2025-01-15
In a balance of power position, the Greens (WA) will negotiate for a “Renewable Energy for All” policy for Western Australians who are currently being left behind all other states and territories when it comes to electrifying their homes and running them with cheaper renewable energy.
The policy will include a Zero Interest Loan Scheme for home renewable energy and to improve home energy efficiency, a Home Energy Rebate Program aimed at lower income households, a Renewables for Renters initiative and a Solar for Apartments scheme.
Currently, Western Australia is the only state or territory not to offer any incentives for residents to electrify their homes.
Sustainable Household Zero Interest Loan Scheme
The Sustainable Household Zero Interest Loan Scheme with no upfront costs or fees will allow Western Australians easy access to capital to improve their home’s energy efficiency, dramatically reducing their environmental impact and significantly reducing their cost of living.
The scheme, modelled on schemes currently running in both Tasmania and the ACT, will allow eligible homeowners to borrow up to $15,000 to buy energy-efficient products which they will have 10 years to repay.
These include:
- Rooftop solar panels
- Household battery storage systems
- Electric heating and cooling systems
- Hot water heat pump and solar hot water systems
- Electric induction stove tops
- Electric vehicles including electric bikes.
- Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
- Home insulation
Over the life of the scheme, households will be able to install one product or a bundle of products from the list of eligible products. Together, these can be valued at up to $15,000.
The costings for this policy are estimated at $96m over 8 years, to administer $800m in no-interest loans, repayable within 10 years.
Home Energy Rebate Program
This Home Energy Rebate Program is aimed at lower income households.
To be eligible for a rebate, you must hold an Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card, Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card, or an Australian Government Health Care Card.
The Home Energy Rebate Program provides up to $5,000 in rebates for eligible homeowners to help with the costs of installing energy-efficient products.
This includes:
- one rebate of 50% of the total cost of the supply and installation, up to $2,500, of rooftop solar
- and/or one rebate of 50% of the total cost of the supply and installation, up to $2,500, for:
- Household battery storage systems
- Reverse cycle heating and cooling
- Hot water heat pumps and solar hot water systems
- Electric induction stove tops and electric ovens
- Home insulation.
If eligible, you can combine the rebate with a loan of up to $10,000 from the Sustainable Household Zero Interest Loan Scheme (see above) to help with the remaining costs.
This model is based on an existing scheme in the ACT. The costings for this policy are estimated at $262.5m over 8 years.
Renewables for Renters
About one-third of Australian homes have solar panels and about one-third of Australians rent but too rarely do these two overlap.
The benefits of rooftop solar have too often eluded renters, so the Greens will push for a rebate of up to $1,500 to eligible rental providers for the installation of solar panel systems on a rental property.
This will also help alleviate stress during the cost of living crisis by allowing renters to save on their energy bills.
Individuals will be able to reduce their upfront costs further by applying for an interest-free loan to match the rebate amount.
This model is based on an existing scheme in Victoria. The costings for this policy are estimated at $78.75m over 8 years.
Improving access with Solar for Apartments
Solar for Apartments aims to help around 5,000 WA apartment owners to install rooftop solar by addressing two key barriers to uptake: cost and complexity.
Successful applicants will receive rebates of up to $2,800 per apartment, or up to $140,000 per building for up to 50 apartments to install solar systems.
Building eligibility includes strata townhouses and units under the control of an Owners Corporation and sharing a common property rooftop.
By adopting solar, an average household in a multi-unit development can save up to $500 a year on their energy bills.
This model is based on an existing scheme in Victoria. The costings for this policy are estimated at $58.8m over 8 years.