If you’re running a business in Victoria and watching your power bills climb like a runaway elevator, the State Government has just thrown you a lifeline. Through the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, businesses and community organisations can now grab serious discounts on solar installations — the kind of help that turns a big capital expense into a smart long-term investment.
This new solar initiative — detailed by Solar Victoria and the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action — isn’t just about saving dollars. It’s part of a broader effort to drive down emissions, lower strain on the energy grid, and give local industries a bit of breathing space as energy prices keep doing their thing (that is, going up).
Big Solar, Big Savings
The VEU program now offers discounts for systems from 30 kW to 200 kW, perfect for businesses that use a fair bit of power during daylight hours.
Here’s what that looks like in dollar terms:
| Solar PV System Installed (kW) | Indicative Discount* |
|---|---|
| 50 kW | $4,550 |
| 75 kW | $6,860 |
| 100 kW | $9,100 |
| 150 kW | $25,760 |
| 200 kW | $34,300 |
*Based on a VEEC price of $70. Discounts are indicative and may vary depending on installation details and additional incentives.
If you stack the VEU discount with the Commonwealth’s Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) or Large-Scale Generation Certificates (LGCs), businesses can shave off up to 35% of their upfront solar costs — as much as $50,000 on a large system.
Who Can Apply
Pretty much any Victorian business or non-residential site can jump aboard — that includes community centres, local government buildings, hospitals, aged care facilities, aquatic centres, and factories.
To be eligible, your system needs to:
- Be between 30 and 200 kW
- Use Clean Energy Council–approved panels and inverters
- Be installed by an accredited provider
- Include warranties of at least 10 years for panels and 5 years for inverters
- Connect properly to the electricity distribution network
As a guide, a 100 kW system will typically need 450–600 square metres of clear roof space, so it’s ideal for warehouses, schools, or large commercial sites.
Proven Payoffs
A great real-world example is Texas Peak, a sportswear distributor based in Tullamarine. After investing roughly $100,000 in a 100 kW solar system in 2021, their annual electricity bill dropped from $50,000 to $30,000. That’s a five-year payback period, after which the system just keeps printing savings.
It’s exactly the kind of story the government wants to replicate — less money spent on bills, more going back into jobs, equipment, and community investment.
Why It Matters
According to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio, “We’re making it easier for Victorian businesses to get solar, because when they save on energy, they can invest more into their communities, growing their business and creating more jobs.”
That’s the bigger picture here — every new rooftop solar array lightens the load on the state’s energy grid. Fewer upgrades mean lower costs across the board, which benefits every Victorian, not just those with panels on the roof.
Since its launch in 2009, the VEU program has helped over 2.4 million households and 180,000 businesses reduce their energy use, lower emissions, and cut their bills.
Batteries and Future-Proofing
If you’re already sold on solar, it might be worth looking at battery storage next. Under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, businesses can get about a 30% discount on small-scale batteries (up to 100 kWh) when installed with solar systems under 100 kW. That means more energy independence, lower peak demand costs, and one step closer to saying goodbye to volatile electricity pricing.
The Takeaway
Between state-based VEU discounts and federal renewable energy incentives, Victorian businesses now have a clear pathway to slash their electricity costs and carbon output — all while helping stabilise the grid.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to install solar, it’s now. The numbers stack up, the tech is proven, and the government’s footing a healthy chunk of the bill.
Sources:
This article draws upon information published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence by:
- Solar Victoria – “Discounted solar to help Victorian businesses cut costs”
https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/discounted-solar-help-victorian-businesses-cut-costs - State Government of Victoria – “Commercial and industrial solar panel discounts”
https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/victorian-energy-upgrades/products/solar-pv
