Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Individual grant amounts will be up to $200,000 excluding GST
- Application opened: 30 March 2026
- Application closes: 4 December 2026, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The program aims to help people living in eligible areas of NSW to:
- improve their access to renewable energy
- reduce their electricity costs
- participate in the clean energy transition.
This program is administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible to apply for funding you must be one of the following:
- a residential owners corporation (OC) responsible for the management of a strata scheme under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015
- a strata managing agent as outlined in the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, if authorised to do so by the OC.
The application can be made by a nominated resident, on behalf of the OC, if they are authorised to do so.
Types of projects funded under this grant
For detailed information on what types of projects can be funded, refer to Section 2 of the grant guidelines.
When the project can start and end
Solar photovoltaic (PV) system installations must be completed, and final reporting provided to the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the department) by 30 April 2027.
Note: By this time, the electricity produced must be distributed to all residential lots in the building and shared proportionately among them.
The project must be completed by 30 April 2027.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
The program aims to help people living in NSW suburbs with SEIFA deciles between 1 and 4:
- improve their access to renewable energy
- reduce their electricity costs
- participate in the clean energy transition.
What costs you can apply for
For detailed information on what types of costs can be funded, refer to Section 2 of the grant guidelines.
Who can’t apply
Applicants that are not eligible include:
- individual property owners
- government agencies
- private sector businesses and agencies
- educational institutions
- local government authorities
- not for profit organisations
- social housing tenants
- community housing providers.
What costs you can't apply for
For detailed information on what types of costs cannot be funded, refer to Section 2 of the grant guidelines.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
For detailed information on what types of projects cannot be funded, refer to Section 2 of the grant guidelines.
What co-contributions are required
Up to 80% of eligible products and installation costs will be covered by grant funding, with the remaining 20% being a contribution from the owner’s corporation.
Additional eligibility requirements
- Successful projects will receive up to 80% of eligible installation costs, capped at $200,000 (excluding GST).
- Funding does not cover GST (unless the recipient is GST‑registered), interest payments, or other ineligible costs.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Before applying:
- You must read and understand the grant guidelines
- Your application and supporting documents must be submitted through the NSW Government’s grant management platform, SmartyGrants.
- You are responsible for ensuring your application is complete and accurate.
- If you notice an error in your application after submitting it, contact us immediately at solar.banksnsw@dcceew.nsw.gov.au.
- Keep a copy of your application and all supporting documents for your records.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Start the application
The application process has 2 stages. Eligible applicants are invited to progress from Stage 1 to Stage 2.
Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) - applications are submitted online through the SmartyGrants portal.
Prepare for Stage 2
Before submitting a full application, you should:
- Engage Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) and New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) accredited solar installers.
- Obtain two comparable quotes for a shared solar PV system.
- Consult residents and clearly communicate costs and benefits.
- Obtain approval from the Owners Corporation by passing a sustainability infrastructure resolution.
Stage 2: Full Application
- Submit a full application online. You will be asked to explain how your project meets the assessment criteria.
- Provide supporting documents. This includes:
- 2 eligible quotes (with a preferred option identified)
- evidence of Owners Corporation approval
- a simple payback calculation
- details on how costs and benefits will be shared among residents
- confirmation that solar benefits can be shared if the building is part of an embedded network
- Department assessment. The department will assess complete applications against the published assessment criteria.
Funding decisions
- Successful projects may receive up to 80% of eligible installation costs, capped at $200,000 (excluding GST).
- Funding does not cover GST (unless the recipient is GST‑registered), interest payments, or other ineligible costs.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Manager, Community Energy Delivery
The stage 1 assessment is as follows:
Eligibility check - The department will review your Expression of Interest to confirm it meets the eligibility requirements.
- If eligible, you will be invited to submit a full application.
- If not eligible, you will be notified by email.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full will be excluded from the application process
The stage 2 assessment is as follows:
Step 1: Suitability check (pass/fail)
All applications must first pass two suitability checks:
- The estimated payback period for the shared solar PV system is 10 years or less.
- The Owners Corporation has passed a sustainability infrastructure resolution agreeing to share both the costs and benefits of the system with all residents.
Applications that do not meet both requirements will not progress further.
Step 2: Scored assessment
Applications that pass the suitability check are assessed and scored against 4 criteria:
- How well the project meets the program’s objectives, including fair sharing of benefits
- Value for money compared with similar projects
- The strength and practicality of the delivery approach
- The applicant’s capacity and capability to deliver the project
Applications must score at least 5 out of 10 on each criterion to be eligible for funding.
Assessment process
- Applications are assessed by an independent panel of external technical experts
- A probity advisor provides oversight to ensure fairness and integrity
- Incomplete applications will not be assessed
- The department may request additional information during assessment
Outcome and decision
- Applicants will be notified of the outcome by email
- Final funding decisions are made by the Manager, Community Energy Delivery
- Decisions are final and not subject to appeal
Submitting an application does not guarantee funding. A binding agreement is only formed once a funding deed has been executed by both parties.
Support and contact
Email: solar.banksnsw@dcceew.nsw.gov.au