The Victorian Government has launched a landmark scheme, which will offer major discounts for large commercial and industrial businesses to install rooftop solar systems under the state’s Energy Upgrades Program.
The scheme targets around 57,000 high-energy-use sites like factories, warehouses, food processors and more that are responsible for nearly a third of Victoria’s energy consumption. Eligible businesses may also access battery rebates through the Commonwealth Cheaper Home Batteries Program (up to 100 kWh (kilowatt-hour)).
A 200 kW (kilowatt) solar system, which is capable of generating an average of 600 KWh per day can slash energy bills by $64,000 to $68,000 annually, boosting business cash flow for jobs, growth and innovation, while cutting emissions and operating costs.
The Clean Energy Council has stated its support of the scheme, mentioning that it has “long advocated for such a scheme to further drive Australia’s clean energy transition.”
Furthermore, participants of the scheme can choose from almost 3000 Clean Energy Council approved solar modules to ensure that rooftop solar systems installed meet strong safety and quality standards.
Clean Energy Council General Manager – Distributed Energy, Con Hristodoulidis said these incentives unlock untapped potential for renewable energy generation.
“Australian households and small businesses have already embraced rooftop solar in record numbers, with more than 4.2 million having made the switch, and 800,000 of those from Victoria, while large-scale renewable developers are building utility solar at pace,” Hristodoulidis said.
“The commercial and industrial sector- the lifeblood of Victoria’s economy – have been the missing middle, with this new initiative set to be a game-changer, filling the gap between household solar and utility-scale renewables.”
The aforementioned Victorian Energy Upgrades program aims to reduce greenhouse gases by providing access to discounted energy efficient products and services.