- Minister for Solar ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s
In this Media Release
The Andrews Labor Government’s Solar ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s program is driving a clean energy revolution across our suburbs and the regions, with more than 71,700 successful applications from Victorians for rebated solar panels, solar batteries and solar hot water systems.
Minister for Solar ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s Lily D’Ambrosio today met a resident living in a unit managed by SouthEast Housing Co-operative in Cranbourne, who is already saving significantly on her power bills through rooftop solar.
Community housing residents with solar systems on their roofs receive 100 per cent of the power bill savings created by the panels – ensuring the energy cost savings available under Solar ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s reach those who need it most.
The not-for-profit housing providers receive the rebate and pass on the bill savings to their tenants.
More than 61,700 solar systems have now been installed and $124.6 million in solar rebates have been paid out, with 41 per cent of solar applications from households across rural and regional Victoria.
These solar households have added more than 300 megawatts (MW) of new capacity to the grid – providing more clean energy for Victoria.
Data gathered since July 2019 shows Victorians between 36 and 50 years of age are leading the charge for solar, with 18 per cent of applicants aged 18-35, 40 per cent aged 36-50, 26 per cent aged 51-65, and 16 per cent aged 65 or older.
Solar ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s is reducing energy bills for families who need it most, with 69 per cent of solar rebates going to households with incomes of less than $105,000, and at least 10 per cent to those earning less than $16,000 a year.
Melbourne’s 10 most popular Solar ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s suburbs are Tarneit, Clyde North, Point Cook, Craigieburn, Truganina, Wyndham Vale, Cranbourne East, Berwick, Werribee and Pakenham.
Outside Melbourne, the 10 most popular regional towns to adopt panels include Shepparton, Mildura, Warrnambool, Wodonga, Torquay Wangaratta, Mornington, Ocean Grove, Traralgon and Lara.
The Labor Government has also delivered 191 solar systems directly to community housing organisations, helping some of Victoria’s most disadvantaged families save money on their bills.
When completed, Solar ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s will have created 5,500 jobs and reduced the State’s carbon emissions by almost 4 million tonnes – the equivalent of taking one million cars off the road.
As stated by Minister for Solar ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s Lily D’Ambrosio
“Solar ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s is saving families hundreds of dollars on their energy bills – which is great for all Victorians, helping with the cost of living.”
“Through Solar ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s and our ambitious renewable energy targets, we’re creating jobs, boosting energy supply, driving down emissions and slashing energy bills for Victorians.”
As stated by Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale
“The take up of solar rebates has been incredible -particularly across Melbourne’s outer suburbs and right across regional Victoria.”
