![\"City](\"https:\/\/newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getmedia\/556ed0ce-aaa3-421e-ac12-4c18f7bc7957\/Solar-Neighbourhoods-WEB.jpg\")
City of Newcastle\u2019s Climate Change & Sustainability Program Lead Lexi Crouch, resident Luke York and Lake Macquarie City Council\u2019s Sustainability Engagement Coordinator Zoe Johnson with the new battery.<\/em>City of Newcastle\u2019s Climate Change & Sustainability Program Lead Lexi Crouch said representatives from the three Councils have been energised by the response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cWe designed this program to remove barriers that have held back solar and home battery uptake in the region,\u201d Mrs Crouch said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile the program is called Solar Neighbourhoods, we\u2019ve found the majority of customers are buying a home battery, either to complement their existing solar panels or as part of a package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is a trend we\u2019re seeing across Australia with more than 100,000 home batteries installed since July when the Federal Government introduced the Cheaper Home Batteries scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe intend to run Solar Neighbourhoods again next year, but the current program is still open until 30 November, and we\u2019re urging interested residents to register and sign a quote as soon as possible in order to lock in this year\u2019s prices before the government rebates drop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lake Macquarie City Council\u2019s Sustainability Engagement Coordinator, Zoe Johnson, said local government is leading the way on sustainability with the introduction of this collaborative program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis initiative is the first of its kind for our Councils and responds to community feedback,\u201d Mrs Johnson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cResidents from the three Council areas told us they want solar and batteries for their homes, but they were overwhelmed by the choice, upfront cost and complexity of buying solar and battery systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThrough an extensive tender and due diligence process we identified a range of high-quality solar and battery systems, delivered by our program partner 1KOMMA5\u00b0 Australia and installed by trusted Hunter tradies, to make the process as easy as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coordinator Sustainability Strategy and Education, Ben Maddox from Maitland City Council said the program has made it more affordable for residents to take meaningful climate action through practical, community-led solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re making sure affordable options to pay the system off over time are available in addition to paying upfront, as well as an exclusive program discount and government rebates of $1,250,\u201d Mr Maddox said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHouseholds installing a new solar and battery system can save up to 90 percent on a typical family electricity bill, so we\u2019re committed to providing an easy, accessible pathway to solar and home batteries for our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBy partnering with our neighbouring Councils we\u2019re reducing emissions and accelerating the transition to renewable energy, an outcome that benefits individuals, their neighbourhoods and the Hunter as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Swansea resident Luke York said he was purchasing a battery as part of the program to complement his existing solar panels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve paid off our solar panels so this battery will further support our household energy usage,\u201d Mr York said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was so surprised and pleased with the cost of the battery as part of the program and hopefully it ensures we won\u2019t need to take any energy from the grid once it\u2019s up and running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I can highly recommend this Council-led program to anyone who is thinking about solar panels and home batteries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Residents across the three Council areas have been accessing quality solar, batteries and electric vehicle chargers from program partner 1KOMMA5\u00b0 Australia and their network of local installers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1KOMMA5\u00b0 Australia CEO Luke Stronach said the partnership is an excellent example of how the private and public sectors can come together to support Australia’s renewable energy transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBetween the support for renewables across all levels of government and significant community uptake, it’s clear the moment to take a step towards energy independence is now,” Mr Stronach said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be part of this year\u2019s Solar Neighbourhoods program head to the website for more information and to register by 30 November 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n