Finance commercial solar panels, battery storage systems, inverters, EV charging stations, and renewable energy infrastructure — with structures that let your energy savings cover the repayments from day one.
Commercial electricity costs in Australia have increased significantly, making solar one of the highest-ROI investments a business can make. A 100kW commercial solar system can cost $100K–$180K to install, but typically saves $30K–$50K per year in energy costs — delivering payback within 3–5 years.
Financing the system instead of paying cash amplifies the return: you preserve working capital, claim tax deductions on repayments, and the energy savings often exceed the monthly repayment — making the system cash-flow positive from installation.
With 25-year panel warranties and 10-year inverter warranties now standard, commercial solar is one of the lowest-risk assets a lender can finance — which translates to competitive rates and favourable terms for borrowers.
Our free calculator compares chattel mortgage, finance lease, and operating lease — so you can see how energy savings offset repayments.
Compare Structures →Solar’s long asset life (25+ years for panels) makes it ideal for longer finance terms. The right structure depends on whether you own or lease your premises and your GST position.
| Feature | Chattel Mortgage | Finance Lease | Operating Lease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Immediate | At end of term | Return to lessor |
| GST treatment | Eligible upfront credit may be available | Eligible credits may arise with payments | Eligible credits may arise with payments |
| Tax depreciation | Business may claim if eligible | Lessor generally claims | Lessor generally claims |
| Potential business-use deduction | Eligible interest may be deductible | Eligible payments may be deductible | Eligible payments may be deductible |
| Balloon / Residual | Optional | Mandatory | Built-in |
| Best For | Property owners wanting long-term savings | Businesses wanting ownership at end | Leased premises or shorter commitments |
A chattel mortgage gives the business ownership while the lender takes security. An eligible GST credit and business-use interest or depreciation deductions may be available. Any immediate write-off depends on legislation in force and every eligibility test; model the transaction without assuming it.
Payments are potentially deductible, subject to current tax law and the taxpayer’s circumstances. At the end of the term, you pay the residual to take ownership. A good option for businesses that want to keep the system long-term but prefer to spread the tax benefit evenly across the lease term rather than taking a large upfront deduction.
Also known as a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) when structured through an energy retailer. You use the solar system and return it at lease end. The asset stays off your balance sheet and every payment is deductible. Ideal for leased premises where you may not occupy the site for the full life of the panels.
Planning ranges checked 9 August 2026 • Not quotes, offers or comparison rates and subject to lender approval, credit profile, system size, and loan amount.
| Structure | Indicative Rate Range (p.a.) |
|---|---|
| Chattel Mortgage (new systems) | 6.29% – 9.49% |
| Finance Lease | 6.29% – 9.99% |
| Operating Lease / Rental | By quote |
| Green Energy Loan (specialist) | 5.79% – 8.49% |
*Several lenders now offer “green finance” products with discounted rates for solar and renewable energy assets. These typically require CEC-accredited installation and Tier 1 panels. View our full rates guide →
Assessment and settlement timing depends on the lender, application completeness, asset and seller checks.
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