350,000 solar panel, hot water and battery systems have been installed with the support of rebates and interest-free loans under Victoria’s Solar Homes program, the Allan Labor government says.
The $1.3 billion program, launched in 2018, runs for 10 years and is responsible for 13 percent of the total renewable energy capacity currently installed in the state. Other previous successes of the program include:
- Providing a capacity of 2 gigawatts.
- A total of 6.5 gigawatt hours of energy1 will be generated by solar panels installed as part of the program.
- Thirty percent of Victorian homes now have solar installed, up from 14 percent before the program began.
- Supporting 5,500 jobs.
- Providing free continuing education training for plumbers and electricians.
“We’re putting money back into Victorians’ pockets – helping save hundreds of thousands of families millions of dollars every year,” said Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.
According to the announcement, families who benefit will save a total of $279 million annually on energy costs.
Some Melbourne suburbs are experiencing much higher saturation rates than the national average; Tarneit, Truganina, Werribee and Hoppers Crossing are said to have more than 44% of homes with solar panels.
“Melbourne West is proud to be leading the state in rooftop solar installations, driving our state’s renewable energy revolution,” said Sarah Connolly, Member for Laverton.
Across the state’s regions, Mildura and Shepparton lead the way in uptake, followed by Wodonga, Wangaratta and Wallan.
The program’s popularity continues
Although the program has faced some challenges, particularly in previous years, it continues to be embraced by Victorians. The state government says last year was the biggest for the initiative. In July alone there were 7,873 approved applications; This included 4,435 successful applications for solar roofs and 3,125 approvals for solar hot water.
“Our popular Solar Homes program delivers cheaper renewable energy – cutting electricity bills and reducing emissions,” said Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio.
Solar Home Incentives Currently Offered
The centerpiece of the program is the Victorian Solar Panel Rebate, which offers a grant of up to $1,400 and a further $1,400 interest-free loan option. Victorians can double dip and take advantage of the national solar rebate too.
For home energy storage, there is an interest-free loan of up to $8,800 to install a solar battery system; repaid monthly over 4 years. A total of 2,000 home battery loan applications had been approved by June this year. At the time of going to press, there were still 1,905 interest-free loans for the 2024/25 financial year.
Also available is a rebate of up to $1,000 for replacing an existing hot water system with an eligible heat pump or solar hot water system. However, please note that a property that has already received a battery (or hot water) rebate will not be eligible for it.
Eligible rental providers/landlords can receive a rebate of up to $1,400 for installing solar PV systems on a maximum of two rental properties per fiscal year. Additionally, there is a discount of up to $1,400 per tenancy for community housing organizations (CHOs). To date, more than 1,000 tenancies have benefited from this funding.
Oversight of the program is provided by Solar Victoria, which also manages other initiatives including the Solar for Apartments program. This means that up to $2,800 per apartment is earmarked for the installation of PV systems. Round 2 of the program starts sometime this month.
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