Victorians could get $1000 back if they switch to solar water system

JUST by switching out their old water system for solar, Victorians could get a $1000 rebate under a new program.

PREMIER Daniel Andrews has announced Victorians who swap out their old water system for a solar water system could be eligible for a $1000 rebate.

The announcement comes after Mr Andrews announced Labor’s Solar Homes program. a $1.24 billion scheme to encourage Victorians to install solar panels.

The 10-year program promises to give 650,000 homeowners half price solar panels in a bid for voters to chose Labor at the next state election.

“We’re putting solar panels and hot water systems on Victorian homes to help families save hundreds of dollars a year on their electricity bills,” Mr Andrews said in a statement.

As an alternative to half-price solar panels, Labor will offer the rebate to 60,000 eligible homes.

You may have heard we're going to hook 650,000 homes up to solar power. But not all homes can have solar panels installed. So we're offering this for 60,000 eligible households, too. pic.twitter.com/vp8ee3eBOl

— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) 19 August 2018

“Bills are going up. Wages aren’t. So families deserve this,” Mr Andrews tweeted.

The government estimated by switching to solar, households can expect to save between $160 to $400 a year in electricity.

All up, our solar hot water systems – plus our solar panels – will generate enough solar power to keep the lights on at the MCG for 9,000 years.

Bills are going up. Wages aren't. So families deserve this.

— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) 19 August 2018

Households can either get half price solar panels or the $1000 hot water rebate, not both.

Over 10 years, 650,000 eligible households will have access to more than $4000 to install solar panels. Labor predicts these households will save $900 a year.

“We know the cost of living is going up and it’s getting harder to make ends meet. That’s why Labor is helping families with their energy bills. Only Labor will help put solar panels on your roof to cut your electricity bills by around $900 a year,” Mr Andrews said.

To be eligible for either the rebate or the half price installation, households must have a combined income of less than $180,000 and a home valued up to $3 million.

A “new independent” agency, Solar Victoria, will be established to liaise with industry regulators and training organisations to deliver on Labors promise. Labor will also invest $9 million to accredit the 4500 electricians needed to install the solar panels.

The incentive is not for landlords or renters, Mr Andrews pointed out there were incentives for investment properties already.

Although some Victorians have applauded Labor for the initiative, critics have expressed concerns of the scheme being “undercooked”.

Opposition energy spokesman David Southwick told AAP, “There’s no money in there for running the agency or the running of the loan scheme.”

— With wires and AAP