Last updated: 15 August 2026

If solar panels or a home battery have been on your radar but the upfront cost has been holding you back, the NSW Government has just made it a whole lot easier.

As of June 2026, the NSW Government rolled out the Home Energy Saver Program — a $15,000 interest-free loan available to Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Central Coast homeowners for solar panels, battery storage, and other energy-saving upgrades.

Couple this with the federal solar and battery rebates already on offer, and it means homeowners across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, and the Hunter Valley could have a complete solar and battery system installed for little to no upfront cost.

In this article

What is the NSW Home Energy Saver Program?

The Home Energy Saver Program is a $557 million scheme that the NSW Government has rolled out to homeowners to help with the upfront cost of energy-saving upgrades, including solar panels and battery storage.

The $15,000 interest-free loan can be paid out over 10 years, with a minimum repayment of as little as $125 a month.

There’s no interest, no application fees, and no early-repayment penalties. Repay it early if you want, or stretch it out — either way you pay exactly what you borrow.

Who’s eligible for the NSW solar and battery loan?

The beauty is there is no catch. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

  • You’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  • You own the property.
  • Your combined household income is under $210,000 a year.
  • The property is in NSW — this includes Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, the Hunter Valley, Central Coast, and rural NSW.
  • The property is a regular residential dwelling (not social housing or short-stay accommodation like Airbnb).
  • You pass a standard credit check with one of the approved lenders.

What can the $15,000 solar loan be spent on?

The loan is targeted at energy-saving upgrades, which could be any of the following:

For most Newcastle homeowners, the big-ticket items are solar panels and batteries — and that’s where this loan makes the biggest difference to your monthly power bill.

So how do I apply for the Home Energy Saver loan?

The loan is administered through two approved finance providers: Plenti and Brighte.

The process usually looks like the following:

  • Contact an accredited company and get a quote for the upgrade you’re after.
  • Choose your lender (Brighte or Plenti).
  • Your installer will get the process started by filling in your basic details to the lender’s portal and sending you a link to get started.
  • Approval is fast — most are approved within 24 to 48 hours.
  • Once approved, your installer books the job.
  • The loan pays the installer directly, and you start repayments the following month.

One thing to note: the customer doesn’t handle the money themselves. The funds are only supplied to the installer once both parties finalise with the finance provider that the job is complete.

That’s a really important protection for you as the homeowner — the money only moves once the work is done to your satisfaction.

Will I get approved for interest-free solar finance?

We get asked this a lot, and while we’re not finance brokers and can’t give you a definitive answer, here’s what we’ve learned from working with lenders like Brighte and Plenti.

There are two main things lenders look at when assessing a solar finance application:

Credit score

Lenders use your Equifax credit score as a general indicator of your credit history. As a rough guide, a score above 500 is typically a positive sign for products like Brighte’s $0 deposit interest-free loan — though this isn’t a guarantee of approval and lenders make decisions based on the full picture, not just one number. You can check your own Equifax score for free at equifax.com.au without it affecting your credit file.

Serviceability

This is whether your income comfortably covers the repayments alongside your existing financial commitments. Even with a strong credit score, a lender wants to see that the monthly repayments fit within your budget. For a $15,000 loan over 10 years interest-free, that’s around $125/month — less than most household electricity bills.

If you’re unsure whether you’d qualify, the best first step is to check your Equifax score online for free, then reach out to us or contact the lender directly. Applications don’t take long, and you might be surprised — most homeowners with stable income and no major credit issues are in a good position to be approved.

This information is general in nature and is not financial or credit advice. We recommend speaking with the lender directly or a licensed finance broker for advice specific to your situation.

If I use the loan, can I still claim solar and battery rebates?

Absolutely — and this is where the real savings are made.

If you use the loan to fund a solar and/or battery system, the price of the loan is calculated after the rebates have been deducted off the system.

For example: if you purchase a 9kW solar system and a 16kWh battery in Newcastle for $21,000, roughly $6,500 of rebates is deducted from the purchase price.

That brings the final price of the system down to around $14,500 — and the interest-free loan takes care of the entire upfront cost.

From there, you pay monthly repayments for up to 10 years, or pay it off before the term finishes with no penalty.

If you want a deeper look at how the federal battery rebate works, check out our guide to the Cheaper Home Batteries rebate.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a solar and battery system cost in Newcastle?

The cost of a system depends largely on the size of the system and the complexity of the install. For a straightforward 6.6kW solar system with quality equipment, prices start from $5,000. To add a battery to the system, prices will generally start around $14,000.

Can I use this loan specifically for solar panels in Newcastle?

Yes — rooftop solar panel installation is one of the primary upgrades the loan is designed to cover. Whether you’re installing solar panels only, or pairing them with a battery, the loan can be used for the full system. Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, and the surrounding Hunter Valley are all within the eligible area.

Do I need to borrow the full $15,000?

You only borrow what you need. If your upgrade is $8,000, that’s how much you borrow.

What if I need to borrow more than $15,000?

Any amount over $15,000 is simply paid upfront. So if your upgrade costs $18,000, you pay your installer $3,000 upfront and the rest comes from the finance provider once the job is complete.

Can I still apply for the loan if it’s an upgrade or extension to my existing solar system?

Absolutely. The loan can go towards a battery, an EV charger, or an inverter upgrade to expand on your current system.

Does the loan affect my credit score?

Applying involves a credit check, so it will register on your credit file. But because it’s 0% interest with a clear repayment schedule, future lenders generally view it as a “clean” loan.

Are landlords eligible?

Yes. If you own an investment property in NSW, you can use the loan to upgrade it for your tenants.

The bottom line

There has never been a better time for Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Central Coast homeowners to take control of their energy costs and stop being at the mercy of rising electricity prices.

The NSW Home Energy Saver Program removes the single biggest barrier — the upfront cost. Combined with federal rebates on solar and batteries, most homes across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and the Hunter Valley can now install a proper system with next to no cash out of pocket.

To learn more or simply run the numbers on what a system could do for your home, reach out through our enquiry page and a specialist will be in touch within 24 hours.

Written by Wil Jeffery, SAA Accredited Installer & Licensed Electrician