How to get your strata to vote for solar (state-by-state guide)

Getting to a ‘yes’ vote on shared solar for your apartment building may well be easier than you think.

Because the rooftop and common property are shared, your building needs formal approval before any installation can begin. This usually means calling a meeting and holding a vote.

But, whilst installing shared solar in your apartment building is a decision that should involve all owners, not all members of the owner’s committee need to vote in favour.

So, how many owners do you need on board? It depends on what state you’re in…

While the process is similar across Australia, each state and territory has slightly different rules. Below, we’ll walk you through why a vote is needed, what decisions are typically made, and the steps to follow depending on where you live.

1. Why a vote is needed
2. Strata terminology cheat sheet
3. State-by-state processes
   
   1. New South Wales
   2. Victoria
   3. Queensland
   4. Other states & territories (SA, TAS, WA, NT, ACT)
4. Frequently asked questions
5. Your path to shared solar

1. Why a vote is needed

Before moving forward with shared solar, apartment owners need to vote on:

• Use of rooftop/common property – granting permission to install solar panels and other components on shared spaces
• Selecting an installer – choosing the preferred installer and approving their quote, and the use of funds
• Funding method – deciding how to pay, e.g. sinking/capital works/maintenance fund, special levy, lot contributions or strata finance
• Grant application – approving the building’s participation in any available grants (e.g. NSW or VIC Solar for Apartments programs, battery rebate programs, etc)
• Solar sharing allocation – deciding how the solar will be shared between apartments (e.g. evenly or by lot entitlement)

2. Strata terminology cheat sheet

We've outlined how the terminology differs depending on where you live to help explain how voting for solar with strata works across Australia:

3. State-by-state processes

New South Wales (NSW)

NSW has made it significantly easier for strata-titled apartment buildings to install solar by introducing the sustainability infrastructure resolution into the Strata Schemes Management Act 2021. This allows projects – such as rooftop solar, EV chargers and batteries – to pass with a lower voting threshold. Instead of requiring a 75% special resolution, the motion passes as long as fewer than 50% of votes are cast against it.

• Resolution type: Solar is voted on through a sustainability infrastructure resolution, introduced under the Strata Schemes Management Act.
• Threshold: Passes if less than 50% vote against – significantly easier than the usual 75% special resolution.
• Notice & quorum: Minimum 7 days’ notice is required. A quorum is 25% of unit entitlements or owners; if not reached within 30 minutes, the meeting can still proceed with those present.
• Steps to take (for both you/the solar champion as well as your strata manager)
  
  1. Request an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) from your Strata Managing Agent (strata manager).
  2. Prepare supporting documents (solar installers, quotes, funding outline, grant info).
  3. Draft a resolution labelled as “sustainability infrastructure” (your strata manager can assist!).
  4. Hold a vote (ordinary special resolution rules apply, but with the sustainability threshold instead).
  5. Record the outcome and move forward with the installer contract and any grant application.

👉 Tip: If engagement is low, don’t worry – quorum rules and the sustainability resolution make it possible to approve projects with smaller attendance.

Victoria (VIC)

In Victoria, solar installations require a special resolution, usually at a Special General Meeting (SGM), to approve major proposals like rooftop solar. Most projects can pass with a special resolution, which requires more than 75% of votes in favour. If a resolution has majority support, but doesn’t quite reach 75%, it may still pass under certain conditions with an interim special resolution.

• Resolution type: Solar is voted on through a special resolution, or sometimes via an interim special resolution.
• Threshold: Passes if more than 75% vote in favour, or with an interim special resolution, with at least 50% of total votes in favour and no more than 25% of votes (by entitlement) are against. In this case, notice must be sent to all owners within 14 days. If no petitions from owners holding more than 25% of entitlements are received within 29 days, the interim resolution automatically becomes a full special resolution.
• Notice & quorum: For a special resolution, at least 14 days’ notice. A quorum is generally 50% of the owners, but business can proceed if not reached after 30 minutes.
• Steps to take (for both you/the solar champion as well as your strata manager)
  
  1. Contact your Owners Corporation Manager (strata manager) to request an SGM.
  2. Prepare supporting documents (solar installers, quotes, funding outline, grant info).
  3. Engage your OC Manager to help you draft a motion and circulate it.
  4. Hold a vote (if support is close, pass it as an interim special resolution and ensure notice is delivered to all owners by your OC Manager within 14 days and check for any petitions over the next 29 days).
  5. Record the outcome, and if passed, move forward with the installer contract and any grant application.

