WANT TO INSTALL?
Get started with Harrisons Solar. They’ll design and install a quality solar system tailored to your home. Plus, you’ll unlock a premium buy-back rate* - an extra 6.9c per kWh for the next 2 years.
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SOLAR POWERING YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS
Tapping into the sun's renewable energy can help power your home or business, while saving on your monthly bills.
YOUR SOLAR
AlREADY HAVE SOLAR?
Turn sunshine into savings when you export power back to the grid. Check out our plans to see if Flex Rates or Flat Rates could work best for you.
*Solar buy-back rates exclude GST and are subject to change. Residential and business terms and conditions apply.
Buy-back rates are dependent on line company charges. There are some networks such as Orion Network, where the buy-back rate will differ.
PLANS
Choose the plan that best fits your setup and lifestyle. It will apply to both your electricity generation and usage. Not sure which one’s right for you? Check out our FAQs below to learn more.
Enjoy simplicity. Rates stay the same around the clock. If you don’t have a battery, Flat Rates may be a better choice.
BUY-BACK RATE
11.1c per kWh
Rates change throughout the day, night and season. Flex Rates could be a great option if you have a battery, so you can time your power exports for when rates are higher.
BUY-BACK RATES
Winter
Peak – 20.38c
Off-peak – 15.75c
Rates apply 1 May to 30 September
Summer
Peak – 10.44c
Off-peak – 9.17c
Rates apply 1 October to 30 April
If you’re already with us, you can change your plan in My Account. New to Mercury? Simply choose a plan when you join.
HATCHING KIWI WITH THE HELP OF SOLAR
SOLAR NEEDS SERVICING TOO
FAQS
Check out our most commonly asked questions about solar, or visit our Help Centre.
SETUP
With solar panels you can turn sunlight into electricity. This electricity can be used in your home, stored in a battery, or exported back to the grid. This export can then be purchased by retailers like Mercury. This is known as “buy-back”, “distributed generation”, “import/export”, or “embedded generation”.
You must have written approval from your lines company, to be able to export power from your property onto their network. You can find your lines company contact details here.
This is a meter with two registers, one to record the import usage from the network and one to record the export usage to the network. These are also known as buy-back or 2-way meters.
In order for us to record your usage and output, you’ll need to get an import/export meter installed. Once installed, the meter installation fee will be added to your Mercury account. For regular capacity meters, the import/export installation fees are $195 for urban, $265 for rural and $325 for remote. If you require a higher capacity meter, the fee is quotable and we’ll let you know of the fee before installation.
PLANS AND RATES
The buy-back rates will be applied once your import/export meter is installed, and you begin exporting excess solar. It may take a few weeks for your meter to start communicating, however once it does you’ll be credited for any units you’ve exported back to the grid since your import/export meter has been installed.
The plan you choose will apply to both your electricity usage and any electricity you export back to the grid. So, it’s worth choosing one that fits your solar setup and the way you use power.
If you have a battery, Flex Rates could be a good fit. You can charge your battery when rates are lower, then export electricity during peak times when the buy-back rate is higher.
If you don’t have a battery, Flat Rates may be a better choice. Your rates stay the same throughout the day and night, which can make things easier to manage.
Ultimately, the right plan depends on your setup, lifestyle, and how you use power.
Yes, you can change between Flex Rates and Flat Rates plans using My Account via our app or website. But note you can only change electricity plans once per billing cycle and you might not be able to return to your previous plan. Your new plan will start at the beginning of your next billing period. We’ll email you to confirm when your new plan starts.
No, you’ll need to choose either Flex Rates or Flat Rates for both the electricity you use and export.
With Flex Rates, your buy-back rates change seasonally. With Flat Rates, they stay the same year-round.
Winter: 1 May to 30 September
Summer: 1 October to 30 April
BILLING
If there is no meter read available, or if you didn't export any solar back to the grid in that billing period, the ‘Buy-back' line won't appear on your bill.
If you're not GST registered, GST will not be applied to your solar generation.
If you're GST registered and your connection with us as a solar power generator is part of your business activity for GST purposes, please let us know on this form and we’ll get this applied to your account.
Once your GST number is applied to your account, the GST credit for your solar generation will be included in the total GST amount on your Bill. The GST credit is combined with GST charges for your overall electricity.
In the below example the GST on other charges is $37.95, then a credit of $5.39 for the GST on generation is applied, reducing the GST to $32.55.
If you're not GST registered, GST will not be applied to your solar generation.
FAULTS
If you suspect a fault with your solar system, follow the shutdown procedure instructions for your solar equipment, this will be noted next to your system.
After shutting down your system, get in touch with your installer for additional guidance. In an emergency, such as a potential fire risk, dial 111 for assistance.