Jordan Doherty
The Andrews Labor Government’s $1.3 billion Solar Homes Program is helping a record number of Victorians, including those in Brimbank, save on their energy bills by replacing ageing household water heaters with solar-powered hot water or an energy efficient heat pump.
The number of Victorians who claimed the $1000 rebate to replace their hot water systems with solar hot water or energy efficient heat pump systems almost quadrupled in 2022.
Hot water is the second largest consumer of household energy, switching to solar or a heat pump could save households up to $400 a year on their electricity bills.
Last year the Solar Homes Program expanded its eligibility to enable homes to access both solar panel and hot water rebates – households with both could save up to $1500 on their annual energy bill.
Demand for rooftop solar panel rebates also surged at the end of the year, with more than 5000 applications in November – a 30 per cent rise on the previous month.
Eligible households can access a $1400 rebate to install solar panels, a further $1400 interest free loan, and a further rebate of up to $1000 to replace their hot water system, cutting $3800 from upfront installation costs.
Solar Victoria’s customer survey showed an 84 per cent satisfaction rate with the Solar Homes Program, while three in four customers who installed solar said they saved more, or as much as they anticipated.
About 57 per cent of rebates went to households with a combined household income of less than $100,000.
The Solar Homes program has cut Victoria’s carbon emissions by 1.7 million tonnes helping us move towards electrification and meet our emissions reduction target of 75-80 per cent by 2035, and net zero emissions by 2045.
The Solar Homes Program will also support 5,500 clean energy jobs.
Victorians will have access to another round of the $250 Power Saving Bonus before this winter which will also help bring down household power bills.
The Labor Government is also reducing energy bills and improving energy security by bringing back the State Electricity Commission – replacing unreliable, privatised coal with clean, government-owned, renewable energy.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said, “This program is just one of the ways we are putting the power back in the hands of Victorians to help them save money and reduce emissions.”
“Solar Homes is helping pave the way towards home electrification in line with our nation-leading Gas Substitution Roadmap and deliver jobs in the growing clean energy industry.”
For more information, including eligibility criteria, and to apply, visit solar.vic.gov.au
