Andrews says 'safety first' in $1 billion solar power election pledge

The state government says it will put safety first as it pays thousands of dollars to households to install solar-electric systems on their roofs, in a $1.2 billion election promise made on Sunday.

Premier Daniel Andrews said up to 650,000 home owners across the state are expected to take advantage of the plan, which would see upfront costs of $4450 for a medium-sized solar system paid by the state government, allowing families to save up to $890 a year on their electricity bills.

Half the money would then be repaid, interest-free, to the government over a four-year period while the household benefited from lower power bills.

Families living in their own homes worth up to $3 million and with annual household incomes of less than $180,000 would be eligible for the payments, with the government saying 90 per cent of home owners in the state would be able to apply.

The state opposition was out of the blocks early on Sunday morning, predicting Labor’s plan would be like the federal government’s disastrous home insulation batts scheme, which was linked to three deaths.