The Federal and New South Wales governments are joining forces to deliver a $25 million program to boost shared rooftop solar systems in apartment buildings.
The Solar for Apartment Residents incentive is the first of its kind in New South Wales, providing co-funding to eligible owners’ corporations and strata managers to install shared rooftop solar systems that could save residents up to $600 on their energy bills annually.
Currently, one in five New South Wales homes are apartments, yet only about 3.5 per cent of those are connected to solar.
The program will expand access to renewable technology and lower the cost of residents power bills.
It will cover up to 50 per cent of the cost of installing shared solar systems on apartments or other multi-unit dwellings, up to a maximum of $150,000 per project.
The incentive is funded by the Federal Government’s Solar Banks Scheme, which is focused on removing the barriers to accessing solar nationwide and is a key action in the New South Wales Government’s Consumer Energy Strategy.
The program is designed and administered by the State Government, which will assess and approve applications, distribute funding to grant recipients and oversee the delivery of funded projects.
Owner’s corporations or strata managers of apartments or other multi-unit dwellings with 3–55 units that haven’t had a solar PV system installed in the last ten years are eligible to apply.
Applications are now open and will close on 1 December 2025 or when funding is exhausted.
For more information on the initiative and to check your eligibility, visit Solar for apartment residents.
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said the government is building Australia’s future.
“We want to makes sure all Australians have the services and the infrastructure they need now and into the future.
“That’s why we are working with the New South Wales Government to encourage the use of solar panels and help slash the cost of people’s power bills.
“This is good for families and good for the environment.”
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said, “We want to make it cheaper and easier for every Australian to install rooftop solar, because whether a home is a house or apartment, everyone should be able to take advantage of cleaner, cheaper solar to bust bills for good.
“In the past, it’s been difficult for apartment residents to reap the benefits of cleaner, cheaper solar – but we’re helping households overcome those barriers and powering more Australian homes with renewables.”
New South Wales Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe, said, “We’re excited to launch this initiative here in New South Wales, making solar power more accessible and affordable for the many people who live in apartments.
“Solar should be available to everyone. This program removes the barriers to renewable energy for units and apartments, making it easier and more affordable to adopt solar.”
