Interest-free solar deals are presented in various formats to suit a narrative that rarely becomes reality. That’s because you don’t live like a pre-empted calculation, no matter how many past electricity bills you have in your arsenal.
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The argument towards interest-free solar is that you can use a combination of solar energy options to your advantage by replacing a portion of the electricity bill savings as a fortnightly payment towards solar power. The offer seems straightforward.
Scenario A: 
- You save X amount on energy costs with solar.
- Use those savings to pay for solar, nothing out-of-pocket.
Almost a no-brainer, but it’s always wise to consider the alternative: You acquire an interest-free solar energy system, and your energy consumption misaligns with solar energy production…
Scenario B: ☹️
- Your energy bill remains similar to before solar costs.
- Household outgoings now include electricity from the grid costs + a solar repayment plan.
Scenario B will leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth after investing in a household cost-reduction mechanism that increases total outgoings. However, homeowners can install a low-cost feature alongside a basic interest-free solar package to assist with a more likely Scenario. Tip: it isn’t a battery.
- Interest-free solar affects bill savings only through load-shifting
- 40:60, the minimum energy consumption profile for solar-only systems
No matter how an interest-free solar package is presented, solar-only systems deliver reflective bill savings when you can consume as much solar power as is generated. Bill reduction works through load shifting in line with solar production. Load shifting is an industry term that encourages the shift of on-demand appliance (energy load) use to a more planned operation period that aligns with free energy from the sun.
Example:
- After dinner (night) dishwasher use can be substituted for morning operation when the sun rises for no-cost automated washing.
- An air conditioner operates from midday to regulate household temperature using thermal mass as an energy storage maechanism avoiding evening use and related energy expenses.
Results from an interest-free solar-only energy system without a battery and a negligible feed-in tariff begin at 40% day to 60% evening consumption. Improving this ratio impacts bill reduction, which is more likely to offset an interest-free solar repayment plan.
Exporting to the grid shouldn’t be a consideration. The Distributed Energy Buy-Back Scheme (DEBS/Synergy feed-in tariff) returns 2c per unit during peak generation hours and 10c in the dwindling parts of the day. A valuation that is likely continue its downward trend annually due to the lower value/excess energy available on the network at that time of day.
Insight: Choose a shorter repayment plan for better value interest-free solar deals.
- Add an energy consumption monitor to maximise savings
Ratios, consumption profiles, peak power, kW and kWh can become daunting, and we agree it’s too much to consider unthinkingly. From $390 on top of the base system cost, Perth Solar Warehouse recommends adding an energy consumption monitor to every solar-only system where provision is possible.
Unlike your [Western Power] electricity meter, a solar-connected energy consumption monitor sits in line with the property’s electricity meter or point of supply and is communicatively connected to the solar inverter. Delivering the data to visualise a property energy profile through reporting energy import and export information alongside standard feature production monitoring and service alerts. Actionable data is delivered in real-time through one energy app in more advanced technologies, removing guesswork associated with load shifting.
- Self-generated power supplies improve energy security.
With the cost of energy consistently increasing over the previous decade and likely continuing annually, generating your energy from natural resources for the price of a payment plan over a limited period has merit. Interest-free solar assists broader market access by reducing adoption barriers if the cost is minimal upfront.
Interest-free solar | No solar |
|---|---|
Own a self-generated power supply | Annual market valuations per unit |
Less than the savings value with ideal consumption profile | Measured average Synergy bill increases of 2.7% p.a |
No expense energy available when the sun rises | The Synergy Midday Saver Tariff provides the lowest cost-per-kWh during day-hours. |
Sell excess energy to the grid | n/a |
Informed energy use decision making through energy profiling (with consumption monitor) | n/a |
Add a battery to use self-generated energy after sunlight hours | n/a |
Expanded blackout protection option | n/a |
Use grid power if needed | Use grid power |
- Low doc approval process for purchases under $20,000
Most solar companies use three prominent interest-free solar finance providers, who are often vendor-nominated, to facilitate customer payment terms and schedules. Brighte, Plenti and HUMM have a good track record among eligible customers and solar installation companies by satisfying customers through low documentation and vendors alike with a timely financing facility to reach a broader market where out-of-pocket costs could be an adoption barrier.
Documentation | Purpose |
|---|---|
Personal Identification | Two forms of recognised identification (Driver’s licence, Medicare card, Passport etc). |
Capacity to pay | Last payslip or similar proof that the system cost can be repaid. |
During the approval process, applicants must confirm that they are Australian citizens or permanent residents and able to repay the system cost.
Perth Solar Warehouse is an authorised vendor with Brighte and Plenti, and we are delighted to offer some of the best value, interest-free solar package deals. If you see an alternative product in the Perth Solar Warehouse range, interest-free payment plans are available for the combined RRP of the product and service cost. Like all retailers, we’re not exempt from merchant service fees in any form of financial convenience. We’ve customised specific solar packages to assist with your interest-free solar buying experience.
Important: Please do not apply for interest-free finance for the cost of the system before a quote. Your pre-approval will not qualify with Perth Solar Warehouse without applying through our vendor portal.
Insight: Perth Solar Warehouse ranks as one of the best solar companies in Perth x review.
Many people outlay significant capital to achieve their solar dream. Consider seeking out better medium—to long-term value to assist in mastering solar generation hours before considering a battery with only an energy consumption monitor as an additional accessory. Interest-free solar deals can substitute one expense for another only when solar production and energy consumption are aligned.
We have a dedicated range of interest-free solar packages in the ideal format for electricity bill reduction mastery. When you’re ready to discuss interest-free solar options by Perth Solar Warehouse, we’re here to assist.
