Solar is not just for standalone houses. If you live in an apartment or townhouse, your building can also take advantage of solar energy to save money and add value.
Benefits of solar for strata
Installing solar is a smart way to reduce energy bills while making your property more attractive to buyers and renters. Depending on how the system is set up, it can lower your individual electricity bill or reduce the common area bills that all owners pay through strata levies.
Incentives to help with costs
There are government programs that can make solar for strata more affordable. The NSW Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant supports shared solar systems in apartment buildings, and the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) provides additional financial incentives to reduce upfront costs.
Renters and landlords both benefit
Solar can be a win-win for renters and landlords. Renters save money when their electricity bills are reduced, and landlords benefit through increased property and rental values. If you’re renting, it is worth raising the idea with your landlord and other owners in the block.
Four main approaches to solar for strata
There are 4 main approaches to solar in strata. The one that is right for your building depends on the size and type of your block:
Individual solar
An individual solar system on top of each unit, with solar power being used by that unit. This setup is suitable for townhouses and low-rise apartments. The system is paid for by the individual owner and reduces energy bills for that individual unit.
Solar sharing directly
A single solar system for the building, with solar power shared between the individual units. This setup is suitable for townhouses and low to mid rise apartments. The system is paid for by the owner’s corporation and reduces energy bills for all units.
Solar sharing via an embedded network
A single solar system for the building, with solar power shared between the individual units and common area via an embedded network. An embedded network is when the owner’s corporation purchases electricity in bulk and then supplies it to individual units. This setup is suitable for apartment blocks that already have an embedded network.
Common area solar
A single solar system for the building, with solar power used by the common area. This is suitable for mid to high rise apartments. The system is paid for by the owner’s corporation and reduces common area energy bills.
Sustainability Infrastructure Resolutions
In NSW, solar installations in strata may be treated as a Sustainability Infrastructure Resolution. A sustainability infrastructure resolution will be approved if at least 50% of the owners voting support the project. More information is available from Fair Trading NSW.
6 steps to solar for strata
The process to get solar sharing or common area solar for your strata building is:
- Virtual consultation: book a consultation with the Energy and Solar Expert Advisory Service.
- Opportunity assessment: an expert from the Energy and Solar Advisory Service will prepare an estimate of potential costs, savings and rebates, and assess which type of setup would be suitable.
- Get quotes: the strata committee contacts strata solar installers to get multiple quotes.
- Quote review: an expert from the Energy and Solar Advisory Service reviews the quotes and provides feedback to the strata committee.
- Pass a resolution: the Owners Corporation meets to pass a resolution.
- Installation: the installer completes the installation, and now your block has solar.
Northern Beaches Council residents can access free support from experts through the Energy and Solar Expert Advisory Service. Please note that bookings are limited.
To get individual solar for your townhouse or unit, source your own quotes and contact your strata manager regarding the usual strata approval process for individual unit modifications.