{"id":26075,"date":"2018-11-26T05:27:06","date_gmt":"2018-11-25T18:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=26075"},"modified":"2018-11-26T05:27:06","modified_gmt":"2018-11-25T18:57:06","slug":"victoria-labor-solar-mb0837","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/victoria-labor-solar-mb0837\/","title":{"rendered":"More Sunny Days Ahead For Home Solar Power In Victoria"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Andrews

Image: Daniel Andrews | Via Facebook<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

With Labor to remain at the helm in Victoria, it now has solar power and other renewable energy commitments to make good on.<\/p>\n

“… obviously something has gone horribly wrong.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

.. thus spake Victorian Shadow Attorney General John Pesutto on Saturday evening when it became clear the Coalition had been given a trousers-down, bare bottom spanking by Victorian voters.<\/p>\n

Part of what went horribly wrong may have had to do with the Coalition’s support for renewable energy – or lack thereof. Leader of the Opposition Mathew Guy’s vow to dump the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) wouldn’t have been particularly helpful to his cause in a state where renewables have only grown in popularity.<\/p>\n

So, with Labor back at the wheel (after needing to engage a designated driver on Saturday night), what commitments relating to renewables will the Andrews Government now have to live up to?<\/p>\n

Expansion\u00a0Of Solar Homes Package<\/h2>\n

Victoria’s Solar Homes Package<\/a> scheme set a goal of 650,000 new rooftop solar installations in the state over ten years. It is to initially provide 24,000 eligible Victorian households up to a maximum $2,225 rebate on a solar power system (on top of Australia\u2019s existing subsidy<\/a>) to 30 June 2019, with the remainder to follow now Labor has been voted back in. The Government has also committed to making interest-free solar loans available from July next year.<\/p>\n

The initial tranche of 24,000 subsidies could be exhausted well prior to 30 June next year. SQ’s Ronald predicted<\/a> in August that the first round of funding would run out by February 2019.<\/p>\n

Solar For Renters<\/h2>\n

$82 million will be provided for a solar for renters<\/a> scheme whereby the government will pay 50% of the cost of a rooftop solar power system<\/a>, and the landlord and tenant contribute 25% each. The scheme will cover 50,000 rental properties over a period of 10 years. This number will be added to the 650,000 installation target in the Solar Homes Package.<\/p>\n

Cheaper Batteries For 10,000<\/h2>\n

The re-elected Andrews Labor Government will provide an initial subsidy of up to $4,838 per instance on the installation of solar battery storage<\/a> systems, which will taper down to $3,714 by 2026. The subsidy will be available to 10,000 Victorian solar households. It’s not yet clear when the battery subsidy will commence, or the conditions attached.<\/p>\n

Expanded Renewable Energy Target<\/h2>\n

In the lead-up to the election, Premier Andrews committed to boosting the Victorian Renewable Energy Target<\/a> (VRET) to 50 per cent by 2030. Currently the VRET is legislated as 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025.<\/p>\n

But Wait, There’s More<\/h2>\n

Other Labor commitments related to renewable energy listed in the Party Platform 2018 released in July include:<\/p>\n