On Saturday the Federal Albanese Government and New South Wales Minn Government revealed a $25 million rooftop solar program aimed at increasing uptake for apartment buildings.
The Solar for Apartment Residents scheme provides co-funding to eligible owners corporations and strata managers to install shared rooftop solar systems in a bid to increase apartment solar system uptake from just 3.5%.
The program – the first of its kind in NSW – will cover up to 50% of installation costs, up to a maximum of $150,000 per project.
The government says the initiative could result in savings of up to $600 per apartment on yearly energy bills.
Lowering energy bills
“Around half of Australian apartment residents live in buildings less than four storeys high — prime space to install rooftop solar and reap the benefits of lower energy bills,” Climate Council councillor and energy expert Greg Bourne said.
“States like Victoria already have similar programs available to people living in apartments and it’s great to see New South Wales — which is home to nearly half of Australia’s apartments — joining this growing push.
“Putting rooftop solar on millions more Aussie homes, businesses and public buildings, and investing in ways to share the benefits of solar among more people, can lower people’s bills, cuts climate pollution and creates a modern and more robust grid.
“By adding battery storage as well, buildings can soak up any excess solar energy while the sun is shining and access reliable, affordable and clean power 24/7.”
About one in five or 20% of households in NSW live in apartment buildings.
“This is a real solution, putting the power in the people’s hands supports the transition in a way that provides secure, reliable and affordable power for everyone,” Nexa Advisory CEO Stephanie Bashir said.
“This is a great step, and it needs to be followed with a coordinated national energy strategy.
“A key part of that strategy would be applying national targets and incentives and removing some of the barriers to solar and batteries for all types of households and businesses.”