Low-income tenants go solar in Vic

Solar Victoria, the organisation that delivers the Victorian Government’s $1.3bn Solar Homes program, has undertaken a significant solar installation through the government’s Solar for Community Housing program.

This has involved Haven Home Safe, which provides affordable rental housing to low-income households, installing solar PV systems across 152 of its properties. Haven Home Safe said the installation has helped its tenants cut their energy bills by more than 50% — in some instances by more than $1000 a year. “Our bills before the solar were approximately $600 per quarter, now they are down to approximately $220. I am so happy with the saving!” said one Haven Home Safe renter.

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

Through the assistance of $212,800 funding from Solar Victoria, Haven Home Safe was able to install PV systems on properties across the Loddon Mallee region, including in Mildura, Robinvale, Swan Hill, Flora Hill, Ironbark, Long Gully, North Bendigo, Ascot, Epsom, California Gully and Eaglehawk.

“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.

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. This commitment has extended in 2024 to include a new Solar for Apartments program, which is jointly funded with the federal government.

Additionally, after engaging closely with community housing organisations, Solar Victoria has launched a more streamlined online application process to replace its former manual application process, with the aim of making it easier for community housing organisations to apply for the program.

“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,” said Solar Victoria CEO Stan Krpan.

“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.”

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

Image credit: iStock.com/Eloi_Omella