Solar & Renewable Energy Finance Australia

Why Finance Solar & Renewable Energy?

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.

What Can You Finance?

• Solar Panels: Rooftop arrays, ground-mount systems, carport solar, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV)
• Battery Storage: Commercial lithium-ion batteries, hybrid inverter-battery systems, peak-demand management
• Inverters: String inverters, micro-inverters, hybrid inverters, three-phase commercial inverters
• EV Charging: Level 2 chargers, DC fast chargers, fleet charging stations, smart charging management
• Energy Management: Smart meters, energy monitoring platforms, demand-response controllers
• Wind & Micro-Hydro: Small wind turbines, micro-hydro generators for rural and agricultural sites
• Installation & Electrical: Mounting systems, switchboard upgrades, metering, and electrical infrastructure

Finance Structures for Solar Equipment

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.

Chattel Mortgage

The most popular structure for commercial solar. You take immediate ownership, claim the GST upfront (e.g. ~$13,600 on a $150K system), and can deduct both interest and depreciation. Combined with the instant asset write-off, the first-year tax benefit can be substantial. Best for businesses that own their premises.

Finance Lease

Payments are fully tax-deductible. 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.

Operating Lease

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.

Indicative Solar Finance Rates

Updated May 2026 • Rates are indicative only and subject to lender approval, credit profile, system size, and loan amount.

*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 →

Eligibility Requirements

• Active ABN — GST registration preferred for chattel mortgage but not required
• 12+ months trading history (some green-finance products accept 6 months)
• Clean personal credit history — no current defaults or judgments
• Installer quote with system specifications, panel brand, and warranty details
• Proof of property ownership or a long-term commercial lease (3+ years remaining)
• Proof of income — BAS returns, tax returns, or bank statements

Solar finance is among the easiest equipment finance to obtain because the asset generates measurable, provable savings. Systems under $250K with supporting financials often qualify for low-doc approval within 24–48 hours.

Solar Equipment Finance FAQs

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