Water heating in Victorian households is responsible for approximately 20% of residential sector greenhouse pollution. To assist Victoria to move towards a solar water heating future, a suite of programs have been introduced. An aim of these programs is to improve the capacity of industry to deliver solar solutions.

These programs include;
> a performance based rebate program that incentivises households to install solar water heating and manufacturers to improve cost effectiveness of products,
> a training program for installers to ensure that trades persons have the competencies to size systems and the skills to install them correctly,
> a regulation for new houses that has resulted in approximately 50% of all new dwellings installing solar water heaters.

This comprehensive suite of programs have resulted in Victoria making up an estimated 30% of the current Australian sales for solar water heaters, a higher growth rate than in any other jurisdiction. It is expected that in the future these programs will drive an even greater uptake, which will go some way to insulating Victorian households from price increases that may result from any future increases in the cost of energy.