The ultimate guide to solar energy rebates for apartments

If there's a rebate in Australia to help you pay for rooftop solar, batteries and more for your apartment, you will find information here.

What's available in my area?

Solar is smart.

Getting a rebate to help pay for solar? Smarter.

If you live in an apartment in Australia, now is a great time to make energy-efficiency upgrades.

Current government grants and rebates cover up to 50% of the cost of solar panels, batteries, electric vehicle charging stations and more.  

Whether you're interested in Federal small-scale technology certificate (STC) discounts, VIC solar rebates, NSW solar battery rebates or other solar power rebates across Australia, this is the place to find out more. 

How much could you save on solar?

Real projects. Real savings.
Newtown Solar Drone Allume SolShare

Newtown, NSW

A property in NSW used a government solar panel grant to help fund its shared solar project.

  • Received a NSW Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) grant of $54,000
  • 22 Apartments
  • Estimated $588 in annual savings for a 2-bedroom (Source: 9News)

Source: NSW Government data, 18/09/26

Josh_Fitroy-SolarVIC

Fitzroy, VIC

An apartment block in Fitzroy used the Solar for Apartments rebate from Solar Victoria to help install a new rooftop solar system. 

  • 35-40% reduction in energy bills for residents
  • 9 Apartments
  • 24kW shared rooftop solar system
  • Navigated complexities of  solar for a heritage-listed building

Source: Solar Victoria, 04/12/25

Government rebates on solar

Verified August 2026

Fed NSW VIC SA QLD ACT WA/NT/TAS
Program name
Inclusions
Value
Closing date

Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) as part of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme

- Rooftop solar

- Discount based on the size of the system and location

ex; a 60kW apartment solar system located in NSW would receive a discount of approx. $16,500.

31 December 2030

Cheaper Home Batteries Program as part of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme

- 5–100 kWh Battery

- Approx. 30% up-front cost discount

31 December 2030

Household Energy Upgrades Fund (HEUF) through low-cost financing

- Rooftop solar
- Battery
- Other energy performance upgrades, like EV chargers and heat pumps

- Discounted financing via participating lenders

Ongoing
Program Name
Inclusions
Value
Closing Date

Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Grant

- Shared rooftop solar PV
- Solar sharing technology (SolShare)
- Enabling works, such as meter board upgrades

- Up to 50% of eligible costs up to $150,000 per project

❗4 December 2026

Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) Boost

- Shared rooftop solar PV
- Solar sharing technology (SolShare)
- Enabling works, such as meter board upgrades

*Only available in eligible suburbs 

- Up to 80% of eligible costs up to $200,000 per project

❗4 December 2026

Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) - Install a battery (apartments)

- Battery
- Battery with solar

- Discount of approx. 20–30% on the installation of a battery.
- Discount of approx. 30-40% off the cost of the battery when installed with a new or additional solar system. 

Ongoing

Smart Green Apartments: City of Sydney

- Expert advice, like home energy and water assessments

- Cost of consulting services provided

Ongoing

Smart Unit Rebates: Ku-ring-gai Council

- Shared rooftop solar PV
- EV or EV infrastructure

- Up to $6,000 per building

Ongoing

Sustainability Rebate: North Sydney Council

- Solar
- Solar batteries
- EV charging
- Switchboard upgrades

- Up to 20% of the cost of solar or battery
- Up to 25% of cost of an EV charger or switchboard works
- Max total rebate of $5,000 per year

Ongoing

Building Futures Program: Waverley Council

- Energy assessments of common areas, costed recommendations and implementation support
- A rooftop solar assessment

- Up to $1,000 in matched funding

Ongoing

Community Sustainable - Sustainability Rebates Program: Randwick Council

- Rooftop solar
- Solar battery
- EV charger
- Energy assessment

- Solar: 10% of the cost, up to $5,000 per apartment block 
- Battery: 10% of the cost, up to $2,000 per apartment block
- EV charger: 25% of the cost, up to $5,000
- Energy assessment: 50% of the cost, up to $1,000

Ongoing

NSW Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI)

- Rooftop solar
- Other energy-efficiency upgrades

- Varies

30 June 2027
Program Name
Inclusions
Value
Closing Date

Solar for Apartments

- Shared rooftop solar

- Up to $2,800 per apartment, with a max of $140,000 per building

30 June 2027
Program Name
Inclusions
Value
Closing Date

See the Federal tab for eligible rebate programs.
Program Name
Inclusions
Value
Closing Date

Queensland Community Housing Energy Upgrades (QCHEU)

- Solar PV
- Other energy-efficiency upgrades

- Rebate of up to $4,500 per dwelling for eligible community housing providers

❗30 October 2026
Program Name
Inclusions
Value
Closing Date

Solar for Apartments Program

- Shared solar

- Up to $100,000 per owners' corporation – 50% grant plus 50% zero-interest loan.

Once funds are exhausted
Program Name
Inclusions
Value
Closing Date

See the Federal tab for eligible rebate programs.

Going beyond rebates

We've been using the word "rebates" a lot, but government programs that help pay for rooftop solar, batteries, and other energy efficiency projects go beyond just rebates. 

Here's some help in understanding the types of programs. 

Rebate
A partial refund of money spent that reduces the cost of an eligible product or installation. 
Discount
A reduction applied to the purchase price, so you pay less up front.
Grant

A lump sum of money that you can spend on your project that does not have to be repaid. 

Financing
A loan backed by the government that is usually either interest-free or low-interest. 
Allume SolShare 2

How do I get started?

More than 6,000 apartment residents have received funding through popular rebate programs in NSW and VIC, prompting other states to launch their own grant programs. Now is a great time to get started!

Start by navigating to the relevant program page using the links in the table above, and look for the following key information: 

  • Does my building qualify? Make note of the eligibility requirements.

  • Who applies? Usually it is someone on the owners' corporation.

  • What's the process? Each program page will include instructions and a link to the application. 

If you get stuck or just want to talk with someone with experience, that's where we come in. We've helped thousands of residents from across Australia apply for government rebates on solar and batteries.

Start with a free, no-obligation feasibility assessment, where we'll review your property against the rebate requirements and help you compile the information you will need to apply.

Get started with a feasibility assessment

More resources
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How to pay for shared solar in your apartment building

Everything you need to know about financing a shared solar system for your building. 

Read the article
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The complete guide to shared solar for apartments

Everything you need to know about shared solar, from gaining support from your neighbours to the final vote at the OC.

Check out the guide
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Solar rebate calculator

Get a quick estimate of costs and savings for a shared solar system on your apartment building.

Run the numbers

Shared solar starts with a feasibility assessment.

  • Want to apply for a solar rebate but don't know where to start?
  • Interested in a no-obligation feasibility assessment on your building – a good starting point for many rebate applications?
  • Want someone to present to your owners' corporation about accessing one of the current rebate programs?
Share details about your building, and our team will get in touch to help you get started.