Solar Homes Rebate Program

Homeowners and now renters may be eligible to install a solar panel system and get a significant reduction via a rebate.

The Victorian Government program called Solar Homes, is now providing the following significant rebates:

• Solar panel rebate
• Solar hot water rebate
• Solar battery rebate
• Solar panels for renters

There are also a four year zero interest loan if the upfront cost is unaffordable. Make sure to do your homework and be wary of scams. Contact Solar Homes www.solar.vic.gov.au for more information.

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Some sites have been combined into a multiple sites combined live display.

Watch the panels being installed

If you want to see how solar panels are installed, here is a video of the Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation installation.

Victorian small businesses can receive up to $2000 to install energy-efficient business equipment at their workplace. By switching to energy-saving equipment upgrades offered by the Small Business Energy Saver program, businesses can save on annual energy operational costs.

The Small Business Energy Saver Program provides a bonus for small businesses, discounting the cost to upgrade to more energy-efficient equipment. Small business owners can use the savings from reduced energy bills to focus on growing their business while reducing emissions.

To be eligible small businesses must:

• have 1 to 19 employees
• have a commercial (non-residential) premises
• is not available for primary producers in agriculture

The $5 million program by Sustainability Victoria assists small businesses to implement upgrades which will lower their operational costs.

The equipment upgrades eligible for the bonus include to replace inefficient:

• electric hot water systems
• gas hot water systems
• room reverse cycle air-conditioners.

It can also be used to install efficient:

• refrigerator display cabinets
• fridges and freezers
• refrigeration and ventilation fans and motors
• pre-rinse spray valves.

The bonus is in addition to the discounts through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.

If you are a small business but do not own your property, you need to ensure you are authorised to have installation activities carried out at the premises.

More information is on the Small Business Energy Saver website.

Electric vehicle charging stations are being installed in public carparks across East Gippsland.

The aim is to support the uptake of electric vehicles and encourage tourism across our region.

All electric vehicle charging stations installed by Council will source 100 per cent renewable electricity as part of VECO.

Electric vehicle charging station sites are:

• Orbost: 5 Wolseley St carpark, 50kW DC dual plug Chargefox
• Omeo: Tongio Road (100m south of Day Ave corner), 50kW DC dual plug Chargefox
• Cann River: Mick Baum Park on Ward Street,  50kW DC dual plug Chargefox and 3 superfast CCS compatibility (up to 250kW) Tesla
• Bairnsdale: 121 Nicholson St carpark, Bairnsdale - 50kW DC dual plug Chargefox and Francis Street, 50kW DC dual plug Evie Networks
• Paynesville: Raymond St, 50kW DC dual plug Evie Networks
• Lakes Entrance: Visitor Information Centre, 2 Marine Parade, 50kW DC dual plug Evie Networks

Links:

Chargefox

Evie Networks

Tesla

What is a fast charger?

A fast charger allows an electric vehicle to charge the battery in approximately an hour. When two cars are both plugged in at the same time it takes up to twice as long.

Council will install 50kW DC chargers with CCS2 and CHAdeMO dual plugs. These will fit most electric vehicles.

There are also private companies working with Council to install EV charging stations on public land for private electric vehicle users in Paynesville, Lakes Entrance, Cann River and Bruthen.

Charger placement

• Placement of EV chargers is determined by:

• Carpark type (ideally two 90-degree adjacent carparks)

• Access to three-phase electricity

• Capacity in the grid

• Proximity to amenities such as public toilets, cafes, shops and parks.

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