Installing solar in an estate, complex or apartment block isn’t just about panels, inverters, or performance guarantees. It’s also about people - the owners, trustees, tenants, and service providers who must all share the same space while the system is being installed.
At Decentral Energy, we’ve delivered solar to dozens of residential estates and body corporate environments. One pattern emerges time and time again: the best-run projects - those that go live on time and with minimal friction - all have one thing in common.
Strong, consistent communication between trustees, owners, and tenants.
A solar installation might appear simple - install the panels of the roof, wire them up, and you're done - but they are rarely disruption-free. Cabling must be routed, walkways and driveways get dug up, scaffolding or cherry pickers are be used for roof access, panels are craned onto roofs, and electricians and construction teams move through common areas.
For residents who work from home or spend large parts of the day in their units, this can cause frustration - especially if they don’t know what’s happening or how long it’s going to take.
Clear, proactive communication helps manage expectations, reduce complaints, and builds goodwill. It also helps keep the site safe and allows service providers to work without unnecessary delays.
Tiaan Rademan, one of Decentral's body corporate specialists, can’t emphasise communication enough. “I’ve left many body corporate general meetings convinced that everyone knows what’s coming,” he says, “but experience has shown that the meeting where the project is approved is just the beginning of the communication journey.”
Residents may nod and vote in favour, but a month later, many won’t remember the details - or won’t have grasped what the actual installation will feel like. That’s why ongoing, structured updates are essential, even after the project is approved.
Pre-construction
Once the trustees have approved the solar PPA and signed off on the design, it’s important to loop in the broader ownership base. A simple email update, WhatsApp notice, or noticeboard poster outlining the timeline and what to expect goes a long way.
During construction
Even with the most efficient installation teams, things like drilling, temporary access restrictions, and safety barriers can be unsettling. Regular updates - even a short weekly note about which blocks are being worked on - can reduce friction and improve co-operation.
Commissioning and handover
When the system is switched on, owners often want to know what’s changed. Is it saving money already? Will there still be load-shedding? Who do they contact if there’s a problem?
A communication plan at this stage ensures residents understand the benefits, know how the system works, and feel confident that support is in place.
Create a comms calendar: Schedule when you’ll send updates - and stick to it. Even short messages make a difference.
Keep it simple: Not everyone needs technical detail. A one-pager on “what to expect this week” is often more useful than an engineering spec sheet.
Use your service provider: At Decentral Energy, we’re happy to help draft resident updates or attend trustee meetings to provide clarity and reassurance.
When residents feel included, they’re more tolerant of short-term inconvenience. And when service providers don’t have to stop work to navigate complaints or blocked access, the project moves faster - which means owners see savings and backup power sooner.
In the end, a well-communicated solar project isn’t just a better experience for everyone involved - it’s also a better investment.
