Solar uptake strong in Alpine Shire

SOME 726 households, businesses or organisations in the Alpine Shire have put solar on their rooftop through the Solar Homes Program rebate scheme since it started six years ago. The last 12 months have been Solar Homes’ biggest, with 7873 approved applications across Victoria last month – including 4435 rooftop solar approvals and 3125 solar hot water approvals. Eligible households can access a $1400 rebate to install solar panels, a further $1400 interest free loan and a further rebate of up to $1000 to replace their hot water system – cutting $3800 from upfront installation costs. Customers who maximise their solar can save around $1000 each year on their energy bill. Combined with hot water, heat pump savings can be up to $1400 a year or at least $1600 with a battery. In regional Victoria, Mildura (3099) and Shepparton (4123) have the highest solar uptake followed by Wodonga (3039) and Wangaratta (1937). Across the North East, rooftop solar installations through the rebate scheme remain strong, with 1152 in Indigo Shire, 983 in Benalla, 763 in Mansfield Shire, 615 in Strathbogie Shire and 370 in Towong Shire. Some 109 Alpine Shire owner occupier applicants have secured the solar hot water rebates since it began, with a further 153 in Wodonga, 173 in Wangaratta, 159 in Indigo Shire, 130 in Benalla, 59 in Mansfield Shire, 74 in Strathbogie Shire and 54 in Towong Shire. Thomas Chettleburgh, business development manager with Peak Energy Group which services the North East, said solar installations are still popular, with the rising energy prices continually making it more appealing to go solar. "The return on investment is getting better and better and the value for money on price points for systems are really competitive," he said. Peak Energy Group installs anywhere from 6.6kW to 13.2kW systems and this is determined when they conduct a site assessment and factor in aspects like existing electricity consumption. Mr Chettleburgh said the median system is about 8.8kW now because people are phasing out gas systems in their homes. "The rebate scheme from the state and federal governments are still in play and it makes it quite appealing for people to get a rebate," he said. People whose solar systems are more than 10 years old can are also accessing the rebates, boosting the industry every year. "A lot has happened in the space of technology and a lot of systems have degraded beyond the point of service," he said. Mr Chettleburgh said the State Government has introduced an interest free loan to assist with the purchase of batteries which enables people who might not have the up front capital to purchase a battery to store the sun's energy. For more information on rebates and loans visit https://service.vic.gov.au/services/solar-rebates/home.

Solar uptake strong in Alpine Shire

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