Strata blocks are one of the final frontiers for rooftop solar, a ripe opportunity just waiting for the right solution. We regularly receive enquiries from apartment blocks and other strata title properties here at Solar Choice, and the same questions tend to arise in our conversations with strata clients.

This article is a roundup of almost everything you need to know about going solar if you’re investigating solar for a strata apartment block.

Solar for strata is tricky: Here’s why

If you’re looking into solar for a strata block, it’s important that you understand the challenges that you’re up against – and the experiences that a lot of solar companies have in implementing solar for strata properties.

• Strata blocks differ from most households in that there are multiple units under one roof (unless it’s a strata block of townhouses). While this may seem obvious, the implications of this for going solar are more complex than you might initially realise. (So be patient if you’re looking for quick answers!)
• In a multi-unit block, each unit has its own electricity meter, and each meter has its own electricity account. In order to ‘split up’ the solar energy equitably, there needs to be a way to ensure that there’s a way to track how much solar energy is being produced, and which units are using how much of it. In terms of both the system design and billing logistics, this can be a complicated issue to address.
• In terms of building structure, strata blocks often have flat roofs, which can mean additional costs when it comes to ballasting and tilting the panels
• Furthermore, if the building is tall there may be additional costs related extra-long cable runs, and additional labour and/or machinery hire costs for transporting the panels and other equipment to the roof
• If there is excess solar energy flowing into the grid and accruing solar feed-in credits, how are those benefits split up among the various accounts?
• In strata blocks there are more decision makers (the body corporate, who must vote in the majority) than in a single-family household. This means that the decision-making process can be long and the outcomes more uncertain than with solar for a household.
• On top of this, there is often a mix of renters and owner-occupiers in a strata complex. The incentives for getting solar differ depending on which you happen to be. For example, why would an owner renting out their unit want to invest in solar energy for their tenant if they’re not going to see any concrete benefit.

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