Living in an apartment in NSW no longer means missing out on solar energy benefits. The NSW Solar for Apartment Residents Program is transforming how apartment owners access renewable energy, offering substantial rebates and support for installing solar panels in multi-unit dwellings across Sydney and regional NSW.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about accessing solar for apartments NSW, from eligibility requirements and rebate amounts to navigating strata approval and finding approved installers. Whether you are an apartment owner, strata committee member, or property manager, this guide will help you understand how to reduce electricity costs through apartment solar incentives.

Understanding the NSW Solar for Apartment Residents Program

The Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) program provides co-funding for shared rooftop solar PV systems on eligible strata-managed apartment buildings and other multi-unit dwellings in NSW.

The program is designed for buildings where rooftop space is common property and solar installation requires agreement through the strata scheme. Both apartment owners and renters can benefit from electricity generated by an approved shared solar system, although individual residents cannot apply for the grant themselves.

As of August 2026, the NSW Government reported that funded projects were supporting 3,444 households, including 1,236 rented apartments, with expected average annual electricity bill savings of more than $1,000 per household.

Key information

The Benefits of Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant Program In NSW

The Solar for Apartment Residents program can lower the upfront cost of installing shared solar and help residents use more locally generated renewable energy.

Benefits for Owners Corporations

• Generate clean, renewable electricity
• Reduce the upfront cost of an eligible shared solar installation
• Work towards a project payback period of 10 years or less
• Improve the building’s sustainability credentials
• Add a shared energy asset to the property

Benefits for Apartment Residents

• Reduce household electricity bills
• Access solar without owning an individual rooftop
• Reduce household greenhouse gas emissions
• Lower exposure to future electricity price increases
• Allow both owner-occupiers and renters to benefit from shared solar

The program requires funded systems to demonstrate a simple payback period of 10 years or less.

Who Can Apply for Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant Program

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria for funding the Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant program. Applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements will not be considered for assessment. 

The Applicants Requires:

• The grant is only awarded for the installation of a shared rooftop solar system on an eligible multi-unit dwelling, by an eligible applicant, within NSW.
• A residential owners corporation responsible for management of a strata scheme under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015.
• A strata managing agent as outlined in the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, if authorized to do so by the owners corporation.

Individual apartment residents cannot apply for the Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant program. However, they are encouraged to share this information with their owners corporation or strata manager so that they can apply on their behalf.

Who Can’t Apply for SoAR Grant

As defined under the SoAR program guidelines, the following applicants are not eligible for this grant program:

• individual property owners
• government agencies
• private sector businesses and agencies
• educational institutions
• local government authorities
• not for profit organizations
• social housing tenants
• community housing providers.

Which Properties Are Eligible for the Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant Program

SoAR grants can be used for buildings that:

• are a Class 2 residential apartment building, or an eligible strata-managed Class 1a attached dwelling, such as a townhouse or row house
• have a shared rooftop area that is common property
• contain at least 3 and no more than 55 residential lots
• are a completed development at the time of application
• are located in NSW
• are registered as residential strata under the Strata Schemes Development Act 2015
• have an active strata insurance policy
• generally have not had a solar PV system installed in the previous 10 years

An owners corporation may still be able to apply for residential lots that are not connected to an existing solar system, subject to the current guidelines.

When Can a SoAR-Funded Project Start and When Must It Be Completed?

Installation must not begin until the Funding Deed has been signed by both the NSW Government and the owner’s corporation. Once the funding arrangements are in place, the approved solar project can proceed.

All installation work and required acquittal reporting must be completed by 30 April 2027. Applications close at 5 pm on 4 December 2026, or earlier if available funding is fully allocated.

What Costs You Can’t Apply for SoAR Grant

The solar PV system will not be eligible for funding if it:

• is installed through a third-party power purchase agreement
• only provides energy to common areas of the property
• connects to apartments with existing solar PV systems that were installed in the last 10 years
• is for maintenance or replacement of existing solar PV systems.

Associated work that cannot be undertaken using this funding includes:

• waterproofing of the entire roof area
• rewiring of a whole building
• solar batteries 
• EV charging 

Note: Batteries are not funded through the SoAR grant. However, NSW has a separate apartment battery incentive available from 1 September 2026 for eligible apartment buildings.

Solar Products and Services That Are Covered Under The Solar For Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant Program

Eligible project costs can include:

• Solar Panels
• Solar Inverters
• Solar Mounting Equipment
• Solar Sharing Technology
• Solar Installation Labour
• Safety Equipment
• Essential Meter Board Upgrades required for the solar system
• Wiring Upgrades directly required for the solar connection
• Roof Waterproofing where specifically required because of the solar installation

Under the standard Solar for Apartment Residents grant, eligible enabling works can account for up to 10% of the eligible project cost. For SoAR – Boost, eligible enabling works can account for up to 20%.

Eligibility of Solar PV Systems For Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant

To be eligible for funding, the proposed solar PV system must:

• Demonstrate a simple payback period of 10 years or less, calculated at the strata level. The payback period is based on the total purchase and installation cost divided by the average annual energy-cost savings. The total project cost includes both the grant funding and the owners corporation’s co-funding.
• Use the default electricity offering, such as a flat tariff, when assessing the payback period.
• Use suitable metering data for common-area and residential electricity use where required. The SoAR grant can fund eligible meter board upgrades needed for digital metering.
• Limit the estimated average annual electricity allocated to common areas to no more than 40%, with the remaining electricity distributed to residential lots according to their share of the project cost.

