Apartment residents in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney in New South Wales, have pioneered the first rooftop solar installation funded by the NSW Solar for Apartment Residents grant program.
As announced by 9News, this 22-unit apartment building in Newtown is now connected to rooftop solar via our solar-sharing technology. This is the first owners' committee to leverage the 50% government grant funding program.
via 9 News Australia
The building’s 109 solar panels, partly funded by a $54,000 government grant, are expected to save residents around $588 per year for each two-bedroom apartment.
Residents had previously investigated solar energy, motivated by a desire to make their building more sustainable. The grant announcement earlier this year was a huge impetus to move quickly, with funding being limited.
In fact, Veronica (resident & OC Member), who was interviewed by 9News, was the first person in NSW to draft a funding application.
The Hon. Chris Bowen MP and The Hon. Penny Sharpe, NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy & Environment, visited residents at the building to mark the occasion.
“This is a way for renters, many of whom live in apartments, to actually access cheaper bills through solar.”
– The Hon. Penny Sharpe, NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Environment & Heritage
Using our world-first SolShare technology, residents in this strata-titled building were able to directly connect a rooftop solar system to each apartment, and share the energy it generates fairly each month.
SolShare is the only technology that makes apartment solar feasible and cost-effective.
With hundreds of grant applications already submitted, this announcement marks the beginning of a shift towards sustainable living for apartment residents.
While the application deadline to apply for the grant has been extended to 30 March 2026, funding is expected to be fully utilised, based on current application rates. We therefore encourage NSW apartment residents to submit their applications as quickly as possible.
Our team can provide you with a free solar feasibility assessment, guiding you on potential costs and ROI. They can also assist you with the grant application process and coordination with your owners' committee.