Solar on Schools
Solar on Schools is a joint energy initiative between the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and NZSPA.
The Solar on Schools Programme
The 3-year programme will support:
- up to 500 schools to install rooftop solar
- up to 150 schools with energy management systems
- some schools with batteries where they are expected to provide the greatest savings and community resilience benefits.
What the programme will do
The programme helps schools:
- save on school energy bills
- have greater energy independence and resilience
- reduce carbon emissions from having a clean, renewable energy supply.
Schools that are eligible for the programme
The programme has prioritised schools that:
- are experiencing energy or fuel insecurity
- are facing higher energy costs
- are scheduled for gas or diesel boiler replacements
- have a need for greater energy resilience.
See the list of schools that are eligible for the Solar on Schools Programme.
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Aranga School |
10 |
|
Bay of Islands College |
30 |
|
Blomfield Special School and Resource Centre |
20 |
|
Dargaville Primary School |
10 |
|
Hikurangi School |
10 |
|
Karetu School |
10 |
|
Mangamuka School |
10 |
|
Maromaku School |
10 |
|
Matakohe School |
10 |
|
Matauri Bay School |
10 |
|
Maungaturoto School |
10 |
|
Morningside School |
10 |
|
Ngataki School |
10 |
|
Okaihau College |
20 |
|
Onerahi School |
10 |
|
Opononi Area School |
10 |
|
Oruaiti School |
10 |
|
Otaika Valley School |
10 |
|
Oturu School |
10 |
|
Pakotai School |
10 |
|
Portland School Te Kura o Tikorangi |
10 |
|
Ruawai College |
10 |
|
Russell School (Bay of Islands) |
10 |
|
Te Hapua School |
10 |
|
Te Horo School (Whangārei) |
10 |
|
Te Kamo High School |
50 |
|
Te Kamo School |
10 |
|
Te Kura ā Iwi o Pawarenga |
10 |
|
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hokianga |
10 |
|
Tikipunga High School |
30 |
|
TKKM o Ngaringaomatariki |
10 |
|
TKKM o Pukemiro |
10 |
|
TKKM o Taumarere |
10 |
|
Whangārei Boys' High School |
10 |
|
Whangārei Intermediate |
20 |
|
Whangārei School |
10 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Aorere College |
50 |
|
Auckland Girls' Grammar School |
30 |
|
Auckland Grammar School |
110 |
|
Avondale College |
110 |
|
Baverstock Oaks School |
30 |
|
Birkdale Primary School |
10 |
|
Birkenhead College |
30 |
|
Botany Downs School |
10 |
|
Browns Bay School |
30 |
|
Dairy Flat School |
10 |
|
Devonport Primary School |
10 |
|
Epsom Girls Grammar School |
10 |
|
Favona School |
10 |
|
Forrest Hill School |
10 |
|
Glen Innes School |
10 |
|
Glenbrook School |
10 |
|
Green Bay Primary School |
20 |
|
Hauraki School |
20 |
|
Henderson North School |
10 |
|
Hobsonville School |
20 |
|
Howick College |
110 |
|
James Cook High School |
30 |
|
Kaipara College |
50 |
|
Kaitoke School (Claris) |
10 |
|
Kelston Boys' High School |
50 |
|
Kelston Girls' College |
30 |
|
Kereru Park Campus |
10 |
|
Koru School |
20 |
|
Long Bay School |
10 |
|
Lynfield College |
110 |
|
Macleans Primary School |
10 |
|
Mahurangi College |
50 |
|
Manurewa High School |
110 |
|
Manurewa Intermediate |
30 |
|
Massey High School |
110 |
|
Milford School (Auckland) |
20 |
|
Mt Albert Grammar School |
110 |
|
Mt Eden Normal School |
10 |
|
Mt Richmond School |
20 |
|
Mt Roskill Grammar |
110 |
|
Mulberry Grove School |
