Solar Saver Special Charge Program

Darebin Council pays for the cost of the solar PV system upfront and you pay it off over 10 years through a special charge process. You pay no interest on your loan, however you will need to pay a 5% processing fee. This processing fee is equal to 5% of the value of the product/s you are having installed through the Special Charge scheme. It will be repaid as part of the Solar Saver interest free loan amount, over 10 years, in annual or quarterly instalments.

This small 5% processing fee will recover some of the costs of delivering the Solar Saver Special Charge program, helping us offer this program to more Darebin residents.

Through the Solar Saver Special Charge program, you will receive a Special Charge Notice (similar to a Rates notice) every quarter and you will pay off your system over a 10 year time frame. You can also elect to pay out your loan early, if you wish.

Solar Saver Special Charge Program

Expressions for Interest for the Solar Saver Special Charge Program are now open.

Positions are limited for this program. Please ensure you are eligible, are up to date with your rates, do not already have an existing Special Charge and live in Darebin before submitting your expression of interest.

Please fill out the survey below to register your interest. Note: This option can take up to 9 months before you can expect a solar installation.

Solar Saver Special Charge Program EOI

How the program works?

Darebin Council will pay the upfront cost for the system, and you (or your landlord) pay it off over 10 years, interest-free, with the addition of a small 5% processing fee. 

A range of sizes of systems are available. The installer will let you know what the best size for you is according to your average energy consumption.

Council has done the work to help you access quality systems, extended warranties and a reputable supplier.

Find out if you are eligible

Homeowners

To apply for the Solar Saver Special Charge program you must be up to date with your Darebin Council rates payments, not already have an existing special charge, and satisfy at least one (1) of the following:

  • Do you have a Health Care Card or a Pensioner Concession Card, Federal Concession Card or Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card?
  • Is the combined property owner(s)'s income less than $160,000 based on the previous 2 year's tax notice of assessment?
  • Are you receiving JobSeeker payments through Centrelink?
  • Are you
    • an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander resident?
    • a refugee or a person seeking asylum?
    • a person with a disability?
    • an older person reliant on Commonwealth support?
    • an international student?

Renters

This stream has a focus on renters who are First Nation residents, refugees, asylum seekers and international students.

You must answer 'yes' to all five (5) of the following:

  • Do you and the property qualify for the Solar for rental properties rebate from Solar Victoria?
    and
  • Does your household (tenants only) have a combined income of less than $160,000 per year (based on the previous 2 year’s tax notice of assessment)? and
  • Does your rental provider / landlord agree not to seek any repayments from you (the tenant)? and
  • Do you and your landlord both agree to participate in the program? and

  • Is your landlord up to date with Darebin Council rates payments?

We will be requesting evidence for your answers, to make sure we are providing maximum access to our priority groups. Eligibility criteria can change according to priority groups identified by Council.

More information

Read more information and have common questions answered about the Darebin Solar Saver Special Charge Program(PDF, 629KB). 

You can also compare the Solar Saver Bulk Buy Program (pay upfront) to the Solar Saver Special Charge Program (pay back over 10 years).

Register

Register your interest below.

Register your interest in the Solar Saver Special Charge Program

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