Solar rebate extended to new builds

The state government has announced it will expand the eligibility for the solar panel rebate to new homes under construction, enabling Victorians to save on installation costs and electricity bills from the moment they move into their newly built home.

The government said changes will save homeowners up to $800 on installation costs by fitting panels as they wire the electricity to their new homes, as well as an average of $1073 each year in energy costs.

So far, there have been 2724 Solar Rebates approved in Bass Coast, with 2521 solar systems installed.

Now, new homes are eligible for the rebate, and with 224 new building approvals in 2020-21, that means several hundred new local homes are now able to take advantage of the solar offer.

The government said the expansion paves the way for the increasing electrification of homes, while opening the program to tens of thousands of additional households each year – with around 40,000 new homes built in Victoria annually.

Under the changes, eligible Victorians building homes will be able to apply for a rebate of $1400 as well as being able to access a $1400 interest free loan to install solar panels during construction.

Since it began in 2018, the government’s Solar Homes Program has helped more than 195,000 Victorian households install solar PV systems.

It said this investment has already cut Victoria’s carbon emissions by 1.6 million tonnes – equivalent to the emissions produced by 500,000 cars each year – while supporting 5500 clean energy jobs.

Household solar is expected to generate 12.5 per cent of Victoria’s 40 per cent renewable energy target by 2025.

This financial year, there are 64,000 Government rebates available for solar PV systems.

Applicants must use a Solar Victoria authorised retailer and install a product included on the approved products list to qualify for the rebate.

For further information, including eligibility criteria, visit solar.vic.gov.au.