Through the landmark Solar Homes Program, the Victorian Government is continuing to lead the clean energy transition towards our renewable energy target of 95 per cent by 2035. With more than 5 years since the program was established in 2018, over 330,000 Victorian households are now benefitting from solar, energy efficient hot water systems and solar batteries.
Since the program commenced in August 2018, we have set high standards and always innovated to bring more renewable energy to more Victorians. In February 2024, the Commonwealth and Victorian governments jointly launched the $16.1 million Solar for Apartments Program to support Victorians who own or live in apartments to benefit from lower energy bills through self-generated solar electricity. Together with the Residential Electrification Grants Program launched in September 2023, which will support innovative projects electrifying new or existing homes, these innovative new incentives are set to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Solar Victoria Notice to Market plays an important role in supporting the stronger, highly skilled and quality-committed industry needed to take on the current and future energy requirements of all Victorians. Growing the clean energy industry and a highly skilled and professional workforce are essential to meeting ambitious renewable energy targets and for delivering small and large-scale renewable energy projects.
A shared commitment to the highest standards of safety and quality is at the heart of the Solar Homes Program and those who support its delivery, most especially its authorised retailers and installers.
The partnership between government and industry, particularly the solar electrical and plumbing industries, continues to underpin the Solar Homes Program delivery, enabling smoother grid integration and flexible exports for more solar customers, and lifting industry standards. Offering subsidised targeted training and a collaborative compliance approach with regulators are key to continuous improvement.
The Notice to Market commits everyone involved in the delivery of the Solar Homes Program to improving safety and quality standards and protecting workers and customers. New requirements and recommendations in this Notice to Market seek to support stability of the energy grid through internet connected solar PV and batteries, improve the longevity of installations while supporting Victoria’s circular economy, and maintain focus on the safety, quality and efficiency of systems installed under the Solar Homes Program.
Meeting the requirements set out in the Notice to Market will help deliver the best outcomes for Solar Homes customers, and we thank the many industry participants Solar Victoria has engaged to design and refine the program requirements and recommendations within.
Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP
Minister for Climate Action
Minister for Energy and Resources
Minister for the State Electricity Commission
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