– NEW SOUTH WALES –
Home Energy Saver Program: Explained
Upgrade to solar and battery storage with zero-interest loans and upfront discounts through the NSW Government’s premier energy initiative.
Announced in June 2026, the NSW Home Energy Saver Program is a state-backed initiative designed to help households overcome the upfront financial barriers to installing energy-saving technology.
Backed by $557 million in government funding, the scheme provides eligible NSW residents with substantial zero-interest loans and targeted cash discounts for home upgrades like solar panels, battery storage, and heat pumps.
Rather than paying high out-of-pocket costs, this program allows you to leverage government-backed finance, meaning you can install a premium SAE Group system today and use your immediate electricity bill savings to help pay it off over time.
How it Works:
The Home Energy Saver Program doesn’t hand out cash directly; instead, it is administered through approved finance providers (such as Brighte).
When you choose a system with SAE Group we will design your solar or battery solution and apply any federal STC or battery rebates straight away to reduce the total quote.
You then apply for the Home Energy Saver loan to cover that remaining balance. Over the next 1-10 years, you make manageable, interest-free repayments to the finance provider, completely bypassing the heavy initial outlay.
The Benefits of the Home Saver Program:
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Zero-Interest Finance
Zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 to help eligible households fund clean energy upgrades. This finance stream features a 10-year repayment term with zero establishment or account fees .You only repay what you borrow. -
Massive Upfront Discounts
Eligible lower-income households can unlock an additional upfront discount of up to $4,000 to drastically reduce the initial cost.
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Fully Stackable:
The Home Energy Saver Program can be seamlessly combined with federal incentives like the STC and Cheaper Home Batteries Program, making comprehensive solar and battery packages more affordable than ever. -
Broad Eligibility
Unlike past state schemes, this program is available to a much wider range of households, including both owner-occupiers and eligible landlords.
What the Incentive Gives You & How Much You Can Save
The assistance provided depends on your household’s financial situation:
NSW Households
The Majority
Potential immediate positive cashflow from energy savings.
You can access up to $15,000 in zero-interest finance with flexible repayment terms stretching up to 10 years, plus no set up fees.
NSW Households
Lower Income
Apply if your combined annual household income is less than $80k.
If you meet lower income thresholds or hold an eligible concession card, you can receive a $4,000 cash discount on your system.
The Ultimate Stack
Stack Your Savings
Start with ZERO upfront cost on installation day.
Apply the $4,000 discount first to lower the total system cost, then use the zero-interest loan to cover the remaining balance.
Eligibility: Who Can Claim the Program?
The NSW Government has expanded the eligibility criteria to ensure more households can benefit:
- Property Type:
You must own the NSW property where the system is installed, either as an owner-occupier or a landlord. (Strata properties are eligible with body corporate approval). - For the $15,000 Zero-Interest Loan:
Your combined taxable household income must be $210,000 or less per year. You must also pass a standard credit assessment with an approved lender. - For the $4,000 Discount:
Your combined household income must be under $80,000 a year, or you must hold an eligible concession card. - Approved Technology:
The system must feature approved technologies, including solar panels, home batteries, or EV chargers.
Are You Eligible?
If you own a home in NSW, earn a combined household income of under $210,000, and have a clear credit history, you are highly likely to qualify for the loan.
During your initial consultation, the experts at SAE will help guide you through the state’s Energy Savings Finder tool to verify your eligibility for both the loan and the lower-income discount.
How to Apply
We take the stress out of navigating government portals and finance applications.
- Get an Approved Quote:
Reach out to our experts at SAE Group. As an approved supplier, we will design a custom solar or battery package that meets all scheme requirements. - Apply for Finance:
Using our approved quote, we’ll direct you to the secure portal of one of the government’s approved lenders (Brighte or Plenti) for a quick credit check and pre-approval. - Install and Save:
Once your zero-interest loan (and $4,000 discount, if applicable) is approved, we install your system. The lender settles the invoice directly with us, and you simply commence your low, interest-free repayments.
Why Signing Up Sooner Maximises Your Savings
State-funded initiatives like the Home Energy Saver Program operate on fixed government budgets.
While the $557 million pool is substantial, the combination of a $4,000 cash discount and a $15,000 zero-interest loan has made this one of the most popular energy schemes in NSW history.
Once the allocated funding pool is exhausted, the program may be paused, scaled back, or closed entirely.
Furthermore, every month you wait to install solar and battery storage is another month you are forced to pay skyrocketing grid electricity prices.
By acting now and stacking this state program with the federal STC and Battery discounts, you can eliminate your power bills immediately and let your savings pay off the system for you.