NSW Government solar panel project for social housing providing financial freedom to regional pensioners

Solar panels on 5,000 NSW social housing properties are reducing power bills for people on low incomes, according to those using the scheme.

Since 2017, the New South Wales State Government, in partnership with the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) and Aboriginal Housing Office, has retrofitted solar panels on about 5,000 social and Indigenous housing properties across regional NSW.

LAHC head of portfolio management Mark Byrne said that over the coming months more properties across the Riverina would receive panels, including 220 in Wagga Wagga.

"They're likely to be all installed by the end of October this year as we start to enter into the hot part of the year," he said.

"Then we'll also be doing some installations in the Federation, Cootamundra, Gundagai, Junee and Greater Hume areas."

Solar has saved money

Brian Jiggins, who lives in Griffith with his brother, both of whom are on a pension, had solar panels installed on his social housing property in December 2018.

"It's definitely saved money for us," Mr Jiggins said.

"We've noticed the [electricity] bills have dropped alarmingly — one was $500 and the next one was $180.

"I go to the club once a week, so that's my day out.

"But otherwise, there are a few nights where we don't have to worry about cooking, we might buy tea instead of cooking it."

Mr Byrne said social housing tenants received advice on best practice power usage and could, on average, expect to save $420 to $1,000 annually.

Program's future not secure

Mr Byrne said the $30 million LAHC program's future was unclear.

"We're not only just putting the solar panels in," he said.

"At times we're having to refit roofs and ensure structural integrity.

"We're having to redo meter boards to be able to accommodate this type of energy into the grid.

Mr Byrne options for grants or more co-funding would be explored so the program could continue.

"Drawing energy from the sun and not from fossil fuels is a benefit to all," he said.

"Being able to provide a greater comfort level for the residents in our homes would be ideal."