The Solar for Apartments Program helps Victorian apartment residents install shared rooftop solar systems. Round 3 is open now with additional rebates available until 5pm, Thursday 30 April 2026 or until allocation is exhausted. See the current program details at Solar Victoria.
At-a-glance
- Rebate amount: up to $2,800 per apartment (capped at $140,000 per building)
- Allocation: an additional 5,000 rebates released in Round 3
- Typical saving: up to about $500 per participating household each year
- Payment: rebate is applied upfront as a discount by a Solar Victoria authorised retailer
Useful context: Apartment and strata solar projects often pair well with energy plan optimisation and smart export settings. For background on solar costs and system choices, see Solar Choice resources on Solar Panels, System Prices, and Best VIC Feed-in Tariffs.
Who can apply
Owners Corporation eligibility
- Owners Corporations (OCs) with up to 50 occupiable lots (tier three or tier four under the Owners Corporations Act 2006)
- Must not have previously received Solar for Apartments funding
Entities that are not eligible include individuals, government agencies, private businesses, educational institutions, local government authorities and not-for-profit organisations.
Reference: Owners corporation tiers under the Owners Corporations Act 2006 (Vic.)
Building eligibility
- Located in Victoria and already completed (not off-the-plan)
- No more than 8 storeys from ground level (exemptions may apply case-by-case for larger sites)
- Classified as Class 2 apartments or a group of horizontally attached Class 1a townhouses/row units (Victorian Building Authority classification guide)
- Median capital-improved residential lot value ≤ $950,000 (assessed by Valuer-General Victoria during application)
- No solar PV installed in the last 10 years for the participating lots
- Not a retirement village, commercial building or council/community-housing owned
- Not connected to an embedded network
Helpful reads: For feasibility and approvals, see Solar Choice’s Strata & Apartments Guide and Solar Design Guide.
What systems are eligible
- Supplies power to a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 50 residential lots
- Demonstrates a payback period within 10 years (assessed after STCs and before this rebate)
- Shares costs and benefits equitably among participating residents
- For shared systems, common-area energy use is limited to the same proportion available to each participating lot
- Connects behind the meter to residential lots
- Installed on common-property roof areas
- Uses approved products and is installed by a Solar Victoria authorised retailer
- Has DNSP approval if exporting to the grid (find your distributor via Victorian Energy)
Not eligible if the system:
- Is installed via a third-party power purchase agreement (PPA)
- Exclusively supplies common areas
- Serves apartments with solar installed in the past 10 years
- Has already been installed before approval
Related reading: Compare Solar Inverters, Battery Options, and understand VPP participation and export limits at Virtual Power Plants.
Application process
- Check eligibility for the Owners Corporation and building (Solar Victoria portal)
- Research system options and engage residents and the strata manager
- Obtain multiple quotes from authorised retailers and assess any switchboard or network requirements
- Submit the application with required documents and nominate the retailer
- Approve the final quote through the Owners Corporation resolution process and submit the OC Approval Form (within 70 calendar days)
- Installation must be completed within 120 days of rebate approval
- After installation, the retailer claims the rebate and the Owners Corporation pays any remaining balance
Pre-approval and exports: Your retailer must seek DNSP approval for export capacity and advise you of any export constraints. These constraints can affect feed-in tariffs and ability to join a VPP. See Solar Choice’s overview of Victorian FiTs and VPP Pros & Cons.
Practical considerations for strata projects
- Plan early for access, crane or lifting requirements and concrete-roof mounting detailing
- Allow for multi-storey cable runs, potential external cable trays or core drilling
- Confirm DNSP export limits upfront; these impact payback and VPP options
- Review meter upgrades and switchboard capacity during quoting to avoid delays
For typical costs and payback modelling reference points, see Solar Choice’s System Pricing Guide and Residential Solar Payback Calculator. Apartments often require shared solar technology; our Strata & Apartments Page covers options used on Victorian projects.
Background
The program is jointly funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments. Within the broader Community Solar Banks initiative, apartment solar has a dedicated funding envelope to help multi-unit residents access rooftop PV.
Solar Choice has supported 250+ apartment buildings in Victoria, providing independent sizing, installer comparisons and assistance with approvals.
FAQs
How much is the Solar for Apartments rebate in Victoria?
Up to $2,800 per participating apartment, capped at $140,000 per building.
When does Round 3 close?
Round 3 closes at 5pm on Thursday 30 April 2026 or earlier if rebates are fully allocated.
Can our building apply if it has more than 50 lots or more than 8 storeys?
Standard eligibility covers up to 50 lots and up to 8 storeys. Some larger sites may be considered case-by-case if all other criteria are met; speak with the program team before applying.
Do apartments with existing solar qualify?
Apartments with solar installed in the past 10 years are not eligible for the rebate. New systems must serve lots without a recent solar installation.
Can the system power only common areas?
No. The system must directly supply participating residential lots behind the meter. Common-area consumption is limited to the same share available to each participating lot.
How long do we have to install after approval?
Installations must be completed within 120 days of rebate approval.
Who receives the rebate payment?
The rebate is paid to the authorised retailer after installation and appears as a discount on the Owners Corporation’s invoice.
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