Solar Citizens

This Groundswell grant supported Solar Citizens to expand access to rooftop solar for renters, helping more households share in the cost and climate benefits of clean energy. The funding helped build public and political support for a federal incentive that would make it more attractive for landlords to install solar and energy upgrades, alongside grassroots mobilisation, storytelling and direct advocacy. The campaign aimed to cut power bills for renters, unlock significant new rooftop solar capacity and make the energy transition fairer for people who do not own their homes.

This Groundswell grant supported Solar Citizens to protect and expand access to rooftop solar and household clean energy. The funding helped build public and political support for policies including a federal home battery rebate, while pushing to remove barriers for renters, apartment residents, social housing tenants and people living in strata communities. The campaign also mobilised solar owners to engage directly with decision-makers, using local stories, petitions and digital campaigning to show the value of consumer-owned energy and build broader support for making its benefits available to more Australians.

This grant supported Solar Citizens to build public and political support for household solar and batteries in the lead-up to the federal election. The campaign focused on defending existing rooftop solar from policies that could undermine it, while pushing for stronger national support for small-scale renewables and home batteries. Through targeted media, community outreach and engagement with MPs across key states, the work linked renewable energy with lower power bills and greater household energy independence.

This grant supported Solar Citizens to build community and political support for renewable energy and clean industry in regional Queensland, particularly Townsville. The funding helped employ a local organiser, reopen a Townsville shopfront, run community events and advertising, and strengthen relationships with local businesses, unions and renewable energy proponents. The campaign reached more than a million Queenslanders, generated strong regional media coverage and helped build momentum for major public investment in renewable hydrogen, clean manufacturing and renewable energy infrastructure.