Solar Panels for Cooperatives and Homeowners’ Associations
Reducing utility costs and improving energy efficiency in apartment buildings. Housing cooperatives (HOAs, homeowners’ associations) can significantly reduce communal electricity bills by installing solar panels on their building’s roof. A dedicated solar power system can cover energy needs for lighting stairwells, operating elevators, pumps, and other shared services, lowering the costs that residents pay for these utilities.
At the same time, the building’s energy efficiency rating improves, increasing both its value and comfort. Solar panels are a long-term investment in the building’s infrastructure: they last for decades, reduce residents’ financial burden, and make the property more environmentally friendly. Even standard Soviet-era apartment blocks can benefit from solar energy, while new buildings with solar systems more easily meet modern nearly zero-energy consumption standards.
Advantages of Solar Panels for Cooperatives and HOAs
How It Works
Government Subsidies up to 70%
The government actively supports energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the residential sector. There are special grants for housing cooperatives and HOAs to help finance the installation of solar panels. Support can cover up to 70% of the investment – a significant portion of the costs is covered by state or European funds.
For example, in Estonia, there was previously the targeted KredEx program supporting the installation of solar panels in apartment buildings, and today funds from the Housing Renovation Fund can also be used for solar installations. These measures significantly shorten the payback period for residents.
Our specialists will help your cooperative obtain maximum support. We provide consultations on relevant programs (regional or nationwide), prepare technical justifications, complete applications, and manage the review process. Your only responsibility is the decision to implement the project – we handle all the bureaucracy.
As a result, your investment is greatly reduced, and even a small building can afford its own solar power station. With subsidies, many HOAs have already installed panels with virtually no additional financial burden on residents – the costs are offset by grants and savings. Don’t miss this opportunity: government programs have limits and deadlines, but with our assistance, you can secure support and make your building modern and energy-efficient with minimal expenses.
Who It’s Suitable For
Rooftop solar panels are suitable for almost any apartment cooperatives, housing associations (HOAs), and condominium associations that want to reduce utility costs and modernize their building. If your building has at least three apartments (which already forms a legal housing association under Estonian law), you can consider installing your own mini power station.
It is important that the building has enough space for the panels: about 16 m² of free roof area is sufficient (for 8 panels), with no shading from trees. The vast majority of roof types are suitable for installation, and mounting systems are available for any surface—bitumen, tile, metal, or even flat roofs.
Specialists can help determine the optimal panel configuration and orientation, taking into account technical conditions and roof pitch.
Before implementation, it is important to secure residents’ support: usually, the decision to install panels is made at a general meeting or by the cooperative board. Experience shows that when clear calculations of benefits are presented, the majority of owners vote in favor.
Our team is ready to provide your HOA with all the necessary savings calculations and information about the process so that you can make an informed decision.
In the end, a solar power station is suitable for your building if you aim for long-term reductions in utility bills, increased property value, and environmental responsibility—which is relevant for almost any apartment building.
This solution is especially beneficial for buildings with high common electricity expenses. If your bills for hallway lighting, pumps, ventilation, or elevators are substantial, the solar station will quickly pay for itself through savings. It is also an excellent solution for new buildings and fully renovated homes, which need to meet modern energy efficiency standards.
Solar panels can help achieve an energy class of A or B for the building. Additionally, residents’ participation in a joint solar project enhances the value of the community—the building becomes an example of a conscious approach to resource management.