How Sunpool works
One home selling solar back to the grid gets whatever rate they're offered. Thousands of homes selling together? That's a negotiation.
Collective bargaining for solar
When you sell excess solar generation back to the grid on your own, you're one household negotiating against an energy retailer. The typical buyback rate in New Zealand sits around $0.08-0.12 per kWh - a fraction of what you pay to buy power.
Sunpool changes the equation. By pooling 6,642 homes and 33.2MW of generation capacity, we negotiate as a single entity. That collective volume gives us leverage that no individual homeowner could ever have.
The result? Buyback rates of $0.17-0.22 per kWh - roughly 90% more than going it alone. You don't have to change anything about your setup. You just get paid more for what your panels are already producing.
Joining in three steps
Sign up
Tell us about your system - size, location, and estimated generation. You'll need an existing grid-tied solar setup or be planning a new install.
We pool your generation
Your exported solar power is aggregated with thousands of other members. This combined volume is what gives Sunpool its negotiating power with energy retailers.
You get better rates
Sunpool negotiates collective buyback rates on behalf of all members. The improved rate applies to all your exported generation - you see the difference on your power bill.
Subsidised solar for new members
Don't have solar yet? Sunpool can help. We subsidise new solar installations for members who commit to the co-operative for their first 5 years of generation.
What you commit to
- 5-year membership commitment from installation date
- All exported generation sold through the Sunpool pool
- Grid-tied system meeting our minimum specifications
What you get
- Subsidised installation cost (amount depends on system size)
- Immediate access to Sunpool's collective buyback rates
- Support from the co-operative through the installation process
- Average new install size: 6.6 kW
After the 5-year commitment period, you're free to stay (most do) or leave with no penalty. The subsidy is funded by a small percentage of the improved buyback rates earned by all members.
What doesn't change
Joining Sunpool doesn't affect how you use your home's power. Here's what stays exactly the same.
Your electricity retailer
You keep your existing provider. Sunpool only handles the buyback negotiation.
Your usage rates
What you pay to buy power from the grid doesn't change. Your normal usage, your normal rates.
Your equipment
No hardware changes needed. Your panels, inverter, and monitoring stay as-is.
Self-consumption
You still use your own solar first. Sunpool only applies to what you export to the grid.
Ready to pool your power?
Whether you've got panels already or you're thinking about installing, we'd like to hear from you.
Join Sunpool