But even in Otago and Southland, solar arrays per person were the same or higher than in the Bay, Auckland and Gisborne.
In October 2013 there were 1630 solar installations nationwide.
By March this year, that number was 5367 - a 220 per cent increase - with most in homes. But these were not spread evenly across the country, or concentrated in the sunniest spots.
Mount Maunganui woman Kristy Hoare owns the website mysolarquotes.co.nz, which provides home and business owners with a simple way to get multiple quotes for installing solar in their home or business.
Miss Hoare said investing in a solar power system would get you a higher rate of return than putting your money in the bank.
"For many people the figures won't be enough to justify the cost of a solar power system, but from the marketing research I have conducted the majority of people choose to install a solar power system to help them become more energy-independent. They like the fact that they produce their own power and won't be suffering as much from energy price rises."
Solar power was a great way to heat hot water during the day, which made up about one-third of the average power bill, she said.
"If you get a system with micro-inverters you can always add on more solar panels as you go, so you can start off with a small system and build up slowly."
Miss Hoare suggested people with solar power find ways to use power during the day, when the sun is shining.
The washing machine and dishwasher could be set to run in the middle of the day and the heat pump to turn on at 3pm.
Owner of Tauranga business Energy Services Shaun Wood said solar installation had slowed since the power company's dropped the buy-back rate from about 17 cents a kW to 8 cents, however, it remained a viable option for businesses that used a lot of power during the day.
"Our solar has increased from pretty much nothing to a couple of installs a month," he said.
"The solar uptake's been huge. People seem to be quite into getting into doing the green thing."
Mr Wood expected solar to increase as technology improved.
"Everyone hates paying a power bill and a lot of people want to be clean and green," he said.
Despite the increase in uptake, TrustPower community relations manager Graeme Purches said home installation of solar power was not viable in New Zealand.
Solar power was generated during the day and the cost of the batteries to store it was "simply not viable right now".
As the use of solar increased, lines companies would have trouble covering the costs of installing, maintaining and owning the lines.
Line charges would go up, costing everyone more, he said.
If full solar subdivisions emerged, Mr Purches anticipated lines companies asking developers to foot the bill for line installation.
"Everyone's going to need to be on the grid at some time," he said.
Mr Purches did not expect solar to have much impact on power retailers or generators.
Consumer executive officer Suzanne Chetwin said the organisation's stance on solar power remained the same as it did when a report was carried out in November 2013.
The report found most householders would be better off putting their money in the bank.
"The price of photovoltaics [solar panels] and solar has come down but it still doesn't stack up economically," she told the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend.
Nice one my sun! Electricity sold to power firm
Te Puna couple Tony and Jan Gilbert generate so much solar power they get a cheque from their power company each month.
The couple installed a 10kW solar power system - consisting of 40 panels - 18 months ago and now use it to heat the hot water, swimming pool and house floor, and power the large three-bedroom home and storage areas.
They use about 50 per cent of the power they generate, sending the rest back to the grid.
The Gilberts still have a power bill of about $100 a month, but this is less than the amount the power company pays them for what they generate.
The installation, which cost about $36,000, will have a payback period of about 15 years but Mr Gilbert said he would definitely install solar again and recommend it to others.
"The price of power is climbing. Our utilities aren't interested in saving money, they're just interested in making money," he said.
Solar power gave him a feeling of independence, he said.
"You're actually doing something towards solving a few problems.
"You do not appreciate how much heat or energy is landing on our properties that we are wasting. We're doing it to help New Zealand, we're doing it to help ourselves and the whole country really."
He would like to see solar panel roofs on homes rather than people paying for a roof and then again for solar panels to be attached to it.
"It seems a shame to waste $50,000 putting a roof on and then panels," he said.
Mr Gilbert looked forward to the arrival of Tesla batteries in New Zealand, at which point he may be able to disconnect from the grid.
The batteries, launched in America last month, are wall mounted, and much smaller and more affordable than others designed to store solar power.
The batteries will start at US$3500 ($4900).
