Renewable energy and solar power: the best option for apartment owners
There is a renewable energy option for all apartment owners.
The best option will depend on a number of factors including the typology of your building and the common area energy load.
Here’s an at-a-glance guide, based on your building type: be mindful that there are multiple factors which will determine the right option for you.
Small apartments
If you live in a small apartment (under 20 lots with few common area features; i.e., no lifts, pools, spas, carparks) you can:
- Power your individual apartment with GreenPower.
- Power your common area with GreenPower.
You may be able to:
- Install rooftop solar for individual apartment use
- Install a small rooftop solar system to power your low-demand common area
You will need to consider these factors if you’re thinking about solar:
- How is your building roof currently being used? Is it active or inactive?
- Will you need to consider planning guidelines? Which zone are you in? Do you need a DA? Which roof façade is recommended if you’re in a heritage area? Call a City of Sydney Duty Planner to find out.
- What age and condition are your roof, metering and switchboard? This might impact the cost of installation.
If you switch your individual apartment to GreenPower, naturally you don’t need any approvals. However, if you want to switch your common area to GreenPower, your strata committee will need to give approval.
The GreenPower program is a government scheme that enables Australian households and businesses to buy renewable energy from retailers to meet up to 100 per cent of their electricity needs.
Small buildings
If you live in a small building (under 20 lots with high common area features; i.e., lifts pools, spas and carparks) you can:
- Power your individual apartment with GreenPower
- Power your common area with GreenPower
You may be able to:
- Install rooftop solar for individual apartment use
- Install rooftop solar to power your common areas
You will need to consider these factors if you’re thinking about solar:
- How is your building roof currently being used? Is it active or inactive?
- Will you need to consider planning guidelines? Which zone are you in? Do you need a DA? Which roof façade is recommended if you’re in a heritage area? Call a City of Sydney Duty Planner to find out.
- What age and condition are your roof, metering and switchboard? This might impact the cost of installation.
- Are there sufficient funds in the capital works fund?
- A special resolution will need to be passed to install solar in common areas, and a by-law is needed for individual use. Read " How to get a renewables project approved in your apartment".
If you switch your individual apartment to GreenPower, naturally you don’t need any approvals. However, if you want to switch your common area to GreenPower, your strata committee will need to give approval.
The GreenPower program is a government scheme that enables Australian households and businesses to buy renewable energy from retailers to meet up to 100 per cent of their electricity needs.
Tall and skinny buildings
In you live in a tall and skinny building (over 20 lots with lots of common area features; i.e., lifts, pools, spas, carparks) you can:
- Power your individual apartment with GreenPower
- Power your common area with GreenPower
You may be able to:
- Install rooftop solar to power your common areas
You will need to consider these factors if you’re thinking about solar:
- How is your building roof currently being used? Is it active or inactive?
- Will you need to consider planning guidelines? Which zone are you in? Do you need a DA? Which roof façade is recommended if you’re in a heritage area? Call a City of Sydney Duty Planner to find out.
- What age and condition are your roof, metering and switchboard? This might impact the cost of installation.
- Are there sufficient funds in the capital works fund?
- A special resolution will need to be passed to install solar in common areas
If you switch your individual apartment to GreenPower, you don’t need any approvals. However, if you want to switch your common area to GreenPower, your strata committee will need to give approval.
The GreenPower program is a government scheme that enables Australian households and businesses to buy renewable energy from retailers to meet up to 100 per cent of their electricity needs.
Wide and short buildings
If you live in a wide and short building (over 20 lots and has common area features; i.e., pool, carpark, lift) you can:
- Power your individual apartment with GreenPower
- Power your common area with GreenPower
You may be able to:
- Install rooftop solar to power your common areas
- Install rooftop solar for individual use
You will need to consider these factors if you’re thinking about solar:
- How is your building roof currently being used? Is it active or inactive?
- Will you need to consider planning guidelines? Which zone are you in? Do you need a DA? Which roof façade is recommended if you’re in a heritage area? Call a City of Sydney Duty Planner to find out.
- What age and condition are your roof, metering and switchboard? This might impact the cost of installation.
- Are there sufficient funds in the capital works fund?
- A special resolution will need to be passed to install solar in common areas, and a by-law is needed for individual use. If you switch your individual apartment to GreenPower, you don’t need any approvals. However, if you want to switch your common area to GreenPower, your strata committee will need to give approval.
The GreenPower program is a government scheme that enables Australian households and businesses to buy renewable energy from retailers to meet up to 100 per cent of their electricity needs.