If you live in an apartment, getting rooftop solar feels out of reach. You can’t just call up a solar company and get panels slapped on your roof. You need approval from your building. You need to navigate strata. You need to figure out who benefits, who pays, and how the whole system works.
It’s tricky. Until now, the solar boom has left most apartment residents behind. But that’s changing.
The NSW Government has launched the Solar for Apartment Residents Grant (SoAR) to help apartment buildings install shared solar systems. That means real, clean energy for people who live in apartments.
At PSC, we know a thing or two about clean energy and installing solar. It’s what we do all day, every day. We’re here today as educators to help you navigate this new option for the solar-curious who live in apartments.
In this article, you’ll learn the following:
- What is the Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant?
- How Much Funding Can You Get Through SoAR for Solar Panels?
- Who Can Apply for the Solar Panel Grant?
- How is the SoAR Application Assessed?
- What Can the SoAR Grant Pay For?
- How Long Does It Take to Receive the SoAR Grant?
- Why PSC Is a Smart Partner for SoAR
- What to Do Next
This blog will walk you through the grant in plain English. We’ll explain who can apply, how to apply, and what the grant pays for.
What is the Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant?
The Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) is a new funding initiative from the NSW Government that helps apartment buildings install shared solar systems on common property. The goal is to bring rooftop solar access to apartment residents.
The grant is part of the Community Solar Banks program. It’s designed to help strata communities lower their electricity bills and reduce emissions.
Here’s how it works:
- The Owners Corporation (OC) (the people who own the strata) applies for the grant.
- If approved, the OC receives funding to cover up to 50% of the cost of a shared rooftop solar system.
- The system must be installed on common property (usually the roof).
- It must deliver benefits to at least 50% of the apartments in the building.
- Projects can include battery storage and monitoring systems if needed.
It’s not for individual solar installs on separate lots. This grant is all about shared systems with shared benefits.
If you’re interested in learning about the rebate for solar, you might want to check out the following article titled, Understanding the Federal Government Solar Rebate in Australia: The STC Scheme in 2024
How Much Funding Can You Get Through SoAR for Solar Panels?
The grant will cover up to half of the total eligible cost of the project, capped at $150,000 per project. That’s a serious chunk of change. It means a 20kW solar system that could cost $50,000 might only cost the Owners Corporation $25,000.
If your building wants to go bigger with a bigger system, you need to fund the rest yourself (which could be through levies, resident contributions, or even loans).
The point is that this grant makes shared solar way more affordable. It drops the payback period. It makes the financial case a lot easier to justify at the next strata meeting.
Applications are now open and close at 5PM on 1 December 2025 or earlier if the funds are fully dispersed.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about weighing the cost of solar against the cost of the grid, you might want to check out the following article titled, Cost of Solar Panels vs. Cost of Energy from the Grid.
Ready to go solar? Click here.
Who Can Apply for the Solar Panel Grant?
Only Owners Corporations can apply. That’s the official body responsible for managing common property in a strata scheme. If you’re a resident or committee member, you’ll need to get your OC on board.
To be eligible:
- Your building must be strata-titled and located in NSW.
- You must install the solar system on common property.
- The solar system must provide benefits to at least half of the apartments.
- The project must be new (you can’t get a rebate for a system that’s already installed).
- The equipment must be approved by the Clean Energy Council (CEC).
- The installer must be SAA-accredited.
Application Process:
Stage 1: Submit an expression of interest to check if you’re eligible.
Stage 2: Submit an application for a solar system.
To be eligible for the grant, your building must meet a few basic requirements. Here’s the quick checklist:
- It has to be an apartment building or a multi-unit residential complex – no stand-alone homes or commercial properties.
- The building must be fully built and finished before you apply – no off-the-plan or under-construction projects.
- You can’t have installed a solar system in the last 10 years. This grant is for first-time solar setups, not upgrades.
- Your building must be in New South Wales. (Sorry, Queenslanders, this one’s not for you.)
- The building needs to be registered under the Strata Schemes Development Act 2015; if you’ve got a proper strata plan, you’re probably good.
- And you must have an active strata insurance policy in place.
If your building ticks all those boxes, you’re ready to move forward with a grant application.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about solar payback periods, you might want to check out the following article titled, What is the Payback Period for Solar Panels in Australia?
How is the SoAR Application Assessed?
When you apply for the grant, your project will need to tick a few key boxes. It’s a pass-or-fail setup for the first part:
- The solar system needs to pay for itself within 10 years. That means the savings on energy bills should equal the upfront cost within a decade.
