Solar for Apartments shines in Elsternwick ministerial visit

Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio visited an apartment building in Elsternwick on 10 November to celebrate a new solar installation delivered through Solar Victoria’s Solar for Apartments program.

Published:
Wednesday 26 November 2025 at 2:56 pm
Photo: Anthony Igmen, Managing Director of Specialized Solar, Cr Luca Ragni, Deputy Mayor of Glen Eira Council, Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio, Owners Corp Chair Peter Tregilgas and Ryan Batchelor MP for Southern Metropolitan

The visit marked the 115th installation under the program, which helps apartment residents access the benefits of solar energy. The Owners Corporation installed two Solshare solar systems with a combined capacity of 50.6kW, connecting 26 of the building’s apartments to clean energy. Eight of these apartments are also occupied by renters.

Minister D’Ambrosio was joined by members of the Owners Corporation Management Committee, as well as Anthony Igmen, Managing Director of Specialized Solar, Ryan Batchelor MP for Southern Metropolitan, and Cr Luca Ragni, Deputy Mayor of Glen Eira Council.

The project also included the installation of a 50kWh battery system, a Victorian first for an apartment building, which stores excess solar energy for later use. This addition reduces reliance on the grid and improves energy resilience for residents.

The system is expected to generate more than 54 megawatt hours of renewable energy each year, helping to lower emissions and energy costs. With a 10-year payback period, the installation demonstrates how apartment communities can work together to unlock the benefits of solar, lower bills, cleaner power, and a more sustainable future.

Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said the Solar for Apartments program is delivering real savings.

The Solar for Apartments program is jointly funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments and is open until 30 April 2026. A total of 5,000 rebates are available for residents living in apartments, strata townhouses and units.

Successful applicants can receive rebates of up to $2,800 per lot, capped at $140,000 per multi-unit development, to help reduce the upfront cost of installing a solar (PV) system.

For more information, visit solar.vic.gov.au/apartments.

Quote attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio

“It’s great to see renters and apartment residents benefit from clean energy and save an average of $400–$500 a year on their energy bills,”

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