Solar Finance Central Coast NSW: What to Check Before You Sign | Kratos

Solar Finance on the Central Coast: What Should You Check Before You Sign?

Financing solar can make it possible to install a system without paying the full purchase price upfront.

But when comparing solar finance for a home on the Central Coast NSW, the most important number is not:

“How much is the weekly repayment?”

It is:

“How much will I pay in total from the first repayment to the last?”

A finance offer can look inexpensive when presented as:

$40 per week

while still costing considerably more than the same solar system purchased outright.

Before accepting solar finance in Gosford, Wyong, Terrigal, Erina, Woy Woy, Tuggerah or elsewhere on the Central Coast, compare:

• Cash purchase price

• Amount being financed

• Interest rate

• Comparison rate where applicable

• Establishment fees

• Monthly or annual account fees

• Total amount payable

• Finance term

• Early repayment conditions

• Late-payment fees

• Whether the system price changes under finance

• Whether you own the system immediately

ASIC's Moneysmart recommends comparing borrowing products using the total repayments and fees, rather than focusing only on the advertised interest rate or individual repayment amount. (moneysmart.gov.au)

Kratos Energy currently offers several solar payment options, including $0-deposit, interest-free and green-loan arrangements, subject to approval and the applicable finance terms. (kratos-energy.com)

View Kratos solar finance options

Solar Finance Checklist: The Numbers That Matter

If the salesperson cannot clearly explain these numbers, request the finance documents before signing.

1. Find Out the Cash Price First

Before discussing weekly repayments, establish the outright purchase price of the solar system.

For example:

Cash price

$6,000

Then compare every finance option against that same figure.

This allows you to answer:

How much extra am I paying for the convenience of paying over time?

This comparison is also part of the consumer-protection approach under the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC).

For residential deferred-payment arrangements, the Code requires consumers to receive clear information about the proposed total finance cost compared with buying the same system outright. (newenergytech.org.au)

That is a much more useful comparison than:

“Only $X per week.”

2. Ask for the Total Amount Payable

Suppose a finance plan costs:

$55 per week

That sounds manageable.

But over five years:

$55 × 52 weeks × 5 years = $14,300

If the cash system price is substantially lower, you need to understand exactly what creates the difference.

The lender or finance documentation should make the repayment structure clear.

Ask for:

Total amount payable over the full term

in dollars.

That one figure captures the cumulative effect of:

• Interest

• Fees

• Finance term

• Regular repayments

and makes competing offers easier to compare.

3. “Interest-Free” Does Not Always Mean “Cost-Free”

This is one of the most important finance checks.

ASIC's Moneysmart states clearly that interest-free deals can still involve fees, and those fees can add up over time. It also warns that some arrangements can begin charging interest if the balance is not fully repaid within the interest-free period. (moneysmart.gov.au)

Possible charges include:

• Establishment fee

• Monthly account fee

• Annual fee

• Late-payment fee

• Payment-processing fee

So instead of asking only:

“Is the interest rate 0%?”

ask:

“If I make every payment on time, exactly how much will I have paid when the balance reaches zero?”

Worked Example: Interest-Free Solar With Fees

Consider a completely hypothetical system.

Cash price

$6,000

Finance

24 months interest-free

Establishment fee

$99

Monthly account fee

$15

Total account fees:

$15 × 24 = $360

Total payable:

$6,000 + $99 + $360

$6,459

The interest rate is:

0%

But the household still pays:

$459 more than the cash price.

This example is illustrative only.

It shows why interest rate and total cost are not the same thing.

4. Understand the Comparison Rate

For regulated loans where a comparison rate is provided, it can be a useful comparison tool.

A comparison rate generally combines:

interest + most standard fees

into one percentage.

Moneysmart explains that a loan with a lower advertised interest rate can sometimes have a higher comparison rate because of additional fees. (moneysmart.gov.au)

For example:

Loan A

Interest rate:

4%

Comparison rate:

7%

Loan B

Interest rate:

5%

Comparison rate:

5.5%

Loan A has the lower headline interest rate.

But Loan B may be cheaper overall under the standard comparison assumptions.

Do not choose finance from the headline percentage alone.

5. $0 Deposit Does Not Mean $0 Cost

A $0-deposit solar plan simply means the customer does not need to make an upfront deposit under that finance arrangement.

The full cost still needs to be repaid according to the credit contract.

Kratos' current finance page lists a $0 deposit plan as one of its available payment options, subject to approval. (kratos-energy.com)

Before using a $0-upfront arrangement, ask:

• What is the financed amount?

• What is the full term?

• What is the interest rate?

• What fees apply?

• What is the total payable?

• Can I repay early?

