Residents in the City of Whittlesea can now access solar panel rebates for new homes under construction, helping to save installation costs and electricity bills as soon as they move in.
Under the changes, eligible homes under construction will be able to apply for a rebate of $1400 and can access a $1400 interest-free loan to install solar panels during construction as part of the State Government’s Solar Homes program.
The changes are expected to save homeowners up to $800 on installation costs by fitting solar panels as houses are being wired, as well as an average of $1073 per year in energy costs.
Minister for Solar Homes Lily D’Ambrosio said the changes will help reduce installation costs and energy costs while creating jobs.
“We’re putting power back into the hands of Victorian households,” she said.
“Driving down energy costs and boosting supply, creating thousands of jobs and cutting solar installation costs for new builds by hundreds.”
Up until August this year, the City of Whittlesea had 11,002 rebate applications approved with 10,421 builds having solar panels installed so far.
In 2021, Whittlesea has had a total of 983 approvals for 980 standalone and three semi-detached houses under construction, with Wollert also receiving 957 approvals, 904 for standalone houses and 53 for semi-detached houses. Doreen has had 346 builds approved, 308 being standalone houses and 17 semi-detached.
Mernda has had a total of 255 approvals, with 194 for standalone homes and 61 for semi-detached.
Lalor has had 131 builds approved, with 57 standalone houses, 70 semi-detached houses, and four flats having applications approved.
Epping has had a total of 122 approvals, 94 for standalone and 28 for semi-detached houses.
Since 2018, more than 195,000 households have received assistance from the $1.3 billion Solar Home program to install solar panel system.
It is estimated the program has helped to cut Victorian carbon emissions by 1.6 million tonnes, with household solar expected to generate 12.5 per cent of Victoria’s 40 per cent renewable energy target by 2025.
To qualify for the rebate, City of Whittlesea residents must use a Solar Victoria authorised retailer and install a product included on the approved products list.
Authorised retailers in the City of Whittlesea include Leada Electrical – Whittlesea; Solar Run Wollert; Adopt Solar, Amrut Solar – Mernda; Elcon Solar – Donnybrook; RJP Electrical and Solar, All Wired Up Services – Doreen; Solarvista – Lalor.
Retailers in Epping include Shining Solar, 365 Solar, AZ Energy, Solar Run Epping, SolarSeed, Solar Spirit, Northern Electrics and Automation, Right Choice Solar, and Electrical Doctorz.
For more information, including eligibility criteria, people can visit solar.vic.gov.au.