👉 Tip: With interim special resolution terms, fewer owners need to attend in person – as long as the criteria are met, the project can move forward even with moderate turnout. Just be ready to show the other owners the value – especially with the VIC Solar for Apartments grant ($2,800 per apartment)!

Queensland (QLD)

Queensland apartment buildings will need to vote at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to approve shared solar. Solar is treated as a capital works project, requiring a special resolution.

Special resolutions in Queensland have a slightly higher threshold than in other states, passing only if; at least two-thirds of the votes cast are in favour, the number of votes against is not more than 25% of the total number of lots, and the total lot entitlements of the votes against is not more than 25% of the total entitlements for all lots in the scheme.

• Resolution type: Solar is voted on through a special resolution at an EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting).
• Threshold: A special resolution that meets the criteria mentioned above.
• Notice & quorum: Minimum 21 days’ notice. A quorum is 25% of the eligible voters. Many Queensland schemes also allow online or paper voting for easier participation.
• Steps to take (for both you/the solar champion as well as your strata manager)
  
  1. Submit a request to your Body Corporate Manager to call an EGM.
  2. Prepare supporting documents (solar installers, quotes, funding outline, grant info).
  3. Draft a clear motion so owners know exactly what they’re voting on (ask your Body Corporate Manager to help).
  4. Allow the required 21 days’ notice before the vote.
  5. Hold a vote.
  6. Record the outcome, and if passed, move forward with the installer contract.

👉 Tip: Highlight the impact on common area electricity costs – solar can deliver savings on strata fees from day one, which is a big motivator for many QLD body corporate committees.

Other states & territories (SA, ACT, WA, NT & TAS)

For the rest of Australia, the rules and processes are similar. Since solar is considered a major works project, it usually needs approval via a special resolution at a general meeting or SGM. The exact wording and requirements vary, but the process is broadly consistent.

• Resolution type: Solar is voted on through a special resolution at a general meeting or SGM.
• Threshold: Usually a special resolution depending on scheme size and bylaws. Your strata manager can confirm what applies to your building.
• Notice & quorum: Ranges from 7–21 days; quorum requirements vary.
• Steps to take (for both you/the solar champion as well as your strata manager)
  
  1. Request a meeting with your Strata/Body Corporate Manager.
  2. Prepare supporting documents (solar installers, quotes, funding outline, grant info).
  3. Draft a clear motion so owners know exactly what they’re voting on (requirements may vary by state, but your Strata Manager can help).
  4. Allow the required notice period before the vote.
  5. Hold the meeting and vote, based on specific state requirements.
     
  6. Record the outcome, and if passed, move forward with the installer contract.

👉 Tip: In smaller schemes, approval can be simpler, but it’s still important to engage your Strata Manager early so there are no surprises.

Frequently asked questions

• Can we vote by email or online?

In many states, yes – but it depends on your by-laws.

• What if my strata manager isn’t proactive?

Owners can request meetings directly. We recommend providing all documents up front to make the process smoother.

• What if the vote doesn’t pass?

Don’t worry – hope isn’t lost! You can adjust your proposal and re-table it, or hold a Q&A session to build support before trying again.

• Can non-participating owners opt out?

This depends on certain factors, such as specific grant-related requirements. In general, the use of SolShare doesn’t require that all owners participate, but they will still need to approve the use of common property. (But we find most people are keen to participate!)

Your path to shared solar

As you can see, getting shared solar approved is a team effort, but the good news is the rules are designed to make it possible – and most buildings find that once the proposal is on the table, owners are quick to support it. With the right preparation, your building can unlock the savings and sustainability benefits of solar sooner than you think.

Whether you’re in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or beyond, the path is the same: prepare, vote and enjoy shared solar.

Ready to take the next steps?

• Book a Q&A with Allume: We’ll walk your committee through your feasibility assessment, explain the benefits of shared solar, and answer questions before the vote.
  
• Get prepped for the vote: Read our blog on the four most common ways apartment buildings fund shared solar, or download our quick-reference guide below – complete with suggested discussion questions – to bring to your committee meeting.