Victoria’s Solar Homes program recorded a record year in 2024, with the installation of more than 78,000 solar panels, hot water systems and batteries installed – the largest year on record.
The State Government said it has helped Victorian families slash $1 billion off the installation of solar panels, energy efficient heat pumps and batteries.
The Victorian Government said more families than ever are seeing savings on their energy bills by powering their homes with solar, if combined with a hot water heat pump they can save up to $1400 a year or at least $1600 with a battery.
More than 300,000 solar panels have been installed through the Solar Homes program. That’s more than 2100MW of solar power that can be generated from Victorian rooftops – the equivalent of Loy Yang A, one of the largest coal-fired power stations in the state.
More than 31,000 energy-efficient hot water systems we’re installed in 2024 – a 151 per cent increase in installations on the previous year and the highest increase across all Solar Homes incentives.
The majority of installations occurred in Melbourne’s outer suburbs with Tarneit, Craigieburn, Point Cook, Clyde North and Truganina accessing the most solar rebates. In regional Victoria, Midura leads the charge followed by Shepparton, Wangaratta, Traralgon and Wodonga.
Eligible households can access a $1400 rebate to install solar panels, a further $1400 interest-free loan and a further rebate of up to $1000 to replace their hot water system – cutting $3800 from upfront installation costs.
Today, 30 per cent of Victorian homes now have solar installed. That’s more than double the number of homes that had solar when the Solar Homes program began in 2018.
Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, said, “We’re helping busy families slash their energy bills by making is cheaper to install solar, so they can power their homes with free electricity from the sun and slash $1000 off their bill each and every year.
“The huge uptake of solar in Victoria has helped push daytime wholesale prices to historic lows – meaning lower power bills for everyone.”
Victorian Member for Narre Warren South, Gary Maas, said, “Rooftop solar has taken off in Narre Warren with more and more families soaking up the power of the sun to slash their energy bills.”
