The upfront cost of installing solar panels, a home battery or other energy-efficient upgrades can be a major barrier for NSW households.

Through the NSW Home Energy Saver Program, eligible homeowners and landlords can apply for a zero-interest loan of up to $15,000, repayable over a maximum of 10 years.

The program can help eligible households reduce their upfront costs, lower electricity bills and improve their home’s energy efficiency.

What Is the NSW Home Energy Saver Program?

The Home Energy Saver Program is a NSW Government initiative supporting eligible households with the cost of approved energy-saving upgrades.

The program includes:

• A zero-interest loan of up to $15,000

• Repayment terms of up to 10 years

• A separate discount of up to $4,000 for eligible lower-income households and concession card holders

Applications for the zero-interest loan are currently open. Applications for the separate $4,000 discount are expected to open later.

The loan is delivered through participating finance providers, including Brighte and Plenti. Applicants must still meet the provider’s finance and lending requirements.

Who May Be Eligible?

To apply for the Home Energy Saver loan, you must generally:

• Own a residential property in New South Wales

• Be an owner-occupier or landlord

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

• Have a combined taxable household income of up to $210,000

• Select an approved energy-saving upgrade

• Meet the participating finance provider’s approval requirements

Meeting the basic eligibility criteria does not guarantee finance approval.

What Upgrades Can Be Financed?

The zero-interest loan can be used for several approved home energy upgrades, including:

• Rooftop solar panels

• Residential battery storage

• Switchboard upgrades

• Heat pump or solar water heaters

• Reverse-cycle air conditioning

• Induction cooktops

• Level 2 EV chargers

• Ceiling insulation

• Draught-proofing

• Double-glazed windows and doors

• Ceiling fans

• NatHERS home energy assessments

This means eligible households may be able to finance a new solar system, add a battery to an existing solar installation or combine several approved upgrades within the loan limit.

Can You Use the Loan for Solar and a Battery?

Yes. Solar panels and residential batteries are both eligible technologies under the program.

Depending on your property and approved finance amount, the loan may help cover:

• A new rooftop solar system

• A new home battery

• A combined solar and battery package

• A battery added to an existing solar system

• An eligible switchboard upgrade associated with the installation

Before choosing a system, it is important to assess your electricity consumption, available roof space, existing solar equipment and evening energy usage.

A correctly sized solar and battery system can often provide better value than simply choosing the largest available system.

What About the $4,000 Home Energy Saver Discount?

A separate discount of up to $4,000 is expected to become available for eligible homeowners and renters.

The discount is intended for households that:

• Have a combined annual income of up to $80,000, or

• Hold an eligible concession card

Renters will require permission from their landlord and may also need strata approval.

If you expect to qualify for both the discount and the zero-interest loan, current NSW Government guidance recommends waiting for discount applications to open and applying for the discount first. The loan may then be used to cover the remaining eligible cost.

Can It Be Combined With the Federal Battery Discount?

Eligible households may also be able to combine the NSW loan with the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program.

Under the current federal rules, an eligible battery must generally:

• Be new and not previously installed

• Have a nominal capacity between 5 kWh and 100 kWh

• Be connected to an eligible new or existing solar system

• Appear on the Clean Energy Council’s approved battery list

• Be installed by a suitably accredited installer

• Be technically capable of participating in a Virtual Power Plant when grid-connected

Federal battery incentives apply to the first 50 kWh of usable battery capacity, with different incentive factors applying across battery capacity bands.

Eligibility and incentive values should always be confirmed before signing an installation contract.

How to Apply

The general application process includes:

1. Check that you meet the Home Energy Saver eligibility requirements.

2. Choose the solar, battery or energy-efficient upgrade you need.

3. Select a participating finance provider.

4. Obtain a quote from an approved supplier.

5. Submit your finance application.

6. Arrange installation once the application is approved.

Do not begin installation or assume finance has been approved until you have received confirmation from the relevant provider.

How Electrifying Australia Can Help

Electrifying Australia provides tailored solar and battery solutions for NSW homeowners.

Our team can help you:

• Review your recent electricity bills

• Assess your existing solar system

• Choose the right battery capacity

• Understand solar and battery compatibility

• Compare suitable system options

• Prepare a transparent, personalised quotation

• Understand available rebates and finance pathways

Loan approval and incentive eligibility remain subject to the relevant government program and finance provider requirements.

Get a Free Solar and Battery Assessment

The NSW Home Energy Saver Program may make it easier for eligible households to install solar, add battery storage and reduce their reliance on grid electricity without paying the full cost upfront.

Contact Electrifying Australia today for a free, no-obligation solar and battery assessment. Our team can review your energy usage and recommend a system tailored to your NSW home.