State extends solar rebates for apartments for an extra year, to meet “huge interest”

The Victorian government has announced it will extend the Solar for Apartments program through 30 June 2027 in an effort to help even more Victorians save on their energy bills, upgrade their apartments, and reduce emissions.

The Solar for Apartments program provides rebates of up to $2,800 per apartment, or up to $140,000 per building, to support the installation of shared rooftop solar systems on eligible apartment buildings and other multi-unit dwellings with up to 50 apartments.

Rebates are available for apartment buildings of up to eight storeys with between 5 and 50 apartments, as well as strata townhouses and units, which are under the control of an Owners Corporation, and which share a common property rooftop.

Applications first opened for the program back in February 2024 and has since paid out more than $5.7 million in rebates over 141 multi-unit developments, covering over 2,650 apartment households – almost 50 per cent of which are occupied by renters.

As it stands, Solar Victoria expects the Solar for Apartments program to deliver up to 10,000 solar PV system rebates.  

The solar systems installed are subsequently helping residents to save up to $500 per year on their power bills.

“We have seen huge interest from apartment residents – that’s why we have extended applications for the program, to give more Victorians the chance to go solar and slash their power bills,” said Stan Krpan, CEO of Solar Victoria, which was set up to deliver the Victorian government’s flagship Solar Homes Program.

“We’re making it easier for Victorians living in apartments to benefit from free energy from the sun and save up to $500 a year, including renters who have traditionally missed out on rooftop solar.”

“Around 65 per cent of apartment residents are renters and we’re making sure they get the benefit of lower energy bills too.”

For more information and to apply, visit solar.vic.gov.au/apartments.

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