Renters would be able to get solar installed at their rental property, with upfront costs paid by the government, under a Greens plan that seeks to open up access to lower power bills and reduced emissions for Australia's seven million renters.
This announcement builds on a series of measures the Greens are taking to the election that both lower the cost of living and act on the climate crisis, including providing homes and small businesses grants and low-interest loans to install battery storage and get off gas through electrification.
The Greens' plan would allow renters to request an average-sized solar panel system, up to 8kW, to be installed at their rental properties. Landlords would only be able to refuse on reasonable grounds, including restrictive body corporate rules, engineering challenges or local energy congestion constraints.
The solar systems and installation would be paid for through a new $10 billion fund established through the publicly-owned electricity company Snowy Hydro.
The panels will be listed as an asset on Snowy Hydro's balance sheet with a caveat placed on the title of the property. Landlords could elect to pay this amount off early if they choose, otherwise Snowy Hydro will be entitled to be repaid the amount owing when the property is sold or its ownership transferred.
The interest rate would be whichever is lower between the annual change in either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE).
Labor has adopted part of the Greens' home electrification policy of support for batteries but Labor's policy does nothing for renters.
The Greens' 'Renters right to solar' initiative is part of the party's comprehensive 'Powering past coal and gas' climate and energy plan, which Greens Leader Adam Bandt will be announcing at the Smart Energy Conference in Sydney on Thursday morning.
The costed plan lays out how to get to net-zero by 2035, with sector-by-sector plans for electricity, the electrification of buildings, transport and industry and support for the land sector to draw down dangerous climate pollution already emitted.
The full plan will be available online following Mr Bandt's speech.
As stated by Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP
"Renters need solar. Getting solar on your rental property will help lower your power bill while also lowering emissions. It's good for renters, good for the environment.
"There are seven million renters in Australia and they deserve to be able to cut their power bills and reduce their emissions, just like homeowners can.
"The Greens' plan to give renters the right to solar will open up government support for the almost 1 in 3 Australian households who rent.
"Labor has already adopted our home battery plan. I hope they adopt our renters' right to solar too.
"The Greens are the party of renters. We are fighting to cap rental increases and give renters more rights, while the other parties continue to hand out $176 billion to wealthy property investors, making the housing crisis worse and pushing home ownership further out
of reach.
"This election, the Greens will keep Dutton out and get Labor to act on renters' rights and the climate crisis."
