Queensland to Subsidize Solar for Rental Properties, Saving Tenants Money

The Queensland LNP has officially confirmed its commitment to fulfilling the election pledge of subsidising rooftop solar installations for rental properties by the year’s end. This initiative is anticipated to result in significant savings of up to £700 per year on electricity bills for tenants.

The initiative, known as the Supercharged Solar for Renters plan, was initially introduced in March 2024 by the then opposition leader, David Crisafulli. The plan involves offering grants of up to £3,500 to landlords for the installation of solar panels on rental properties.

Delivering Cost Savings and Sustainability

Crisafulli, who later became the premier in October, expressed that the plan aims to provide tangible, long-term relief in living costs for renters in Queensland while also enhancing the state’s solar energy capabilities. He highlighted the significance of addressing the financial burdens faced by Queenslanders in meeting essential expenses.

Previously trialled under the former Labor government in 2019, the concept of a solar-for-renters scheme was revisited based on feedback from groups like Solar Citizens. The revised plan focuses on assisting landlords in enhancing the value and sustainability of their properties, with the resulting energy savings being passed on to tenants.

Consultations and Implementation

State Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki mentioned that the government is currently engaging with various stakeholders, including tenancy, property, consumer, and conservation groups, to finalise the details of the scheme before its implementation.

Janetzki emphasised the importance of alleviating rental costs and ensuring that landlords benefit from solar panel installations while tenants reap the rewards of reduced electricity bills. Drawing from past programs initiated by the former Labor government, the current administration aims to enhance and tailor the scheme to align with present-day requirements.

Efforts to seek improvements and ensure the effectiveness of the initiative are underway to address the lapses observed in previous programs.

One Step Off The Grid has reached out to the Queensland energy minister’s office for further insights on the matter.

Sophie Vorrath, the editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of Renew Economy, has been actively involved in reporting on clean energy developments for over a decade.