Got a question about solar and batteries? It’s probably answered here.
If not, simply register your interest and a solar specialist will be in touch to answer any questions you have.
Solar Neighbourhoods is a program designed by City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie City Council and Maitland City Council to make the process of getting solar and batteries more affordable, simple and trusted for our communities.
Through the program, residents can access affordable and quality solar, batteries and EV chargers, installed by trusted local electricians and delivered by our program partner 1KOMMA5˚. Along with exclusive savings, residents can learn about solar, batteries and virtual power plants at a community information session.
All the hard work of finding safe and reliable products, solid warranties and trusted installers has been done for you. It’s part of our plan to help our community lower their energy bills, improve resilience during blackouts, and increase the amount of clean energy in our electricity grid.
City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie City Council and Maitland City Council have all committed to strong action on climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our cities in line with the Paris Agreement.
Our community are eager to play their part too, showing strong interest in powering their homes with the sun. The most common question our sustainability teams are asked is for help choosing solar and battery products and installers because the process feels too complicated for them. That’s why we decided to work together on Solar Neighbourhoods – to make solar and batteries simple for our communities, by doing all the hard work for you.
The cost of electricity and gas is also rapidly increasing in Newcastle and nationally. This program aims to reduce the cost of electricity and provide bill relief for years to come.
Solar Neighbourhoods is currently available to residents of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland local government areas (LGAs) and the exclusive $1,250 discount is only available for participating LGAs. However, residents of other LGAs are welcome to request a quote from 1KOMMA5˚ and access the product packages.
City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie City Council and Maitland City Council ran an extensive tender and due diligence process before selecting 1KOMMA5˚˚ as the preferred partner to deliver Solar Neighbourhoods.
1KOMMA5˚˚ is an award-winning Australian solar and battery company, ranked as Australia’s #2 battery installer and among the top 10 solar installers in 2025. 1KOMMA5˚ have been in the industry for over 15 years now and already helped over 64,000 Aussie households make the switch to clean energy. They have a strong reputation for quality, affordability and customer care. Their 4.4-star rating on Product Review and 4.3-star rating on Google Reviews show that commitment in action.
The hardware they use is selected for reliability and safety, and installations are done by local, SAA-accredited technicians—people who actually know the roofs and switchboards in Newcastle
1KOMMA5˚ are national, so you get the backing of a large company, but you deal with a local team for the site visit, install and aftercare. Through Solar Neighbourhoods, installations are carried out by 1KOMMA5˚˚’s trusted Hunter-based partners, STE, Apollo, Hunter Solar Solutions and Sinewave Solar Solutions, so you can be confident your system is installed by local experts.
Yes. Small businesses in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland can join Solar Neighbourhoods, access the packages and exclusive program discount. Simply fill out the form to register your interest, and a solar specialist from 1KOMMA5˚ will be in touch shortly.
The team at 1KOMMA5˚ are happy to answer any questions about solar, batteries, EV chargers, virtual power plants and beyond. Simply fill out the form to register your interest, and a solar specialist from 1KOMMA5˚ will be in touch shortly.
If you have a specific question about the Solar Neighbourhoods program for your local council, you can email us at:
If you’re interested in learning more about the program or about solar and batteries in general, come along to one of the community information sessions.
This is a program promoted by the City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie City Council and Maitland City Council (the “Councils”) to make solar easier for our local community. Any purchase of the solar packages from the program will be with 1KOMMA5˚ and you will be required to enter into a contract between yourself and 1KOMMA5˚. The Councils have no involvement or liabilities arising from any purchase, installation and maintenance of the solar packages by you. You are advised to make your own enquiries prior to entering into any contract with 1KOMMA5˚. Please contact 1KOMMA5˚ for all questions relating to the solar packages, pricing, and installation.
If the program is successful and there is demand for the program, Solar Neighbourhoods will likely run again in 2026 and 2027. After the program closes on 30 November 2025, a waitlist will open for the next round of the program.
Yes! All battery package pricing includes the discount already, in addition to the exclusive $1,250 discount. Both rebates will be automatically deducted from your quote (you don’t need to do anything else to access this rebate).
The NSW Government Virtual Power Plant (VPP) rebate is applied for separately, see the section below on VPPs.
