In a significant stride toward addressing the persisting power supply challenges in South Africa, FNB has ushered in a groundbreaking initiative. The banking giant has commenced applications for individual solar loans, intricately tied to the government’s Energy Bounce Back Loan Guarantee Scheme. This strategic move aims to alleviate the impact of power shortages and load shedding by granting individuals accessible financing at reduced interest rates.
Initiated by the National Treasury and administered by the South African Reserve Bank earlier this year, the Energy Bounce Back Loan Guarantee Scheme has undergone a transformative evolution. While the scheme initially catered to commercial users, it has recently extended its purview to include individual loans. Notably, Standard Bank took the lead by activating personal loan applications in September, with FNB unveiling its offering just this week.
FNB’s individual solar loan, categorized as a personal loan, sets off at a personalized interest rate. However, upon verification of the intended use – primarily directed towards solar panels and associated expenses like inverters – the interest rate plunges to prime plus 1%, currently amounting to a favorable 12.75%.
Delineating the parameters, businesses and commercial clients retain the flexibility to secure loan options ranging from R10,000 to a substantial R10 million. Conversely, individuals seeking solar-related financial aid will find themselves restricted to a range between R3,000 and R300,000.
Yet, unlocking the benefits of this scheme necessitates navigating a series of specific terms and conditions. Prospective beneficiaries must initially procure a quotation from a reputable solar supplier. Subsequently, they are required to apply for an FNB Personal Loan, ensuring the loan amount remains within 90% of the received invoice, capped at R300,000. Personalized interest rates are then quoted, subject to verification and subsequent payout.
Upon disbursal of the personal loan, beneficiaries are mandated to remit a deposit to the supplier before activating the benefit via the FNB App. However, the reduction in the interest rate materializes only after successful activation and verification of all essential documentation, a process that might extend up to 10 business days. Crucially, the revised interest rate becomes effective only from the activation date, without any retrospective application.
Adherence to strict guidelines further stipulates that the loan funds must be directed exclusively towards solar panels and ancillary expenses related to solar energy. This encompassing array includes batteries, inverters, and installation costs, all integral to fostering a robust solar infrastructure across the nation.
Emphasizing the indispensable role of solar panels in the invoice, FNB reiterated, “Solar must be part of the solution being financed. If there is no generation on the invoice, the loan will not be converted.” This directive aligns seamlessly with the overarching objective set by the National Treasury: augmenting energy generation through incentivized initiatives like the rooftop solar tax incentive.
Furthermore, activating the benefit within 60 calendar days post-payout on the FNB Personal Loan stands as an essential prerequisite. Additionally, in adherence to National Treasury directives, the scheme permits only one credit product per customer, thereby disqualifying applicants already availing themselves of a similar solar benefit credit product with FNB or any other financial institution.
This pioneering initiative by FNB stands as a beacon of hope, empowering South Africans to embrace renewable energy solutions while concurrently mitigating the challenges posed by erratic power supply. The synergy between financial institutions and the government’s visionary schemes heralds a promising era of sustainable energy for the nation, driving strides toward a brighter, more energy-independent future.
