How much will solar panels produce in Wellington?

A 5 kWp system facing north at 35° tilt in Wellington produces about 7,615 kWh a year. In a weak year that is 6,352 kWh, in a good one 8,878 kWh — 1,523 kWh per kWp.

That’s about 109% of a typical home’s yearly use (7,000 kWh).

Calculate for my roof

Based on 2014–2023 satellite weather data

Production by month

05001,0001,500JanJanuary: 5 kWp 867 kWh, range 700–1,034FebFebruary: 5 kWp 760 kWh, range 597–924MarMarch: 5 kWp 726 kWh, range 593–859AprApril: 5 kWp 584 kWh, range 449–719MayMay: 5 kWp 442 kWh, range 358–525JunJune: 5 kWp 346 kWh, range 279–413JulJuly: 5 kWp 423 kWh, range 335–511AugAugust: 5 kWp 509 kWh, range 408–610SepSeptember: 5 kWp 631 kWh, range 510–753OctOctober: 5 kWp 794 kWh, range 663–925NovNovember: 5 kWp 800 kWh, range 649–951DecDecember: 5 kWp 801 kWh, range 655–947

kWh per month

A typical day in January

The sunniest month in Wellington. Output peaks around 12:00 solar time, at about 3.4 kWh in the best hour.

0:006:0012:0018:0023:00 3.4 0

Month by month

Month Weak year, kWh Typical year, kWh Good year, kWh
January 700 867 1,034
February 597 760 924
March 593 726 859
April 449 584 719
May 358 442 525
June 279 346 413
July 335 423 511
August 408 509 610
September 510 631 753
October 663 794 925
November 649 800 951
December 655 801 947
Year 6,352 7,615 8,878

The months don’t add up exactly to the yearly figure, because each one is the typical value across many years.

Common questions

How much do solar panels produce in winter in Wellington?

From May to August the system produces about 1,720 kWh, which is 22% of the year. The weakest month (June) gives roughly 346 kWh.

Is an east-west roof worth it in Wellington?

An east-west system typically produces 10–25% less per kWp than one facing north, but spreads production more evenly through the day. The exact difference depends on tilt and shading.

Compare an east-west roof for Wellington

Ground mount or roof in Wellington?

A ground mount can be tilted and aimed freely, which can add some yield, but it costs more and needs space. Compare both for your own plot.

Check a ground-mounted system in Wellington

Your roof is not an average roof

Set your own tilt, direction, shading and inverter limit and get a range for your address.

Calculate for my roof

All cities in New Zealand

Climate data: Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) — European Commission, Joint Research Centre