A renter’s guide to energy in 2026

The conversation about solar and renewable energy often assumes you own your home. But around one in three Australian households rents their home- and with apartment living continuing to grow, millions more live in buildings where individual rooftop solar simply isn't an option. If you're one of them, here's a practical breakdown of what you can actually do in 2026.

1. Community solar: the most direct pathway

Community solar is the most meaningful option available to renters right now. Rather than installing panels on your own roof, you invest in a share of a local solar installation — often on a strata building, social housing site, or commercial rooftop, and receive credits on your energy bill. No installation required. No landlord permission needed. This is exactly the model Pingala specialises in, designed specifically for people in multi-residential and rental situations who have been locked out of the rooftop solar revolution.

2. Green energy plans

Some energy retailers offer plans where a portion of your electricity comes from accredited renewable sources. It won't reduce your bill the way solar does, but it's a simple, no-cost-to-switch way to reduce your carbon footprint while longer-term options develop.

3. Talk to your landlord or body corporate

Tenancy laws are improving across Australia, though the specifics vary considerably by state. In NSW, landmark reforms that came into force in May 2025 have strengthened renters' rights more broadly. Victoria is introducing minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties from March 2027, and already offers landlords rebates of up to $1,400 to install solar through its Solar for Rentals program. Queensland's Supercharged Solar for Renters program, launched in late 2025, offers landlords rebates of up to $3,500- although apartments are currently excluded. South Australia updated its rental laws from July 2024 to place clearer obligations on landlords around minimum housing standards.

No state yet gives renters a direct right to demand solar installation. But it is worth having a conversation with your landlord or body corporate, particularly if your building has common areas or a rooftop that could host a community solar system. Pingala can help you understand what's possible and how to make the case.

4. Manage what you can control

While the bigger structural barriers take time to shift, there are meaningful steps available right now: switching to a time-of-use tariff, using smart power strips, running appliances during off-peak hours, and simple habits like closing curtains during the hottest part of the day. These won't solve rising energy prices on their own, but they can reduce your exposure while longer-term options develop.

5. Get in touch with us

Whether you’re a renter wanting to understand your options, a strata committee curious about what community solar could like for your building, or a small business looking for alternatives to rising energy costs- we’d love to hear from you. Community solar works best when communities come together to explore what’s possible.

Pingala has been helping renters and apartment dwellers access renewable energy since 2013. If you’re wondering whether community solar could work for your situation, contact us at info@pingala.org.au.

References

• Australian Bureau of Statistics, Housing: Census 2021, 2022. Available at: abs.gov.au/statistics/people/housing/housing-census

• NSW Government, Changes to rental laws — Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024, effective 19 May 2025. Available at: nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/fair-trading/news/changes-to-rental-laws

• Tenants' Union of NSW, Tenancy law has changed in NSW, 2025. Available at: tenants.org.au/resource/law-change

• Victorian Government, Energy efficiency for rental properties in Victoria, updated February 2026. Available at: energy.vic.gov.au/households/electric-and-efficiency-standards-for-buildings/energy-efficiency-for-rental-properties-in-victoria

• Consumer Affairs Victoria, New minimum energy efficiency and safety standards for rental properties, 2025. Available at: consumer.vic.gov.au

• Queensland Treasury, Supercharged Solar for Renters, accessed December 2025. Available at: treasury.qld.gov.au/policies-and-programs/energy/supercharged-solar-for-renters

• Housing Safety Authority SA, Private Rental reforms, updated from 1 July 2024. Available at: housingsafetyauthority.sa.gov.au