CanadianSolar is one of the largest solar panel manufacturers in the world. CanadianSolar panels were selected for this program because they are highly efficient, durable and backed by market leading warranties and a long track record of reliability in Australia. We’ve chosen sleek all-black panels – a modern design that looks great on rooftops and is quickly becoming the most popular choice for Australian homes. Despite the name, CanadianSolar panels, like most solar panels, are manufactured in China.
Sungrow is the top battery manufacturer in Australia in 2025 (SunWiz), and equal first best home battery brand in Australia 2025 as voted by 594 Aussie installers (Solar Quotes). Sungrow is known for high quality, durable batteries and are one of the safest choices for home energy storage. Sungrow batteries come with a 10-year product warranty and have an Australia service centre located in Sydney.
There are many cheap batteries entering the Australian market following the introduction of the Australian Government battery rebate, however, it’s important to understand that not all batteries are created equal. When choosing a home battery, it’s important to choose a reputable brand. A trusted, high-quality battery is safer, lasts longer, and delivers better value over time, giving you peace of mind that your investment will save you money and keep your home powered.
We are proud to be offering market leading warranties as part of the Solar Neighbourhoods program. Warranties are important: it means if something goes wrong, you’re protected.
The following warranties are provided:
Yes. All batteries in the Solar Neighbourhoods program come with blackout protection included at no extra cost. Having blackout protection makes your home more resilient in natural disasters. This standard blackout protection includes three essential ‘circuits’: meaning back up could be provided for your fridge, some lighting and some powerpoints (each of which are typically on their own circuit). This means that in a blackout, you’ll likely be the only house on the block with lights on, your fridge running, power to charge your phone and make breakfast.
If you would like more circuits backed up, such as a small air conditioner or extra lighting, you can add an additional circuit for $100 each, or add a pack of five circuits for $500. ‘Full blackout protection’ is essentially the entire home backed up. This is less common as it requires more electrical work (and therefore higher cost) and would mean the battery would drain very quickly in a blackout.
If you have an EV or are thinking of getting one in the future, you can also have an EV charger installed as part of the Solar Neighborhoods program.
A dedicated EV charger allows you to charge faster as well as ‘smartly’. You can generally charge an electric vehicle via a regular powerpoint in your home and this will give you about 2.4kW of power per hour, adding about 8-10km of range. This is generally suitable for overnight charging.
However, if you have an EV charger installed, you can charge faster – between 7-10kW per hour. This means your car will ‘fill faster’ and you’re able to charge it in several hours. It can also be a more convenient and safer option because it’s installed by an electrician on your wall with a tethered cable.
The second benefit to a dedicated EV charger is that it can be “smart”, working out when you have excess solar and directing it to your car. See “What EV charger should I choose” for how smart charging can suit you.
The Solar Neighbourhoods program includes two EV chargers: Sungrow and Ohme. Both are great options, and which one you choose comes down to what brand of inverter you have and whether you want a ‘solar smart’ charger or not (more on this below).
The Sungrow EV charger is best if:
The Ohme EV charger is best if:
Solar smart charging means that the EV charger can work out if your solar panels are creating excess solar. Instead of sending that energy back to the grid, your EV charger uses it to top up your car. With solar smart charging, chargers like Ohme and Sungrow ‘listen’ to your home – they know when the sun’s out, when your house needs power, and when it’s the perfect time to charge your car. They automatically adjust, making the most of your own clean energy and saving you money.
Standard EV chargers (not ‘solar smart’) simply draw power from your home and can’t tell whether it’s from the grid or solar. You can turn them off and on as you want.
If you’re still not sure, the team at 1KOMMA5˚ can help you decide which EV charger is for you.
The team at 1KOMMA5˚ can review your bill and current energy usage and recommend whether solar makes sense for your home.
If your electricity bills are less than $300 a quarter, it means that it will take longer for you to see a return on your investment compared to homes with bigger electricity bills however you’ll be better protected against future rising energy costs.
A small solar package could be a good option for you, especially if you are likely to increase your future electricity use through getting an EV or getting off gas.
