Solar batteries to power more Victorian postcodes

More Victorian households will be able to store cleaner, cheaper rooftop energy, with the Solar Homes program rebates expanding to a total of 247 eligible postcodes. 

Households in an extra 143 postcodes across the state will now be eligible to apply for a battery rebate of up to $4,838.  

More than 70% of the new postcodes are in regional Victoria, including areas surrounding Melbourne, and in the Goulburn Valley, North East Victoria, Gippsland and Barwon South West regions.  

The expansion will include regional centres such as Bendigo, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Yarrawonga, Mildura, Port Fairy, Traralgon, Sale and Bairnsdale, and reach approximately 50 per cent of households that have a pre-existing solar panel system of at least 5kW. 

In selecting eligible areas, which now include approximately 35% of Victoria’s residential postcodes, Solar Victoria has consulted with Distribution Network Service Providers to target growth areas with large numbers of solar powered homes.  

Householders applying for a rebate must obtain approval for a battery from their distribution network service provider before installation, have an existing rooftop solar system of 5kW or more, and meet other eligibility criteria. Full eligibility details can be found at: solar.vic.gov.au/solar-battery-rebate.