More than 23,000 extra Victorian households will benefit from solar energy rebates in the coming year, with the Victorian Government making a major boost to its landmark Solar Homes program.
Victorian Minister for Solar Homes Lily D’Ambrosio announced the extra rebates for the 2019/20 financial year, which will be released fortnightly, rather than monthly.
The change will mean Victorian households don’t have to wait until the start of each month to apply for the popular program and ensure a more consistent supply of work for solar installers.
On top of bringing the rebates forward the industry has agreed to a package of reforms that will boost safety and quality, with more audit staff, stronger fraud prevention and better information-sharing.
Victorians can be sure their chosen retailer is safe and reliable, with the Victorian Government also establishing a public register of solar installers, with unsafe and unscrupulous installers removed from the program and named on the register. This will be supported by small business mentoring and workforce training for installers.
The Solar Victoria web portal will also be streamlined and improved to make it simpler for households to apply for a rebate.
An Industry and Consumer Reference Group will also be established, bringing together industry groups, consumers, Solar Victoria and government to provide ongoing advice and inform the decade-long roll-out.
The Victorian Government’s $1.3 billion Solar Homes program will install solar panels, hot water or batteries on 770,000 homes over the next ten years, saving Victorian households more than $890 a year on their energy bills. The program will create more than 5,500 jobs, boost energy supply and reduce carbon emissions.
Source: Vic Government