Cutting home and business energy bills

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The state government is helping Victorians, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, save hundreds of dollars each year on their energy bills.

Eligibility Victoria’s $1.3 billion Solar Homes program will be expanded, enabling households to access rebates for both solar panels and solar hot water or high-efficiency electric heat pumps for the first time.

Victorians, who have not previously claimed a solar rebate, will be eligible for up to $2,400 in rebates for the installation of solar products.

Households are also eligible for a $1,400 interest free loan, cutting up to $3,800 from upfront installation costs.

Victorian businesses will be able to cut $8,500 off the upfront cost of a solar system installation through the expansion of eligibility criteria of the $47.5 million Solar for Business Program.

More Victorian businesses will be able to take control of their energy bills with businesses with up to 50 employees able to access a rebate of up to $3,500 to install solar panels.

Businesses will also be able to apply for zero interest loans of between $1,000 and $5,000 to reduce the initial outlay for solar installation.

Minister for Solar Homes Lily D’Ambrosio said: “Expanding the program will help even more Victorians to save money, while supporting clean energy jobs and helping meet our target of halving emissions by 2030.

“We’re putting power back into the hands of Victorian Homes and businesses – driving down energy costs and boosting supply, while creating 5,500 jobs.”

Businesses will be able to access the expanded program from Friday, April 29, with the households able to apply for multiple solar products from mid-May.

Details: solar.vic.gov.au.