If a battery or solar system has been on the cards for a while but the upfront cost has been putting you off, 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 for any home energy-saving upgrades.

Couple this with the federal solar and battery rebates that are already on the table, and it means Newcastle homeowners could have a complete solar and battery system that generates a zero-dollar energy bill — for little to no upfront cost.

In this article

What is the 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.

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.

So what’s the catch, and who’s eligible?

The beauty is there is no catch. The eligibility factor is 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, 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 loan be spent on?

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

  • Rooftop solar systems
  • Home batteries
  • Insulation (ceiling, wall, floor)
  • Reverse-cycle air conditioning
  • Switchboard upgrades
  • Ceiling fans
  • Draught-proofing
  • EV chargers

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

So how do I apply?

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

The process usually looks like the following:

  • Contact a qualified company and get a quote for the upgrade you’re after.
  • Choose your lender (Brighte or Plenti).
  • Apply through the lender’s online portal. This takes about 15–20 minutes.
  • Approval is fast — most are approved within 24–48 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.

If I decide to use the loan, can I take advantage of other government 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

Do I need to borrow the full amount of $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 in our region 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.