Figures updated 5 August 2026
The NSW $15,000 interest-free loan for solar and batteries
NSW's Home Energy Saver program removes the upfront-cost problem entirely: borrow up to $15,000 for energy upgrades and repay it over 10 years with zero interest and zero fees. Here is exactly who qualifies and what the repayments look like.
$15,000
Maximum loan per household
$29/wk
Repayment on the full amount over 10 years
$8,690
Interest saved vs a typical 9.9% green loan
What the loan covers
The loan finances energy-saving upgrades on an eligible NSW property: rooftop solar, home batteries, reverse-cycle air conditioning, heat pump hot water systems, insulation, switchboard upgrades, ceiling fans and draught-proofing. You can bundle several upgrades into the one loan up to the $15,000 cap, which is why solar-plus-battery packages fit it so neatly.
Who qualifies
- You own the property, as an owner-occupier or a landlord
- The property is in NSW, and is not social housing or short-stay accommodation
- Combined household taxable income of $210,000 or less
- You pass the lender's standard credit assessment
The loans are funded by the NSW Government and delivered by Brighte and Plenti. The same program also has a discount stream worth up to $4,000 for households earning up to $80,000 or holding an eligible concession card, delivered by Creditex. Renters qualify for the discount stream, though not the loan. Discount applications had not opened as at 5 August 2026.
What repayments look like
| Amount borrowed | Weekly | Monthly | Interest paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $10 | $42 | $0 |
| $10,000 | $19 | $83 | $0 |
| $15,000 | $29 | $125 | $0 |
For contrast, $15,000 on a typical 9.9 percent personal loan over the same 10 years costs about $8,690 in interest. Here that number is zero, which is why the loan is the quiet star of the whole rebate stack.
How it stacks with the rebates
The loan applies to your net price, after the other incentives. The order of operations on a battery install: the federal battery discount comes off the quote first, along with solar STCs if you are adding panels. The loan then finances up to $15,000 of what remains. The NSW VPP incentive arrives separately after you connect, which effectively works like cashback against your first year of repayments.
See your repayment next to your rebates
The loan calculator shows your weekly figure. The battery calculator goes further and stacks the discount, the VPP payment and the loan for your exact situation.
Open the loan calculatorCommon questions
What is the NSW interest-free solar and battery loan called officially?
Home Energy Saver. It is a $557 million NSW Government program, with the interest-free loans delivered through appointed lenders Brighte and Plenti, and a separate discount stream delivered through Creditex opening later in 2026.
How much can I borrow and for how long?
Up to $15,000 per household, repaid over up to 10 years, at zero interest with no application, account or early-exit fees. You repay exactly what you borrow: $15,000 borrowed means $15,000 repaid, about $28.85 a week.
What income counts toward the $210,000 cap?
Combined household taxable income, meaning the taxable incomes of you and any partner or co-owner in the household added together. If the combined figure is $210,000 or less, you pass the income test.
Can renters get the loan?
No. Loans are for owner-occupiers and landlords of eligible NSW properties. Renters are explicitly included in the separate discount stream of up to $4,000 opening later in 2026, aimed at households earning up to $80,000 or holding a concession card.
Does the loan reduce my rebates?
No. It works the other way around: the federal battery discount and any solar STCs come off the price first, and the loan then finances what is left. The rebates and the loan stack, they never cancel each other.