Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $150,000 per project
- Application opened: 28 February 2025
- Application closes: 1 December 2025, 5:00 pm
Program objective
SoAR supports NSW residents living in apartments or other multi-unit dwellings to install a shared rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system, with the aim of giving these households access to the benefits of solar energy.
Providing funding for the transition of apartment buildings or other multi-unit dwellings to solar energy will assist NSW households, including renters, to reduce their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
This initiative will benefit owners and residents through lower upfront costs for the installation of a solar PV system and ongoing cost savings from locally generated solar energy. It will also increase the uptake of solar systems across the state by reaching households previously locked out of installing solar.
This program is administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Eligibility
Who can apply
As defined under the program guidelines, an eligible applicant must be either:
- a NSW residential owners corporation 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 owners corporation.
The application can be made by a nominated resident, on behalf of the owners corporation, if they are authorised to do so.
Who the grant is targeted towards
NSW residential owners corporations managing an eligible building.
Types of projects funded under this grant
The grant funds the installation of a shared rooftop solar system on an eligible multi-unit dwelling, by an eligible applicant, within NSW.
When the project can start and end
The project should be started as soon as possible after the Funding Deed is signed by both parties, and the project must be completed by 31 March 2026.
All funded projects must be complete and all required documentation provided to the Department prior to 31 March 2026, which includes:
- the installation of the shared rooftop solar PV system is complete and the system is operational
- all payments and required reporting has been completed.
The project should be started by 28 February 2025 and the project must be completed by 31 March 2026.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
This project is expected to deliver the following:
- NSW residents of eligible multi-unit dwellings gain access to a shared rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system, with the aim of giving these households access to the benefits of solar energy.
- Providing funding for the transition of apartment buildings or other multi-unit dwellings to solar energy will assist NSW households, including renters, to reduce their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
- It will also increase the uptake of solar systems across the state by reaching households previously locked out of installing solar.
What costs you can apply for
The list below outlines what products and services are covered under this initiative:
- solar panels
- solar inverters
- solar mounting
- solar sharing technology
- labour for solar installation
- safety equipment
- essential
- roof waterproofing only where required due to the solar installation.
The majority of the funding must be used on the solar PV system purchase and installations itself, although enabling works to support the installation (for example, meter board upgrade, wiring upgrades or roof waterproofing) will be considered for funding. Expenditure on these enabling works must not exceed 10% of the total project cost. The Department has the right to exclude any expenditure above the threshold for enabling works.
Who can’t apply
As defined under the program guidelines, the following applicants are not eligible for this grant program:
- 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
The solar PV system will not be eligible for funding if it:
- is installed through a third-party power purchase agreement
- only provides energy to common areas of the property
- connects to apartments with existing solar PV systems that were installed in the last 10 years
- is for maintenance or replacement of existing solar PV systems.
Associated work that cannot be undertaken using this funding includes:
- waterproofing of the entire roof area
- rewiring of a whole building
- solar batteries (you can seek funding through other NSW Government incentives)
- EV charging (you can seek funding through other NSW Government incentives).
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Any project that does not meet eligibility requirements as outlined within the grant guidelines.
Example projects
A NSW residential owners corporation installing a shared rooftop solar system on an eligible building for the benefit of all residents.
What co-contributions are required
This grant program is co-funded. This means up to 50% of eligible products and installation costs will be covered by grant funding, with the remaining amount being a co-contribution from the owners corporation.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Stage One: Expression of Interest (Eligibility check):
- a completed Stage 1 application form
Stage Two: Full application (Suitability Assessment):
- a completed Stage 2 application form within OneGMS
- the following supporting documentation:
- the 2 quotes for installation of a solar PV system from the SAA and NETCC accredited solar installers, noting the preferred quote.
- an assessment of the payback period or return on investment for the proposed solar PV system calculated at the strata level.
- evidence that the owners corporation has been authorised to enter into a funding agreement and accept the final quote for the purchase and installation of the solar PV system on common property. This is a letter / document signed by 2 different members of the owners corporation that includes:
- confirmation a sustainability infrastructure resolution, in the form required by the NSW Government, has been passed by the owners corporation
- confirmation that the proposed solar PV system will share the energy cost savings proportionately with all residents
- confirmation the purchase and installation cost will be shared proportionately with all owners.
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.
Address the assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed individually against the following suitability assessment criteria as a pass or fail based on the documentation provided:
- the assessment of the payback period for the shared solar PV system is within 10 years
- the OC has held and passed a sustainability infrastructure resolution and agreed to share the costs and benefits of the solar PV system with all residents.
A numerical scoring system will be used to evaluate applications against the following criteria:
- demonstrated project effectiveness to deliver the initiative’s objectives, including how the benefits of the system will be shared and distributed proportionately
- the project is value for money and a reasonable cost (compared to similar projects)
- the method proposed to undertake the work is sound
- capacity and capability of the applicant to undertake the proposed project.
Start the application
Before applying, you must read and understand the SoAR Grant Guidelines. The application and supplementary documents must be submitted through the Department’s Grant Management System (GMS).
To apply you must complete and submit the SoAR - Stage 1 - Expression of Interest (EOI) application form, and address all the eligibility criteria.
You are responsible for ensuring your application is complete and accurate. Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Crimes Act 1900 No 40 (NSW). If the Program Manager suspects or discovers the grant applicant has submitted misleading or false information, they may investigate the application further, and if deemed appropriate, may exclude your application for further consideration.
Applicants must not lobby the NSW Government on an issue related to the selection process or seek to give an unfair advantage to their application. For further guidance on acceptable communication and advocacy of proposed projects, applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the NSW Lobbyists Code of Conduct.
If you find an error in your application after submitting it, you should contact us immediately. Any additional information, or requests to correct your application after the closing time will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants cannot change applications after the closing date and time, without good reason and our written agreement.
If we find an error or information missing, we may ask for clarification or additional information from you that will not change the nature of your application.
You should keep a copy of your application and any supporting documents.
We will acknowledge that we have received your application after you submit it through the GMS.
Multiple applications from strata managers
Strata managers can submit multiple applications. Each application must be for one project or property only. If the applicant manages multiple properties, they must submit individual applications for each property.
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.
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: Director, Energy Programs
Stage One: Expression of Interest (Eligibility check)
The department will review the applications against the eligibility criteria. If deemed eligible to proceed, the application will progress to stage two: suitability assessment.
If an application is assessed as ineligible against any eligibility criteria, it will be excluded from further evaluation. Only eligible applications will move to stage two.
Stage Two: Full application (Suitability Assessment)
Eligible applications will be reviewed by the assessment team and undergo a non-competitive assessment.
This assessment will evaluate the technical merit, cost effectiveness and expected project outcomes. This stage includes scoring of each project according to how well they align with the criteria. A score of 5 out of 10 or greater is required against each criterion for the application to be funded.
The Director, Energy Programs Branch is the delegated decision maker and will award successful grants. The full assessment of an applications is expected to take around 10 weeks from the initial date the EOI is received by the Department.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application at each stage via email.
Support and contact
Email: solar.banksnsw@dcceew.nsw.gov.au