Direct Energy Services

Direct Energy Services was established in 2011 and delivers complete energy and environmental solutions for the education, commercial and residential sectors. Its premium LED lighting solutions typically achieve project payback periods of 2-6 years. 

DES also provides solar power systems, including battery storage and grid-connected solutions, with typical payback periods of 7-10 years. Its services include UV-C air-disinfection systems intended to improve indoor air quality and create healthier classrooms and workplaces.

Finance model 

DES offers a range of finance options to help customers implement energy and environmental upgrades without requiring upfront capital.  

Available options include: 

• Bank and green loans 
• Lease-to-own arrangements 
• Pay-as-you-save models 
• No-upfront-capital options 

Finance assessments are based on the anticipated energy and maintenance savings generated by each project. For LED lighting upgrades, DES calculates the anticipated energy savings and maintenance cost reductions, which can be used to offset the business’s power bill. For solar installations, DES considers the customer’s current power consumption, system size and projected energy savings to determine the potential payback period. 

Finance is arranged through an appropriate bank or lending partner, with repayment structured through monthly loan or lease payments. DES manages the project delivery and works with the customer and finance provider to implement the agreed solution.

Eligible project types 

• Energy-efficient LED lighting upgrades
• Commercial solar installations
• Battery storage
• Building upgrades
• Energy-efficiency projects
• Heat-pump and hot-water projects
• Refrigeration and cooling
• Renewable-energy projects and
• Solar PV

Project Capability 

Project size: NZ$20,000 to NZ$10 million. 

Delivery approach: Supplier-led delivery, operating nationwide. 

Funding & Ownership 

Repayment and risk 

Monthly loan repayments or lease payments. Under the supplier-led delivery model, DES takes responsibility for the ongoing performance and maintenance of the lighting system throughout the agreement period. 

Ownership  

During agreement: The customer owns the asset. 

At end of the agreement: The customer owns the asset. 

All information above reflects details supplied by Direct Energy Services in its February 2026 EECA Service Provider Bio Form response to EECA.