Melbourne Apartment Block Goes Solar
An apartment building in Northcote, an inner suburb of Melbourne, has taken the lead in embracing solar energy by becoming the first of many in Victoria to benefit from a discounted rooftop PV system under the Solar for Apartments rebate scheme.
The block of flats secured $39,200 to set up a solar system that will be utilised by 14 apartments, resulting in an estimated annual saving of $500 on electricity bills for its residents.
Boosting Solar Uptake in Apartments
Solar Victoria has reported a significant response to the initiative, with 438 applications from owners’ corporations in the initial phase, aiming to install a combined 12,000 kilowatts of solar panels on the shared rooftops of over 5,000 apartments.
Overcoming Challenges for Apartment Solar Installation
Historically, the adoption of solar power in apartments has been limited compared to standalone houses due to the complexities and costs involved in installing solar systems on multi-unit buildings and distributing the benefits among residents.
The Solar for Apartments programme addresses these challenges by reducing initial expenses and simplifying the installation process. It provides rebates of up to $2,800 per apartment or a maximum of $140,000 per building with up to 50 apartments.
The first round of applications, which commenced in mid-February, received strong support with funding of $16 million from the federal and Victorian Labor governments.
Renters are also set to gain from this initiative, as approximately 65% of apartment dwellers in Victoria are renters.
Speaking on the matter, federal energy minister Chris Bowen highlighted the aim to make solar installation more affordable and accessible for apartment residents, enabling them to benefit from clean and cost-effective energy sources.
Victorian energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio oversaw the installation at the Northcote building, emphasising the government’s commitment to renewable energy adoption.
Future Opportunities
The second round of applications for the Solar for Apartments programme is scheduled to open in August 2024, offering further opportunities for apartment residents to embrace solar energy. For additional details, interested parties can visit solar.vic.gov.au/apartments.
