Apartment residents across New South Wales are being urged to act quickly before the Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) program closes at the end of March 2026, with recent projects in Sydney’s Inner West revealing just how transformative the initiative can be.
With energy costs rising and the transition to renewables accelerating, strata communities are racing to take advantage of the NSW and federal governments’ $25 million SoAR program, which makes shared solar accessible for apartment dwellers who have long been locked out due to technical, cost and ownership barriers.
Two high‑profile installations in Newtown and Camperdown have demonstrated how SoAR is helping apartments achieve major cost savings and emissions reductions while boosting property value.
In late 2025, Solahart completed the state’s first SoAR installation at a 22‑unit apartment block on Albert Street, Newtown.
Apartment owner and investor Veronica Tseng‑Donald had advocated for solar for years before the program provided a breakthrough opportunity.
“There are so many benefits to solar, like reducing energy bills and emissions, and adding value to the individual properties,” she said.
“While many residents were interested in the idea of installing solar at the residence, the cost and strata complexities proved too much of a challenge.”
After learning about the SoAR grant, Veronica said her building finally had a viable pathway to leverage renewable energy. The 52 kW system specified is also battery‑ready for future upgrades.
“The icing on the cake was that our strata was able to use a healthy Capital Works Fund to cover our portion, meaning zero out‑of‑pocket special levies for residents, making our decision even easier.”
Under the SoAR grant, the building saved $54,000 in installation costs, achieving a payback period of just over four years.
Residents are now saving between $440 and $800 annually on power bills, while cutting 38.2 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
Impressed by the Newtown project, Veronica Tseng‑Donald led another successful installation at The Gantry in Camperdown, a heritage‑listed precinct of six strata plans.
Residents at The Gantry saved 50 per cent on installation costs and are expected to reduce annual energy bills by an average of 35 per cent, cutting 20.3 tonnes of CO₂ each year, through the 25.92 kW shared system.
General Manager of Solahart Industries, Stephen Cranch, said: “Programs like these are exactly what we need to ensure all Australians can enjoy the benefits of solar, no matter what kind of roof they live under.
He added: “From inner‑city rooftops to heritage‑listed sites, apartment buildings across Sydney are showing that shared solar is not only achievable, but an incredibly effective way to cut bills and emissions.
“These recent installations highlight what’s possible with the right expertise and the right incentives.
“With the SoAR program closing this month, we encourage strata committees and residents to act now.”
The SoAR program, open to apartment buildings and multi‑unit dwellings with three to 55 lots, is now in its final days, and experts warn that those who delay may miss out on thousands in savings.
