ACT Solar Apartments Program: Up to $100,000 Offered for Rooftop PV
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has introduced the Solar for Apartments Program, aiming to provide apartment complexes in the capital city with financial support of up to $100,000 to install rooftop solar systems.
Launched in November last year, the initiative offers grants and interest-free finance to eligible bodies corporate. Successful applicants can receive up to $50,000 as a grant and an additional $50,000 as a repayable, zero-interest loan facilitated through Brighte.
Co-funded by both the territory and federal governments, the program is projected to benefit over 2,100 households residing in apartments by reducing their energy bills by 35%.
The federal funding for this scheme stems from the Albanese government’s “solar banks” initiative under the Powering Australia Plan. This component aims to cover 50% of the capital expenses to enable households, particularly renters and apartment occupants, to access rooftop solar systems.
Within the 2023-24 ACT budget, the ACT government has allocated $80 million to enhance the Sustainable Household Scheme, which includes incentives for solar installations in apartments.
Shared solar systems in apartment complexes require additional technology and installation to distribute the generated energy among residents. Companies like Allume Energy have developed technologies to facilitate this sharing, as demonstrated by a project in 2019 where 52 low-income households in an apartment block shared solar energy and storage.
Canberra’s Chief Minister and Minister for Climate Action, Andrew Barr, highlighted the benefits of the Solar for Apartments Program, stating that it not only provides cheaper and cleaner energy to more Canberrans in apartments but also aligns with the government’s goal of transitioning to a cleaner and more reliable energy mix.
Furthermore, this initiative reinforces the ACT government’s commitment to leading global climate action and achieving net-zero emissions by 2045.
Under the Sustainable Household Scheme, which has already processed over 22,000 applications for financial aid in enhancing household energy efficiency, eligible homeowners can secure loans of up to $15,000 for a maximum of 10 years. This financial support can be utilised for various energy-efficient upgrades, including electric stove tops, reverse cycle systems, hot water heat pumps, rooftop solar panels, and electric vehicles.
