First Solar Panels Installed – WA Smart Energy for Social Housing Plan

Ten rooftop solar systems have been installed on public housing properties in Western Australia – and there should be hundreds more to follow.

$6 million worth of solar power systems are to be installed at 500 social housing properties as part of the McGowan Government’s WA Recovery Plan’s $66.3 million renewable energy technologies package announced in July.

Given Perth has the cheapest solar in the world, these work out to be pretty pricey systems at an average of $12,000 each, even if Australia’s “solar rebate” isn’t factored in. While the McGowan Government notes panels will be installed on rental properties throughout Western Australia’s South West Interconnected System (SWIS) area and not just Perth, little other detail on the nature of the systems and the program has been released.

The first of these systems have been installed by Synergy in the Perth suburbs of Clarkson, Gosnells, Balga, Ellenbrook, Rockingham and Girrawheen. Synergy will also be responsible for ongoing maintenance.

Under the program, it’s expected tenants of these properties will save up to 20 per cent on their energy bills.

“The Smart Energy for Social Housing plan is an exciting, first-of-its-kind initiative that will help our State become greener and cleaner,” said WA Energy Minister Bill Johnston.

Additionally, the State Government also intends installing solar panels on new social housing properties built under the $319m Social Housing Economic Recovery Package (SHERP) announced in June, and the Housing and Homelessness Investment Package.

Between SHERP and the Homelessness Investment Package, more than 750 new homes will be delivered. The number of PV systems to be installed isn’t clear, but these will occur “where possible” provided homes are in locations connected to the SWIS.

“This continues our massive investment into social housing infrastructure that will not only provide more options for Western Australians, but also make existing homes more liveable,” said WA Housing Minister Peter Tinley.

Solar On Social Housing Elsewhere In Australia

Among solar for social housing initiatives elsewhere in Australia, back in 2017 the Queensland Government announced a trial involving the installation of panels on up to 2,300 homes across state.

By March 2018, 350 households in Cairns and Rockhampton had systems installed and Logan was the next in line. Whether those Logan installations – which were to be carried out this year – proceeded isn’t clear as there has been very little recent news regarding the program. The Queensland Government web site page with information on the initiative that was still active as recently as September no longer exists.

In September, Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) jointly launched a proposal for a $215 million initiative called emPOWER Homes, which included $50 million for rooftop solar panels on social housing properties across the state. 

The Bigger Picture

There are approximately 440,000 social housing dwellings in Australia, representing a lot of rooftop real estate that could be harvesting solar energy.

In June this year, dozens of community organisations backed an Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) proposed plan calling on the Federal and State Governments to engage in a massive rollout of energy efficiency upgrades and solar installations for low-income housing across the country. This isn’t just about helping beneficiary households out with their energy bills, but to also act as an important part of Australia’s COVID-19 economic recovery while also delivering long-term environmental benefits.