10 |
|
Northcote College |
110 |
|
Northcote School (Auckland) |
20 |
|
Northern Health School |
20 |
|
Okiwi School |
10 |
|
One Tree Hill College |
50 |
|
Onehunga High School |
50 |
|
Ormiston Primary School |
50 |
|
Otahuhu College |
50 |
|
Pakiri School |
10 |
|
Pakuranga College |
110 |
|
Panmure Bridge School |
10 |
|
Papatoetoe High School |
50 |
|
Papatoetoe South School |
20 |
|
Pasadena Intermediate |
20 |
|
Patumāhoe Primary School |
30 |
|
Pukekohe High School |
10 |
|
Ramarama School |
10 |
|
Rowandale School |
20 |
|
Rutherford School |
20 |
|
Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Senior School |
50 |
|
Sir Keith Park School |
10 |
|
Somerville Intermediate School |
30 |
|
Sommerville School |
20 |
|
Southern Cross Campus |
50 |
|
Stanhope Road School |
10 |
|
Takapuna Grammar School |
110 |
|
Tamaki College |
30 |
|
Tauhoa School |
10 |
|
Te Huruhi School |
10 |
|
TKKM o Mangere |
20 |
|
TKKM o Nga Maungarongo |
10 |
|
Torbay School |
20 |
|
Upper Harbour Primary School |
20 |
|
Viscount School |
10 |
|
Waiheke High School |
20 |
|
Waiheke Primary School |
10 |
|
Westlake Boys High School |
110 |
|
Westlake Girls' High School |
110 |
|
Wilson School |
10 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Āria School |
10 |
|
Bankwood School |
10 |
|
Cambridge East School |
10 |
|
Colville School |
10 |
|
Fairfield College |
50 |
|
Forest View High School |
50 |
|
Fraser High School |
50 |
|
Gordonton School |
10 |
|
Hamilton Boys' High School |
110 |
|
Hamilton Girls' High School |
110 |
|
Hamilton North School |
10 |
|
Hamilton West School |
10 |
|
Hauraki Plains College |
30 |
|
Hillcrest High School |
110 |
|
Hinuera School |
10 |
|
Horahora School (Cambridge) |
10 |
|
Kaipaki School |
10 |
|
Kerepehi School |
10 |
|
Kuratau School |
10 |
|
Manawaru School |
10 |
|
Mangatawhiri School |
10 |
|
Melville Primary School |
10 |
|
Mihi School |
10 |
|
Mokau School |
10 |
|
Morrinsville College |
30 |
|
Nawton School |
30 |
|
Netherton School |
10 |
|
Ngā Taiātea Wharekura |
30 |
|
Ngakonui Valley School |
10 |
|
Ngaruawahia High School |
50 |
|
Ngutunui School |
10 |
|
Ohinewai School |
10 |
|
Piopio College |
10 |
|
Piopio Primary School |
10 |
|
Pukeatua School |
10 |
|
Pukenui School (Te Kuiti) |
10 |
|
Taupo-nui-a-Tia College |
50 |
|
Te Awamutu College |
50 |
|
Te Kuiti High School |
30 |
|
Te Kuiti Primary School |
10 |
|
Te Kura o Waitahanui |
10 |
|
Te Puru School |
10 |
|
Te Wharekura o Maniapoto |
10 |
|
Tokoroa Central School |
10 |
|
Tuakau College |
30 |
|
Waihi Central School |
10 |
|
Whakamaru School |
10 |
|
Whareorino School |
10 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Ahititi School |
10 |
|
Auroa School |
10 |
|
Mangorei School |
10 |
|
Matapu School |
10 |
|
Mokoia School |
10 |
|
New Plymouth Girls' High School |
50 |
|
Ngaere School |
10 |
|
Normanby School |
10 |
|
Stratford High School |
20 |
|
Stratford Primary School |
10 |
|
Tawhiti School |
10 |
|
Uruti School |
10 |
|
Waitara High School |
30 |
|
Waitotara School |
10 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Bethlehem School |
20 |
|
Galatea School |
10 |
|
Glenholme School |
10 |
|
Katikati College |
50 |
|
Katikati Primary School |
10 |
|
Lynmore Primary School |
20 |
|
Mount Maunganui College |
110 |
|
Murupara Area School |
20 |
|
Nukuhou North School |
10 |
|
Ōhope Beach School |
