The NSW Home Energy Saver Loan is a zero-interest loan administered through 2 approved Finance Providers, Brighte and Plenti, that lets eligible NSW households finance energy upgrades including solar inverters, solar panels, and battery storage. Additional NSW solar rebates can stack with this loan. This guide walks through all 6 steps from exploring your options to making your first repayment, so you know exactly what to expect before you start.
For background on program details, loan amounts, and eligible products, read the full NSW Home Energy Saver Loan guide. To confirm you meet the income and property requirements before starting your application, check eligibility first.
What are the 6 steps to apply for the NSW Home Energy Saver Loan?
The 6-step application process moves from researching your upgrade options through to loan settlement and first repayment. Steps 1 and 2 happen before any formal application. The loan application itself is Step 3, and it is initiated by the Approved Seller, not the customer. Steps 4 through 6 cover approval, installation, and settlement.
The 6 steps are:
- Explore your options
- Choose your upgrade
- Apply for a loan
- Accept your loan agreement
- Installation
- Settle the loan and commence repayment
Each step is described in detail below.
How does Step 1 (explore your options) work?
Step 1 involves reading the NSW Home Energy Saver program guidelines, using the NSW Energy Hub tools and calculators to estimate savings, and identifying Finance Providers and Approved Suppliers at energy.nsw.gov.au/home-energy-saver. The NSW Energy Hub provides load calculators, bill comparison tools, and a searchable list of Approved Suppliers who can supply and install eligible products. Approved Suppliers must be NETCC (New Energy Tech Consumer Code) compliant, which means their installation teams hold recognised trade qualifications. Before contacting any supplier, use the NSW Energy Hub to generate an estimate of your likely energy savings and loan repayment amounts. This gives you an informed starting point when comparing quotes.
How does Step 2 (choose your upgrade) work?
Step 2 involves obtaining quotes from at least 2 Approved Suppliers, comparing those quotes, and then advising your chosen Approved Seller that you want to proceed. Approved Suppliers cover a range of upgrade types, including solar panel systems, solar batteries, heat pump hot water systems, and energy-efficient air conditioners. When comparing quotes, check that the product meets the NSW Government’s minimum product standards for the relevant upgrade category. For guidance on solar panels before you approach suppliers, that page covers panel types, specifications, and what to look for in a site assessment.
One point to confirm at the quoting stage: the loan covers the cost of the upgrade and installation only. Any pre-work required at your property, such as a switchboard upgrade, is quoted separately and is not funded through the Home Energy Saver Loan. Ask suppliers to itemise pre-work costs clearly so there are no surprises after loan approval.
How does Step 3 (apply for a loan) work?
The loan application is initiated by the Approved Seller, who shares a referral link to the Finance Provider (either Brighte or Plenti) that is pre-populated with the product details and total cost. You do not approach Brighte or Plenti directly. Once you receive the referral link, you complete the application by providing 3 categories of information: proof of property ownership, household income details, and a serviceability assessment that confirms you can meet repayment obligations.
Documents typically required at this stage include:
- Proof of property ownership (for example, a rates notice or title document)
- Household income evidence (for example, payslips, tax returns, or Centrelink income statements)
- Your NMI (National Meter Identifier), found on your electricity bill
- Strata consent documentation, if your property is in a strata scheme
- Tenant consent documentation, if you are a landlord applying on behalf of a tenanted property
Households with an annual household income at or below $80,000, or who hold a concession card such as the Pensioner Concession Card or the Low Income Health Care Card, may be eligible for an upfront discount on the upgrade cost. Apply for the discount first through the approved channel, then apply for a loan to cover the remaining balance.
The loan agreement is a contract between you and the Finance Provider. The NSW Government sets the program rules and minimum product standards but is not a party to the loan contract.
How does Step 4 (accept your loan agreement) work?
