NSW Launches $15,000 Interest-Free Home Energy Loans

NSW households earning up to $210,000 a year can now access interest-free loans of up to $15,000 for solar, batteries and a range of home energy upgrades, under a new $557 million state government program.

The Home Energy Saver program aims to reduce the upfront cost of home energy upgrades that can lower energy bills, improve comfort and support household electrification.

In addition to the loans, discounts of up to $4,000 will become available later in 2026 for lower-income households and eligible concession card holders.

What Is The Home Energy Saver Program?

The program offers eligible owner-occupiers and landlords access to zero-interest loans repayable over up to 10 years.

To qualify, borrowers must have a combined taxable household income of $210,000 or less, and own the property where the upgrade is being installed.

The NSW Government says the loans are expected to benefit more than 32,000 households.

“Every household that upgrades to more efficient technology is playing a part in NSW’s energy future. Making these technologies more accessible helps more households enjoy a cooler home in summer, a warmer home in winter, and smaller power bills every month,” said Penny Sharpe, NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

What Can The Loans Be Used For?

The loans can be used for a range of home electrification upgrades. We’ve included below a list of eligible upgrades, and linked to our explainer pages for each, so you can make an educated choice on the brand and size of system you need.

• Rooftop solar systems
• Home batteries
• Heat pump hot water systems
• Solar thermal hot water systems
• Reverse-cycle air conditioners
• Home EV chargers
• Induction cooktops
• Ceiling insulation
• Double glazing
• Draught-proofing
• Ceiling fans
• Switchboard upgrades

A Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) assessment can also be funded through the program.

The inclusion of switchboard upgrades may be particularly useful for households planning larger electrification projects, where upgrading an ageing switchboard can add significantly to the overall cost.

Program guidelines state that any applicable federal and NSW energy incentives must be applied before the loan amount is calculated, potentially reducing the amount households need to borrow.

Properties that are social or community housing, or used for short-stay accommodation, are ineligible for funding.

The NSW government’s guidelines for the scheme stipulate that if you meet the above criteria, you should be able to secure a loan.

Why Home Energy Saver Loans Matter

While the scheme doesn’t reduce the upfront cost of an upgrade, it allows eligible households to spread the cost over up to 10 years without paying interest.

SolarQuotes’ in-house factchecker, Ronald Brakels, believes the scheme could save borrowers thousands of dollars compared with a typical bank loan.

“If I wanted to borrow $15,000 for 10 years, which is the maximum amount and payback time under the scheme, then my bank would make me pay around $2,400 in interest in today’s money. So being able to borrow for 0% interest would save me thousands. But as a pillar of my society, my bank trusts me enough to let me borrow at a low rate. So the zero-interest loans can really shine for people who have less pillar-like characteristics,” Ronald said.

What About The $4,000 Discounts?

While the loans are available now, the discount component of the program is not expected to open until later in 2026.

The discounts will be available to households with a combined annual income of up to $80,000, or those with an eligible concession card.

Unlike the loan program, which is only available to property owners, renters will also be eligible for the discounts, provided they have their landlord’s permission to carry out the upgrade.

According to the NSW Government, households wanting to access both a discount and a loan for the same upgrade should apply for the discount first, then use the loan to cover any remaining costs.

How Do You Access The Home Energy Saver Scheme?

More information on the process is available NSW Government’s Home Energy Saver program website.

Applications are made through the two finance providers involved in the project – Brighte and Plenti, who will assess, approve and manage loans under the program, and accredit and onboard the installers delivering the work.

It is worth doing your homework on what home electrification upgrades you should actually get. Our solar and battery calculator, as well as our add battery calculator, will help crunch the numbers and compare the payback periods for different-sized systems.