- Published:
- Wednesday 23 October 2019
The Andrews Labor Government’s Solar Homes is continuing to put power back in the hands of Victorians, with 46,000 solar installations completed since the program’s launch.
Minister for Solar Homes Lily D’Ambrosio today released new data showing Solar Homes is delivering a pipeline of cleaner, cheaper energy in every corner of the state, with over 62,000 rebates for solar panels, solar hot water, solar batteries and no-interest loans so far secured by Victorian households.
Melbourne’s booming outer suburbs continue to be the most popular for solar panels under the program, with top suburbs including Tarneit, Clyde North, Point Cook, Craigieburn, Truganina, Wyndham Vale, Cranbourne East, Pakenham, Berwick and Cranbourne North.
Victorians living in regional and rural Victoria are embracing the transition to renewables, with figures showing 42 per cent of rebate applications secured by households outside of Melbourne.
Solar Homes is reducing energy bills for families most in need of relief, 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.
Victoria’s solar energy companies are also sharing in the business generated from the program, with 640 retailers securing work through Solar Homes and 5500 new jobs set to be created in the industry.
Figures reveal that the share of applications is dispersed across the industry, with the top retailer securing less than 5 per cent of applications available and 71 per cent of applications shared across retailers outside the top 20.
Since July 1st, the Solar Homes program has been speedily converting rebate applications into installations, with most applications approved and installations completed within the month they are allocated to the customer.
Solar Homes is driving a 46 per cent increase in the uptake of solar panels across the state, with residential installations in 2019 on track to deliver solar panels to 60,000 households, compared to about 41,000 installations in 2018.
The program also continues its strong focus on safety, with the most stringent requirements for solar installations in the country. Solar Victoria and Energy Safe Victoria continue to work together to audit household solar systems with more than 1,500 completed since the program began.
For more information on the Solar Homes program visit: solar.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Solar Homes Lily D’Ambrosio
“Solar Homes is putting power back in the hands of Victorians, helping to drive down household energy bills, reduce emissions and respond to climate change.”
“The latest figures show that Solar Homes has been overwhelmingly popular and Victorians in every part of the state are rushing to be part of the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy.”