The Solar Homes Hot Water Rebate program in Victoria has experienced a significant surge, with a 224% increase in applications from 2023. A total of 16,132 applications have already been submitted, prompting the state government to enhance the initiative by offering 8,000 additional rebates.
Under this program, households can receive a $1,000 discount on the installation of a heat pump hot water system and potentially save up to $400 annually on electricity bills. Since 2018, more than 350,000 Victorian households have benefited from rebates or loans for various energy-efficient upgrades such as rooftop solar, home batteries, and heat pump hot water systems.
Furthermore, the Victorian government has introduced the Neighbourhood Batteries Program to boost energy storage capacity. With an investment of over $6 million, 25 neighbourhood batteries totaling 4.2 MWh will be deployed across the state. These batteries aim to empower households to produce and consume energy locally, leading to reduced power costs.
Among the upcoming projects, the largest battery installation will be at Mondo Phillip Island, featuring seven 100 kW/250 kWh batteries. Other locations like Queenscliff, Wodonga, Yackandandah, and various regions in Victoria will also benefit from new battery installations. The government's goal is to establish 100 neighbourhood batteries statewide to ensure widespread savings from the growing adoption of solar energy.
In a related development, Origin Zero has committed to installing and managing three battery energy storage systems with a total capacity of 450 kW / 1 MWh as part of the Power Melbourne community battery scheme in the City of Melbourne. This initiative aims to provide residents and businesses with access to affordable renewable energy by addressing the need for energy storage solutions.
Source: PV Magazine