Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) - Boost (NSW)

Funding program archive

This page preserves a dated funding-program record and links it to current project-planning guidance.

Publication date: 30 March 2026.

Status note: This archive does not confirm that applications are open, funds remain available or the earlier eligibility and co-funding settings still apply. Verify the current administrator page and guidelines.

What this article reported

The Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR)-Boost program is a NSW Government initiative designed to make renewable energy more accessible for apartment dwellers. With funding of up to $200,000, this grant supports the installation of shared solar PV systems across eligible multi-unit residential buildings, helping reduce electricity costs and accelerate the transition to clean energy.

Key Details

Who is this for?

This grant is designed for:

It is particularly suited to Owners Corporations looking to improve building sustainability, reduce energy costs for residents, and invest in shared infrastructure upgrades.

Eligibility: You can apply if you:

Ineligible applicants include:

What can the funding be used for?

Funding supports the installation of shared solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on eligible apartment buildings.

This includes:

At Northmore Gordon, we can support your project through:

Program Objectives

The Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR)-Boost program aims to:

Application Process

This is a two-stage application process:

Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)

Stage 2: Full Application (by invitation)

Applications are assessed on:

Important Considerations

How Northmore Gordon Can Help

Navigating shared solar projects and grant applications for strata properties can be complex. Northmore Gordon provides end-to-end support, including:

Check current application status

If you're part of an Owners Corporation looking to reduce energy costs and invest in renewable infrastructure, the Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR)-Boost program presents a valuable opportunity.

Contact Northmore Gordon to check current program status, eligibility and application requirements before preparing a proposal.

How to use this information now

Before relying on a grant, confirm the current round, applicant and project eligibility, eligible expenditure, co-contribution, assessment process, closing date and evidence obligations. Build the technical case so the project remains understandable with grant support shown separately.

Separate source-reported facts from forecasts, targets and commentary. For a current project, retain the official source, version, effective date, assumptions and decision record in the evidence file.

What is the Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR)-Boost program and who should consider applying?

SoAR-Boost is a NSW Government initiative providing up to $200,000 in funding to support shared solar PV system installation across eligible multi-unit residential buildings. It is designed for Owners Corporations managing strata schemes, strata managing agents authorized to act on behalf of the OC, and nominated residents with appropriate approval. The program targets buildings in SEIFA deciles 1–4, prioritizing communities where renewable energy adoption barriers are highest. Individual property owners, businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions are ineligible. We can assess whether your building qualifies and identify the most appropriate applicant pathway.

How does the SoAR-Boost funding structure work, and what co-contribution is required?

SoAR-Boost offers up to $200,000 (excluding GST) covering up to 80% of eligible installation costs. Your building must contribute a minimum of 20% of project costs through resident funds or other sources. Eligible costs include solar system design and installation, equipment and hardware, and infrastructure for distributing electricity across multiple units. Understanding which costs the program recognizes is essential for accurate budgeting. We can develop detailed financial models showing your required co-contribution, potential cost-sharing arrangements across residents, and projected payback periods to support both funding applications and resident engagement.

What is the application timeline for SoAR-Boost, and what does it mean for project delivery?

Applications open 30 March 2026 and close 4 December 2026 at 5:00pm, with funded projects requiring completion by 30 April 2027. This timeline means you have approximately nine months to prepare and submit your application, then eight months from funding approval to complete installation. Early planning is critical; delays in securing quotes, building approvals, or installer availability can jeopardize the April 2027 deadline. We can coordinate your application timeline, liaise with solar providers to confirm delivery schedules, and develop realistic project plans that account for common installation delays.

What makes a SoAR-Boost application competitive, and how is it assessed?

Applications are evaluated on alignment with program objectives, value for money, delivery approach, and applicant capability, with minimum scoring thresholds applied. Competitive applications typically demonstrate clear cost-sharing arrangements, strong resident support, realistic payback calculations of 10 years or less, and experienced project delivery. The two-stage process (Expression of Interest followed by Full Application) requires detailed documentation including two comparable solar quotes, evidence of Owners Corporation approval, and a plan for benefit-sharing across residents. We can strengthen your application by preparing comparative quotes, developing financial models demonstrating value for money, securing strong governance documentation, and presenting a delivery plan that addresses assessor concerns about feasibility.

What are the key eligibility requirements for a building to access SoAR-Boost funding?

Your building must be a multi-unit residential apartment building where the applicant is the Owners Corporation, an authorized strata managing agent, or a nominated resident with OC approval. The building must be located in a NSW suburb within SEIFA deciles 1–4, which prioritizes socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. Installation must involve a shared solar PV system with electricity distributed proportionately across all units, and the Owners Corporation must approve a sustainability infrastructure resolution supporting the project. We can verify your building's SEIFA classification, confirm OC eligibility status, and prepare the governance documentation required to satisfy these conditions.

How should cost and benefit-sharing be structured across residents, and what documentation is needed?

SoAR-Boost requires a clear plan for sharing electricity generation and costs proportionately across all units. This typically means each resident's share reflects their proportional ownership or interest in the building. Your Full Application must detail how costs will be apportioned, how electricity will be distributed or credited, and how disputes will be resolved. The Owners Corporation must formally approve a sustainability infrastructure resolution endorsing these arrangements. Without clear, fair cost-sharing that has broad resident support, applications risk assessment failure and post-completion disputes. We can model different allocation approaches, facilitate resident engagement to build consensus, and prepare governance documents that clearly articulate cost and benefit-sharing principles.

What payback requirement applies to SoAR-Boost, and why does it matter?

SoAR-Boost applications must demonstrate a project payback period of 10 years or less. This requirement ensures the shared solar system generates sufficient electricity savings to justify the investment and provide meaningful benefits to residents within a reasonable timeframe. Payback is typically calculated as total eligible project cost divided by annual electricity cost savings. Projects exceeding 10-year payback risk rejection regardless of other merits. This calculation depends on accurate electricity consumption data, realistic solar generation estimates, and current tariff rates. We can perform detailed financial modelling, stress-test payback assumptions across different electricity price scenarios, and help optimize system size or design to achieve the required payback threshold.

What conditions and obligations apply to SoAR-Boost funded projects after approval?

Funded projects must be completed by 30 April 2027, electricity must be shared proportionately across all units as planned, and a sustainability infrastructure resolution must remain approved by the Owners Corporation throughout implementation. These conditions ensure accountability, equitable benefit distribution, and sustained commitment to the shared solar arrangement. Non-compliance can trigger funding clawback or require repayment. Post-completion, your building will need ongoing monitoring and reporting to demonstrate project success. We can support project delivery within the deadline, coordinate with installers to manage timelines, establish monitoring systems to track generation and cost savings, and prepare reporting documentation required by the program.

How can Northmore Gordon support my building through the entire SoAR-Boost process?

We provide end-to-end support including eligibility assessment, grant application strategy, financial modelling with payback analysis, coordination with accredited solar providers, business case development, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery oversight. Our team can verify SEIFA classification, prepare comparative solar quotes, model cost-sharing arrangements, facilitate Owners Corporation approvals, prepare application documentation, and ensure projects complete on schedule. We separate funding strategy from project technical design, helping you understand costs, benefits, and obligations before commitment. This coordinated approach reduces application risk, improves competitive positioning, and supports successful project delivery and resident outcomes.

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