NSW Households Can Now Access Interest-Free Loans for Solar and Batteries

7 July

For many homeowners, the biggest barrier to installing solar panels or a home battery is the upfront cost.

To help make home energy upgrades more affordable, the NSW Government has launched the $557 million Home Energy Saver Program, giving eligible households access to:

Interest-free loans of up to $15,000 per property
Flexible terms of up to 10 years, subject to approval
Funding for solar panels, home batteries and other energy-saving upgrades
No application fees. No account-keeping fees. No early repayment fees.

Unlike a rebate, this is a loan, meaning the amount borrowed is repaid over time but without paying interest. The loans are offered through approved finance providers, including Plenti, one of the NSW Government's participating lenders and Wattle Powr's trusted finance partner.

What is the NSW Home Energy Saver Program?

The NSW Home Energy Saver Program is a NSW Government initiative designed to make energy-saving home upgrades more affordable and help households reduce their electricity bills.

The program includes $480 million in interest-free loans of up to $15,000 for eligible households to install solar panels, home batteries and other energy-efficient upgrades, with repayment terms of up to 10 years.

It is expected to support more than 32,000 households across NSW.

Rather than paying the full cost upfront, eligible homeowners can spread the cost of their solar or battery system over time with zero interest. That means lower upfront costs and the opportunity to start saving on electricity bills sooner.

List of eligible upgrades under the program

The interest-free loan can be used for a range of eligible home energy improvements, including:

Rooftop solar systems
Home battery storage
Switchboard upgrades
EV level 2 charger
Solar water heater
Reverse-cycle air conditioning
Ceiling insulation
Draught-proofing
and more…

The eligible upgrades are subject to change. Refer to energy.nsw.gov.au/home-energy-saver for the most up-to-date list.

Who is eligible for the loan?

You may be eligible for an interest-free loan under the NSW Home Energy Saver Program if:

Your household’s combined taxable income is up to $210,000 a year
The property is located in NSW
You own the property as an owner-occupier or landlord, and are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
You meet the participating lender's credit assessment requirements

Eligibility criteria are subject to change, and additional criteria may apply.

Additional discounts coming later in 2026

The Home Energy Saver Program also includes targeted discounts of up to $4,000, expected to become available later in 2026.

These discounts are intended for:

Households with a combined annual income of $80,000 or less
Eligible concession card holders
Renters are eligible too, with landlord approval

If you're eligible for both a discount and a loan for the same upgrade, the NSW Government recommends applying for the discount first, then using the interest-free loan to finance the remaining balance.

How the incentives work together

The NSW Home Energy Saver Program is designed to work alongside existing Federal and NSW energy incentives, helping eligible households reduce the upfront cost of installing solar and battery storage.

Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to combine:

Solar STC Rebate: Receive an upfront discount on eligible rooftop solar systems through the Federal Government's Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). The value depends on your system size and location, and is typically applied as an upfront reduction in your installation cost.
Cheaper Home Batteries Program: Eligible homeowners can receive an upfront discount of around 30% on the cost of installing an eligible home battery system, making battery storage more affordable than ever.
NSW Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Incentive: Earn up to $1,500 in incentives by connecting a compatible home battery to a participating Virtual Power Plant (VPP), allowing your battery to support the electricity grid while providing additional financial benefits.
NSW Home Energy Saver Discount (coming later in 2026): Eligible lower-income households, concession card holders and renters (with landlord approval) may receive up to $4,000 off eligible energy-saving upgrades, including solar and battery systems.
NSW Home Energy Saver Interest-Free Loan: After eligible rebates and discounts have been applied, finance the remaining balance with an interest-free loan of up to $15,000, repayable over up to 10 years, with no application, account-keeping or early repayment fees.

Ready to make the switch?

Wattle Powr is an accredited vendor under the NSW Home Energy Saver Program. We can help you navigate the process from system design through to installation and your interest-free loan application.

Our team can help you:

Check your eligibility for the NSW Home Energy Saver Program and other available incentives
Design a solar and battery solution tailored to your home
Explain your rebate, finance and interest-free loan options
Guide you through the application process with Plenti
Organise your installation with our team of NETCC accredited local installers
Provide ongoing support before, during and after your installation