After the serviceability assessment, the Finance Provider issues a pre-approval decision and the Approved Seller contacts you to schedule an installation date. Review the loan terms and conditions carefully before accepting. The agreement sets out the loan amount, repayment schedule, and any conditions that apply. Once you accept the loan agreement, the installation can be booked. Do not accept the loan agreement until you are satisfied with the installation date and the terms offered by the Finance Provider.
How does Step 5 (installation) work?
The Approved Seller arranges the installation, which may involve multiple licensed trades depending on the upgrade type. A solar panel system installation, for example, involves a CEC-approved installer for the panels and inverter, and a licensed electrician who issues a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) within 7 days of completing electrical work. Plumbing-related upgrades such as heat pump hot water systems also require a Certificate of Compliance within 7 days of completion. The NSW Government requires that the installing company is NETCC compliant. At the end of the installation, the installer is required to show you how the upgrade operates and explain any maintenance requirements specific to your system.
How does Step 6 (settle the loan and commence repayment) work?
After installation, the Finance Provider confirms the work is complete, pays the loan funds directly to the Approved Seller on your behalf, and your repayments commence on the schedule agreed in your loan contract. You do not handle the loan funds at any point. The settlement payment goes from the Finance Provider to the Approved Seller. Your repayments then begin as per your loan agreement, at zero interest for the life of the loan.
The customer installation agreement is a separate contract between you and the Approved Supplier, also independent of the NSW Government. If an issue arises with the installation or the product after completion, direct your complaint to the Approved Seller or the Finance Provider. The NSW Government does not handle individual complaints under the program.
What documents do I need before I apply?
4 categories of documents are needed: proof of property ownership, household income evidence, your NMI from your electricity bill, and any applicable consent forms for strata or tenanted properties. Gathering these before starting Step 3 reduces delays during the Finance Provider’s assessment. If any document is missing, the Finance Provider may place the application on hold until it is received.
Your NMI is a 10- or 11-digit number printed on your electricity bill. It identifies your property on the National Electricity Market network and is used to verify the installation address. If you cannot locate it on your bill, contact your electricity retailer, such as Origin Energy, AGL, or EnergyAustralia, and they can provide it.
What happens if something goes wrong during or after installation?
Complaints about the installation or the product are directed to the Approved Seller or the Finance Provider, depending on whether the issue relates to the work performed or the loan agreement. The NSW Government does not mediate between customers and suppliers or Finance Providers. If a resolution cannot be reached with the Approved Seller or Finance Provider, the next step is NSW Fair Trading, which can be contacted on 13 32 20.
Scam activity related to the program is reported to NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20 and to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Scamwatch platform. The program is listed on the official NSW Energy website at energy.nsw.gov.au/home-energy-saver. Any contact claiming to represent the NSW Government and offering program benefits not described on that page is a scam.
Electrical work on your installation carries a legally required Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW), issued within 7 days of completion. If your installer does not provide this document, raise the issue with the Approved Seller immediately. Plumbing work carries an equivalent certificate, also required within 7 days.
Is Solar Galaxy an Approved Supplier under the NSW Home Energy Saver Loan?
Solar Galaxy is an Approved Supplier under the NSW Home Energy Saver program through both finance providers, Brighte and Plenti. We install solar panel systems, inverters, and battery storage for NSW households. As an Approved Supplier, Solar Galaxy can provide a quote for your energy upgrade in Step 2 and initiate the loan application through Brighte or Plenti in Step 3. To receive a quote, contact the Solar Galaxy team on 1300 339 596 or submit an enquiry through the website.
The NSW Home Energy Saver Loan program was announced as part of a NSW Government initiative to help households reduce energy costs, described in the NSW ministerial release on energy savings for households. The program covers upgrades with an average installed cost of $3,000 to $10,000 for most residential solar systems, which places the majority of rooftop solar installations within the loan’s eligible cost range.
Ready to get a quote for your solar installation?
Call Solar Galaxy on 1300 339 596 to discuss your solar installation options. As an Approved Supplier through both Brighte and Plenti, we can provide a quote and handle the loan referral process directly.
