Location: Various sites across metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria
Market Infrastructure: Multi-residential apartment buildings (3–8 storeys)
Capabilities:
- Solar PV system design & installation
- Smart energy technology (SolShare)
- Electrical upgrades & compliance
- Government rebate facilitation
Scope of Work:
O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Rowville was a key delivery partner for the Solar for Apartments Program – an Government initiative aimed at making clean energy accessible to apartment dwellers. We completed full solar installations across 12 apartment buildings, ranging from three to eight storeys, collectively delivering 173.85kW of rooftop solar power to 314 individual apartments. A total of 29 SolShare units were commissioned, enabling shared solar distribution within each complex using smart algorithms to allocate energy in real time.
Our end-to-end delivery model included initial consultations, site audits, in-house system design, coordination of government rebates, installation, electrical upgrades, and commissioning. The project presented complex technical challenges such as limited roof space, outdated electrical infrastructure, and restricted access in high-density urban environments. We overcame these through bespoke solutions, including crane-assisted panel lifts, switchboard retrofits, and precision-engineered layouts to maximise solar capture and efficiency.
The financial outcomes were equally impressive. Residents across all sites are collectively saving $102,240 in the first year alone, with projected savings of $1,124,640 over 10 years. Thanks to government incentives and our streamlined rebate process, many participants saw minimal out-of-pocket costs – resulting in a return on investment of up to 1,127%.
The result is a scalable, future-ready model that brings meaningful cost savings and carbon reductions to apartment communities.