Solar saver for households
Interested in getting solar panels, reverse cycle air conditioners, and/or hot water heat pumps? The Solar Saver Program can arrange a premium installer with the best quality and competitive price for you for solar and reverse cycle air conditions. We will soon also be offering hot water heat pumps.
Our Solar Saver program has helped over 2,000 households and businesses access solar. It has also reached a production capacity of 8.7MW and is helping save up to 12,750 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. This is the equivalent of removing over 4,300 cars of the roads each year.
How will the Solar Saver Program help you?
- We have done the homework for you, via a competitive tender process, to find a reliable installer and value for money.
- We have negotiated for longer warranty periods - 10 years on inverter and installation, 12 years for solar PV panel parts and a 25-year performance warranty on panels.
- We have set a high-quality standard in terms of manufacturing quality and the efficiency of the system.
- We put you in touch with our current installer. They can provide more information and respond to any questions you may have regarding solar systems and send you a free no obligation quote.
Pay upfront, or pay back over 10 years
There are two ways to participate in the program:
Our Solar Saver Program is expanding
We will soon be offering hot water heat pumps and reverse cycle air conditioners in addition to solar PV.
We are also introducing a 5% processing fee for Solar Saver Rates Special Charge customers. This processing fee is equal to 5% of the value of the product/s they are having installed through the Special Charge scheme. It will be repaid as part of the total Solar Saver interest free loan amount, over 10 years, in quarterly instalments.
This small fee will recover some of the costs of delivering the Solar Saver Rates program, helping us offer this program to more Darebin residents.
Refer a Friend and each enjoy a $140 discount
Darebin Solar Saver has introduced a new ‘Refer a Friend’ incentive to our program.
For existing Solar Saver customers, this incentive will halve the cost of getting a standard solar service by EnviroGroup. It will also take $140 off the cost of a new solar system (for your friend), installed through the Solar Saver program.
To ensure both parties get their $140 discount, the person being referred needs to answer ‘yes’ on the Solar Saver registration form to the question “Referred by an existing Solar Saver customer?” and provide the name and address of the Solar Saver customer who has referred them.
Show your solar some love
Solar Victoria and Energy Safe Victoria recommend you get your solar system serviced by a licensed A Grade electrician every two years to ensure it is working safely and efficiently.
Overview of the two Solar programs below:
Bulk Buy Program |
Rates Program |
You pay the upfront costs |
We pay the upfront costs, you pay it back over 10 years |
All Darebin ratepayers are eligible to join - residents, businesses and organisations |
In 2023, low income households and specific groups who face discrimination and disadvantage are eligible for this program.
Find out if your household is eligible |
Installation can be organised quickly once you have accepted your quote and arranged a suitable time with the supplier.
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There are a limited number of spots available in this program. Installation is slower than the bulk buy stream and it can take anything from from 3 to 6 months for installation to start from the time you sign your quote. This is because Council has to raise a Special Charge for all rates Solar Saver customers.
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You pay the upfront cost of the system |
Council pays the upfront cost of the system. You pay it back over ten years, interest free |
Includes GST |
You don't pay GST, so enjoy a 10% saving.
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You may have more choice of products and solar PV system sizes up to 100kW.
Reverse cycle air conditioner (split system) up to 10kW. |
There is a $10,000 limit per household.
Usually this should be enough for a Solar PV system up to 10.56kW.
Reverse cycle air conditioner (split system) up to 10kW. |
You can access a range of different products and a variety of brands. Basic systems have fixed prices, any additional products will need to be quoted. |
Choices are limited to set packages at set prices.
Batteries are not included |
Darebin will monitor installations through Quality Assurance (QA) Audits* |
Darebin will monitor installations through Quality Assurance (QA) Audits* |
More info about the
Bulk Buy Program
Includes details on how to register |
More info about the
Rates Program
Includes details on how to register |
* Quality Assurance (QA) audits may be carried out for household’s that have requested this option
Why we chose our installer Envirogroup
Envirogroup are a trusted solar provider selected through an extensive Council tender process. They have over 19 years experience in the installation of solar PV systems and use CEC approved A-grade electricians on every installation. They also have OH&S practices in place to protect you and their staff during the installation.
Servicing and maintenance
You can find out more about servicing and maintaining your solar system on Solar Victoria's website.