After surpassing a 1-megawatt (MW) milestone of solar installed, the Hume Solar Roll-Out Program run by the Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) has been flagged as the most successful targeted residential solar program in Victoria.

In partnership with Hume City Council and Green Home Green Planet, YEF has helped to install over 1,000 kilowatts (or 1 megawatt) of solar on residential roofs across the City of Hume, with Sunbury seeing the most solar installations.

Designed to make solar easy and affordable for residents, the program has helped over 200 households reduce their energy bills and their household emissions and resulted in $1.5 million invested directly into local, clean energy generation. The outcome of the program is a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1,000 tonnes (CO2-e) per year.

“The impressive solar uptake results across our community – and for Sunbury and Craigieburn in particular – are testament to our residents and their commitment to a renewable future,” said Mayor of Hume City Council, Cr Joseph Haweil.

The Hume Solar Roll-Out is an ongoing partnership between Hume City Council and Yarra Energy Foundation, with Green Home Green Planet as the accredited solar provider. It has been undergirded by the hugely popular Solar Victoria solar panel rebate, through which eligible residents can claim both a $1,400 rebate and no interest loan.

Importantly, the program has focused on helping vulnerable residents. Hume City Council recently added a $700 subsidy for valid concession card holders, reducing the upfront costs of a solar system by $3,500 (when combined with Solar Victoria’s rebate and no-interest loan). With small but strategic incentive structures, the Hume Solar Roll-Out is a demonstration of how local councils can lead the way on deploying solar while supporting vulnerable residents.

Hume City Council’s collaborative approach and commitment to local subsidies has been key to the success of the program and demonstrates the power of what local councils can achieve even with a modest budget.

Yarra Energy Foundation is immensely proud of this fantastic 1 MW milestone and would like to congratulate all involved, both past and present, with particular thanks to the program partners Hume City Council and Green Home Green Planet.

Moving forward, the Hume Solar Roll-Out will continue demonstrating the benefits of solar and assisting more residents to switch to renewable energy.

“It’s been great to see the Hume Solar Roll Out mature and evolve over the years and to reach the 1MW milestone is truly a fantastic result.” – Dean Kline, Yarra Energy Foundation CEO

If you are interested in running a similar program within your LGA, please reach out to Lloyd Heathfield with an enquiry – lloyd.heathfield@yef.org.au

You can read Hume City Council’s full media release here.

A short video from a Hume resident who participated in the program: