Solar and battery installation is booming, but the cash flow model is unusual. You buy expensive stock, install it, then wait for a chunk of the job’s value to arrive through certificates or rebates rather than from the customer. When volumes climb, that lag can swallow your working capital. Fast solar business loans are built to fill it.
Why solar installers run short of cash
Stock is expensive. Panels, inverters and especially batteries tie up a lot of money. Suppliers often want payment on order or on short terms, and the best pricing comes with bigger orders.
STC and rebate lag. Most residential installers discount small scale technology certificates off the customer’s price, then create and sell the certificates after installation. Battery rebates can work the same way. Either way, a meaningful part of each job is paid after the install, sometimes weeks later if paperwork or validation gets held up.
Grid connection and sign off. Final customer payments can wait on connection approvals, meter changes or compliance paperwork. None of that is in your control.
Demand spikes. When a new rebate starts or energy prices jump, enquiries surge. Meeting that demand means buying stock and hiring installers before the money comes in.
What solar businesses use loans for
- Panels, inverters, batteries and mounting systems in bulk
- Bridging STC and rebate payments after installation
- Installer and electrician wages while jobs are being paid
- Vans, trailers, scissor lifts and roof safety gear
- A warehouse or storage space for stock
- Paying a BAS or ATO debt
- Winning a commercial job, like panels on a small warehouse or factory unit
For bulk stock purchases, see our page on building materials finance.
Borrowing against property
If you own a home, investment property, commercial property or land with equity, you can secure a fast loan against it. A fast second mortgage is the most common option. A fast first mortgage suits unencumbered property, and a business bridging loan works if you’re waiting on a sale or refinance. Caveat loans are available in Victoria.
Property secured loans don’t need tax returns or financials, bad credit is considered, and terms are typically 1 to 12 months. Funding can happen in as little as 24 hours in some cases.
Unsecured cash flow loans for solar installers
If you don’t own property, an unsecured cash flow loan may suit. You’ll need an ABN, 6+ months of trading and business bank statements. Solar businesses with strong, regular deposits can often borrow a useful amount quickly. Our page on cash flow loans for tradies explains more.
Clearing a tax debt
Rapid growth often means GST and PAYG obligations grow faster than cash. A fast loan can clear the ATO in one hit while you sort the rhythm of your cash flow. Your accountant can advise on the tax detail.
Buying vans, lifts and gear
Every new installer crew needs a vehicle, ladders, harnesses and test gear. A fast business loan means you can equip a new crew in days instead of losing weeks of installs.
Scaling up without starving the business
Adding crews, opening a second region or chasing commercial work all need working capital. If your solar business is growing fast, working capital for construction companies covers how to fund growth sensibly.
Example: a solar business waiting on certificates
Hypothetical example. A solar and battery installer on the Sunshine Coast has 40 installs booked after a rebate boost. Each job has a certificate and rebate component paid after installation, and her supplier wants $200,000 for batteries up front to secure allocation. She owns her home and a small commercial unit. A $250,000 business bridging loan against the commercial unit over six months buys the stock and funds wages. She repays as certificates and customer payments arrive.
What to have ready
- Photo ID, ABN and business details
- The property you’ll use as security and its current loan
- Business bank statements for an unsecured option
- Your pipeline of booked jobs and how you’ll repay
Key facts: solar business loans
- Borrow: $20,000 to $5 million
- Security: home, investment or commercial property, land, or unsecured with 6+ months of trading
- Speed: as little as 24 hours for some property loans; some unsecured within hours
- Term: typically 1 to 12 months on property secured loans
- Suits: residential and commercial solar installers, battery installers, electrical contractors adding solar
- Pricing: priced on your circumstances, at the sharpest rate available for your situation
Loans are for business purposes. Start your application in about 60 seconds and a lending specialist will call you back to talk through options.
