NSW interest-free solar battery program: less than 500 homes take up offer in two years

Less than 500 homes have taken up an offer from the NSW Government for an interest-free loan for solar batteries to be installed on homes since it was launched more than two years ago.

Less than 500 homes have taken up an offer from the NSW Government for an interest-free loan for solar batteries to be installed on homes since the scheme was launched more than two years ago.

Meanwhile, a further 554 homeowners have filled in the application to be part of the Empowering Homes Program.

NSW Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Under the project, announced by Energy Minister Matt Kean in February 2020, homeowners across the state can apply for loans of around $13,000 for the installation of solar panels and batteries on their property.

In February 2020, Mr Kean said the program would “reduce energy bills for up to 300,000 households while helping the state to transition to a clean energy future”.

However, NSW parliament were told this week that just 439 households had taken up the offer in the two years to February 23.

In a response, prepared for the Minister following questions from Labor MLC Courtney Houssos, a department representative said the initial pilot program was expanded from nine local government areas (LGAs) to 24 LGAs in December 2020, “to further test key aspects of the program’s design and delivery”.

“The results of the pilot are currently being analysed and will be used to inform future stages of the program,” the representative said.

A Planning and Environment Department spokesman said the pilot program was designed to “test the program design’s suitability for a safe and effective rollout statewide”.

Less than 500 people have accepted offers for interest-free loans for solar panels and batteries.

“Uptake was never expected to be large in the initial phase considering the limited geographical area of the pilot,” he said. “While take up of the pilot has been impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, the learnings from the pilot have been invaluable and will inform future stages of the program.”

It is understood the program was hampered by a series of developments in the solar battery industry, including new installation standards and global supply issues.