10 |
|
Opotiki School |
10 |
|
Ōtūmoetai College |
50 |
|
Pillans Point School |
10 |
|
Rangitaiki College – Te Kura Tuarua o Rangitaiki |
20 |
|
Rotorua Boys' High School |
50 |
|
Rotorua Girls' High School |
30 |
|
Rotorua Lakes High School |
30 |
|
Rotorua Specialist School – Te Kura Pūkenga o Rotorua |
10 |
|
Sunset Primary School |
10 |
|
Taneatua School |
10 |
|
Tauranga Boys' College |
50 |
|
Tauranga Girls' College |
110 |
|
Tāwera Bilingual School |
10 |
|
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Orini ki Ngati Awa |
10 |
|
Te Kura Mana Māori o Maraenui |
10 |
|
Te Kura Mana Maori O Matahi |
10 |
|
Te Kura Māori ā Rohe o Waiohau |
10 |
|
Te Kura o Te Paroa |
10 |
|
Te Kura o Tōrere |
10 |
|
Te Kura Toitu o Te Whaiti-nui-a-Toi |
10 |
|
Te Puke High School |
50 |
|
Te Wharekura o Ruatoki |
10 |
|
TKKM o Hurungaterangi |
10 |
|
Western Heights High School |
50 |
|
Whakarewarewa School |
10 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Gisborne Boys' High School |
30 |
|
Gisborne Central School |
10 |
|
Hatea-A-Rangi |
10 |
|
Hiruharama School |
10 |
|
Lytton High School |
30 |
|
Muriwai School |
10 |
|
Ngata Memorial College |
20 |
|
Ngatapa School |
10 |
|
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whatatutu |
10 |
|
Tiniroto School |
10 |
|
TKKM o Nga Uri A Maui |
10 |
|
Tolaga Bay Area School |
10 |
|
Whangara School |
10 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Argyll East School |
10 |
|
Elsthorpe School |
10 |
|
Frasertown School |
10 |
|
Frimley School |
20 |
|
Hastings Boys' High School |
50 |
|
Hastings Girls' High School - Ngā Rau Huia o Ākina |
50 |
|
Havelock North High School |
50 |
|
Karamū High School |
50 |
|
Mayfair School |
10 |
|
Mohaka School |
10 |
|
Napier Boys' High School |
50 |
|
Napier Girls' High School |
10 |
|
Ohuka School |
10 |
|
Porritt School |
10 |
|
Te Aratika Academy |
10 |
|
Te Awa School |
10 |
|
Te Kahu Amohia - Fairhaven School |
10 |
|
Te Mahia School |
10 |
|
Tiaho Primary School |
10 |
|
Waimarama School |
10 |
|
Waipukurau School |
10 |
|
William Colenso College |
30 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Apiti School |
10 |
|
Awatapu College |
50 |
|
Bainesse School |
10 |
|
Colyton School |
10 |
|
Dannevirke High School |
30 |
|
Hiwinui School |
10 |
|
Freyberg High School |
50 |
|
Horowhenua College |
50 |
|
Kaitieke School |
10 |
|
Kopane School |
10 |
|
Levin East School |
10 |
|
Mangaweka School |
10 |
|
Manukura |
30 |
|
Mataroa School |
10 |
|
Matiere School |
10 |
|
Moawhango School |
10 |
|
National Park School |
10 |
|
Ohakune School |
10 |
|
Ongarue School |
10 |
|
Palmerston North Boys' High School |
50 |
|
Palmerston North Girls' High School |
30 |
|
Palmerston North Intermediate |
30 |
|
Papanui Junction School |
10 |
|
Queen Elizabeth College |
30 |
|
Ross Intermediate |
20 |
|
Ruapehu College |
10 |
|
Russell Street School |
10 |
|
Taihape Area School |
50 |
|
Takaro School |
10 |
|
Taonui School |
10 |
|
Tararua College |
30 |
|
Taumarunui High School |
50 |
|
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Taumarunui |
10 |
|
Te Kura o Te Wainui-ā-Rua |
10 |
|
Tokirima School |
10 |
|
Waiopehu College |
10 |
|
Waiouru School |
50 |
|
Whanganui City College |
30 |
|
Whanganui East School |
10 |
|
Whanganui High School |
50 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Adventure School |
