Empowering Apartment Living with Clean Energy

Empowering Apartment Living with Clean Energy

Australia is in the middle of a major energy transformation, and clean energy in Australia is no longer just a future ambition, but an immediate opportunity. While standalone homes have been able to adopt rooftop solar power with relative ease, apartment buildings have historically faced more barriers, such as limited roof space, shared ownership structures, and complex utility arrangements.

With innovations in clean energy solar power systems, embedded energy networks, and EV charger integration, apartment developments can now achieve the same sustainability and cost benefits as detached housing.

For developers and builders, the stakes are high. Market expectations are shifting, and residents and investors increasingly demand:

• Green credentials and visible sustainability features

• Lower operating costs and better long-term value

• Future-ready infrastructure for EVs, battery storage, and energy efficiency

Meeting those demands requires a fully integrated energy strategy. This is where Altogether excels, embedding clean energy from day one, reducing clean energy cost, and helping projects outperform on both environmental and financial fronts.

Tailored Multi-Utility Solutions for Developers

For developers, the path to delivering sustainable apartment communities starts in the planning phase. Decisions about infrastructure design, energy sourcing, and building services will determine a building’s operational efficiency for decades.

Altogether supports this with a multi-utility approach, integrating energy, water, wastewater, and even data into one coordinated network. This eliminates the complexity of juggling multiple service providers and allows designs to fully capitalise on types of clean energy sources from the outset.

Key developer benefits include:

• Faster Approvals through staged infrastructure delivery

• Integrated rooftop solar power for both private and communal energy needs

• Embedded network options to efficiently distribute generated power across all units

• Smart metering and load management to optimise energy usage and minimise waste

By embedding renewable generation into the initial utility network, developers not only meet sustainability targets but also create a premium living experience that attracts buyers and tenants.

FAQ: How early should developers involve Altogether in project planning?

Ideally, during the feasibility and design stage. This ensures infrastructure is optimised, compliance is streamlined, and clean energy cost savings are maximised.

Builders & Contractors: Streamlined Approvals & Reliable Infrastructure

For builders and contractors, delivering a sustainable apartment building requires precision and coordination across trades. Altogether provides:

• Builder-specific technical guides for electricians, plumbers, and landscapers

• Standard drawings and specifications for solar, metering, and EV charger installation

• Compliance and inspection checklists to avoid delays during certification

This technical support ensures infrastructure is installed right the first time, reducing rework and accelerating timelines. When EV chargers are part of the build, Altogether designs the electrical infrastructure to handle peak demand without affecting other services. The same applies to solar; connection methods and metering are planned to deliver both safety and performance.

FAQ: How does Altogether reduce risk for builders?

By providing end-to-end documentation, training, and inspection support, we ensure that all utilities are installed to standard and integrated seamlessly into the overall building system.

Clean Energy Solar Power & EV Integration

Clean energy solar power is the foundation of Altogether’s sustainable apartment strategy. Instead of each unit installing a small system, Altogether designs communal rooftop arrays that feed into an embedded network, allowing all residents to benefit, even in buildings with limited roof space.

When paired with battery storage, excess solar energy can be stored for evening peaks, reducing reliance on the grid and lowering costs. Adding EV chargers to this network creates a closed-loop system where solar generation powers both homes and electric vehicles.

Advantages of solar-EV integration include:

• Lower clean energy cost through self-consumption of generated power

• Future-proofing buildings for rising EV ownership

• Strong sustainability credentials for marketing and compliance purposes

FAQ: Can EV chargers be added later?

Yes, but embedding EV readiness during construction is more cost-effective and avoids major challenges.

Embedded Energy Networks: Efficiency, Choice, and Cost Savings

Altogether’s embedded energy networks centralise a building’s power connection to the grid, then distribute electricity internally to each apartment. This enables:

• Bulk purchasing for competitive rates

• Centralised billing and simplified administration

• Integration with solar power to maximise renewable use

When combined with types of clean energy sources like rooftop solar and battery storage, embedded networks can significantly reduce clean energy costs for both common areas and private residences.

FAQ: Are embedded networks compliant with energy regulations?

Yes, Altogether manages all compliance requirements, removing the burden from developers, builders, and strata managers.

Average Apartment Energy Usage & ROI

Australian apartments typically use 500-1,000 kWh per month, depending on location, size, and appliances. By offsetting a large portion of this demand with solar and storage, developments can achieve rapid payback, especially when paired with government incentives.

Example ROI drivers include:

• Reduced grid reliance for common area services (lifts, lighting, HVAC)

• Lowered resident bills through embedded solar supply

• Access to grants and rebates for multi-unit renewable systems

FAQ: How does Altogether help with incentive programs?

Altogether works with developers and strata bodies to identify and secure funding, ensuring projects maximise available rebates and grants.

Advantages of Clean Energy in Apartments

The advantages of clean energy go beyond cost savings:

• Environmental impact: reduced carbon footprint and resource consumption

• Market differentiation: attracts buyers willing to pay a premium for sustainable living

• Regulatory compliance: aligns with current and future building sustainability standards

With Altogether as a partner, developers can integrate these benefits into their marketing and operational strategies, delivering long-term value for residents and investors alike.

Empowering Connected, Future-Ready Communities

Altogether’s approach goes beyond individual apartments by fostering interconnected communities built on the foundation of future-focused technology. By integrating smart energy networks, shared battery storage, and scalable EV infrastructure, apartment developments are transformed into hubs of collective sustainability. These innovations enable residents to actively participate in energy efficiency by sharing resources, accessing cutting-edge services, and cultivating a sense of communal responsibility. 

As technology evolves, these connected communities are positioned to easily adopt emerging solutions, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve and continue to benefit from the advancements shaping tomorrow’s energy landscape. With Altogether, apartment living isn’t just more sustainable, it’s smarter, more resilient, and future-proofed for the needs of tomorrow’s residents.

FAQ: How can communities ensure all residents benefit equally from these technologies?

Altogether works with body corporates and strata leaders to provide education, transparent billing, and fair access to all clean energy features, ensuring that every resident can participate and benefit, regardless of apartment size or ownership status.

Final Thoughts: Partnering with Altogether Group

Delivering clean energy in apartment buildings requires an integrated approach, one that considers energy generation, storage, distribution, and future-proofing from the start. Altogether’s expertise in multi-utility infrastructure means:

• One provider, one bill, one point of accountability

• Fully integrated solar, EV, and utility solutions

• Reduced capital and operational costs

• Simplified compliance and faster delivery

FAQ: How do I get started with Altogether?

Contact the team during your planning phase to unlock optimised infrastructure strategies, capital relief, and streamlined delivery of clean energy, solar power and other utilities.