• Does early repayment reduce interest?

• Is the finance price different from the cash price?

The absence of an upfront payment does not tell you whether the finance is inexpensive.

6. Check Kratos' Current Finance Options Against the Final Contract

As of 1 October 2026, Kratos' public finance page lists:

$0 Deposit Plan

No deposit, subject to approval.

Interest-Free Terms

Up to 24 months, subject to approval.

Green Loan

Indicative rates advertised from 3.99% p.a., with terms up to seven years.

Kratos also states that finance is subject to approval, terms, conditions, fees and charges, and that advertised rates are indicative rather than a final personalised credit offer. (kratos-energy.com)

This distinction matters.

The website shows the available finance structure.

Your actual credit contract determines:

• Approved interest rate

• Finance provider

• Fees

• Repayments

• Term

• Total payable

Always check the final documents rather than assuming the advertised starting rate will apply to your application.

7. Ask Who the Actual Credit Provider Is

The solar retailer and the lender may not be the same business.

If finance is being arranged through a third party, ask for:

Legal name of finance provider

Australian Credit Licence details where applicable

Product name

Full credit contract

Credit guide and disclosures

The NETCC requires Approved Sellers offering residential deferred-payment arrangements to provide clear information about the credit provider involved and the applicable fees and charges. (newenergytech.org.au)

This is important because repayment questions ultimately relate to the credit agreement, not simply the solar installation agreement.

8. Check Whether the Solar Price Changes Under Finance

This question is often overlooked.

Ask:

“Is the solar system the same price if I pay cash?”

Suppose:

Cash price

$6,000

but:

Financed system price before lender interest

$6,700

Even a low-interest finance plan now starts from a higher principal.

That difference should be included when assessing total finance cost.

The comparison should be:

Cash price vs complete financed price

—not simply:

Interest rate vs interest rate.

9. Make Sure the STC Discount Is Already Accounted For

Most eligible residential rooftop solar systems receive an upfront discount through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs).

When comparing finance, establish whether the quoted amount:

already includes the STC value

or:

is calculated before the STC discount.

Kratos' residential pricing currently presents system prices after applicable federal STC support and states that rebate administration is handled as part of its residential process. (kratos-energy.com)

Compare Kratos residential solar systems

This prevents accidentally comparing:

one quote before rebate

with:

another quote after rebate.

10. Compare the Finance Term

A longer finance term usually lowers the regular repayment.

But it may increase the amount paid overall where interest or ongoing fees apply.

Consider:

Option A

$150/month for 3 years

versus:

Option B

$95/month for 7 years

Option B looks easier month-to-month.

But the correct question is:

What is the total payable under each option?

Do not automatically choose the finance arrangement with the smallest monthly repayment.

A longer repayment period may simply spread a larger total cost across more years.

Worked Example: Loan Term and Total Cost

Consider another hypothetical example.

System financed:

$6,000

Loan:

3.99% p.a.

Term:

5 years

Assume monthly repayments and an additional $250 in total lender fees.

Under those illustrative assumptions, monthly repayment would be approximately:

$110

and the total amount paid would be approximately:

$6,878

That is around:

$878 more than the $6,000 purchase price.

This is a modelling example only—not a current Kratos credit quote.

Actual repayments depend on the lender's rate, fees and contract.

The point is simply that even a relatively low interest rate creates a different total cost over several years.

11. Do Not Compare Finance Repayments Directly With Estimated Solar Savings

A common sales argument is:

“The solar savings will cover the finance repayment.”

That can happen.

But it should not be assumed.

Solar savings depend on:

• System generation

• Household electricity consumption

• Self-consumption

• Electricity tariff

• Feed-in tariff

• Shade

• Weather

• Future energy usage

Finance repayments, by contrast, are contractual obligations.

So compare them separately.

For example:

Finance repayment

$130/month

Estimated solar saving

$150/month

That does not guarantee the household will be $20 better off every month.

Solar output and consumption vary throughout the year.

Kratos' current savings calculator correctly describes its payback figures as estimates rather than guarantees. (kratos-energy.com)

Estimate solar savings with the Kratos calculator

12. Check Early Repayment Conditions

Suppose you take a seven-year solar loan but decide to repay the balance after two years.

Ask:

• Is early repayment allowed?

• Is there an early termination fee?

• Does future interest disappear?

• Is there an administration fee?

• How is the final payout calculated?

The ACCC recommends considering long-term financial effects and specifically checking exit or termination costs when entering long-term solar arrangements. (accc.gov.au)

This can matter if you:

• Sell the house

• Refinance

• Receive a lump sum

• Want to clear debt early

13. What Happens If You Sell the Home?

Solar equipment can remain on the property for decades.

