newy.com.au – A discounted solar and home battery program has reopened across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland, with landlords and small-to-medium businesses eligible for the first time.
More than 360 people have joined the waiting list for the second round of Solar Neighbourhoods, which offers discounted solar panels, batteries and electric vehicle chargers through supplier 1KOMMA5 Australia and local installers.
The three councils estimate the new installations could collectively reduce participants’ power bills by more than $760,000 a year.
The program’s first round in 2025 led to the installation of 158 solar systems and 167 home batteries, generating almost $5 million in spending on renewable energy equipment. City of Newcastle said participants achieved average annual energy savings of almost $3800 per household.
Newcastle councillor Joel Pringle said the program was intended to address the cost and complexity of installing household renewable energy systems.
“Solar Neighbourhoods makes it easier and more affordable for households to slash their energy bills by installing solar and batteries, by addressing cost, complexity and trust,” Cr Pringle said.
The second round retains a $1250 discount for each participating household. The councils said the discount delivered more than $250,000 in direct savings during the first year.
The range has also been expanded to 12 packages, including larger systems for households with higher electricity use, different types of solar panels and Tesla electric vehicle chargers.
Nine packages cost less than $15,000, putting them within the limit of fee-free and interest-free loans available to eligible households through the NSW government’s Home Energy Saver Program.
City of Newcastle executive manager environment and sustainability Marnie Kikken said the council was also discussing a possible battery rebate trial with the state government for low-income households, social housing tenants and rental properties.
“Round two of the Solar Neighbourhoods program has been expanded to include small-to-medium businesses and landlords, and we’ve also added extra-large packages for households with higher energy needs,” Ms Kikken said.
Old solar systems removed as part of an upgrade can be recycled free of charge at Newcastle’s Summerhill Waste Management Centre. The councils estimate the program’s projected emissions reduction would be equivalent to removing 741 cars from the road each year.
Round two is scheduled to remain open until December 20, 2026, although participants must sign a contract by October 31 to secure 2026 pricing and maximise available government rebates.
Applications and package details are available at the Solar Neighbourhoods website.