- Your building must have passed a sustainability infrastructure resolution. Everyone needs to be on board with the project and agree to split the costs and benefits fairly.
Once that’s sorted, your application will be scored out of 10 in a few areas:
- Does the project clearly meet the grant’s goals? You’ll need to explain to residents how the benefits (like cheaper bills or cleaner energy) will be shared.
- Is it good value for money? Your quote should stack up well against similar projects.
- Is the plan solid? The work needs to be doable, well thought out, and clearly explained.
- Can your team deliver it? The people running the project need to show they’ve got the skills and experience to pull it off.
You’ll need to score at least 5 out of 10 in each area to get approved for funding.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about solar batteries, you might want to start with the following article titled, Adding a Battery to a Solar System.
Power up your savings. Click here.
What Can the SoAR Grant Pay For?
The grant covers more than just the panels. Other components includes:
- Solar panels and mounting
- Inverters
- Smart meters for tracking usage per apartment
- Battery storage (if part of the design)
- Labour
- Meter board or wiring upgrades, if needed
- Real-time monitoring platforms
- Project management fees
Basically, anything that helps your building install and operate a shared rooftop solar system can be part of the grant.
If you’d like to learn a bit more about what solar batteries are on the market, you might want to check out the following article titled, 6 Best Solar Batteries on the Market.
How Long Does It Take to Receive the SoAR Grant?
The sooner you apply, the better. Funding is limited, and projects will be approved until the money runs out.
Grant funding will be paid in 3 instalments:
- 20% once the funding agreement for the project is signed by everyone who needs to sign it.
- 40% when the project is 50% completed.
- 40% when the installation is completed.
Once your OC gets approval, you have 12 months to complete the project. That includes design, engineering, installation, testing, and commissioning.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the importance of a good installer for your solar (the most important component of any system, seriously), you might want to check out the following article titled, In-house Installers vs. Subcontractors: Which is Better?
Let’s talk solar savings. Click here.
Why PSC Is a Smart Partner for SoAR
PSC has helped thousands of Aussie homes and businesses switch to solar. We’re not new to this game. We know how to design systems that perform well, install them right the first time, and make sure they keep delivering value year after year.
When it comes to apartment buildings, we bring a little extra to the table. Shared solar isn’t simple, but that’s exactly why we’re the right crew for the job.
Here’s why PSC is a solid choice for shared apartment solar:
- We do everything in-house. That means no subcontractors, no random tradies showing up with no clue about your project. Our team handles everything, from the initial site visit to the final bolt tightened on your roof.
- We back our work with a 10-year workmanship warranty. If something’s not right, we fix it. No dodging, no runaround.
- We’re accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia. That’s the gold standard in the industry, meaning we play by the rules and hit every benchmark for safety and quality.
- We know how to work within government grant programs. We understand the fine print, the paperwork, and what makes an application stand out. If the grant guidelines say “jump,” we know exactly how high.
- We offer full project support. From early-stage planning to activation day, we’re in it with you every step of the way.
At the end of the day, we’re not just here to bolt some panels to your rooftop. We’re here to help your whole building get clean, affordable energy and make sure it works for everyone who lives there.
If you’d like to learn a bit more about our aftercare, you might want to check out the following article titled, Penrith Solar Centre’s Service Department Safeguards the Future of Your System.
Get started with solar. Click here.
What to Do Next
If you’re a resident, talk to your strata committee. Please share this blog and ask them to bring it up at the next meeting.
If you’re a strata manager or committee member, contact us. We can:
- Do a free assessment of your building’s solar potential
- Help you prepare a grant-ready project plan and quote
- Handle all the technical bits
Solar is finally opening up to apartments. Don’t wait on this. The grant is real money, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the process of choosing components for your solar system, you might want to check out the following article titled, How to Shop for a Solar System.
Let’s go solar today. Click here.
What’s Great About Solar? It Makes Cents
Now you know what goes into the application process for installing solar on your apartment complex.
- The NSW Government will cover up to 50% of your building’s solar system cost (up to $150,000).
- The system must be shared and benefit at least half the apartments.
- Owners Corporations must apply.
- PSC can help you design a smart, scalable system that works for your residents.
It’s time to get your building on board. Let’s get solar on your roof and lower those power bills for good.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the solar battery rebate, you might want to check out the following article titled, Everything You Need to Know About the Home Battery Rebate for NSW.