10 |
|
Fraser Crescent School |
10 |
|
Gladstone School (Masterton) |
10 |
|
Hataitai School |
10 |
|
Hutt Valley High School |
110 |
|
Kahurangi School |
10 |
|
Kahutara School |
10 |
|
Karori Normal School |
20 |
|
Kelson School |
10 |
|
Khandallah School |
10 |
|
Kimi Ora School |
20 |
|
Kuranui College |
50 |
|
Mākara Model School |
10 |
|
Mākoura College |
30 |
|
Mana College |
10 |
|
Miramar Central School |
10 |
|
Muritai School |
10 |
|
Naenae College |
10 |
|
Naenae School |
10 |
|
Newlands College |
50 |
|
Newlands School |
10 |
|
Onslow College |
50 |
|
Papakowhai School |
10 |
|
Paraparaumu College |
50 |
|
Paremata School |
10 |
|
Pauatahanui School |
10 |
|
Plimmerton School |
30 |
|
Porirua College |
50 |
|
Rangikura School |
10 |
|
Raumati Beach School |
10 |
|
Rewa Rewa School |
10 |
|
Rongotai College |
50 |
|
Taita Central School |
10 |
|
Taita College |
30 |
|
Tawa School |
20 |
|
Tawhai School |
10 |
|
Te Kura Māori o Porirua |
10 |
|
Te Kura o Hau Karetu |
10 |
|
TKKM o Nga Mokopuna |
10 |
|
Trentham School |
10 |
|
Tui Glen School |
10 |
|
Upper Hutt College |
50 |
|
Wadestown School |
10 |
|
Wainuiomata High School |
10 |
|
Wainuiomata Primary School |
50 |
|
Wairarapa College |
110 |
|
Wellington College |
110 |
|
Wellington East Girls' College |
50 |
|
Wellington Girls' College |
50 |
|
Wellington High School and Com Ed Centre |
50 |
|
Wilford School |
10 |
|
Windley School |
10 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Birchwood School |
10 |
|
Broadgreen Intermediate |
20 |
|
Clifton Terrace School |
10 |
|
Hampden Street School |
10 |
|
Nayland Primary School |
10 |
|
Nelson Central School |
10 |
|
Nelson College |
110 |
|
Nelson Intermediate |
20 |
|
Stoke School |
10 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Appleby School |
10 |
|
Brightwater School |
10 |
|
Motueka High School |
50 |
|
Riwaka School |
10 |
|
Takaka Primary School |
10 |
|
Tapawera Area School |
10 |
|
Waimea College |
50 |
|
Wakefield School |
10 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Grovetown School |
10 |
|
Linkwater School |
10 |
|
Picton School |
10 |
|
Rapaura School |
10 |
|
Redwoodtown School |
10 |
|
Waitaria Bay School |
10 |
|
Witherlea School |
20 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Blaketown School |
10 |
|
Franz Josef Glacier School |
10 |
|
Haast School |
10 |
|
Karoro School |
10 |
|
Kumara School |
10 |
|
Runanga School |
10 |
|
South Westland Area School |
10 |
|
Westport North School |
10 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Addington Te Kura Taumatua |
20 |
|
Amuri Area School |
20 |
|
Aoraki Mount Cook School |
10 |
|
Ashburton College |
110 |
|
Breens Intermediate |
20 |
|
Burnside High School |
110 |
|
Carew Peel Forest School |
10 |
|
Cashmere Primary Te Pae Kererū |
30 |
|
Cheviot Area School |
10 |
|
Chisnallwood Intermediate |
20 |
|
Christchurch East School |
20 |
|
Christchurch Girls' High School -Te Kura o Hine Waiora |
110 |
|
Clearview Primary |
30 |
|
Cotswold Mātāhae School |
30 |
|
Darfield High School |
50 |
|
Fairlie School |
10 |
|
Ferndale Te Ahu |
10 |
|
Gilberthorpe School |
20 |
|
Hāpuku School |
10 |
|
Heathcote Valley School |
20 |
|
Hillmorton High School |
50 |
|
Hoon Hay Te Kura Kōaka |
10 |
|
Hornby Primary School |
10 |
|
Ilam School |
20 |
|
Kaikōura High School |
30 |
|
Kaingaroa School (Chatham Islands) |
