New Grant Program Launches in New South Wales to Support Solar Installations in Apartment Buildings

A new initiative to install shared rooftop solar systems for apartment buildings has launched in New South Wales, with applications now open for a $25 million funding program. This initiative is backed by both the state and federal Labor governments, aiming to help residents in apartment buildings, social housing, and other multi-unit dwellings access the benefits of renewable energy, such as reduced electricity bills.

The program was announced in January of last year and officially launched from a nine-unit block in Ashfield, a suburb in Sydney’s inner west, which is among the few apartment blocks in NSW that have solar panels. The management of this unit block invested $50,000 in their solar system, which has reportedly saved each household approximately $990 annually on their power bills. Under the new scheme, they would have qualified for $25,000 in financial assistance.

During the launch event, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted that the funding will provide co-financing to owners, corporations, and strata management companies to transition to solar energy. Grants of up to $150,000 per project are available, and applications will remain open until December 1 of this year. Eligible applicants include owners’ corporations or strata managers of multi-unit dwellings with 3 to 55 units that have not installed a solar PV system within the last decade.

Albanese estimated that residents could see savings of up to $600 per year on their electricity bills, calling this initiative beneficial for residents, effective in addressing the cost of living, and advantageous for reducing emissions and protecting the environment. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen pointed out that while one-third of Australian households have solar systems, only 3.5% of apartments benefit from rooftop solar.

The $25 million initiative is part of a larger $206 million fund, co-financed by the NSW and Federal governments, aimed at upgrading energy systems in social housing and electrifying apartment buildings. This includes $30 million allocated for “solar banks,” or solar gardens, which are designed to extend the benefits of home renewable energy to those typically unable to access it. Solar gardens consist of solar arrays divided into “plots” that off-site residents can purchase or lease, allowing them to receive credits on their electricity bills from the energy generated.

The NSW state government anticipates that over 10,000 households will participate in the Solar Banks program, saving up to $600 annually on electricity costs. Kristy Walters, Director of the Community Power Agency, emphasized the critical role of community energy projects in the transition to renewable energy, particularly for fostering social inclusivity and promoting regional economic development.

Rewiring Australia’s CEO, Francis Vierboom, welcomed the announcement, noting that apartment residents have historically faced barriers to accessing solar energy. With around 20% of NSW households living in apartments, he stressed the importance of allowing these residents to benefit from lower energy bills and clean solar energy.

While the funding is a positive development, Rewiring Australia is advocating for more comprehensive measures, such as mandating all new buildings to be equipped with all-electric appliances. Climate Councillor and economist Nicki Hutley endorsed the initiative, emphasizing its importance in ensuring that no Australians are left behind in the energy transition due to their housing situation. She argued that by ensuring all new buildings have rooftop solar, more renters and apartment residents could gain access to solar energy over time, benefiting everyone by lowering bills and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

In neighboring Victoria, Solar Victoria offers rebates of up to $2,800 per household for residents in apartments, units, and townhouses, or up to $140,000 per property for buildings with up to 50 apartments to install rooftop solar. Meanwhile, in the ACT, owners’ corporations can apply for grants of up to $100,000 and zero-interest loans to install rooftop solar systems on apartment buildings. The Northern Territory also provides a solar rebate for apartments, covering up to 50% of installation costs for shared solar systems, with a maximum grant of $7,500 per dwelling.