Melbourne’s outer suburbs are leading Victoria’s household solar boom – thanks to the Victorian Government’s $1.3 billion Solar Homes Program, the state’s solar minister announced today.
Minister for Solar Homes, Lily D’Ambrosio said Tarneit, Craigieburn, Point Cook, Clyde North and Truganina were the top five metropolitan Melbourne solar suburbs, having accessed the most solar rebates since the government’s Solar Homes Program began in 2018.
Nearly 10% of all Solar Homes installations have been in these five suburbs alone.
Sunny northern Victoria leads the charge among regional areas, with Mildura the top regional solar city, followed by Shepparton, Wodonga, Wangaratta and Wallan.
“Our Solar Homes Program is driving down the cost of living for Victorian households and reducing emissions,” said Minister D’Ambrosio.
“Solar Homes customers are well positioned to absorb energy bill rises in energy costs, by time-setting appliances to run during the day when solar systems are operating at their peak.”
“Household solar puts the power back into the hands of Victorian households, while helping meet our target of halving emissions by 2030 and supporting 5,500 clean energy jobs.”
She said the Solar Homes Program had helped more than 200,000 Victorians install solar technologies, saving these households an average of $1,073 each year in electricity costs.
Under the scheme, eligible homeowners and rental providers can apply for rebates of $1,400 to install solar panels, with the option of an interest free $1,400 loan, and a further $1000 rebate for the installation of solar hot water.
In less than four years, the Governments Solar Homes Program has already cut Victoria’s carbon emissions by 750,000 tonnes – the equivalent of taking nearly 200,000 cars off the road, the Minister said.
The Government is also helping even more Victorian businesses to cut their energy bills, with up to $8,500 off the upfront cost of a solar system installation through the Solar for Business Program, she said.
