The government-funded scheme will cut energy bills by more than $300 a year, the department of the environment and energy says.

The trial installation - worth around $4,000 each - will be available in five regions - Central Coast, North Coast, South Coast, Sydney-South and the Illawarra-Shoalhaven.

To be eligible, applicants need to have their own home, a valid pensioner concession card or a department of veterans' affairs gold card, and opt out of the low income household rebate for 10 years.

The government has committed $15 million to reduce the impact of high energy prices and the scheme forms part of its determination to reduce emissions and act on climate change, Energy Minister Matt Kean said on Tuesday.

"For low-income households the cost of buying and installing a rooftop solar system can be prohibitive, so we've set up this trial so more of these home owners can unlock the savings benefit offered by rooftop solar generation," he said.

"In addition to potential bill savings, the addition of up to 3,000 more rooftop solar systems will add more than eight megawatts of renewable capacity to help support a clean, affordable and reliable electricity grid."