Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh today joined Hastings MP Paul Mercurio in welcoming the high numbers of solar, hot water systems, and batteries installed on the Mornington Peninsula through the Victorian Government's Solar Homes program. 
 
Locals in the seat of Mornington have installed 3670 systems through the scheme, while in the Nepean electorate another 4280 installations have been made. 
 
Hastings MP Paul Mercurio announced that in his seat, through the scheme, 4550 systems had been installed, placing Hastings in the top half of state electorates for total installations. 
 
Statewide it’s been another record year for Solar Homes with more than 78,000 solar panels, hot water systems and batteries installed in 2024 – the largest year to date. 
 
More families than ever in Victoria are saving $1,000 each year on their energy bills by powering their homes with solar, if combined with a hot water heat pump they can save up to $1,400 a year or at least $1,600 with a battery. 
 
More than 300,000 solar panels have been installed through the program. That’s more than 2,100 megawatts of solar power that can be generated from Victorian rooftops – the equivalent of Loy Yang A, one of the largest coal fired power stations in Victoria. 
 
More than 31,000 energy-efficient hot water systems we’re installed in 2024. That’s a 151 percent increase in installations on the previous year, the highest increase across all Solar Homes incentives. 
 
Eligible households can access a $1,400 rebate to install solar panels, a further $1,400 interest free loan and a further rebate of up to $1,000 to replace their hot water system – cutting $3,800 from upfront installation costs. 
 
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio 
 
“We’re helping busy families slash their energy bills by making is cheaper to install solar, so they can power their homes with free electricity from the sun and slash $1,000 off their bill each and every year.” 
 
“The huge uptake of solar in Victoria has helped push daytime wholesale prices to historic lows – meaning lower power bills for everyone." 
 
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh 
 
“It’s great to see so many locals cut their power bills and help the environment through our Solar Homes program.” 
 
Quote attributable to Member for Hastings Paul Mercurio 
 
“With the ability to harness the world’s most abundant free energy source, you’d be mad not to take up the suite of offers from the Solar Homes program.” 

Quote attributable to Hastings resident & solar user Jessica Evergreen 

“The rebates were incredibly helpful to us as new homeowners and a young family.”