Finance might still have several years remaining.

Before signing, determine:

Is the finance attached to you or the property?

Does the full balance need to be paid when the home is sold?

Can the finance be transferred?

Are there payout fees?

Do not assume that selling a solar-equipped property automatically transfers the loan to the buyer.

The credit contract determines what happens.

14. Finance Is Different From a Solar Lease or PPA

A traditional solar loan generally finances the purchase of the system.

A solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) works differently.

Under a PPA, a provider may own the solar system while the homeowner agrees to purchase the electricity it produces.

Under a lease, periodic payments may be made for use of the system.

The ACCC notes that long-term solar leases or PPAs may last 5–20 years and that the overall cost may be higher than purchasing the system outright. It also advises consumers to understand ownership, electricity charges, termination terms and who benefits from exports. (accc.gov.au)

Do not treat:

loan + lease + PPA

as interchangeable finance products.

15. Watch for “Interest-Free” Minimum Repayments

Some interest-free products require only a minimum repayment each month.

Moneysmart warns that minimum repayments may not necessarily repay the full balance before the interest-free period ends. (moneysmart.gov.au)

For example:

Interest-free period:

24 months

Outstanding balance:

$6,000

Simply making whatever minimum appears on a statement may not guarantee that the account reaches zero after 24 months.

Ask:

What exact repayment clears the balance before the interest-free period expires?

That is the number to budget around.

16. Buy Now Pay Later Can Still Include Fees

Moneysmart's current guidance notes that Buy Now Pay Later arrangements may charge fees even where interest is not charged. It also warns that multiple repayment services can make household commitments harder to manage. (moneysmart.gov.au)

For a major purchase such as solar or battery storage, check whether the finance product is:

• A traditional consumer loan

• Interest-free credit

• BNPL

• Lease

• PPA

and understand the legal structure before accepting it.

17. Check the System Before Checking the Finance

Finance should not make an unsuitable solar system attractive.

First confirm that the system itself is appropriate.

For a Central Coast home, check:

• Roof orientation

• Shade

• Household electricity use

• System size

• Inverter capacity

• Expected generation

• Network approval

• Export arrangement

Then assess how to pay for it.

For example, a low monthly repayment on an oversized system is still poor value if much of the additional generation cannot be used effectively.

Kratos' recent guide to solar export limits in Gosford explains why system size, self-consumption and network exports need to be considered together. (kratos-energy.com)

Read the Kratos Gosford solar export guide

18. A Solar Quote and a Finance Contract Are Two Different Decisions

Treat the purchase as two separate comparisons.

Step 1 — Is This the Right Solar System?

Compare:

• Equipment

• System size

• Installation

• Warranty

• Estimated generation

• Price

Step 2 — Is This the Right Way to Pay for It?

Compare:

• Cash

• Finance

• Interest-free arrangement

• Green loan

• Other borrowing options

A strong solar deal does not automatically mean the attached finance is the strongest borrowing option.

And inexpensive finance does not make an unsuitable solar installation worthwhile.

Central Coast Solar Finance Checklist

Before signing, ask for these details in writing:

System

• Cash purchase price

• Solar system size

• Panel and inverter models

• STC discount

• Full installed price

Finance

• Credit provider

• Interest rate

• Comparison rate where applicable

• Finance term

• Establishment fee

• Monthly/annual fees

• Late fees

• Total amount financed

• Total amount payable

Flexibility

• Early payout conditions

• Exit fees

• Transfer conditions

• What happens if the home is sold?

Ownership

• Who owns the solar system?

• Is it a loan, lease or PPA?

• When does ownership transfer?

Savings

• Expected annual generation

• Estimated self-consumption

• Electricity tariff assumption

• Feed-in tariff assumption

• Whether savings figures are estimates

This gives you a much clearer picture than asking:

“What is the weekly repayment?”

Frequently Asked Questions

Solar Finance on the Central Coast: The Bottom Line

For a Central Coast homeowner, the safest way to compare solar finance is:

System cash price → financed amount → fees → interest → term → total payable.

Do not choose an offer purely because it says:

$0 deposit

or:

interest-free

or:

only $X per week.

A strong finance offer should make it easy to understand:

• What the solar system costs

• Who the lender is

• What fees apply

• How long repayments continue

• What the total repayment will be

• Whether you can repay early

• Whether you own the system

And always assess the solar installation and the finance arrangement as two separate decisions.

View Kratos solar finance options

Compare Kratos residential solar systems

Estimate your solar savings and payback

A small weekly repayment can hide a large total cost. For solar finance, compare the full system price and the full finance cost before you sign.