Nearly a third of Australians rent. They pay the same electricity prices as homeowners (often higher, because they’re more likely to be on default tariffs), but they can’t install panels on a roof they don’t own. It’s one of the biggest equity gaps in the energy transition, and it frustrates me every time I write about solar savings that only apply to homeowners.

But it’s 2026, and there are more options for renters than there were even two years ago. None of them are as good as owning a rooftop system, but they’re better than nothing. Here’s what’s available.

Community solar schemes

Community solar allows you to buy into a shared solar installation and receive credits on your electricity bill based on your share of the production. You don’t need a roof — the panels are on a commercial building, community facility, or dedicated solar farm somewhere else.

These schemes are growing in Australia, though they’re still far less common than in the US. Some examples:

Enova Community Energy (NSW): A community-owned retailer that offers solar garden subscriptions. You pay a monthly fee and receive solar credits.

Allume Energy’s SolShare: This technology distributes solar from a single rooftop system across multiple units in an apartment building. It’s being installed in social housing and some private apartment complexes. You’d need your building to install the system, but it’s one of the few solutions for apartment renters.

Local government programs: Some councils are piloting community solar programs. Check your local council’s sustainability office.

The reality is that community solar in Australia is still early-stage. If there’s a program near you, great. If not, you might need to look at other options.

Portable solar and battery systems

You can buy a small solar panel (200-400W) and a portable battery (1-2 kWh) that sits on a balcony or in a yard. These won’t run your house, but they can charge devices, run a small fridge, or offset some of your standby power consumption.

Products like the EcoFlow Delta series or Jackery systems are designed for this use case. They cost $1,000-3,000 for a meaningful setup, and the payback period is long because you’re only generating a fraction of your total consumption.

Honestly, the economics aren’t great for bill savings. But if you want to reduce your grid dependence and learn about solar, it’s a start.

Negotiate with your landlord

This is underrated advice. Some landlords will install solar if you make the case that it increases the property value. A solar system adds roughly $10,000-20,000 to a home’s sale price and can justify higher rent.

Some tips for the conversation:

• Frame it as a property improvement that benefits them, not just you
• Get a quote from an installer to present concrete numbers
• Offer to pay a slightly higher rent to share the benefit
• Point out that many states require minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties, and solar helps meet them

Victoria and the ACT have the strongest renter protections around energy efficiency, and there’s growing political pressure in other states to require minimum standards. Your landlord may be motivated by future compliance as much as current returns.

Green power and carbon offsets

If you can’t access physical solar, you can still support renewable energy by switching to a retailer that offers GreenPower — electricity sourced from accredited renewable generators. It costs a bit more (usually 5-10 cents/kWh extra), but it means your consumption is matched with renewable generation.

This doesn’t save you money, but it does support the renewable energy industry and reduce your carbon footprint. If that matters to you, it’s a straightforward option.

Amber Electric for market exposure

Even without solar, Amber Electric’s wholesale pricing model can save renters money. You pay wholesale prices (which fluctuate), and their app helps you shift consumption to cheap periods. During negative price events (when there’s too much solar on the grid), you’re literally paid to use electricity.

It requires some engagement — you need to respond to price signals by running appliances during cheap periods — but renters report saving 10-25% compared to standard retail plans.

What I’d like to see

Policy-wise, Australia needs to do better for renters. Here’s my wish list:

• Mandatory minimum energy efficiency standards for all rental properties, including insulation, efficient appliances, and ideally solar
• Expanded community solar programs with government support to reduce barriers
• Tax incentives for landlords who install solar and pass the benefits to tenants
• Better regulation of embedded networks in apartments, which often lock tenants into overpriced electricity

The energy transition shouldn’t leave a third of the population behind just because they don’t own their home. We’re not there yet, but the conversation is at least happening.