Solar Victoria has announced it has expanded its Solar Homes battery rebates to a further 104 postcodes, providing more Victorians with cheaper, cleaner energy.
Solar Victoria CEO, Stan Krpan, announced residents of 80 additional postcodes with high rates of population growth and rooftop solar penetration could now apply for a Solar Victoria battery rebate from 1 November.
The expansion will unlock battery rebates to Victorians living in a total of 59 regional and 45 Melbourne postcodes.
In Melbourne, new areas open to the solar battery program include the western and northern suburbs, the outer east and the south-eastern growth corridor.
Regional areas to become eligible include postcodes near Ballarat and Bendigo, the Bellarine Peninsula, around Paynesville in East Gippsland, much of West and South Gippsland and Wodonga in the north-east.
In this round, 400 rebates worth up to $4,838 are available, with a further 400 available in March 2020.
The expanded eligibility will help Victorian households with rooftop solar panels that have not already claimed a Solar Homes rebate.
The battery rebate is part of the Victorian Government’s 10-year Solar Homes program, which has already delivered more than 45,000 rooftop solar panel systems to homes across Victoria. Over the life of the Solar Homes program, 10,000 solar storage batteries will be installed.
Households looking to apply for a rebate must obtain approval for a battery from their distribution network service provider before installation, have an existing solar PV system larger than 5kW and meet other eligibility criteria.
The expansion of the battery program has been determined in consultation with network providers, as part of the government’s efforts to modernise Victoria’s electricity grid.
Mr Krpan said the battery expansion will mean more Victorians can access a generous rebate and be part of the transition to a low-carbon future.
“Many households in regional Victoria will be able to participate in the battery program for the first time and there are now more opportunities for our solar businesses,” Mr Krpan said.
