More solar for new homes

NEW homes under construction are now eligible for the state’s solar panel rebate, broadening the Andrews government’s push to cut carbon emissions.

Saving homeowners up to $800 on installation costs and allowing them access to $1,400 rebate and an interest free loan of the same value, the expansion of the program is applicable to the estimated 40,000 homes built each year in Victoria.

The state’s minister for energy, climate change and solar homes, Lily D’Ambrosio, said the policy would also help cut power bills at a time households are facing increasing cost of living pressures.

“We know energy prices are putting pressure on households – expanding Solar Homes to new builds will help tens of thousands of Victorians save thousands on electricity costs and help us cut emissions by 50 per cent by 2030,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

Since the $1.3 billion Solar Homes Program started in 2018, over 195,000 Victorian households have used it to install solar PV systems and there are an additional 64,000 government rebates available for solar PV systems this financial year.

The investment, according to Ms D’Ambrosio, has cut the state’s emissions by 1.6 million tonnes – equivalent to half a million cars each year – and is part of the state’s push to cut its carbon output by 50 per cent by 2030.

“We’re putting power back into the hands of Victorian households – driving down energy costs and boosting supply, creating thousands of jobs and cutting solar installation costs for new builds by hundreds,” she said.

Eligibility criteria for the rebate includes a requirement that applicants use a Solar Victoria authorised retailer and install a product included on the approved products list.