Greens’ Snowy Hydro Plan for Rooftop Solar Access
The Greens have introduced a groundbreaking proposal to utilise the federal government-owned Snowy Hydro and a newly established $10 billion fund to offer rooftop solar PV access to Australia’s seven million renters, allowing them to reduce their energy bills.
Announced by Greens leader Adam Bandt at the Smart Energy Council conference in Sydney, the initiative would enable renters to request an average-sized solar panel system, up to 8kW, to be installed at their rental properties.
Empowering Renters with Solar Energy
Under this plan, landlords can only decline the installation on reasonable grounds, such as restrictive body corporate regulations, engineering obstacles, or local energy congestion issues. This initiative is part of the Greens’ broader “Powering past coal and gas” strategy, which seeks to accelerate Australia’s net zero target from 2050 to 2035, aligning with scientific recommendations.
Shifting Towards Sustainable Energy Solutions
The focus on household energy systems has intensified during the election campaign, reflecting the growing trend towards consumer energy resources like rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles. These assets are crucial for households to manage costs efficiently, with rooftop solar emerging as a significant contributor to Australia’s electricity grid.
Labor recently unveiled a $2.3 billion home battery scheme to facilitate the deployment of 1.1 million household batteries by 2030. However, the Greens have taken the lead in addressing the needs of renters, a segment often overlooked in the energy consumer landscape.
Adam Bandt emphasised the importance of supporting renters, stating that enabling solar installations in rental properties can reduce power bills and emissions, benefiting both tenants and the environment. With seven million renters in Australia, the Greens advocate for empowering this demographic to lower their energy costs and carbon footprint, similar to homeowners.
Financial Mechanisms for Solar Adoption
Bandt outlined that the funding for these solar systems and installations for renters would be sourced from a dedicated $10 billion fund established through Snowy Hydro. The solar panels will be recorded as an asset on Snowy Hydro’s balance sheet, with a caveat placed on the property’s title. Landlords have the option to settle this amount early, or Snowy Hydro will reclaim the sum upon property sale or transfer of ownership.
Bandt highlighted the potential for a Labor minority government post the upcoming election, drawing parallels to the previous minority Labor government’s achievements over a decade ago. Notably, that administration introduced key legislation such as the Clean Energy Act, which included initiatives like the renewable energy target, the Climate Authority, the CEFC, and Arena.
As the focus on renewable energy and sustainability continues to grow, the Greens’ proposal stands out for its emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility, aiming to democratise access to solar energy for all Australians, including renters.
