The direct answer
The Australian Government program listing states that NSW owners corporations or strata managers may apply for funding for shared solar on eligible apartment buildings and multi-unit dwellings. It lists 50% co-funding of eligible shared PV-system cost, up to $150,000 per project, with applications closing 4 December 2026 or earlier if funds are allocated.[1]
This is a current program summary—not an approval letter. A committee should verify the live guidelines, application status and project eligibility with NSW Government sources before putting any figure into a motion, levy, contract or owner communication.
Eligibility, available funding and program rules must be checked directly with the NSW Government before a committee relies on the grant.
The evidence-first checklist
| Workstream | Evidence to assemble | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Scheme type, ownership records, building details and current official program rules | Prevents a proposal from treating funding as guaranteed. |
| Solar model | Common-area or shared-solar objective, preliminary load data, meter/embedded-network facts | Establishes what the system is intended to serve. |
| Site feasibility | Roof access, shading, structural/heritage constraints, main-board and cable-route observations | Identifies design and cost dependencies before contracting. |
| Governance | Draft motion, ownership and maintenance approach, funding model, advice triggers | Supports an owners-corporation decision that addresses statutory considerations. |
| Proposal comparison | Like-for-like scope, equipment, exclusions, network/export assumptions and warranty terms | Reduces false comparisons between headline prices. |
| Delivery evidence | Licence/accreditation checks, design, product status, connection process and required compliance records | Keeps the compliance path visible to the committee. |
The funding claim to avoid
Avoid language such as “the grant covers half our installation” until the program administrator confirms eligibility and the conditions attached to the specific project. The program can close early when funding is allocated, and project eligibility is determined under the live guidelines.[1]
What a committee motion should be able to explain
NSW Fair Trading says a sustainability infrastructure resolution requires consideration of running and maintenance costs, who owns/installs/maintains the infrastructure, and availability to all or only some lots.[2]
For a solar motion, document:
- the option being approved and the stage of commitment;
- funding assumptions and what changes if a grant is not approved;
- asset ownership, operational responsibility and maintenance access;
- how benefits apply to common property and/or participating lots;
- the authority to seek further advice, grid connection information and final compliant documentation.
Proposal quality: five questions that improve the decision
- What loads, meters and participants does the design assume?
- What roof, switchboard, cable-route or access work is excluded pending inspection?
- Which components, licences, design/installation accreditations and network steps must be verified?
- What does the financial model assume for usage, tariffs, exports and funding—and what is not included?
- Who owns, maintains and insures the system after commissioning?
Cable Co can prepare a site-specific proposal that makes those dependencies visible. It does not replace strata legal advice, government funding determinations, manufacturer confirmation or distributor approvals.
Next steps
Use the strata EV Approval Toolkit to capture committee governance and capacity questions in parallel. For broader renewable scope, request a strata or commercial energy proposal. Procurement teams can also review Cable Co’s commercial energy assessment before finalising an RFP.
Frequently asked questions
How much can the NSW Solar for Apartment Residents grant fund?
The Australian Government’s current listing states 50% of eligible shared solar PV-system cost, up to $150,000 per project. Check the live NSW program rules and funding availability before relying on this.[1]
Does a grant remove the need for strata approval?
No. A funding pathway and owners-corporation decision are separate matters. The committee should follow its scheme’s approval process and consider sustainability infrastructure requirements.
What if the building wants shared solar rather than common-area solar?
Confirm the electrical, metering, participant, ownership and maintenance model before requesting comparable quotes. Solar-sharing technology is one option; it is not automatically suitable.