Solar Panels, Home Batteries and Vehicle Chargers To Be More Affordable In Newcastle

1 November 2024

City of Newcastle has announced plans to make renewable energy more accessible and affordable for local homeowners, landlords, and small businesses. The council is seeking service providers to support a ‘bulk buy’ initiative aimed at increasing the installation of solar panels, home batteries, and electric vehicle chargers across the region.

The new project is part of the broader Empowering Newcastle program, focused on creating a sustainable, net-zero future. Michelle Bisson, Executive Director of Planning and Environment at City of Newcastle, explained how the initiative is crucial in driving down emissions while offering economic and social benefits.

“Almost half of the community’s emissions in Newcastle come from non-renewable electricity,” Ms Bisson said. “By encouraging more people to switch to renewables, we can achieve a substantial reduction in emissions. This also provides financial benefits for residents and businesses in the long run.”

With solar panel adoption in Newcastle currently lagging behind the state average—only 30 per cent of residential buildings have solar, compared to 35 per cent across New South Wales—City of Newcastle aims to break down barriers to adoption. “Cost and complexity have been major hurdles for people wanting to transition to renewable energy,” Ms Bisson added.

The bulk buy program will simplify the process for Novocastrians, connecting them with pre-approved suppliers and providing education on the advantages of renewables. Participants will also learn about opportunities like virtual power plants, which can generate income by feeding surplus energy into the grid during high-demand periods.

Interested service providers have until 2 pm on Tuesday, 19 November 2024, to submit an Expression of Interest. The council anticipates launching the program in the first half of 2025, once suitable partners are selected.

This initiative underscores the city’s commitment to meeting its Community Strategic Plan and Newcastle Environment Strategy goals, which include achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.