10 |
|
Kirwee Model School |
10 |
|
Knights Stream School- Mingimingi Hautoa |
30 |
|
Lake Tekapo School |
10 |
|
Leeston School |
20 |
|
Lemonwood Grove School |
50 |
|
Lincoln High School |
110 |
|
Mackenzie College |
10 |
|
Mairehau High School |
50 |
|
Mount Hutt College |
20 |
|
Mt Pleasant School |
10 |
|
Mt Somers Springburn School |
10 |
|
Ngutuawa School |
10 |
|
Oaklands Te Kura o Ōwaka |
20 |
|
Ōuruhia Model School |
10 |
|
Oxford Area School |
30 |
|
Paparoa Street School |
30 |
|
Pītau-Allenvale School |
20 |
|
Pitt Island School |
10 |
|
Prebbleton School |
20 |
|
Queenspark Te Hua Mānuka |
20 |
|
Riccarton High School |
110 |
|
South New Brighton School |
20 |
|
St Albans School |
30 |
|
St Martins School |
10 |
|
Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School |
20 |
|
Te Hiwa Shirley Primary School |
10 |
|
Te Kura o te Tauawa Halswell School |
30 |
|
Te Manu Tukutuku South Hornby School |
10 |
|
Te One School |
10 |
|
Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School |
30 |
|
Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College |
110 |
|
Te Rito Harakeke - Marshland School |
30 |
|
Te Waka Unua School |
20 |
|
Timaru Girls' High School |
30 |
|
Tinwald School |
10 |
|
Tuia Burnside Primary School |
10 |
|
Tūora Fendalton School |
20 |
|
Twizel Area School |
50 |
|
Waihao Downs School |
10 |
|
Waikari School |
10 |
|
Waimairi School |
30 |
|
Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate |
50 |
|
Waitaha School |
20 |
|
Wakanui School |
10 |
|
Waltham School |
10 |
|
West Melton School |
30 |
|
Whītau School |
10 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Ardgowan School |
10 |
|
Arrowtown School |
110 |
|
Bayfield High School |
50 |
|
Clinton School |
10 |
|
Clyde School |
10 |
|
Cromwell College |
110 |
|
Dunstan High School |
50 |
|
Fenwick School |
10 |
|
Goldfields School (Cromwell) |
20 |
|
Heriot School |
10 |
|
Kakanui School |
10 |
|
Logan Park High School |
50 |
|
Macraes Moonlight School |
10 |
|
Millers Flat School |
10 |
|
Omakau School |
10 |
|
Otago Boys' High School |
50 |
|
Otago Girls' High School |
110 |
|
Port Chalmers School |
10 |
|
Remarkables Primary School |
50 |
|
Romahapa School |
10 |
|
Rosebank School (Balclutha) |
10 |
|
Roxburgh Area School |
10 |
|
Shotover Primary School |
50 |
|
Silverstream (South) Primary School |
20 |
|
South Otago High School |
30 |
|
Stirling School |
10 |
|
Tahuna Normal Intermediate |
30 |
|
Taieri College |
110 |
|
Te Kura O Take Kārara |
20 |
|
The Catlins Area School |
10 |
|
The Terrace School (Alexandra) |
10 |
|
TKKM o Otepoti |
10 |
|
Waikoikoi School |
10 |
|
Waitaki Boys' High School |
110 |
|
Waitaki Girls' High School |
50 |
|
Wanaka Primary School |
30 |
|
Weston School |
10 |
|
School name |
Recommended solar size (kWp) |
|
Aparima College |
30 |
|
Drummond Primary School |
10 |
|
Gorge Road School |
10 |
|
Halfmoon Bay School |
10 |
|
Heddon Bush School |
10 |
|
Lochiel School |
10 |
|
Mataura School |
10 |
|
Otatara School |
10 |
|
Otautau School |
10 |
|
Riversdale School |
10 |
|
Riverton School |
10 |
|
Salford School |
10 |
|
Waianiwa School |
10 |
|
Waiau Area School |
10 |
|
Woodlands Full Primary School |
10 |
|
Wyndham School |
10 |
Eligibility
Eligibility does not guarantee participation in the programme, which is subject to confirmation of site suitability.
