Warrnambool sees gradual uptake in solar panels after peaking a decade ago

But financial incentives aren't as high now, according to a Warrnambool electrician, who says an uptake in batteries is helping make homes with panels more self-sufficient.

Australian PV Institute data shows rooftop solar installations peaking in Warrnambool in 2011-12, when as many as 67 homes installed panels in just one month.

The state government introduced a solar homes rebates in 2018 and data showed the number of rooftop installations has gradually risen again since.

"Locals in Warrnambool and surrounding areas have been embracing solar consistently since the Solar Homes Program began," Solar Victoria chief Stan Krpan said.

"Warrnambool and surrounds have also been among those regional areas putting more solar PV on rental properties."

Since the program began 547 people have taken up the rebate in Warrnambool, 83 in Port Fairy, 57 in Koroit and 35 in Mortlake.

Warrnambool solar panel installer and retailer Alex Pye said while uptake had been consistent in recent years he believed it was plateauing as tariffs for feeding power into the electrical grid were lower.

"Back 10 years ago you would put a solar system in and aim to not use anything during the day and you could get a 60 cents a kilowatt-hour feed in, now you're getting just under seven cents," Mr Pye said.

He said the main incentive to instal panels now was to use the electricity for household consumption.

"Now, you will only see financial benefit if you are using what you are producing," Mr Pye said.

But he said given the returns from providing electricity to the grid had fallen, there was also an increase in people installing batteries, with 20 properties through his business taking up the technology in the past year.

"If you set realistic targets on when you are going to achieve your payback on your system you will achieve them," Mr Pye said.

"Solar does work quite well here, but it's all about being realistic."

Grattan Institute energy and climate change program director Tony Wood said Australia had the highest uptake of rooftop solar in the world.

"You drive past some places and certainly in new homes everyone has solar on their roofs. In the early days it was very expensive," Mr Wood said.

"People bought rooftop solar because they had the money, they wanted to save their energy bill, and they wanted to stick it up the energy company, which they did, and wanted to disconnect form the grid which they didn't do."

He said the rollout of solar panels was successful in some ways but not in others.

"We don't need any more direct subsidies," Mr Wood said. "We have got to find the best structures with tariffs and batteries."

The Victorian government has also been rolling out solar panels with grants for public buildings.

Western Victoria MP Gayle Tierney has announced 69 buildings to receive panels and batteries, including the Warrnambool Showgrounds Reserve, Allansford Recreation Reserve, and buildings in Port Campbell, Hawkesdale, Wangoom, Timboon and Simpson.

"We're delivering real action on climate change in western Victoria by investing in local projects that will help our communities build thriving and sustainable futures," she said.

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