- Brighte is supporting the rollout of ACT’s Solar For Apartments Program.
- The Program is now open for applications.
- The Program extends sustainability to apartment owners and renters, making it more affordable and accessible.
The ACT Government’s Chief Minister Andrew Barr has officially opened the Solar for Apartments Program, providing more Canberra residents with the opportunity to participate in sustainability and to access solutions and concessional finance.
Brighte is supporting the Commonwealth and ACT Governments in delivering the $3.6 million program, that will combine $1.8 million of grants from the Commonwealth Government with $1.8 million from the ACT Government in zero interest loans.
The ACT Government is now calling for applications from interested owners corporations who are keen to reduce their energy bills and become more energy efficient. Eligible applications can apply for up to $50,000 in grants and up to $50,000 in concessional finance and each application must have an equal split between grant and loan.
According to the most recent ABS data (1), renters account for approximately one-third (31%) of Canberra's housing population, which also includes more than 40% mortgagees and 26% owners.
Today’s announcement is a significant capital injection into sustainability and energy transition, extending sustainability to apartments which were previously considered too difficult given their multi-dwelling nature, variation in lease structures, building materials and cost of capital.
Brighte Founder and CEO Katherine McConnell said this was a powerful development in making sustainability more affordable and accessible for all Australians.
“Brighte announced earlier this year that it was working with the ACT Government on a pilot program to introduce solar to apartments in the ACT, so it is a great achievement to be announcing this next major funding step in the same year and more importantly, ensuring that no one is left behind in the sustainability journey.”
The program’s impact is expected to be significant, with more than 2,100 apartments set to benefit from the installation of rooftop solar panels. The government estimates the program has the potential to reduce electricity bills for Canberrans living in apartments by up to 35 percent, contributing to a more sustainable and affordable future for residents of the ACT.
The ACT Sustainable Household Scheme has now reached over ten per cent of all households in the Territory. The ACT Government recently committed an extra $80 million Scheme in the 2023-24 ACT budget, taking the total program funding to $280 million.
Since the launch of this scheme, Brighte has supported the scheme’s extension to low income households, Community Groups and new products such as Electric Vehicles (EVs).
(1) ABS - Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 consensus data.