AU
A recent article in The Sydney Morning Herald delves into the underutilisation of solar panels in apartment buildings in Sydney and Melbourne despite the potential for significant cost savings.
SolShare install site, Zinc, in Alexandria, NSW
While individual homeowners have widely adopted solar technology, apartment residents face unique challenges, including complex strata approval processes, high upfront installation costs, and a lack of awareness among residents and building managers, which have all slowed similar progress in multi-residential settings.
“Solar for apartments was in the too-hard basket for a long time,” says Cameron Knox, CEO and co-founder of Allume. “The focus really was on the lower hanging fruit of standalone homes.”
In the article, Cameron explains how innovative technologies like SolShare solve these challenges, making solar energy more accessible and cost-effective for residents.
Key community champions, including Craig Richmond from New South Wales and Wendy Rawady from Victoria, shared their experiences advocating for the adoption of solar energy in their apartment buildings. They also discussed using available government incentives, such as the Victoria Solar for Apartments grant.
"You need community champions who are really engaged in trying to create impact."
Cameron Knox, Allume CEO & Co-Founder