NSW No-interest loans and discounts now available with Home Energy Saver

The NSW Government’s brand-new Home Energy Saver loan is a breakthrough way to fund solar + battery systems, making it a no-brainer to install one now, with repayments spread over ten years with no interest and no fees.

It is designed to make energy-saving upgrades more affordable by offering zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 for eligible households, plus targeted discounts of up to $4,000 for lower-income households and concession card holders.

Simply by offering no-cost finance, they’ve removed the barriers to moving ahead with solar, battery systems and a whole range of energy efficiency upgrades.

Now you can move from thinking about it to actually being able to afford it. Electricity prices are high, but this new Government initiative makes solar + battery systems more accessible and offers a practical way to tangibly reduce your power bills.

What the Home Energy Saver program actually offers 

Zero-interest loans for bigger upgrades

From the 17th of June 2026, eligible NSW homeowners and landlords with a combined taxable household income of up to $210,000 a year can access zero-interest loans and spread up to $15,000 of costs over a ten-year period with no upfront costs. The NSW Government says the scheme is expected to support more than 32,000 homes, and the total commitment to the loan is $480 million.

Eligible upgrades include rooftop solar, residential batteries, switchboard upgrades, heat pump water heaters, solar water heaters, reverse-cycle air conditioning, induction cooktops, EV level 2 chargers, DC ceiling fans, ceiling insulation, draught-proofing, double glazing and NatHERS assessments.

Plico has always offered weekly payments over 10 years because we know that big upfront costs are a major barrier to adoption. This announcement means that more households can access affordable solar + battery solutions and those who don’t qualify can still access great value with Plico Finance.

If you don’t meet the Government’s eligibility criteria (earning a combined annual household income of $210k or below), Plico Finance can provide an alternative pathway, with discounted interest rate loans supported by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation’s (CEFC) Household Energy Upgrades Fund™. These loans are structured around weekly repayments over 10 years, offering another way households can access affordable solar + battery solutions in NSW.

Discounts for eligible households and renters 

Later in 2026, the program will also offer targeted discounts of up to $4,000 for households with a combined annual income of up to $80,000 or for eligible concession card holders. This branch of the program has $77 million in backing.

The NSW interest-free loan program can be stacked with existing solar + battery rebates available in NSW. That means households can access huge Government rebates on solar + battery systems or battery additions, as well as Government-subsidised no-interest finance to pay off the remaining cost over time.

Who can benefit, and how the support is split

Households eligible for the no-interest loan

The Home Energy Saver loan has the ability to make a huge impact for eligible households. When you install solar and battery, you won't be out of pocket upfront, and you could have an immediate impact on your electricity bill. Then, instead of paying your normal electricity bill, you'll pay a smaller loan repayment, and potentially, a significantly smaller electricity bill.

For example, fictional homeowners George and Jay have a combined income of $200k combined. Their energy bills range from $200 per month in summer to $500 per month in winter. They purchase a $12,000 solar and battery system for their home using the Home Energy Saver loan and pay nothing upfront. Without changing the amount of electricity that they use, they now pay a flat amount of $100 per month for their loan, and their electricity bill may be from $50 to $250 per month. They are potentially ahead $50 to $150 per month without doing anything!

The Home Energy Saver loan is designed to make it easier to access a solar and battery system, but also for those who prefer to keep their savings available for other priorities.

For households earning more than $210,000 per year, the NSW Government loan may not apply. However, Plico’s CEFC-backed finance offering may provide another pathway to install solar and battery storage without needing to cover the full cost upfront, paired with the convenience of weekly repayments over ten years.

Households eligible for the Home Energy Saver discount

The Home Energy Saver discount gives you access to immediate discounts if you’re eligible as a lower-income household or concession card holder. It reduces the upfront cost before any finance is applied, making it easier for you to move ahead with home energy upgrades.

How to turn the program into real bill savings 

How can I make the biggest impact on my electricity bill as quickly as possible?

Solar and battery systems are a great place to start, because you’ve got the potential to see savings from day one by generating and using your own electricity instead of relying on the grid.

Of course, your energy habits also play an important role in getting the most out of your system. Insulation and draught-proofing help your home maintain its temperature, while reverse-cycle air conditioning and ceiling fans can offer more comfort without any major structural changes. Combine that with a no-interest loan or Plico Finance, you could start to see savings straight away, without having to pay anything upfront.

At Plico, we know that every home is different. Find out your home's savings potential with solar + battery.

How to decide whether a loan or a discount makes more sense

If you qualify for a discount, use it first, then use the loan only for what remains; the Government has been very clear about that. This is the cleanest way to avoid paying more than you need to.

If you don’t qualify for the discount stream, the zero-interest loan may still make it easier to say yes to a significant upgrade, especially for households that have been looking for a better entry point.

What if I am not eligible? 

If you’re not eligible for the NSW interest-free loans, because your combined income exceeds $210,000 a year, there are other options available. You can still access a fantastic deal on a clean energy system and pay it off over 10 years. We’ve summarised your options in the table below: 

The simple next step households should take 

The smartest starting point is the bill you’ve already got. Have a look at where the money is going, what the house struggles with the most, and what upgrades would ease the biggest pain points first. For some homes, that’ll be solar and battery. For others, it could be insulation, sealing up draughts or replacing inefficient cooling. The loan scheme means households no longer have to put off the energy saving upgrades that will help them save.

For Plico, that’s the kind of change we think is worth paying attention to. When households are given a fairer way to invest in their home, better decisions happen faster. And when better decisions happen faster, bills come down sooner, too.

Plico is an approved vendor for the NSW Home Energy Saver loan, which means we can help you make the most of the incentives on offer and help you future-proof your home from rising energy costs. Reach out to our switched-on team today on 1300 175 426 to get started. 

FAQs 

When will households be able to apply?

The zero-interest loan program is available now, while the discount stream is expected to launch later in 2026. If you’re interested in either, it’s worth keeping an eye on NSW Government updates as further application details become available.

Can I use the funding for a battery if I already have solar?

Yes. The program is designed to support a range of eligible power-saving upgrades, including household batteries. For homeowners with existing solar, adding battery storage may help increase the amount of solar power used at home rather than exported to the grid.

Will these upgrades eliminate my electricity bill? 

Not necessarily. The savings will depend on factors such as the size of the home, power usage habits, the upgrades installed, and local electricity prices. However, improvements such as solar, batteries, insulation and efficient heating or cooling can help reduce ongoing energy costs.

How do I know which upgrade will make the biggest difference to my home?

The answer varies from household to household. A home with low summer bills that struggles to stay warm in winter might benefit most from insulation or draught-proofing, while a household wanting to reduce bills will see value from solar and battery. Understanding where your home uses and loses energy is usually the best place to start before investing.

Have a question about solar + battery?