A Daley Labor Government will support 500,000 households to install roof top solar over the next 10 years, reducing electricity bills and supporting cheaper, cleaner and greener energy.

Labor’s Solar Homes policy will provide a rebate up to $2,200 for adding solar panels to owner occupied households, where combined household income is under $180,000. On average, households could expect to save up to $600 a year off their electricity bills.

Labor will ensure that panels will only be installed by accredited solar installers, using approved products, to ensure the best possible safety standards. The program will also support workforce development, training and accreditation of electricians.

The program would be phased in, starting in the 2019-2020 financial year, to ensure an orderly rollout.

NSW Labor’s Deputy Leader and Shadow Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“Under this plan everyone wins. Families get help with their electricity bills and we are taking real action on climate change and giving NSW a cleaner, greener future.”

NSW Labor’s Leader in the Legislative Council and Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Adam Searle said:

“Solar Homes is just one aspect of Labor’s plan for cheaper and cleaner energy across NSW.”

“Our policies will cut both electricity bills and carbon emissions. We look forward to providing more in the lead up to the election.”

The program would be phased in, starting in the 2019-2020 financial year, to ensure an orderly rollout.

Labor candidate for Lane Cove, Andrew Zbik, said:

“Labor will deliver clean affordable energy for half a million households across NSW,”

“The Liberals have privatised the electricity grid and overseen a massive jump in power bills, our solar homes policy will provide the help that families need.”

“Labor takes climate change seriously, and will support renewable energy across NSW.” 

This policy will create a “virtual” power plant for the state, generating up to an additional 2 GW/2000 MW of power once fully implemented. By comparison, Bayswater Power Station in Muswellbrook has a capacity of 2.64 GW/2640 MW.