We often receive this question from the co-owners or tenants of an apartment building.
Technically the answer is: yes. However, the administrative and legal aspects are somewhat more challenging. Yet it is definitely possible and profitable. Nevertheless, it demands considerable imagination, lobbying and negotiation.
The first project with a photovoltaic installation in a co-owned property was carried out in 2009, in the Brussels municipality of Uccle. Some project numbers...
There are two possible scenarios. Both require a significant amount of patience! You will have to hold meetings to convince doubters for example, explain the function and benefits, calculate the costs, get the funding together, choose an installer, compare quotes, etc.
This is the simplest scenario. The co-owners contribute to a communal pot according to their means. That money is subsequently used to finance the installation works. Of course, everything must be meticulously arranged with the building manager and the co-ownership regulations amended accordingly.
These can be owners or tenants. In this case, you must first obtain the agreement of all the co-owners to use the roof and conclude a lease agreement. This agreement must contain the following elements:
The building manager will ensure that the installation does not damage the roof or inconvenience residents.
Model contracts can be found on the Bruxelles Environnement website. |
The technical implementation of the installation can take place in a variety of ways, depending on what the co-owners have agreed upon.
This is the simplest solution. Providing all the co-owners participate and a reasonable amount of electricity is required for communal facilities (lift, lighting, etc.). Electricity costs are reduced for all the residents, and everyone benefits according to their communal pot investment.
This is the solution for when only some of the residents participate. With this system, the energy generated is transported to private meters, and personal consumption costs are reduced.
Furthermore, individual installations can be tailored to the requirements and resources of each residential unit. Please note that a green meter must be installed in each residential unit.
If the roof is large enough, then a combination of both solutions is feasible.
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