Site suitability is determined through planning and will consider:
- environmental impacts
- building code compliance
- electrical systems
- roof suitability
- management of any asbestos.
On-site assessments are planned to take place from December 2026.
The programme will not fund any property upgrades or remediation work that may be needed for solar panel installation. In some cases, this may mean a school is unable to proceed with the Solar on Schools Programme at this time.
Solar panels will be provided at no cost to schools. The planning process will recommend the final system size, expected performance, and ongoing costs including maintenance and replacement. We anticipate energy savings from the solar systems will cover these costs. The programme is working through how those tasks and costs will be managed. Any additional savings can be redirected to other school priorities.
Supporting resources will be available to all schools from December 2026.
Schools that are not part of the Solar on Schools Programme can still choose to install solar panels independently.
Talk to your school property team if you have any questions.
Solar system sizing
The list of eligible schools includes an indicative solar system size for each school. The final system size for each school will be confirmed through planning and design.
Most schools supported through the programme will receive solar systems between 10kW and 50kW. These system sizes will optimise schools' self-consumption, as this delivers the greatest reduction in electricity costs.
These systems may be smaller than offerings from commercial providers, who often deliver systems tailored towards exporting surplus energy to the grid.
Eligible schools have the choice to participate in the programme. Schools may decide to proceed with alternative commercial arrangements to install larger systems or increase the size of their solar system, battery storage or energy management system at their own cost. Systems installed through the programme will be configured to allow future upgrades and add-ons.
Next steps for the programme
An Expression of Interest (EOI) has been released through the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) for the planning, design and delivery of the solar systems
School Infrastructure: Solar on Schools Expressions of Interest – GETSopen_in_new
There will be a separate procurement process for energy management systems and batteries.
To deliver at scale without excluding New Zealand’s capable local delivery businesses, the services are split into 2 parts.
- Planning and design.
- Delivery.
Planning and design covers:
- the strategic, portfolio-level work
- site assessments
- consents and approvals
- site-by-site design and cost benefit analysis, sequenced across bundles of 80 to 100 or more schools.
Delivery covers the supply, installation and quality assurance of solar systems, school by school.
Planning at scale is deliberate. It gives the ability to standardise planning and design across the programme, combine services where appropriate, and build a repeatable planning model.
While the planning opportunity is unique, we recognise delivery should be right sized for the value of individual projects. We want to make sure capable local and regional installers are not excluded by the scale of the programme overall. This division of responsibility reflects the emphasis on supporting New Zealand businesses, driving efficiency, and right-sizing procurement to the value, risk and complexity of the work.
Tenderers that are successful from the EOI process will be added to a register of prequalified suppliers. Suppliers from the register will be invited to tender the specific school projects bundles with the potential of other tender opportunities in the future.
We expect planning and design contracts to be awarded in December 2026. We will continue to keep eligible schools informed and supported by providing updates and information as the programme progresses.
Batteries and energy management systems
Some schools may receive batteries in addition to solar panels. Batteries will be prioritised for schools where they provide the greatest benefits, such as addressing local electricity network constraints, improving energy resilience or supporting communities during outages.
Energy management systems help schools monitor and manage how and when they use electricity. These systems can help schools make better use of the energy generated by their solar panels and further reduce electricity costs. Up to 150 schools are expected to receive an energy management system through the programme.
For more information about the programme, download the questions and answers document below.
[DOWNLOAD] Solar on Schools Programme FAQs