Queensland Government's Solar Panel Rebate Program Set to Benefit Renters

The Queensland government is preparing to implement a solar panel rebate program specifically aimed at rental properties, promising substantial savings on electricity bills for renters. Announced over a year ago, this initiative, which is expected to roll out by the end of the year, entails a budget of $26 million that will provide landlords with grants of up to $3,500 to help cover the costs of solar installations.

This initiative is part of a larger effort to offer relief from the rising cost of living, which was a key promise made by the LNP prior to the last state election. The program is designed to assist renters like Audrey Cetois, who advocates for the benefits of solar energy, emphasizing that it can significantly lower utility costs. Cetois highlights that efficient hot water systems could essentially reduce her electricity expenses to near zero with proper solar set-up and usage.

In comparison, a previous program from the Labor government in 2019 required both landlords and tenants to agree on terms that involved rental increases, which some tenants, including Cetois, found unacceptable given the prevailing high rental prices in Brisbane. Cetois expressed concern over the potential for landlords to benefit from rebates while layering additional financial burdens on renters.

Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki reassured that the government is actively engaging with various groups to ensure that the program offers maximum benefits to renters. He stressed the intention to provide landlords the advantages of solar energy while making sure that the financial savings are passed along to tenants, contrary to experiences in past programs.

Antonia Mercorella, CEO of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, pointed out the importance of establishing comprehensive criteria for the program to ensure that benefits are not unjustly appropriated by landlords at the tenants' expense. It is essential to have safeguards in place to maintain the rental property's availability for tenants after receiving grants, ensuring they truly benefit from the intended savings.

Advocates for enhanced energy regulations, like Luke Reade of the Energetic Communities Association, support the initiative but also call for additional measures. These may include rental protections and the introduction of battery storage incentives to maximize the effectiveness of solar energy in Queensland. Reade noted that incorporating energy efficiency standards for rental properties could further assist tenants in managing their electricity costs effectively.