Solar Made Simple
We fund the cost of installing solar
We share 50% of the profit with you
The summary:
​We cover the costs of installing, maintaining and operating the solar system and we continue to own the system on your roof
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​​​In exchange for access to your roof we share with you 50% of the profits generated by the system. The dollar amount of the profit share will increase and decrease with a range of factors including changes in electricity prices and solar production levels, but we wont charge you if profits become losses
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The agreement lasts for 25 years and at the end of the term, ownership of the system transfers to you.
​​You continue to pay for the electricity you use, same as before solar. The monthly profit share is then credited to your bill and ensures you either save every month or in the worst case, if there is no profit, pay the same as you would have without solar
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If you sell your property the agreement transfers to the new purchaser. You can also exit the agreement at any time by paying a pre-agreed exit fee. The exit fee is competitive with the cash price you would have paid if you had the system installed yourself​
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Not every property is right for solar. We undertake a robust screening process on each potential property to ensure it is suited for solar
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This page includes additional information which covers frequently asked questions. If you still have further questions submit an enquiry and one of our team will be in touch​​​
Frequently asked questions
Why Zappen?
Taking the risk and hassle out of going solar
Solar is a long term investment and the return on that investment is dependent on a range of factors outside your control including volatile electricity prices and network charges. Things can change a lot over a 25 year period. This includes things we already know about like the phase out of low user charges, the emergence of a solar "duck curve" and an expected decline in wholesale electricity prices. Your average solar installer might not tell you about these factors when calculating your savings but we include our best view of how these factors will play out in our forecast of profit share. When you go solar with Zappen you don't need to worry too much about the factors that could impact solar returns because if the solar profits become solar losses we don't pass these on to you (see the 'What happens if there is a loss?' section). We also manage all the hassle associated with getting solar installed and maintaining the system over 25 years. No need to get multiple quotes, no need to call service technicians, we handle it all.
What level of profit share can I expect?
The level of the profit share varies based on a range of factors (see the 'What factors impact the level of profit or loss?' section). As of April 2025 we current forecast that an ideal property in Auckland could have a 50% profit share of up to $600 in year one. An ideal property has an unshaded north facing long run metal roof that can fit 10kW of panels, with the property getting its electricity from a retailer with a competitive export tariff and an average load profile.
Benefit from our relationships with suppliers, installers and retailers
We work directly with leading suppliers of solar panels and equipment to ensure that we are able to achieve an attractive unit cost for our systems (see the 'Costs' section). We also work closely with our partner retailers to make the implementation of Zappen arrangement as streamlined as possible.
Purchasing a system yourself versus going solar with Zappen
Purchasing a system yourself can also be a great option and with Zappen have the flexibility to pay the exit fee at any time and take ownership of the system. The exit fee is set to be competitive with the cash price you would have paid if you had the system installed yourself (see the 'How do I exit the agreement?' section). The benefit of staying with Zappen is that we fund the installation cost and insulate you from the risks that could undermine the return realised on solar panels (see 'What factors impact the level of profit or loss'). You have the comfort that if solar profits become solar losses we wont pass these on to you (see ' What happens if there is a loss').
When Zappen might not be right for you
There are a range of situations where we wouldn't recommend signing up with Zappen, these include: If you are planning to undertake renovations which involve significant changes to your roof. Get in contact when you've completed your renovations. If you don't meet our property selection criteria (see the 'How we select properties' section). In particular if your roof is old but isn't leaking don't upgrade your roof just to install solar. Get your roof replaced when it starts leaking and then get in contact. However, it is always worthwhile getting your electrics up to code.
Calculating the Profit Share
Revenue
Each month we calculate the revenue generated by the system. We do this by tracking where each unit of electricity generated by the panels goes. If the electricity has been used on the property then the revenue it generates is equal to the number of units multiplied by the consumption tariff you are charged by your retailer. If the electricity has been exported to the grid then the revenue it generates is equal to the number of units multiplied by the export tariff credited by your retailer (less any fees or charges). These two amounts added together are the solar revenues for the month.
Costs
We cover the cost of installing, maintaining and operating the system over the 25 year term. The way we recover these costs is via a fixed charge per unit of electricity generated by the system. This charge is fixed in the agreement and cannot increase unless you agree to the change. We manage the risk that we can recover the actual costs of installation, maintenance and operation of the system from this charge over the 25 year term . We also pass through any charges from your electricity retailer or network operator that we pay.
Profit or loss
Each month we calculate the system revenue (as per above) and deduct the system costs (as per above) to calculate the profit. If revenues are larger than the cost then there is a profit. 50% of the profit amount will then be credited to your bill (see Billing for more details). The next section explains what happens if there is a loss.
What happens if there is a loss?
If there is a loss in any month, we will not pass this on to you. This ensures that you will always save (or be no worse off) versus not having solar. Instead we carry the loss over to the next month and seek to recover the loss from future profits. Your 50% profit share will only apply again once all losses have been recovered.
What factors impact the level of profit or loss?
