Greens to launch new plan to lower power bills for millions of Aussie renters

A new plan to lower power bills for millions of Aussies who have been forgotten in a scheme to provide cheaper home batteries will be launched by the Greens.

A new plan to lower power bills for millions of Australians who rent will be launched by the Greens at a Smart Energy Conference on Thursday.

The Right to Solar plan would enable renters to install solar at their rental property, with upfront costs paid by the government under a Greens initiative to lower power bills and reduce emissions for seven million Australians.

Party leader Adam Bandt is expected to make the announcement in response to the government’s battery storage grants that would be inaccessible to renters.

The Greens leader Adam Bandt will announce a new Right to Solar plan that would enable renters to install solar at their rental property. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Climate Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced that the government would roll out a $2.3bn Cheaper Home Batteries Program, reducing the cost of a typical installed battery by 30 per cent if re-elected.

The initiative would save homeowners about $4000 on a battery and more than $1000 off their power bill each year.

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water analysis showed households with existing rooftop solar panels saved up to $1100 off their power bill every year.

Households installing a new solar and a battery system could save up to $2300 a year – up to 90 per cent of a typical family electricity bill.

Chris Bowen and Anthony Albanese announced a Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Mr Bandt said there were seven million renters in Australia who deserved to be able to cut their power bills and reduce emissions, just like homeowners could.

Under the Greens proposal, renters could request an average 80kw solar panel system, and landlords would be unable to refuse unless there were reasonable grounds.

Landlords would be required to pay back the cost over 10 years or when the next transfer of property occurred.

The Greens have proposed paying for the solar systems and installation through a new $10bn Snowy Hydro fund.

Under the Greens initiative, landlords would be required to pay back the cost of the solar system and installation over 10 years or when the next property transfer occurred. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

The party’s “Renters right to solar” initiative is part of the “Powering past coal and gas” climate and energy plan, which Mr Bandt will announce at the energy conference.

“Getting solar on your rental property will help lower your power bill while also lowering emissions,” he said.

“The Greens’ plan to give renters the right to solar will open up government support for the almost one in three Australian households who rent.

“Labor has already adopted our home battery plan. I hope they adopt our renters’ right to solar too.”