The Victorian Greens have urged the Labor Government to reverse their decision to quietly axe the state's no-interest solar battery loan program, warning the move will lock out low-income households from accessing cheaper, renewable energy.
The $8,800 interest-free loan scheme, designed to help households install battery storage, will officially end on 30 June. But today, Solar Victoria confirmed it is no longer taking new applications - effectively shutting down the program early. The cut coincides with a funding reduction of nearly 12% to Solar Victoria in last week's State Budget.
The new federal $4,500 battery rebate is a welcome step, but leaves many Victorians in the lurch: with good-quality battery systems still costing over $13,000, lower-income households lack viable options to transition to cheaper, renewable energy without a loan program.
The Greens say that there was no reason to cancel the largely cost-neutral loan scheme, which should coincide with the federal rebates and could be expanded to help renters, apartment dwellers, and social housing residents - groups who continue to face barriers to accessing cheaper, renewable energy.
While any cost-of-living relief for low-income households is welcome, Labor's $100 energy bill payment mainly benefits fossil fuel-powered energy companies and pales in comparison to the long-term savings and energy independence that solar batteries offer.
As stated by the Victorian Greens spokesperson for coal transition, Dr Tim Read:
"Labor's decision means people who would benefit most from cheaper, cleaner energy remain locked out by the cost of batteries.
"This was a sensible, low-risk scheme that let people take control of their energy bills and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
"Helping more people electrify their homes is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy bills and reduce emissions, we should be scaling this up, not winding it down."
