Victoria’s tenants could benefit from a new renter’s solar power policy advanced by the Greens ahead of November’s state election.
The Greens’ policy would give renters, public housing tenants and apartment owners access to solar gardens. Meanwhile, landlords would be required to increase energy efficiency in rental properties.
The plan follows Premier Daniel Andrews’ announcement on Sunday to subsidise solar installations for 650,000 Victorian homes. Savings of around $900 per year are expected under the policy if Labor is re-elected.
Solar gardens on the rise in Australian urban centres
The Greens’ plan hinges on the use of solar gardens. These allow renters and apartment owners to use solar energy generated off site.
The plan also includes changing building regulations to require all new homes to have solar panels on the roof or solar hot water if rooftop solar is not feasible.
Grants of $1,000 per renter would also be available under the scheme to help tenants buy into a solar garden. This broadly matches the subsidy offered by Labor, the Greens claim.
However, Greens’ plan is more equitable than Labor’s, according to Greens’ Energy and Climate Change spokesperson Ellen Sandell. Under it, all Victorians can access cheap solar power, not just those who own their own homes.
Landlords must play part in renter’s solar power policy
Under the plan, landlords would be required to upgrade investment properties by 2024. They would also need to meet new standards for energy efficiency in insulation, lighting and draught-proofing.
Solar panels would then be mandatory on every Victorian public housing property. Grants would also be made available for energy-efficient upgrades in public housing.
New building regulations would then require all new homes to have rooftop solar panels. Solar hot water would be fitted in properties lacking adequate roof space.
The Green’s plan was applauded by Tenants Victoria Chief Executive Mark O’Brien. However, he said landlords should be prevented from bumping up rent prices to cover the costs.
Big savings with solar panel grants say Greens
The Greens plan will cost the government an estimated $377 million. It should save renters and public housing tenants more than $500 per year in energy costs.
One-in-four Victorians are renters, according to Sandell. Yet tenants and apartment dwellers are currently locked out of the solar power market.
Community-owned solar is growing rapidly in Australia through solar gardens, small-scale solar farms and other innovative solar projects owned by councils, utilities and co-operatives.
