Some information and resources about Household Solar and Sustainable Housing

Updated 15th May 2024:

More resources on sustainable housing:

• The Renew seminar series that accompanies Sustainable House Day is continuing on Tuesday and Thursday nights with interesting seminars on housing, including solar, batteries, EVs, and different housing and building options in the next couple of weeks. You can type in Renew.org.au/events to your browser if you prefer, rather than clicking on the links. 

• The High Life Expo is on at the RACV Club in the city on June 1. They are also doing a seminar series on apartments. Again you can type highlifeexpo.au in to your browser if you prefer. (A flyer was also circulated prior to the 13th May meeting).

• Chris was not able to get to Merri-bek/Renew seminar on Strata apartments (listed below) but there is a recording here.

• Thermawood is another company that presented at Sustainable House Day. They offer 'retro-fit' double-glazing for existing wood-framed windows in older houses or apartments. This is particularly relevant where you need to maintain the external appearance. Click on the link or type Thermawood in your browser or phone (03) 9039 6220 for more information.

• Merri-Bek Council offers information and support for solar and general housing sustainability under the the Energy Switch program. It is definitely worth checking as there is a lot of information and resources. However, we also plan to follow up and get more detail from Council if possible, because it is not always clear exactly what is available and who is eligible.

Original post April 2024:

Following the presentation by Chris about Household Solar at our U3A Climate Change and Sustainability meeting on 15th April, several members also attended the Sustainable House Day held by Renew on 21st April. 

Several houses in Merri-Bek and nearby areas were open, either as examples of new builds or renovations. More information about sustainable housing and the local houses is available on the Sustainable House Day website 

Some relevant information and resources:

• Merri-bek council is offering $3000 rebates for low income people installing Solar Power using the Solar Savers program. This is on top of the Solar Victoria Rebate program. 
• For information about eligibility, you can contact Merri-bek's Energy Officer to check if your household is eligible for the Merri-bek low-income subsidy. You can call them on (03) 9304 9717

• After checking with Council, it seems this subsidy is not available to apartment owners. The Victorian Government's No-Interest loans for house owners wishing to increase sustainability is also not available to apartment owners. While there are legal reasons for this, it seems to be a gap in the system, because apartment owners are probably more likely to be on low incomes than house owners. This is an issue that we could consider as a group and possibly advocate to government about.

• More information about support from Merri-Bek Council for household solar, including the low-income subsidy and other support, is available here.

• Merri-Bek also run rebate programs for insulation and converting appliances to electric. For more information about the full range of support available see the Energy Switch page.

• Merri-Bek Council is holding a free webinar on Solar for Apartments on May 8th at 6.30pm. 

• A local solar company, TCK solar, is offering a free 1kW system for apartments using the Victorian Government 'Solar for Apartments' rebate and microinverters. Phone 99887785 for more information

I can update this page with more information in future.