Victoria is set to roll out thousands of solar panels across apartment buildings, offering significant savings of around $500 per year on power bills, according to the Solar for Apartments program jointly launched by the federal and state governments.
With applications now open for the first round of the $16 million initiative, the program aims to simplify and reduce the cost of rooftop solar installations for apartment residents.
Approximately 12 per cent of Victoria’s 2.5 million households live in apartments, and the Solar for Apartments program targets this segment. Successful applicants can receive rebates of up to $2,800 per apartment or up to $140,000 per building, supporting up to 50 apartments in installing solar panels.
The initiative, benefiting around 5000 households, seeks to make solar installations more accessible by addressing the complexities and costs associated with apartment buildings. By offering rebates, the program aims to cut upfront costs, streamline the installation process, and encourage the uptake of solar energy in apartments.
Owners corporations can choose between installing multiple individual solar PV systems, a single large solar PV system with solar sharing technology, or a combination of both.
With over 500 registrations of interest already received, including owners corporations, apartment residents, and rental providers, the program demonstrates a substantial demand for accessible solar solutions.
According to the Albanese Government, this program is part of its Community Solar Banks initiative, which aims at sharing solar for 25,000 homes across Australia who have found it difficult to access solar in the past.
Round 1 applications for Solar for Apartments are open until April 15.
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