More Australian households, schools and community groups will be able to install solar panels to bring their electricity costs down, as well as contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through $150 million in additional funding in the 2007-08 Budget.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull, today announced the additional funding for the transformation of the Australian Government¡¯s popular Photovoltaic Rebate Programme (PVRP).

The additional funding will support:

• a doubling of the rebate for solar panels on homes. The rebate will increase from the current $4 per Watt up to a maximum of $4,000 to $8 per Watt up to a maximum of $8,000;
• a new competitive grants scheme for schools and communities to install solar panels;
• a targeted scheme to support the design and installation of solar systems on commercial, industrial and iconic buildings; and
• training and accreditation of solar panel installers which is vital to meet the skills needs of the expanded programme.

¡°Many Australians want to do their bit for the environment and reduce the impact of climate change.

¡°This initiative builds on what we have already done through Australian Government investment of around $400 million to support solar technology, including the $52 million that has already been invested in the PVRP.

¡°This increase in funding to the PVRP is expected to more than double the number of rooftop solar power systems installed throughout the country over the next five years. It is expected that around 14,000 households will be able to access rebates through the Scheme.

¡°The programme makes solar power more affordable by providing thousands of Australians with rebates up to $8,000 for installing solar panels in their homes.¡±

The new competitive grants element of the programme will enable schools and community groups to apply for a grant of up to 50 per cent of the cost of a solar power system, with an upper limit of 2 kilowatts.

To help meet the extra demand for solar power systems, more installers will also be trained and accredited.

Mr Turnbull said low emissions energy technologies, such as solar power, were an important part of Australia¡¯s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

¡°This transformed programme will encourage more people to use low emission solar photovoltaic technologies. This will also stimulate the solar industry and research community in their ongoing efforts to improve the technology¡¯s effectiveness and to bring down its cost.

¡°The new climate change measures announced in this Budget take the Australian Government¡¯s investment in climate change to $2.8 billion, continue its support of the solar industry, and will help to further reduce Australia¡¯s greenhouse gas emissions.¡±

The PRVP complements the Australian Government¡¯s $75 million Solar Cities Programme and $328.5 million Remote Renewable Power Generation Programme.