Do you need strata approval for solar panels?

Usually, yes. In most strata buildings the roof is common property, so panels on it need the owners corporation to approve them, either as a shared system for the building or under a by-law for one owner. Check your strata plan and by-laws, and talk to your strata manager before getting quotes.

What vote does a strata building need to install a shared battery in NSW?

For the NSW apartment battery discount, the owners corporation votes on a sustainability infrastructure resolution. It passes with 50% or more of the votes of those present at the meeting, and it has to be an owners corporation vote, not just the strata committee. It can go on the AGM agenda or an extraordinary general meeting.

How much is the NSW battery discount for apartment buildings?

About 30 to 40% off the battery when it is installed with new or extra solar within 90 days, or about 20 to 30% for a battery on its own. The building needs at least 4 units, and the battery must be 20 to 200 kWh usable, installed outdoors by an SAA-accredited installer. The discount appears as a line item in the installer’s quote.

Can renters in a strata building benefit?

Yes, indirectly. Renters cannot apply themselves, but shared solar and batteries can lower common-area costs, and depending on how the system is set up, residents’ bills too. A renter who wants it can raise it with their landlord, who can take it to the owners corporation.

Can we add a battery to solar we installed with a SoAR grant?

Yes. The NSW Government says a building that installed solar with a Solar for Apartment Residents grant may still use the apartment battery discount. For the larger discount it needs to add solar capacity beyond what the grant paid for, within 90 days of the battery.

Solar and batteries for strata buildings

A strata building can install shared solar and a shared battery. In NSW the owners corporation approves it with a sustainability infrastructure resolution, which passes with 50% or more of the votes of those at the meeting. Buildings with at least 4 units can get about 20 to 40% off a shared battery, and the federal solar discount applies to the panels.

Every figure on this page is from a NSW or Australian Government source, last checked 11 November 2026.

SoAR Boost grant closes 5pm, 4 December 2026

For buildings in selected NSW suburbs, the Solar for Apartment Residents Boost grant covers up to 80% of eligible solar costs, capped at $200,000 excluding GST. The owners corporation (or an authorised strata managing agent) applies, first with an expression of interest. It does not cover every suburb, so check eligibility on the NSW Government grant page.

What your building can get

NSW apartment battery discount

About 30 to 40% off the battery when it goes in with new or extra solar within 90 days; about 20 to 30% off for a battery on its own.
The building needs at least 4 units. There is no upper limit.
Battery of 20 to 200 kWh usable, on the Clean Energy Council approved list, installed outdoors by an SAA-accredited installer.
Available since 1 September 2026 with no closing date. Each building can use it once.

NSW Climate and Energy Action: Batteries for apartment buildings

Federal solar discount

Panels on a strata roof get the same upfront Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) discount as any other rooftop system, and the NSW battery discount stacks on top. Systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW have qualified since 1 October 2026. Estimate the STC discount.

Clean Energy Regulator: Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme

How to get it through the owners corporation

Get at least two quotes. Ask each installer whether the NSW discount is included as a line item, and how the power and savings would be shared across the building.
Talk to your strata manager. Check the roof is common property, how the system would be paid for (capital works fund or a special levy), and whether the building insurance or home building compensation cover needs to change.
Share the options before the meeting. Circulate the quotes, the funding plan and the options to owners early so questions are answered before the vote.
Vote at an AGM or EGM. The owners corporation votes on a sustainability infrastructure resolution for the preferred quote. It needs 50% or more of the votes of those present, and it must be an owners corporation vote, not only the strata committee.
Sign the installer’s paperwork first. The nomination form for the discount has to be signed before installation starts. Work done beforehand is not reimbursed.

More on recent strata law changes: NSW Government guide for strata committees and owners.

On the strata committee or managing a building?

Our solar partner Green has a strata specialist who can look at your building and what the owners corporation would need to vote on. Free, no obligation. For an owners corporation, choose Own on the ownership question.

Ask about our building

Common questions

Do you need strata approval for solar panels?: Usually, yes. In most strata buildings the roof is common property, so panels on it need the owners corporation to approve them, either as a shared system for the building or under a by-law for one owner. Check your strata plan and by-laws, and talk to your strata manager before getting quotes.
What vote does a strata building need to install a shared battery in NSW?: For the NSW apartment battery discount, the owners corporation votes on a sustainability infrastructure resolution. It passes with 50% or more of the votes of those present at the meeting, and it has to be an owners corporation vote, not just the strata committee. It can go on the AGM agenda or an extraordinary general meeting.
How much is the NSW battery discount for apartment buildings?: About 30 to 40% off the battery when it is installed with new or extra solar within 90 days, or about 20 to 30% for a battery on its own. The building needs at least 4 units, and the battery must be 20 to 200 kWh usable, installed outdoors by an SAA-accredited installer. The discount appears as a line item in the installer’s quote.
Can renters in a strata building benefit?: Yes, indirectly. Renters cannot apply themselves, but shared solar and batteries can lower common-area costs, and depending on how the system is set up, residents’ bills too. A renter who wants it can raise it with their landlord, who can take it to the owners corporation.
Can we add a battery to solar we installed with a SoAR grant?: Yes. The NSW Government says a building that installed solar with a Solar for Apartment Residents grant may still use the apartment battery discount. For the larger discount it needs to add solar capacity beyond what the grant paid for, within 90 days of the battery.

Keep reading

Commercial solar rebates: the 1 MW federal discount and the NSW business battery discount.
Battery rebates by state
Solar incentives by state

Reviewed by James Baker, Founder, EnergyPlans.com.au. Data last verified 11 November 2026. Methodology.