LABOR has pledged a massive solar panel rollout program if it wins the coming state election, saying it will help Victorians save about $890 a year on their power bills.<\/p>\n
The new Solar Homes program will see solar panels installed on 650,000 homes over 10 years.<\/p>\n
Under the $1.24 billion program, Victorians can install a solar panel system for half price and pay the rest of the cost back over four years with an interest-free loan.<\/p>\n
This will save the typical Victorian household up to $2,225 for installation of an average 4kW solar system.<\/p>\n
A new independent agency, Solar Victoria, will be established to work with industry, regulators and training organisations to deliver the program, which will create almost 5,500 new jobs.<\/p>\n
Labor will invest $9 million to support accreditation of 4,500 electricians to install solar panels.<\/p>\n
It will also cut carbon emissions by almost four million tonnes and generate 12.5 per cent of Victoria\u2019s 40 per cent target for renewable energy by 2025.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Labor has invested $68 million to launch the Solar Homes program, under which Victorians can install a solar panel system and get half of the cost back via a rebate, and will be expanded to include the interest-free loan from July next year (assuming Labor wins the election).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know the cost of living is going up and it\u2019s getting harder to make ends meet. That\u2019s why<\/p>\n
Labor is helping families with their energy bills,\u201d Premier Daniel Andrews said.<\/p>\n
Environment Victoria and Solar Citizens have welcomed the pledge.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only certain way to bring down your energy bill is by going solar,\u201d Solar Citizens national director Joseph Scales said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, many people are locked out of enjoying the benefits of cheaper energy bills that solar provides because they can\u2019t afford the upfront cost. The Andrews Government has today provided a simple but significant answer to that.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LABOR has pledged a massive solar panel rollout program if it wins the coming state election, saying it will help Victorians save about $890 a year on their power bills. The new Solar Homes program will see solar panels installed on 650,000 homes over 10 years. Under the $1.24 billion program, Victorians can install a […]<\/p>\n