Australia's solar revolution has largely bypassed apartment dwellers, with only a small fraction of them enjoying the benefits of rooftop solar. This disparity is a result of various challenges, from shared roof spaces and common areas to body corporate rules and electricity metering. However, there's a glimmer of hope with new technologies and incentives emerging to bridge this installation gap.
The Solar Divide
While Australia leads the world in household solar, the distribution of these benefits is uneven. Research shows a stark contrast between detached homes and apartments, with solar adoption rates at 39% and 6%, respectively. The same gap exists for battery installations, with only 3% of apartments adopting this technology compared to 7% of houses.
Overcoming Hurdles
Ashley Bradshaw, Executive Manager at Energy Consumers Australia, highlights the challenges apartment dwellers face. These include navigating shared spaces, dealing with body corporate rules, and managing electricity metering. Kate Nicolazzo, Director of Let Me Be Frank, adds that installing solar on an apartment building is a complex process involving governance and group decision-making.
Technological Innovations
One innovative solution is SolShare, developed by Allume Energy. This technology acts as a "traffic controller" for solar, splitting the power produced by a shared solar system among several apartments. It ensures a fair allocation of energy while maximizing savings for all residents. Allume has connected over 6,600 apartments to solar in Australia and nearly 11,000 worldwide.
Plug-in Systems and Balcony Solar
Small, plug-in systems known as balcony solar are gaining popularity overseas, particularly among renters. However, their uptake in Australia has been limited due to electricity safety rules and metering challenges.
The Strata Challenge
Apartment dwellers also face challenges related to strata associations and body corporates. Owners corporations and property managers can introduce administrative hurdles and barriers, making it difficult to reach agreements on common property decisions. Some states, like Victoria, require a 75% agreement from owners for certain decisions, which can be a lonely and time-consuming process without support.
Resources and Alternatives
There are resources available to help apartment dwellers navigate the process of installing solar, including guides from Yarra Energy Foundation, Port Phillip city council, High Life Living, and the Victorian government. Additionally, there are other ways for apartment residents to save on energy costs, such as switching electricity plans, adopting electric appliances, and implementing smaller, lower-cost energy-saving measures.
Conclusion
The solar installation gap for apartment dwellers is a complex issue, but with innovative technologies and incentives, there's potential for change. While challenges remain, the growing awareness and support for renewable energy solutions offer a promising outlook for a more sustainable future.
