Most people living in apartments have not been able to access solar power, but a new ACT Government program will change that, Shane Rattenbury, Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction, announced.

The Solar for Apartments Program will help apartment residents to reduce their energy costs by up to 35 per cent and power the ACT with cheap, clean solar energy, the government expects.

The program provides owners corporations with up to $100,000 in grant funds and access to a zero-interest loan, to install rooftop solar in apartment complexes.

Half of the funds are in the form of a grant, and half is funded by a zero-interest loan that the owners corporation must pay back.

“The Solar for Apartments Program will allow more Canberrans to enjoy cheaper, cleaner energy from solar and further support our community’s transition to a low emissions future,” Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

This program is co-funded up to $3.6 million under the Solar Banks Initiative of the Australian Government and the ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme.

“The benefits of these solar installations will flow to the residents, many of which in multi-unit developments are renters,” Mr Barr said.

“It makes good sense to use available roof space to power our city, and I look forward to seeing more solar on apartments as this program is delivered,” Mr Rattenbury said.

So far, the Sustainable Household Scheme has received 20,000 applications. “More than 1 in 10 households in Canberra accessing the award-winning scheme to address cost of living pressures while reducing their carbon footprint,” Mr Barr said.

Mr Barr anticipated that more than 2,100 households will benefit from this program, which could reduce electricity bills by 35 per cent for Canberrans living in apartments.

“This program supports our commitment to being a global leader in climate action and allows apartment households to share in the benefits of solar,” Mr Barr said.

For more information, visit www.climatechoices.act.gov.au.