The Victorian Government has expanded the eligibility as part of its $1.3 billion Solar Homes program.
Victorians, who have not previously claimed a solar rebate, will be eligible for up to $2,400 in rebates for the installation of solar products. Households are also eligible for a $1,400 interest free loan, cutting up to $3,800 from upfront installation costs.
The changes also mean the nearly 190,000 Victorians who have previously accessed a rebate to install solar panels will be able to access up to an additional $1,000 to install solar hot water or a highly efficient heat pump system.
The Solar Homes program will cut Victoria’s carbon emissions by almost four million tonnes – the equivalent of taking one million cars off the road. Household solar is expected to generate 12.5 per cent of Victoria’s 40 per cent target for renewable energy by 2025.
The State 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 expansion of eligibility criteria of the $47.5 million Solar for Business Program.
Businesses with up to 50 employees are able to access a rebate of up to $3,500 to install solar panels, an increase from the current 20 employee threshold.
Businesses will also be able to apply for zero interest loans of between $1,000 and $5,000 to reduce the initial outlay for solar installation – a newly available rebate.
Since 2018, the State Government has helped more than 200,000 Victorian homeowners, renters and business owners cut their energy bills by directly investing more than $380 million to subsidise the installation of solar panels, solar hot water and solar batteries.
Businesses will be able to access the expanded program from Friday, 29 April, with the households able to apply for multiple solar products from mid-May 2022.
For further information visit solar.vic.gov.au.
