Victorians can now double-dip and claim the state's solar rebate for a second time.
Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio announced the change today in a bid to speed up the state's transition to renewables.
Victorians who move home will now be allowed to claim both the $1400 rebate for solar panels and the $1000 solar hot water rebate twice.
They can also claim the rebate if they are replacing panels that are more than 10 years old.
Minister D'Ambrosio said the state was contributing to a national plan to recycle or reuse old solar panels.
"We know that those older systems are not as efficient as the newer systems so this is about getting more out of your solar panels," D'Ambrosio said.
"We're always looking for ways to improve the program, to make it flexible, to meet the changing circumstances of Victorian households.
"We expect more Victorians to come forward now and apply for the rebates and enjoy the benefits."
Katy Daily, from Coburg, hasn't paid a power bill since upgrading her house.
The mother of two installed solar panels, a solar hot water system, added insulation and double-glazed windows in 2021.
She didn't qualify for the rebate at the time but says her system should pay itself off in six years.
"It's free electricity after that. It's the only appliance that pays you back," Daily said.
"It was really a n- brainer.
"You don't ask other appliances to pay you back but solar is one appliance that does, so think of it like pre-buying electricity for the future."
The government has been tweaking the scheme to help maintain its momentum.
More than 36,000 rebates were approved in the first year of the program in 2018 to 2019.
That peaked in 2020 to 2021 to more than 62,000 but has settled around the 50,000 mark since.
According to Australia's Energy Regulator, the average wholesale price per megawatt hour in Victoria has jumped from $51 to $114 since 2021.
Australian Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen put an undisclosed amount of money on the table to back renewable energy products.
The projects will store up to 600mW of energy from wind and solar projects.
200mW will service Victoria exclusively. Another 200mW will back up South Australia with the remaining 200mW to be accessible by both states.
"The sun doesn't always shine, and the wind doesn't always blow, but we can store the energy from the sun and the energy from the wind for use when we need it. That's what this CIS tender is about," Bowen said.
"Over the last decade of energy policy chaos under the former government, Australia has seen four GW of dispatchable energy leave the grid and only one GW come on, and we won't allow this to continue. This tender will ensure we can increase supply, reduce the risk of shortfalls and keep downward pressure on power prices in South Australia and Victoria."
The first projects to win funding will be announced early in 2024.
