Solar PV for apartment buildings: shared use and metering
Sources checked
First decide whether the system serves common-area demand or also individual flats. Installing panels does not connect separate electricity meters together. The project needs an owners' agreement, suitable metering, connection and rules for distributing costs and energy.
Define who owns and uses the system
Identify the roof rights, operator, contractual customer and decision process among owners. Compare common-area demand over time with expected production before assuming the entire building's annual consumption is available for direct use.
Confirm structural condition, access, maintenance responsibilities and future roof work. An apartment-building installation has different ownership and settlement questions from a single family house.
Design allocation and financial rules
If electricity is intended for separately metered flats, verify the supported sharing or supply arrangement and its interval metering, registration and agreements. An allocation percentage is not automatically the final financial saving.
Agree investment, ongoing fees, repairs, changes of occupant and treatment of unused production. Obtain itemised offers using the same intended arrangement and check any support programme specifically for the applicant and building.