According to NSW’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), less than 2% of apartment buildings in NSW currently have solar systems installed.
Because residents of apartments share a roof, organising and funding a shared solar installation can be tricky, and, to date, has caused the lag in uptake.
But thankfully, new technologies, increasingly streamlined processes and Smart Ease payment solutions for strata companies, are making solar for apartments far more accessible.
Indeed, it was this combination of factors that enabled a successful solar and storage installation at 16-18 Frazer Street in Collaroy, NSW in August 2025.
The solution
In February 2025, the DCCEEW unveiled their Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) rebate program which promised to cover 50% of the cost of a solar installation on apartment buildings.
Attracted by this offer, treasurer of the apartment’s owner’s corporation, David Mcdonald decided to investigate installing solar on the roof of the 33-unit block on Frazer Street, Collaroy.
Project snapshot
Industry: Property management
Channel Partner: One Power Solar & Electrical
Solar system size: 12.3kW
Battery system size: 25kWh
Equipment:
- 1 x Sungrow 10kW Hybrid Inverter
- 28 x JA 440W Bifacial Panels
- 5 x 5kWh SBH Commercial battery stack
Payment Plan term: 5 years
David contacted Allume, the company behind SolShare, a world-first solar-sharing technology specifically designed for apartments. Solshare shares energy from a single rooftop solar system fairly between all residents of an apartment building.
According to Allume’s Housing Partnership Manager William Anstee, shared solar using SolShare is far more efficient than having multiple individual systems fighting for roof space. “SolShare provides clean electricity to every single unit and the common areas, and ensures everyone receives the same set amount of solar associated with their ownership.
“Plus, it delivers higher solar self-consumption, so everyone is really getting the best bang for buck from the rooftop system.”
On top of providing the most efficient technological solution, Allume was able to point David in the direction of an experienced SolShare installer, One Power Solar & Electricial, and a finance partner, Smart Ease.
By using a $0 upfront Smart Ease Payment Plan, David and his fellow apartment owners could not only enjoy the SoAR rebate, they could do so without draining their sinking fund or requiring a special levy. Additionally, it meant they could bundle in other decarbonisation technologies, like solar storage, onto their payment plan – further maximising their solar consumption.
The win
In August 2025, the One Power Solar & Electrical team completed the installation of a 12.3kW solar PV system and a 25kWh battery storage system, integrated with SolShare technology.
Through the collaborative efforts of Allume, Smart Ease and One Power Solar & Electrical, the owners corporation successfully applied for the SoAR rebate, resulting in a 50% discount on the solar equipment. The remaining cost of the installation will be paid through manageable monthly instalments, divided up and added as a small additional cost onto regular strata fees.
For the apartment residents, the outcome is a significant drop in their energy bills – likely far greater than the incremental increase in their strata fees. Plus, according to research by Domain**, they could potentially see a marked increase in the value of their property now that it has been fitted with long-term energy-efficiency infrastructure. Wins across the board!
* https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/solar-for-apartment-residents-soar-grant-program
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