Sun shining on apartments to help cut energy bills

Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio today visited an apartment building in Alphington to open round three of the Solar for Apartments program – saving the average apartment household up to $500 a year on their electricity bills.

There will be 5000 rebates available to apartment residents under this round of the $32 million Solar for Apartments program. The program offers rebates of up to $2,800 per household or up to $140,000 per building for up to 50 apartments to install solar panels on their rooftop.

Since the program’s launch in February last year more than 3,200 families living in apartments, units and townhouses have installed solar.

Around half of the current uptake has been on apartments that are rented, allowing renters to receive the benefits of cheap solar and lower energy bills.

This means apartment residents will be able to soak up their own energy generated by the sun to power their appliances and heat their homes.

Rebates are available to Victorians living in apartment buildings, strata townhouses and units under the control of an Owners Corporation and sharing a common property rooftop.

Uptake is spread across metropolitan Melbourne, with the highest number of applications approved within the Merri-bek, Port Phillip, Yarra and Darebin local government areas.

For more information and to check eligibility, visit solar.vic.gov.au/apartments.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio

“We’re making it easier for Victorians living in apartments to enjoy the benefits of free energy from the sun and save up to $500 a year on their energy bills with solar.’

“Around 65 percent of apartment residents are renters and we’re making sure they get the benefit of lower energy bills too.”

Quotes attributable to Commonwealth Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen

“Whether you're in a house or an apartment, everyone should be able to take advantage of our abundant cleaner, cheaper solar energy to bust bills for good.”

“We're making it easier for Victorians who live in apartments to reap the benefits of our abundant sun - powering more homes with renewables and driving down prices for everyone.”

Quote attributable to the Federal Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence and the Member for Cooper Ged Kearney

“My local community cares deeply about climate action and want to see real solutions that don’t break the bank. By putting solar on apartments, we’re proving that all of us can play a role cutting emissions.”

Quote attributable to Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous

“Renewables are being embraced right across our communities, and we are making sure Victorian renters in apartments are not left behind.”

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Metropolitan Sheena Watts

“More Victorians are choosing to live in apartments and programs like this will mean they can benefit from renewables, slashing their energy bills and helping tackle climate change at the same time.”