The Queensland Government has announced that applications are now open for the $26.3 million Supercharged Solar for Renters program, a major initiative designed to provide immediate cost-of-living relief to Queenslanders.

Delivered by the Crisafulli Government, the program is expected to benefit 6,500 households, saving them approximately 700 a year on power bills. The Super charged Solar for Renters program offers rebates of upto 3,500 to eligible landlords who install rooftop solar on their rental properties.

To qualify for the scheme, landlords must be renting out a house, duplex, or townhouse, with the property currently tenanted for a rental amount of less than $1,000 a week.

Queensland Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership David Janetzki noted that this initiative supports Queenslanders regardless of whether they rent or own a home. Treasurer Janetzki stated that the program is a “win-win-win,” easing costs for renters, enhancing property values for landlords, and supporting the adoption of renewable energy in Queensland. He added that while more than 900,000 Queensland homes and businesses now utilize solar PV systems, many renters had previously been missing out, despite approximately 40% of the State’s households adopting rooftop solar.

Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett called the program a “sensible, affordable solution” that means “real cost-of-living relief” for local families. Bundaberg tenant Stewart McCulloch congratulated the government on offering strong financial incentives, stating that the savings on his energy bill would be a “welcomed relief” amid other cost-of-living pressures.

Industry Hails Rebate, Calls for Broader Action

The rebate scheme has been met with praise from advocacy groups, while also spurring calls for wider national action to support all renters.

Solar Citizens CEO Heidi Lee Douglas applauded the announcement, stating:

“Solar Citizens applauds the Queensland government’s Supercharged Solar for Renters rebate scheme. Landlords need an incentive to install solar panels on their rental properties, and rebates have been the most effective way to encourage uptake of solar panels on owner-occupied homes, making Australia the world leader (per capita) in rooftop solar.”

Ms. Douglas acknowledged that the eligibility criteria, which apply to tenanted properties of less than $1,000/week, mean many rental properties could benefit. She emphasized that this is a positive start but urged broader cooperation: “we need more state governments to work together with the Federal government, landlords and renters to come up with solutions to unlock Solar for Renters across the country.”

She noted that Solar Citizens has initiated a national conversation to generate solutions for the 1 in 3 Australians who rent, many of whom are currently “locked out of the benefits that cheap clean energy that rooftop solar backed by storage currently provides to 4 million owner occupied homes”.

The CEO also suggested improvements for the Queensland scheme: “In Queensland, better targeting towards lower income households together with energy efficiency upgrades (like blinds, draft controls and appliances like heat pumps) would see people who can least afford high energy bills benefit even more.”

Finally, Ms. Douglas noted that it is encouraging that the Crisafulli government is rolling out the $116 million promised towards Social Housing Energy upgrades under the jointly federal funded Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI) program.

Social Housing Upgrades Confirmed

The Crisafulli Government is delivering the $116 million Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI) program, which is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments.

Under SHEPI, the $18 million Queensland Community Housing Energy Upgrades program aims to improve residents’ quality of life by making homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer, while reducing electricity bills for tenants.

This program will offer rebates of up to $4,500 (excluding GST) per dwelling to eligible community housing providers, benefiting up to 4,000 households. Eligible energy efficiency measures include solar PV, ceiling insulation, draught proofing, LED lighting, split-cycle air conditioners, and energy-efficient hot water systems such as heat pump or solar hot water systems.

The SHEPI initiative also includes the $98 million Thermal Comfort Program, aimed at improving cooling and reducing energy use and costs for social housing residents across Queensland. Upgrades installed under these programs may be subject to safety inspections by a Queensland Government-appointed inspectorate to ensure they meet quality and safety standards.