Here Comes the Sun: Solar Panels and Strata Sunlight

Welcome back to Strata Living Uncovered — the podcast where the ceilings are low, but the power bills are sky-high and the neighbourly debates are even higher.

In this delightfully sun-soaked episode, Fiona and Judy shine a very bright (and slightly sarcastic) light on all things solar panels in strata — because nothing says “community living” like arguing over who gets how much sunlight and whether Harold’s TV signal will survive the rooftop revolution.

☀️ In This Episode:

• Kebabs, ferries & Vivid Sydney: Judy overshares about their light festival adventures — and ferry regrets.

• Solar 101: What are these magical roof tiles that turn sunshine into microwaveable leftover power?

• Benefits & Bill Reduction: Can you really save money, save the planet, and outwit your teenage energy hogs at the same time?

• The Hard Truth: Why solar doesn’t mean free energy forever (unless you live in the Sahara with a football field for a roof).

• Grant Gossip: A practical breakdown of the NSW Government’s Solar for Apartment Residents grant — who’s eligible, how much you can get.

• A Real-Life Example: Fiona spills the tea on a local building going solar — rooftop inspections, secret underground units (sort of), resident opt-ins, and a crane lifting panels over balconies. What could go wrong?

• The Verdict: How much YOU could save, what credits actually mean, and whether your strata levies will ever drop.

☀️ Top Takeaways:

✅ Solar panels can shrink your building’s energy bill — a bit.

✅ Everyone wants sun savings, but not everyone wants the committee headaches.

✅ Government grants help — if you jump through seven flaming hoops of eligibility.

✅ You’re unlikely to live bill-free, but you can definitely brag at dinner parties.

🏷️ Quote of the Episode:

“The sun giveth, and the strata committee taketh ages to agree.” — Judy, wise as ever.

🎧 Tune In If:

• You’ve ever wondered if your roof could double as a personal power station.

• You secretly love a good neighbourly spat about roof rights.

• You need an excuse to daydream about lower power bills while your dryer hums all night.

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Love what you hear? Give us a 5-star rating (unlike your rooftop space, our gratitude is unlimited).

Show links

Guide to the NSW Grant for getting Solar for Strata Apartments