Shared solar can be distributed through:

1. Individual connections: Multiple solar systems connected through the individual retail meters of participating lots.
2. An existing embedded network: Solar generation is supplied through a parent meter and distributed to individual child meters.
3. A solar gateway and splitter system: Solar electricity is distributed between individual lots through a shared solar gateway or splitter.

In each case, no more than 40% of the electricity generated can be allocated to common areas. Shared-solar gateway data should also be retained and made available to the owners corporation where needed to manage the system or resolve disputes.

The solar PV system must also:

• supply electricity to common areas and residential lots before excess generation is exported to the grid
• proportionately share installation costs among participating owners
• be installed on roof areas that are common property
• use eligible products from the Clean Energy Council approved product lists current at the time of installation
• be designed and installed by appropriately accredited Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) professionals for Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems
• be supplied by a seller approved under the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC)
• comply with applicable Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 1170.2 for wind loads
• be designed to export an average of no more than 30% of the electricity generated each year.

NSW SoAR Grant Program Additional Info

The grant is structured so that residents receive a meaningful share of the solar benefit.

Key requirements include:

• a simple project payback period of 10 years or less
• at least 60% of generated electricity allocated to residential lots
• project costs and benefits shared proportionately among participating owners
• compliant metering or solar-sharing arrangements where required
• use of eligible solar products and appropriately accredited installers

Applicants should use the current grant guidelines when preparing the system design and financial model.

Application Process Of The Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant Program In NSW 

The Solar for Apartment Residents application process has two main stages.

Step 1: Check Eligibility and Apply Online

Read the current program guidelines and submit the initial application to confirm that the owners corporation and property meet the eligibility requirements.

Step 2: Research the Solar Project

Once eligibility is confirmed:

• speak with appropriately accredited solar providers
• obtain 2 quotes
• discuss the proposed system with residents
• assess how the solar electricity and project costs will be shared

Step 3: Obtain Strata Approval

A sustainability infrastructure resolution must be passed at a strata meeting before the full Stage 2 application is submitted.

Step 4: Submit the Full Application

Update the application with:

• the 2 solar quotes
• proposed system details
• building and strata documentation
• evidence of the required resolution
• project costs and payback information
• other supporting evidence required under the guidelines

Step 5: Funding Approval and Installation

If approved, the owners corporation signs a Funding Deed. Installation can then proceed according to the approved project and funding conditions.

Step 6: Reporting and Grant Payments

Grant funding is paid in stages as project milestones are completed. All works and required reporting must be completed by 30 April 2027.

Taking Action: Your Next Steps

If your building is considering shared solar:

1. Check whether the property meets the SoAR eligibility requirements.
2. Discuss the project with the owners corporation or strata manager.
3. Submit the initial eligibility application.
4. Once eligible, obtain quotes from suitable solar providers.
5. Pass the required sustainability infrastructure resolution.
6. Submit the final application before 4 December 2026.

Aussie Solar Tech can help assess the building, prepare an appropriate shared solar solution and provide the technical information required for a project quote.

Ready to access the NSW solar apartments program and start saving on electricity costs? Follow these action steps to begin your solar journey.

Conclusion: Powering Your Apartment with Solar

The Solar for Apartment Residents program gives eligible NSW strata buildings a practical way to reduce the cost of shared rooftop solar. The standard grant can cover up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at $150,000, while eligible buildings in selected suburbs may qualify for up to 80% and $200,000 through SoAR – Boost.

Individual residents cannot claim the grant directly, but they can raise the opportunity with their owner’s corporation or strata manager. With applications currently closing on 4 December 2026, eligible strata schemes should check the requirements before beginning installation.

Contact Aussie Solar Tech for help planning a shared solar system for your apartment building.

How much funding is available under the Solar for Apartment Residents program?

The standard Solar for Apartment Residents grant can cover up to 50% of eligible project costs, capped at $150,000 per project. Eligible buildings in selected suburbs may qualify for SoAR – Boost, which can cover up to 80% of eligible costs, capped at $200,000.

Who can apply for the Solar for Apartment Residents grant?

Only an eligible owners corporation or an authorised strata managing agent can apply. Individual apartment residents cannot apply directly, but they can raise the opportunity with their strata committee or manager.

What types of buildings are eligible?

Eligible properties generally include Class 2 apartment buildings and strata-managed Class 1a attached dwellings, such as townhouses or row houses, with shared rooftop space that is common property. Buildings must usually have between 3 and 55 residential lots and meet the other program requirements.

When do applications close and when must projects be completed?

Applications close at 5 pm on 4 December 2026, or earlier if funding is fully allocated. Approved projects must be completed and final reporting submitted by 30 April 2027.

Do renters benefit from the Solar for Apartment Residents program?

Yes. Renters can benefit from lower electricity bills where shared solar electricity is allocated to their apartment, although renters cannot apply for the grant themselves. Funded systems must allocate at least 60% of generated electricity to residential lots and meet the program’s payback requirements.