Yes. With the new battery rebate and rising wholesale energy costs, even a small or partially shaded solar system can make sense – especially when paired with a battery that stores energy generated during sunnier periods for use when shading reduces output. Your 1KOMMA5˚ solar consultant can model the impact of shading on energy production and return on investment, so it’s well worth enquiring to see what they recommend for your home.
As part of the Solar Neighborhood program, your local council has vetted multiple brands of products to ensure that participants get the best quality products and value for money as well as the best warranties. The exclusive $1,250 Solar Neighbourhoods discount is attached to the brands included in the program which means the hard work of choosing the right products has already been done, and you save an additional $1,250 off the price.
You can talk to 1KOMMA5˚ about other brands, however, other brands are not part of the Solar Neighbourhoods program.
You can choose to pay the system upfront or pay it off in monthly installments through 1KOMMA5˚’s finance partner Plenti.
Alternatively, you can source your own finance, such as a green loan, if you choose.
The friendly team at 1KOMMA5˚˚ will give you a call within a couple of days. They’ll learn about your home, how you use energy, and answer any questions you have – no jargon, no pressure. Prefer email or an in-person visit? Just say so. First up, they’ll need a copy of your recent electricity bill/s and meter box to get started.
Next, 1KOMMA5˚ will tailor one of our pre-selected packages for your home – if your roof can fit a few extra panels, great! If you need to swap an existing inverter to make a battery work, no problem. You’ll get a clear, personalised quote outlining your new system and the price, minus all the rebates. If any additional repairs or electrical work is needed, 1KOMMA5˚ will let you know.
If you are happy with the plan, your installation will be booked and performed by a trusted Hunter tradie. Most systems are installed within 4-8 weeks. While you wait, the team will handle everything behind the scenes – like grid connections and paperwork. They will make your install easy-to-understand and hassle-free. Plus keep you up to date every step of the way. Before long, you’ll be joining your neighbours in powering your home with the sun.
1KOMMA5˚ will keep you updated throughout the entire process, and are only a phone call away if you have a question.
Once you sign your quote, your system will be installed in approximately 4-8 weeks. This may be longer if there is high demand for the program, and we will let you know if this is the case. During this time, 1KOMMA5˚ will be organising important things for you in the background, like your grid connection approvals. This is all done for you by 1KOMMA5˚.
When you purchase a solar and/or battery system, your agreement is with 1KOMMA5˚. Council’s role in Solar Neighbourhoods is to select the preferred supplier, vet the products, and promote the program. 1KOMMA5˚ manages quotes, installations, finance (if required), after sales service, warranty claims and is your point of contact moving forward for your new energy system.
On the day, your installer will have a meeting with you to reconfirm product locations and run through any safety considerations.
The installation team will then get to work installing your new system.
The power will need to be turned off during important electrical work.
Every Solar Neighbourhoods system comes with Sungrow’s easy-to-use monitoring app, iSolar. You’ll be able to see how much energy your system is producing, storing, and using – right from your phone. After installation, your installer will walk you through how to use the app so you feel confident from day one.
A smart meter is also included at no extra cost. This lets you track your household energy usage in real time, so you can get the most out of your new solar and battery system.
Please contact 1KOMMA5˚ if you have any questions or issues on 1300 976 040. Existing customers can visit the 1KOMMA5˚ Support Centre to submit a support enquiry to solve common issues related to Wi-Fi, Software and Tech.
For all other enquiries, including media, corporate, reseller and commercial, please contact hello@1KOMMA5˚.com.au.
Please note, your local council is unable to assist you with product or warranty enquiries.
When you sign up to Solar Neighborhoods, your Sungrow battery is compatible with being part of a Virtual Power Plant (often called a VPP).
VPP is when a lot of homes with solar and battery systems are linked together to inject energy into the local energy grid as needed. Together, a VPP works like a decentralised “power station” using power from thousands of homes rather than one big (often fossil fueled) power plant.
The broad benefit to a VPP is that it creates a more ‘stable’ grid, putting excess local renewable energy in when it’s needed or storing it when there is excess. The benefit to you is that you can earn extra savings or rewards. This includes upfront payments, an additional rebate from NSW Government, feed in tariffs or market-based payments.
Solar Neighbourhoods offer you three options for how you use your energy (we’ve added a great explainer by Rewiring Australia to help it make sense):
Read on for more information about Origin Loop and Amber SmartShift.
