Social Housing and Energy Communities: Balancing Affordability and Profitability in Multi-Apartment Buildings

Energy poverty remains a major challenge in the European Union, disproportionately affecting residents of social housing. At the same time, declining photovoltaic (PV) costs and new EU legislation on renewable energy communities create opportunities for energy sharing schemes that can reduce bills and improve access to clean energy. Yet, translating this potential into practice is particularly complex in multi-apartment social housing. This paper identifies and categorises the barriers to PV-based energy sharing in this context, drawing on a literature review and empirical evidence from three demonstration sites of the ProLight project in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. The analysis highlights the central role of fair benefit allocation and scope definition, the constraints of limited roof space, and the challenges of high tenant turnover, arrears risk, and low administrative literacy. In addition, fragmented decision rights, split incentives, and procurement and state-aid rules create further institutional hurdles. The findings underline that energy sharing can only succeed when accompanied by tailored business models, trusted intermediaries, and supportive regulatory frameworks. Coupling energy sharing with refurbishment strategies, subsidies, and co-creation processes can enhance both fairness and feasibility, positioning social housing as a critical driver of an inclusive energy transition.