Hunter homeowners are expected to save more than $250 year on electricity bills as part of a pilot project that provides access to interest-free loans for battery and solar systems.
The Empowering Homes program, announced during last year's state election, aims reduce energy bills for up to 300,000 households across the state while assisting the transition to a clean energy future.
Interest-free loans of up to $14,000 for a solar-battery system, or up to $9,000 for the addition of a battery to an existing solar system will be available to eligible owner-occupiers with an annual household income of up to $180,000.
The Hunter is being used as a pilot project before the program is rolled out across the state.
Jan and Colin Wells at Cameron Park became the first house in the region to benefit from the program when they installed a battery to their existing solar system.
"We were already saving money from getting solar installed a couple of years ago; this (battery) will save us more," Ms Wells said.
"We plan to get another battery after we have paid this one off."
The pilot program is available to households in eligible postcodes within the local government areas of Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Muswellbrook, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter.
The areas were chosen because they had the highest rates of existing solar uptake.
The Hunter pilot, which does not have a cap on the number of people who can apply, is expected to be ongoing.
Chris Williams, chief executive of Natural Solar, which installed the Wells' battery, said there had been an unprecedented number of consumer enquiries from Hunter residents who were keen to investigate the opportunity to have solar installed as part of the program.
"With many homes in the Hunter having an abundance of roof space, or already with solar panels installed, there is no doubt people are excited by the opportunity to adopt battery power and reap the benefits of the interest free loan, coupled with future savings," he said.
"Over the past four years, the results and success of solar and battery systems in Australia has become increasingly more clear. We are seeing annual household savings on energy bills of up to $2,000, homes reduce their carbon emissions and a reduced reliance on the grid."
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will provide finance for the pilot, which will be administered by delivery partner RateSetter.
Homeowners can also register their interest in the broader program: www.energysaver.nsw.gov.au/solar-battery-loan-offer
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