Green Roofs

The Greens want to establish a government-run Green Roofs finance scheme to provide households with interest-free loans to buy and install solar or high efficiency gas hot water systems and water tanks at no up-front cost. The aim is to install half a million water tanks across Sydney by 2015 and 2.6 million homes with solar or high efficiency gas hot water systems by 2022.

Background

Upfront costs are a major barrier to more energy efficient water heating systems for many households. The Greens want to remove the financial obstacles stopping people from installing low greenhouse water heating.

Under our plan, with a helping hand from the state government every home in NSW can improve its greenhouse performance and reduce its energy bill.

The Greens’ target is 1 million roofs with solar hot water. We can keep monthly repayments at $16.50. We are also aiming for 1.6 million high efficiency instantaneous gas water heaters, with monthly repayments set at $7. These would also be installed at no up-front cost to the consumer.

A government-run finance scheme will allow consumers to pay off the water-heating unit over the course of its life. Existing rebates, which will be maintained and increased, will reduce monthly payments. For solar hot water, the government would back the public’s commitment to lowering their emissions by covering the interest on these loans.

Media releases on Green Roofs

Green roofs – Half a million rainwater tanks by 2015

Greens MP and Upper House candidate Lee Rhiannon will tonight announce the 'Green Roofs' plan – a Greens plan to install half a million rainwater tanks across Sydney by 2015 through a government-run finance scheme that would offer interest-free loans with long-term repayment options to households wanting to install a water tank.
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Greens launch NSW election campaign: 'Vote for tomorrow, today'

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon and Senator Bob Brown today launched their party's election campaign, putting the challenge of climate change centre stage for their vision for NSW. They announced a series of programs that will deliver for the environment and the economy, as well as open and accountable government.
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