Most Perth households pay for solar and a battery with a mix of rebates and finance. The rebates come off the price first; finance then spreads what is left. This article explains the options available in WA in late 2026, from the WA Government's no-interest battery loan to green loans and installer payment plans, with a worked example.
This article is part of our guide to Solar and Battery Costs in Perth: Prices, Payback and Finance.
Install before 31 December 2026 to lock in this year's rebates.
From 1 January 2027 the federal battery rebate drops by about 16% (STC factor 6.8 → 5.7) and the solar panel rebate by about 20% (deeming period 5 → 4 years). It falls again in July 2027. The WA $1,300 rebate is limited to 100,000 households and is paid until the allocation runs out. Installation slots before Christmas fill fast, so lock in a date now.
Before you borrow anything, the rebates reduce the price. An accredited installer takes them off the quote; you should not have to pay the full price and claim them back.
Solar panels earn small-scale technology certificates (STCs) based on the system size, location and the "deeming period": 5 years for systems installed in 2026 and 4 years in 2027, so about 20% fewer solar STCs from 1 January 2027.
Batteries of 5 to 100 kWh usable earn STCs too. For installs between 1 May and 31 December 2026 the factor is 6.8 STCs per usable kWh, at the full rate up to 14 kWh, 60% from 14 to 28 kWh and 15% from 28 to 50 kWh. Rebates step down on 1 January 2027, when the factor falls to 5.7, and again in July 2027. Each STC is worth roughly $36 to $40 in 2026, depending on the market.
Up to $1,300 for Synergy customers and up to $3,800 for Horizon Power customers, based on 10 kWh of usable capacity. You must sign up to a VPP product from your retailer, the battery must be on the retailer's supported list, and the installer must be accredited and on the Plenti Vendor Directory. It is paid until the scheme's 100,000 rebates are used, and it can be combined with the federal rebates.
Under the WA Residential Battery Scheme, households with combined income under $210,000 can get a no-interest loan of up to $10,000, repaid over up to 10 years. Plenti administers the loans, and the same VPP and installer conditions apply as for the rebate. For an eligible household this is usually the cheapest finance available for the battery, because there is no interest. Plenti assesses each application, and the details of what the loan can cover are on wa.gov.au.
Some banks and credit unions offer "green" personal loans for solar, batteries and other energy upgrades, sometimes at a lower rate than their standard personal loans. Compare the comparison rate, fees and any early repayment charges, as you would for any loan.
Available from most lenders, with fixed rates and terms. Rates depend on your credit history and are usually higher than secured lending.
Adding the cost to your mortgage often gives the lowest interest rate, but spreading a few thousand dollars over a 25-year mortgage can cost more in total interest than a short loan. Talk to your lender about making extra repayments to clear it sooner.
Some installers offer payment plans through third-party finance companies, often advertised as "interest-free". These can carry account fees, higher system prices or high interest after the interest-free period ends. Ask for the full cost in writing and compare it with paying cash plus a separate loan.
A Synergy household with combined income under $210,000 adds a 10 kWh battery to its existing solar in 2026. The figures are hypothetical, to show how the pieces fit together.
In this example, the battery's savings roughly cover the loan repayments over a 5-year term. Actual prices, savings and loan approval vary; get a quote for your home and check the loan terms with Plenti.
Q: Do I need a deposit?
A: It depends on the installer and the finance. Ask for the deposit and payment schedule in writing, and be wary of very large deposits before work starts.
Q: How long are solar and battery loans?
A: The WA no-interest battery loan runs up to 10 years. Personal and green loans are commonly 1 to 7 years; installer plans are often shorter.
Q: Can I combine the rebates and a loan?
A: Yes. The federal and WA rebates come off the price, and the WA no-interest loan or another loan can cover the rest.
Q: Do the new grid rules affect finance?
A: Not directly. From 1 May 2026 every new or upgraded system must either support emergency solar management (remote switch-off by your retailer in a rare grid emergency) or be export-limited to 1.5 kW. Your installer sets this up.
Q: Where do I find Synergy's current buyback rates?
A: On Synergy's website. The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme pays 10 cents per kWh for exports between 3pm and 9pm and 2 cents at other times (rates effective 1 July 2025).
Disclaimer: General information only, not financial or credit advice. Loan products, rates, rebates and eligibility change. Check current details with the lender, Plenti and the official sources below, and consider independent financial advice.
Sun Direct Power installs solar and batteries across Perth and WA, and we are an approved Plenti vendor for the WA Residential Battery Scheme. On every package the rebates are taken off the quote, not paid back later:
Systems start from $7,114 after rebates. See all our packages or get a fixed quote for your home.
Facts checked 27 October 2026.
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