Why Finance Solar & Renewable Energy?
HOME BATTERY FINANCE CALCULATOR
Calculate your repayments, state rebates and payback period for solar batteries — Powerwall, Alpha ESS, Sungrow & more.
Open Home Battery Finance Calculator →Installing a commercial solar system or battery storage can slash operating costs by 40–70%, but the upfront capital outlay is significant. Finance lets you spread the cost over the asset’s productive life — and in many cases the monthly energy savings exceed the repayment, making it cash-flow positive from day one.
Key Benefits
- Cash-flow positive: Monthly energy savings often exceed the finance repayment, creating immediate ROI
- Tax advantages: Claim depreciation, GST credits, and potentially the instant asset write-off on purchased systems
- Preserve capital: Keep your cash for core business operations while green infrastructure pays for itself
- Government incentives: Stack finance with STC/LGC rebates, state grants, and green energy certificates
- Asset appreciation: Solar adds property value and future-proofs your premises against rising energy costs
What Can You Finance?
Virtually any commercial-grade renewable energy asset is eligible:
- Commercial solar panels — rooftop and ground-mount systems from 10kW to multi-MW scale
- Battery storage — lithium-ion, flow batteries, and hybrid storage solutions
- Inverters & monitoring — string inverters, micro-inverters, and smart monitoring platforms
- Wind turbines — small-scale and commercial wind generation systems
- EV charging stations — commercial charging infrastructure for fleet or customer use
- Energy management systems — smart meters, demand management, and grid-tie hardware
- Installation & balance-of-system — racking, wiring, switchboard upgrades bundled into finance
Home & Commercial Battery Finance Calculator
Calculate monthly repayments for Powerwall, Alpha ESS, Sungrow, and BYD systems. Includes state rebates (VIC, SA, QLD), payback period, and business write-off analysis.
Finance Structures Compared
| Feature | Chattel Mortgage | Finance Lease | Operating Lease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership | You own from day 1 | Lender owns; option to buy at end | Lender owns throughout |
| GST treatment | Eligible upfront credit may be available | Eligible credits may arise across the lease term | Eligible credits may arise with payments |
| Depreciation | You claim | Lender claims | Lender claims |
| Instant asset write-off | Potentially eligible | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Balance sheet | On balance sheet | subject to contract-specific accounting* | subject to contract-specific accounting |
| Best for | Businesses wanting ownership & max tax deductions | Businesses wanting fixed costs & purchase option | Businesses wanting hassle-free energy with upgrades |
| Typical term | 3–7 years | 3–7 years | 5–10 years |
*accounting presentation based on the contract and applicable standards depends on AASB 16 assessment. Speak with your accountant.
Solar Finance & Tax Deductions
Renewable energy assets offer multiple layers of tax benefit:
- Instant asset write-off: Chattel mortgage purchases may be potentially deductible, subject to current law and circumstances in the year of purchase (subject to the ATO threshold)
- Accelerated depreciation: Solar assets can be depreciated over their effective life (typically 20 years for panels, 10 years for batteries) or written off sooner under simplified depreciation rules
- GST credits: Registered businesses can claim back the GST component upfront under a chattel mortgage
- Lease deductions: Eligible business-use lease payments may be deductible, subject to current tax law and the taxpayer’s circumstances as a business expense under a finance or operating lease
- Government rebates: STCs (Small-scale Technology Certificates) reduce the upfront cost — your broker can help structure finance around the net amount
Always consult a qualified accountant for advice specific to your situation.
Industries We Help
Agriculture & Farming
Solar pumps, shed systems, off-grid battery setups, and irrigation power.
Manufacturing
Large rooftop arrays to offset heavy daytime electricity consumption.
Warehousing & Logistics
Cold storage, distribution centres, and fleet EV charging.
Retail & Hospitality
Reduce overheads with rooftop solar and battery storage solutions.
Commercial Property
Add solar to multi-tenant buildings and increase NOI and property value.
Mining & Remote Sites
Off-grid solar hybrid systems replacing diesel generators.
The Finance Process
- Get a solar quote — Obtain a system design and costing from a CEC-accredited installer
- Talk to your broker — We assess relevant lender options to identify a competitive option and structure for your situation
- Apply online — Streamlined application with lender assessment after document and policy checks
- Settlement — Funds paid direct to your installer; system installed and earning from day one
- Enjoy the savings — Repayments often smaller than the energy bills you’re replacing
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I finance solar panels for my business?
Yes. Commercial solar panel systems are an eligible asset class for chattel mortgage, finance lease, and operating lease. Most lenders finance systems from $10,000 upward, including panels, inverters, battery storage, and installation costs.
Is commercial solar eligible for the instant asset write-off?
Solar systems purchased under a chattel mortgage may qualify for the instant asset write-off, allowing you to deduct the full cost in the year of purchase (subject to the current ATO threshold). Leased systems are not eligible for the write-off but offer different tax advantages. Consult your accountant.
What is the best finance structure for solar?
It depends on your goals. A chattel mortgage lets you own the system outright and claim depreciation and GST credits. A finance lease Accounting presentation depends on the contract and the standards that apply to the business while locking in fixed repayments. An operating lease includes maintenance and upgrades but you don’t own the system at the end.
Can I include battery storage in my solar finance package?
Yes. Most lenders allow you to bundle battery storage, inverters, monitoring systems, and installation costs into a single finance package alongside your solar panels. This simplifies your cash flow into one regular repayment.
How long does solar finance approval take?
Assessment and settlement timing depends on the lender, application completeness, asset and seller checks.
Ready to Finance Your Solar System?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from a specialist broker. We assess relevant lender options to identify a competitive option and structure for your renewable energy project.
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