Origin Loop is a virtual power plant (VPP) offering if you are an Origin Energy retail customer. Origin manages when your battery shares energy with the grid and pays you credits or rewards in return.
Offers the following benefits:
Key things to know:
You can learn more here and read the terms and conditions here.
Amber SmartShift is a wholesale energy plan with smart automation for your battery. Instead of fixed rates, you get access to real-time wholesale electricity prices. Your battery automatically charges when prices are low (or free from your solar) and discharges when prices are high, helping you save more and sometimes even earn money.
Offers the following benefits:
Key things to know:
Learn more and view the terms and conditions.
The NSW Government is currently offering a rebate if you join a VPP. This is through their “Peak Demand Reduction Scheme” (PDRS) which is a government initiative designed to lower electricity demand during peak times. It works by rewarding customers that take up installations and technologies that support VPP solar and battery optimisation, that help reduce or shift energy consumption during the peak energy demand periods (those times when everyone is using lots of energy, like heatwaves).
After your battery is installed, you can sign up to either of the VPP options above (Origin Loop or Amber SmartShift), or you are welcome to join any other program that is compatible with a Sungrow battery. Sungrow is a leading battery brand and compatible with most VPPs.
How much you are entitled to be rebated under the scheme is dependent on your battery size (kWh) and your battery make/model. As a guide:
If you sign up to a VPP, you can apply for the NSW rebate via Mac Trade Services. This can be done after your battery is installed, and 1KOMMA5˚ can assist you with this process.
Once you’ve selected a VPP, you’ll need to sign up to either Origin or Amber for your electricity plan. It’s important that you do this after your battery is installed, and not before as it will slow things down.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to fill out a form to claim the VPP rebate via an organisation called MAC Trade Services. 1KOMMA5˚ will provide you with the online form and everything you need to upload to claim the rebate from NSW Government.
It will take approximately 4-6 weeks for your application to be assessed by MAC Trade Services and the rebate to be issued. The rebate is a one-off payment.
If you’re not happy with the VPP, you can leave the VPP after a short cooling off period (usually a few weeks), and keep your rebate.
Question not here?
Simply register your interest and the team at 1KOMMA5˚ will be in touch to answer your questions.
For media enquiries, email info@solarneighbourhoods.com.au
Right from the very first phone call to enquire about going solar, I was immediately put at ease. Every detail was discussed and then followed up in writing. It wasn’t long before I made the decision to go ahead with installation. The whole process was a breeze, the guys at 1KOMMA5˚ are very professional and helpful. I received the Goverment rebate, and with finance available, I paid nothing up front. I pay one payment per month which is well under what I was paying for electricity. I highly recommend 1KOMMA5˚, don’t wait to go solar, just do it, you won’t regret it.
The installer Anthony was to be here between 8am–9am and to my surprise he was pretty well dead on time of 8.00am, missing his off sider due to ill health Anthony proceeded with the install solo & by golly by gosh he was done & dusted fully complete with the system up & running in approx 5.5 hours, all cleaned up, zero mess no rubbish, even had his own vacuum with him to clean up around his work area. He explained the system prior to his leaving, which was pretty simple to understand anyway.
So in conclusion, the install was done very professionally, super friendly, no adverse noise (hardly knew he was here really), power was only off for a matter of minutes & I work from a home office so that is a bonus, no interruptions at all, contact with Solaray from point of sale to finished installation was totally hassle free and totally uncomplicated. For sure communication could not have been better (even after some rain delays which were expected), you would be mad to go anywhere else.
I recently had a 6.64kw solar system installed on my home in Newcastle. I chose 1KOMMA5˚ as my supplier/installer. The whole process from the initial quote, to the installation went very smoothly without any problems for me. The staff in the office made themselves available to assist me at any time and were always very pleasant to deal with.
On the day of installation, the installers turned up on time, were pleasant and very professional about their work making sure that I was aware of what they were doing and was also shown how the system operated. They finished the installation in half a day and cleaned up any mess after they had finished.
I have no hesitation in recommending 1KOMMA5˚ to any of my friends or family as a very professional, diligent and efficient solar provider and installer.
