connect a utility-scale system of 1MW or more to our electricity network, follow this process.
Important information
Aurora Energy advises that any solar installations on our network must comply with the below standards, so check with your installer and get verification that the installation meets the following standards:
- Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2010 and any related standards
- AS/NZS4777.1:2016 – (Installation requirements.) This covers the electrical and safety installation requirements for grid-connected systems.
- AS/NZS 4777.2:2015 – (Inverter requirements.) This covers the minimum performance and safety requirements of the inverters used in your Distributed Generation system when moving electricity from your system to our network.
- AS/NZS 5033:2014 – Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays
- AS/NZS 3000:2018 – Electrical installations
- Electricity Industry Participation Code Part 6.2
- Electricity Industry Participation Code (Network Connections) Amendment 2026
- Ensure, where required, equipment is in line with Aurora Energy approved list
- Ensure correct information is supplied to Aurora Energy
It is recommended that installations also comply with AS/NZS 5139:2019 for the safety of battery systems used with power conversion equipment.
You can find out more on the Electricity Authority's website.
From 1 August 2025, if you have a single-phase domestic connection, you can now export up to 10 kW of electricity generated from your solar system back to Aurora Energy’s network. Previously, the limit was 5 kW. It’s important to note that while the limit has increased, what you can actually export could be less than this based on our network capability. We encourage customers to use solar for their own household use first because the cost benefit of avoiding retailer consumption charges will typically be higher than the retailer rebates offered for solar export.
If I already have an existing system restricted to 5 kW, can I upgrade up to 10 kW? What do I need to do to increase how much I can export?
Yes, you can upgrade your export limit up to 10 kW, so long as your inverter has the appropriate voltage response capability and those settings are enabled. A qualified electrician or solar installer will need to physically adjust your inverter to allow it to export up to 10 kW, depending on what your system is capable of.
Once this is done, the electrician or solar installer must email [email protected] and let us know the new export kW value, the date of the change, and confirmation that the voltage response settings are enabled.
What are the technical requirements I need to meet?
Your system must:
- Be connected via a single-phase domestic connection
- Maintain voltage within New Zealand regulatory limits
- Use an inverter that automatically regulates voltage
- Comply with the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and AS/NZS 4777 standards
An inverter is one of the most important pieces of equipment in your Distributed Generation kit. It converts direct current (DC) electricity from your solar panels or wind turbines into alternate current (AC) electricity so that it can be used in your home and also connect to the electricity network.
Inverters need to be compliant and meet certain standards so that if there is a power outage it will automatically shut down. This keeps our team safe if they’re working on the network to get it back up and running. See which inverters are approved for use on our network. If you have an inverter not listed, you'll need to provide a Certificate of Conformity/Suitability. See the list of approved inverters here.
There are fees for Distributed Generation connections to our network. We've outlined these below.
It's worth noting that connecting Distributed Generation over 10kW capacity is subject to the regulated fee and has longer times to process under the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010. This is because they require more technical investigation into their effect on the network.
- 10 kW or Less - no charge
- Above 10 kW but less than 100 kW in total - $770
- 100 kW and above but less than 1 MW - $1,540
- 1 MW and above - $7,690
(At our discretion)
- Above 10 kW but less than 100 kW - $120
- 100 kW and above - $1,200
We've compiled a list of the Network Approved Inspectors who have been approved by Aurora Energy to carry out inspection and management of Distribution Generation connections on the Aurora Energy Network.
We need to know the maximum export power of your Distributed Generation connection to safely manage network congestion. We also need to share available capacity. We currently have no known areas of the low-voltage network that will become congested. Here's our Congestion Management Guide (pdf)
Electricity Networks Aotearoa (ENA) have produced a glossary that defines key terms related to electricity connections and pricing. You can view it on the ENA website here: Glossary for the electricity sector