Date: 7 April, 2026
Whittlesea residents, businesses and community organisations facing cost of living challenges are being offered a unique and free opportunity to slash their energy bills.
Australia’s peak renewable energy industry body, the Smart Energy Council, is hosting the Victorian Lower Power Bills Expo at the Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention Centre on 16th April, from 4:30-7:00PM.
“Energy can be complex, but it needn’t be because there are easy solutions people can access now to slash their power bills. That’s what the Victorian Lower Power Bills Program is all about,” says Council CEO John Grimes.
“Victoria has some of the most generous incentives for households, businesses and community organisations looking to install cost saving energy appliances and measures, but many are simply unaware they exist.”
“You can get rebates on more cost-efficient systems for hot water, air heating and cooling, cooking, lighting, solar, batteries and insulation, all things that will help people cut their energy costs.”
The expo will feature over 20 speakers and stall holders with expertise in helping people find cheaper, smarter ways to introduce energy efficient systems that reduce the cost of living. They include Solar Victoria, solar for apartments specialists Allume Energy, Rewiring Australia, Asian Australians for Climate Solutions, Electrify Me, Solargain, and the Whittlesea Climate Action Network.
Also among the presenters are Footy For Climate, fresh from having just helped two local Victorian sports clubs slash their power bills through the installation of solar and batteries.
CEO Alexi Lynch says from the grassroots level through to the AFL, Footy For Climate exists to protect the future of footy.
“One of our key initiatives is our Power Forward program, where we help community footy clubs to install solar panels, battery storage and other sustainable solutions,” says Mr Lynch.
“Aligning with supportive AFL and AFLW Players, we are now looking to assist clubs in the Whittlesea region as we work towards our goal of 500 installations by 2030.”
“We have recently celebrated projects at Mansfield FNC and Myrtleford FNC, where their solar and battery installations have increased community resilience, and will save the clubs thousands of dollars a year by reducing their energy costs. Money that can be put directly back into the clubs.”
Also present will be Allume Energy, whose SolShare platform has already helped over 3,000 of the hardest to electrify households – apartment dwellers – to gain access to solar, according to CEO Cameron Knox.
“We built a product to break down the barriers that have historically existed for apartment residents to get access to rooftop solar,” says Mr Knox.
“We call it SolShare, and it is the world’s first and only product that enables energy from a single rooftop solar system on the common roof of an apartment building to be accessed by multiple residents within that building.”
“Essentially, it is splitting the energy that is generated, giving each apartment a fixed allocation, typically proportional to their lot entitlement, and then sending them their allocation at a time which maximises their savings.”
Solar Victoria currently has 5,000 rebates available to enable solar for apartments. On average, apartment owners are saving from $400 – $500 annually on their bills with solar.
Allume Energy helps apartment owners and strata managers navigate the entire process – from initial inquiry to introducing certified solar installers and helping them arrange the Special Resolution Vote. The company also runs information Q&A Sessions with apartment owners to share the benefits of shared solar and get them energised about voting yes and taking up the grants.
The Victorian Lower Power Bills Expo is at the Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention Centre on 16th April, from 4:30-7:00PM.
Registration and info here.
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About the Smart Energy Council
The Smart Energy Council is Australia’s peak body for the renewable energy industry, committed to accelerating the transition to clean, affordable energy for all Australians.
Media contact: Tim Lamacraft – tim@smartenergy.org.au – 0448 972 192
