More than 5,000 Canberra households have applied for over $55 million in loans under the ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme, Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced. Solar and combined solar and battery packages are the most popular products.

The Sustainable Household Scheme was designed so more Canberra households could benefit from investments like rooftop solar panels.

• Towards a cleaner Canberra: ACT Government budgets for climate action (January 2021)
• Here comes the sun: Rooftop solar panels on the rise in the ACT (January 2021)

“The ACT Government believes that all Canberrans should be able to benefit from a zero net emissions future, not just those that can afford the upfront costs of these household investments,” Mr Barr said.

The Scheme recently won the Future Cities award at the Banksia National Sustainability Awards in March.

• Banksia Sustainability Awards recognise ACT Sustainable Household Scheme

ACT residents, particularly in Belconnen, Tuggeranong, and Gungahlin, have purchased a combined 20 MW of rooftop solar though the Scheme – which is equivalent to the power generated by Royalla Solar Farm, Mr Barr said.

More than 1,500 households have upgraded appliances such as electric heating and cooling systems, hot water heat pumps, and electric stove tops as they reach the end of their life cycle.

Since electric vehicles were added to the scheme last February, 45 Canberrans have applied for EVs. Canberrans purchasing an electric vehicle will also receive a stamp duty exemption and two years of free vehicle registration.

• Interest-free loans for emissions-free vehicles (December 2021)
• Cheaper electric vehicles for Canberrans (February 2021)

“The Sustainable Household Scheme is not only helping households reduce their energy bills and contributing to our emission-reduction targets,” Mr Barr said. “It’s also supporting Canberra businesses and creating local jobs as we progress towards our target of 250,000 jobs by 2025.”

 The Scheme’s top eight suppliers have premises in the ACT.

The Sustainable Household Scheme will soon open to community organisations wanting to make sustainable upgrades to help reduce energy costs and to contribute to the ACT’s climate goals.

Find out more on the Everyday Climate Choices website.

These initiatives are part of the ACT Government’s commitment to Climate Action through the Parliamentary Agreement of the 10^th Legislative Assembly.