More Canberrans could soon to be able to enjoy cheaper, cleaner energy from solar support following the announcement of new Commonwealth and ACT Government funding for the installation of shared rooftop solar on multi-unit apartments.
Estimated at costing $3.6 million, the program would incentivise installing rooftop solar on apartment blocks through rebates and concessional loans to body corporates – benefitting all the apartment tenants and neighbouring residents.
An estimated 2,100 households in Canberra would benefit from the initiative, which could provide a 35 per cent reduction in electricity bills for renters living in apartments.
Multi-dwelling body corporates would be able to access up to $100,000 for rooftop solar, half through a Commonwealth rebate or grant through the Solar Banks initiative and half from an interest-free loan offered by the ACT Government as part of the Sustainable Household Scheme.
The new incentives are part of an $80 million boost for the Sustainable Household Scheme through the 2023-24 ACT budget.
This investment in ACT renters and apartment owners, who can’t currently access cleaner, cheaper solar, will ensure that everyone can reap the rewards of the clean energy transformation.
The Commonwealth funding is part of the $101 million commitment to shared solar, to ease energy bills for more than 25,000 Australian households. The 2023-24 Federal Budget also allocated more than $1.7 billion for energy saving upgrades for homes, businesses, social housing and local governments.
Eligibility for the program will align with the solar eligibility for households under the Sustainable Household Scheme, for which 92 per cent of apartments are eligible. Applications will be open later this year.
For more information, visit access the scheme at this PS News link.
