Every home should be able to benefit from cheap, clean solar energy.
Yet that’s not been the reality for the hundreds of thousands of families living in social and public housing across New South Wales. Whose housing providers either can’t install solar due to uncertainty or won’t because they lack the expertise.
And that’s where we come in. Seeing a problem we’ve acted to showcase a solution. In 2024 we secured funding for a trial project to fund the installation of solar panels on three social housing sites across the state.
Because cheap, clean solar energy is something we believe everyone should be able to access – no matter your income.
Working in collaboration with residents and housing providers, we’ve guided them through the process of installing solar on their site so they can reap the benefits.
Find out more about the work we’ve done at specific sites below.
Where We’ve Installed Solar
Roscoe St, Bondi
Our latest installation at Roscoe St, Bondi is hosted by Independent Community Living Australia and will deliver energy security to all residents. This project demonstrates that community solar for apartments is possible and practical.
Emoh Ruo, Erskineville
Pingala has co-operatives in our DNA, which is why we’re excited to support the bustling Emoh Ruo Co-op in Erskineville. The 35kW solar system will provide cheap, clean renewable energy to residents, lowering their expenses and carbon emissions.
Our Goal
Our solar for social housing project aims to provide meaningful relief to those in community, public and low-income housing by providing access to low-cost, clean, renewable energy provided by solar.
Historically those who could benefit most from the savings generated by access to solar energy are those who have been locked out of the market. Renters in apartments and those in public and social housing are either unable to install solar on their homes or lack the significant upfront capital required to install a system.
That’s why we secured funding for a trial that, upon it’s conclusion, would deliver between 100 to 200kw of solar on social, community and/or public housing in Sydney to demonstrate it’s benefits and viability.
The project will be completed by December 2024 and aims to develop a model of solar for community and low-income housing that can be replicated beyond the timeframe of the trial. The learnings of this project will be shared locally and internationally.