Vic Govt providing affordable renewable energy

Solar Victoria has announced the largest solar installation through the Victorian Government’s Solar for Community Housing program, with Haven Home Safe installing solar PV systems across 152 of their properties. This has helped their tenants cut their energy bills by more than 50%; in some instances by more than $1000 a year.

The Solar for Community Housing Program supports not-for-profit community housing organisations that provide social housing to some of the most vulnerable Victorians to reduce the cost of energy for their tenants by providing rebates of $1400 per dwelling to reduce the upfront cost of installation.

Haven Home Safe, which provides affordable rental housing to low-income households, has found that residents have more than halved their bills since installing PV systems on properties across the Loddon Mallee region.

Haven Home Safe has installed solar PV systems on 152 properties in Mildura, Robinvale, Swan Hill, Flora Hill, Ironbark, Long Gully, North Bendigo, Ascot, Epsom, California Gully and Eaglehawk, through the assistance of $212,800 funding from Solar Victoria.

Since the Solar for Community Housing program commenced, Solar Victoria has provided rebates to 24 community housing organisations to install solar PV systems in over 1000 properties. The program is an integral part of Solar Victoria’s ongoing work to support renters and vulnerable households to electrify their homes and save on their energy bills. This commitment has extended in 2024 to include a new Solar for Apartments program which is jointly funded with the federal government.

“Energy costs make up a large percentage of household budgets, particularly for low-income Victorians,” said Solar Victoria CEO Stan Krpan. “The Solar for Community Housing program assists community social housing providers to reduce cost of living pressures for those who need it most.

“Victoria’s community housing sector is hugely innovative and dynamic. We are delighted to launch the new application process which will allow community housing organisations to spend less time applying through an onerous manual application process.

“This will help some of the most vulnerable Victorians and lower income renters in community owned or operated social housing reduce their power bills and switch to clean energy.”

Following extensive engagement and co-design with community housing organisations, Solar Victoria has launched a new, streamlined, online application process to replace its former manual application process, which will make it easier for community housing organisations to apply for the program.

“The installation of the panels not only meant we reduced our reliance on non-renewable energy sources but also reduced bill stress on renters, who have reported saving more than half their electricity costs,” said Haven Home Safe CEO Trudi Ray. “Due to the sheer size of the project that we undertook, the rebate process was time-consuming; however, Solar for Community Housing’s team were fantastic to work with.

They provided very clear advice and guidance on the process and helped us every step of the way through to completion of installations and lodgement of rebates. We welcome the news of a new digital process.”

For more information, visit solar.vic.gov.au/solar-community-housing.

Image credit: iStock.com/zstockphotos