New South Wales offers two solar incentives to households that install solar panels: the Solar for Low-Income Households and Empowering Homes programs. The Empowering Homes program is a solar battery loan that helps homeowners buy solar battery systems or add solar batteries to their existing solar systems. Two interest-free loans are available: a loan of up to $14,000 for a battery system and solar PV, repayable in eight years; or up to $9,000 for retrofitting a battery to an existing solar system, repayable in 10 years.
The Solar for Low-income Households program provides 3kw solar systems to low income households, including installation, at no cost. There are a number of eligibility criteria you must fulfil to qualify for this scheme, which include:
- Currently receiving the Low-Income Household incentive
- Don’t have a solar PV system
- Have a valid Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card or Pensioner Concession Card
- Own your home
- Live in an eligible area