There are a range of factors that will impact the level of profit or loss over the 25 year term. We have summarised some of the key ones below: Weather: Solar panels only produce electricity when the sun is shining. As a result weather and how cloudy versus sunny it is impacts how much electricity the system produces. Degradation: The performance of panels also naturally degrade over time. We factor in the warranted level of degradation into our profit share forecasting. Shading: If trees or other items cast shadows on the panels this also reduces production. One of your obligations in the agreement is to trim any trees on your property which may shade the panels. Your consumption: if you consume more electricity when the system is producing electricity this increases the level of profit (by avoiding network charges and other losses and fees). Electricity prices: as outlined in the 'Revenue' section above what you pay your retailer for electricity and what they pay customers for exported electricity is a big driver of the level of profit. These tariffs are driven by a range of factors including overall electricity price levels, level of electricity prices during the daytime (when solar is producing), network charges at different periods of the day and the level of competition in the retail market. When we forecast profit we include a decline in electricity prices from current highs and a reduction in the ability to avoid network charges. This will reduce profits in the medium term before inflation begins to drive further increases. When we forecast the profit level of the system over the term we include our best guess on the above factors but all these factors could change significantly, particularly electricity prices which are highly volatile. The good thing is you don't need to worry about it too much because if factors change and the profit becomes a loss we do not pass any losses on to you (see 'What happens if there is a loss') . We will also look at ways to change your equipment set up over time to respond to market changes e.g. deploying a battery when it makes economic sense to.
The Agreement
Why 25 years?
Solar panels are a long term investment. At the end of 25 years most solar panels will still be able to produce electricity at ~90% of their day one capacity. Spreading the cost of installation over a 25 year period enables us to get the per unit cost (see the Costs section above) of the system down to an attractive level. We acknowledge that a 25 year arrangement is a long term commitment so we have tried to make it as easy as possible to deal with changes over the term like selling your house. It is also easy to exit the agreement at any point in time by paying the exit fee.
What do we do?
We install and maintain the system over the 25 year term and ensure you receive you 50% profit share. We manage the installation process and work with quality equipment suppliers and installers to make the process as seamless as possible. As part of maintaining the system we expect to replace the inverter which will likely reach the end of its life about half way through the term. We will also manage the replacement of any other faulty equipment or panels, however most other components are expected to last beyond the 25 year term. We also work with our partner retailer to ensure that the profit share is credited to your bill, or if you are with a non-partner retailer send you a separate Zappen bill every month (see the 'Billing and your electricity retailer' section below). We also take the risk that over the 25 years the solar profits become losses, we will never pass losses on to you.
What do you need to do?
We've tried to keep what you need to do under the agreement as simple as possible. We've listed some of the key obligations in the agreement below: Trim any trees on your property that could shade the panels. This is important to maximise solar production and your profit share. Don't let anyone interfere with the solar panels, the inverter or associated electrical connections. If anyone is doing electrical work at your property or working on the roof ensure they follow the operating procedures we provide you. Keep your switchboard and electrical wiring up to code. If you sell your property, including our standard wording in your sale and purchase agreement, this lets any potential purchases know about the Zappen agreement and their obligations under it. You also need to notify us of the sale and provide us of the new owner's details. If you are doing any work on the roof that requires the solar panels to be removed, notify us in advance of the works and we will walk you through your options. Notify us if you are changing electricity retailers and if you are moving to a non-partner retailer provide us with a copy of your monthly electricity bill (see the 'Billing and your electricity retailer' section below). While we maintain insurance for damage to the system you still need to notify your insurer that we have installed solar at your property. This is to ensure that your policy covers any damage to your property from the solar system as well as damage to the system caused by you or your tenants / guests. Failing to meet your obligations under the agreement may trigger a right for us to terminate the agreement and charge you the exit payment.
How do I exit the agreement?
You can exit the agreement at any point and pay the exit fee. The exit fee is clearly set out in each proposal and agreement. We set the exit fee based on installation prices on offer for similar systems from reputable installers. The fee decreases on your agreement anniversary each year. If we have breached our obligations under the agreement (see the ' What do we do?' section) and do not remedy the breaches in a reasonable timeframe you have the right to terminate the agreement and we will either remove the system at no cost to you or transfer ownership to of the system to you.
Billing and your electricity retailer
We are working with our partner retailers to automatically include the electricity you consume from the solar system and your 50% profit share on your electricity bill. While we implement system with our partner retailers and if you choose another electricity retailer we will send you a separate bill for the electricity you consume from the system, the solar export and to credit you your 50% profit share. This is because non-partner retailers will automatically bill you based on your consumption net of solar generation and credit you 100% of the value export. It is also important to note that if you choose a non-partner retailer you will need to share your monthly electricity bill with us so we can generate your Zappen bill. The rate retailers offer for exported electricity is a key driver of the level profit (see 'Calculating the Profit Share' section). If you choose a non-partner retailer with an export rate that is uncompetitive we reserve the right to bill you based on a competitive export rate rather than the rate offered by your retailer.
How we select properties
Unshaded roof space
We target properties with unshaded roof sizes of over 50sqm either facing north / south or west / east aspects. This enables us to efficiently install ~10kW of solar panels which is the upper end of a typical residential solar installation. Focusing on large installs enables us to increase installation efficiencies and maximise our customers' profit share.
Roof type and age
We target properties with long run metal roofing (e.g. Coloursteel or other brands) that have been replaced in the last 10 years. This is to minimise the chance of needing to remove the panels replace the roof during the 25 year term (which adds cost).
Your switchboard
Your switchboard and electrical wiring needs to have a valid certificate of compliance and be up to code.
Zappen for tenants and landlords
Zappen can be installed on any property including rental properties. We need to engage with the landlord to get permission to install the system. The landlord will need to decide how the 50% profit share is split between the tenant and the landlord.
Zappen for commercial properties
We install on commercial rooftops too. The larger system sizes installed on commercial properties require a bit more planning, approvals and engineering work but even with the extra work larger systems sizes are typically more efficient leading to higher profit shares.
What if I don't meet the above criteria?
There are some criteria that we can't compromise on (electrical works being up to code) but the others are more flexible or may change over time so register your interest and we'll let you know if you become eligible over time.