Solar for Apartments in NSW: A Guide for Owners Corporations
Last checked against NSW Government sources on 23 October 2026.
By September 2026, the SoAR solar for apartments grant had funded 219 projects for 3,705 households, including 1,316 rented apartments, with an estimated average saving of more than $1,100 per household a year, according to NSW Climate and Energy Action.
How shared solar panels for apartments work
Shared apartment solar power comes from one system on the common-property roof. Its output is split between apartments in proportion to each lot's share of the strata scheme, so each apartment buys less grid power during the day.
SoAR accepts three ways of splitting the power:
- separate systems connected to each lot's own retail meter
- allocation through an existing embedded network, using child meters
- a solar gateway and splitter that divides one system's output between apartments
A system that only runs lifts, lighting and other common areas doesn't qualify. No more than 40% of the output can go to common areas, and average yearly exports must stay at or below 30% of production, so the system is sized to residents' daytime use.
New to solar? See how solar panels work. Larger buildings may need one of our commercial solar systems, such as a 30kW system or a 50kW system, depending on roof space and daytime use.
What the SoAR grant covers
The SoAR grant is active and co-funds the upfront cost of a shared rooftop system. The owners corporation pays the rest, and your suburb decides which version applies (see the Boost guidelines).
| Detail | Solar for Apartment Residents | SoAR Boost |
|---|---|---|
| Where it applies | Suburbs not on the Boost list | Suburbs on the Boost list |
| Maximum grant (excl. GST) | $150,000 | $200,000 |
| Share of eligible costs | Up to 50% | Up to 80% |
| Applications close | 5 pm, 4 December 2026, or earlier if funds run out | 5 pm, 4 December 2026, or earlier if funds run out |
Eligible costs include panels, inverters, mounting, solar sharing technology, labour and safety equipment. Enabling works such as meter board upgrades are capped at 10% of the total project cost.
It doesn't cover batteries, EV charging, whole-roof waterproofing, whole-building rewiring or replacing an existing system. For batteries, the NSW Government points owners to the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program. See our solar battery systems page.
Quotes must show the small-scale technology certificate (STC) discount, and the grant is based on the cost after STCs. Our solar rebate page explains how STCs work.
Is your building eligible?
Under the SoAR grant guidelines, your building must:
- be a registered residential strata scheme in NSW with active strata insurance
- be a Class 2 apartment building, or strata-managed townhouses with a shared common-property roof
- have between 3 and 55 residential lots (larger buildings can ask the department for advice)
- have had no solar installed in the last 10 years
Company title buildings, retirement villages, and buildings owned by councils, developers or community housing organisations aren't eligible.
The vote your owners corporation needs
Your owners corporation must pass a sustainability infrastructure resolution at a general meeting before the department offers a funding deed. Since a 2021 change to NSW strata law, it passes unless 50% or more of votes cast are against it. Other special resolutions fail if more than 25% vote against.
The application also needs a letter signed by two owners corporation members from separate lots, confirming that:
- the resolution was passed using the NSW Government form
- purchase and installation costs are shared in proportion among all owners
- energy savings are shared in proportion with all residents, renters included
How to apply for the SoAR grant, step by step
SoAR has two stages: an expression of interest (EOI), then a full application. Full assessment takes around 10 weeks from the EOI.
- Check eligibility and the Boost suburb list on the NSW Government grant page.
- Lodge the Stage 1 expression of interest.
- Get two quotes from installers with SAA "design and install" accreditation for grid-connected solar who are also New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) approved sellers. Products must be on the Clean Energy Council approved list.
- Work out the payback at strata level. It must be 10 years or less, using a flat tariff and the cost after STCs.
- Pass the sustainability infrastructure resolution.
- Lodge the Stage 2 application with your quotes, payback figures and signed letter.
- Sign the funding deed, install, and finish reporting by 30 April 2027.
Key takeaways
- One rooftop system can supply every apartment, split by each lot's share.
- The SoAR grant is active, covers up to 50% of eligible costs (up to 80% under Boost), and closes on 4 December 2026.
- Batteries and common-area-only systems aren't covered.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A strata building can put a shared system on its common-property roof and split the output between apartments, once the owners corporation approves it at a general meeting.
Up to $150,000, covering up to 50% of eligible costs. Buildings in suburbs on the Boost list can get up to $200,000, covering up to 80%.
Yes. SoAR requires energy savings to be shared in proportion with all residents, renters included.
No. Batteries are excluded, and the NSW Government refers apartment owners to the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
Talk to us about your building's roof
Speak with a 3P Solar expert about your building's roof space, daytime use and what a shared solar panel system could look like. 3P Solar, a 2025 ProductReview.com.au Award winner, installs across NSW, QLD, SA, WA and VIC.
