General News
15 September, 2022
More Victorians now eligible for solar rebate
Central Goldfields Shire and surrounds residents interested in installing solar systems for their new homes may now be eligible for the State Government’s solar panel rebate — which more than 600 local residents have already applied for. Part of...

Central Goldfields Shire and surrounds residents interested in installing solar systems for their new homes may now be eligible for the State Government’s solar panel rebate — which more than 600 local residents have already applied for.
Part of the government’s $1.3 billion Solar Homes Program which started in 2018, eligibility for the rebate was expanded recently to new homes under construction.
This financial year, there are 64,000 government rebates available for solar PV systems and 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.
The changes are expected to save homeowners up to $800 on installation costs, and an average of $1073 each year in energy costs.
Uptake of the Solar Homes program in the Central Goldfields Shire has been strong, with 626 applications approved and 550 already installed — 283 of which were in Maryborough.
In the Pyrenees Shire, 301 applications have been approved and 269 installed.
Minister for Solar Homes Lily D’Ambrosio said the rebate will help Victorians doing it tough with rising energy costs.
“We know energy prices are putting pressure on households — expanding Solar Homes to new builds will help tens of thousands of Victorians save thousands on electricity costs and help us cut emissions by 50 percent by 2030,” she said.
“We’re putting power back into the hands of Victorian households, driving down energy costs and boosting supply, creating thousands of jobs and cutting solar installation costs for new builds by hundreds.”
Household solar is expected to generate 12.5 percent of Victoria’s 40 percent renewable energy target by 2025.
Rebate applicants must use a Solar Victoria authorised retailer and install a product included on the approved products list to qualify for the rebate.
For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit solar.vic.gov.au