Struggling Perth families in social housing still waiting for free solar power

The state government’s Smart Energy for Social Housing has stalled with solar panels installed on less than 60 per cent of the trial’s target of 500 social houses.

Confirmation no solar panels have been installed since September 2023 and that the scheme had stalled came following questions on Monday during Budget Estimates from WA Greens MLC Dr Brad Pettitt.

Questions are being asked about the state government’s rooftop solar trial for social housing.

Solar panels have been installed on 281 social houses at a cost of $3.2 million, or more than $11,300 per 3.6kW installation. In a parliamentary question earlier this year they claimed a lower installation cost of $10,106 per household.

According to Solar Choice, the average cost of a 5kW solar system in WA is $4360, less than half what the government has spent on this trial.

Greens MP Brad Pettitt said the trial was a worthwhile initiative that had been “very poorly executed” by the state government.

“How is it possible that less than 100 social houses per year have had solar panels installed as part of this trial, especially given the government budgeted for significantly more per installation than the going market rate,” he said.

“Despite the program finishing almost a year earlier than intended, it’s not clear if any evaluation of the trial has been completed or even started.

“Installing solar panels could and should be making a difference to some of WA’s poorest households.”

Pettitt said ageing WA’s social housing stock was prohibitively expensive for tenants to keep at safe temperatures, particularly over the summer and winter, and in remote regions.

“Retrofitting social housing to be more energy efficient should be a top priority for this government,” he said.

During a budget estimates hearing Synergy chief executive David Fyfe said there were a number of challenges with the trial including one house that was damaged by fire.

“There was a pause on the program while that fire was investigated, which took some time, because obviously we were concerned that perhaps the solar panel contributed to that. It wasn’t found to be conclusive,” he said.

A Synergy spokesman said the trial was still underway, however it was currently being assessed as to the most efficient roll-out model to achieve the target total of 500 installs.

He said the average cost of installing a rooftop solar system in the trial was approximately $5887 per unit.

“The total SESH pilot program cost to date of $3.1 million includes more than just the cost of installing rooftop solar systems,” he said.

“The costs to date include project delivery, product development, customer recruitment, supply, installation, maintenance and monitoring of solar systems. Costs also include the procurement and installation of heat pump hot water systems by the Department of Communities.”

The $6 million trial was announced on July 2020 by the then McGowan Government and was expected to save tenants up to 20 per cent on their energy bills, was being rolled out over four years by Synergy.