Solar prices in Newcastle by system size
Installed prices are before rebates. The federal STC rebate is worked out at Newcastle's own STC zone (zone 3, postcode 2300) and comes off at the point of sale.
| System | Panels | Installed, before rebates | Federal STC rebate | After STC rebate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6 kW | about 15 | $6,900-$9,200 | 45 STCs, about $1,784 | $5,116-$7,416 |
| 10 kW | about 23 | $10,500-$13,900 | 69 STCs, about $2,736 | $7,764-$11,164 |
| 13.2 kW | about 30 | $13,900-$18,300 | 91 STCs, about $3,608 | $10,292-$14,692 |
STCs valued at $39.65 each, the price used across this site, verified 26 October 2026. Zone from the Clean Energy Regulator's postcode zone table. Panel counts assume the 440 W panels the size pages use. How the installed bands are built is on solar panel installation cost.
What a fair Newcastle quote looks like
We don't sell packages or specials, so there is no Newcastle deal to advertise here. The low end of each band is budget panels and a budget inverter; the high end is premium brands and more complex roofs. A quote well under the low end usually leaves something out, such as a switchboard upgrade, tile work, network fees or a smaller inverter. Ask for every item in writing, with the STC rebate shown as its own line, using the solar quote checklist.
Is the solar rebate dropping in 2027?
Yes. The STC rebate is calculated from deeming years, which fall from 5 to 4 on 1 January 2027. A 6.6 kW system in Newcastle earns 45 certificates (about $1,784) if it is installed in 2026, and 36 certificates (about $1,427) from 1 January 2027: about $357 less at today's certificate price. The federal battery discount also steps down on 1 January 2027; see the Cheaper Home Batteries page for the schedule.
What's different about solar in Newcastle
Newcastle and the Hunter follow the NSW rules: no state rebate for solar panels, and a one-off Peak Demand Reduction Scheme incentive if you connect a home battery to a virtual power plant. NSW's per-kWh battery installation discount ended on 30 June 2025, when the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program started.
Newcastle solar rebates: the full NSW stack
Every program, its status and the government source is on the New South Wales rebate page. On a Newcastle install:
- Federal STC rebate: about $1,784 on a 6.6 kW system in zone 3, applied at the point of sale.
- Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program: about $3,608 on a 13.5 kWh battery, if you add storage.
- PDRS Virtual Power Plant connection incentive: a variable amount on top if you join a VPP (the state publishes no figure; our July 2026 research put typical payouts at about $550-$1,100), not included in the federal figure. Conditions: NSW household or small business with an eligible battery (2 to 50 kWh), joining a VPP provider that offers this incentive, with a retailer that supports VPPs.
- Home Energy Saver interest-free loan: 0% loan up to $15,000 over up to 10 years.
- Home Energy Saver upfront discount: Up to $4,000 (coming soon) (announced, not yet open).
Adding storage? The New South Wales battery rebate page works through every battery size.
Solar companies registered near Newcastle
3 solar companies have an Australian Business Register address near Newcastle. Public record only, no ratings or rankings: the five longest-registered are below.
| Company | ABN status | Years trading |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Solar Solutions | Active | 12 yrs |
| One Power Solar | Active | 11 yrs |
| Podium Solar | Active | 5 yrs |
See all 3 solar companies in Newcastle, or skip the research and get matched with one vetted installer.
Feed-in tariffs in Newcastle
The three highest generally available flat feed-in offers in NSW, from the AER plan data retrieved 29 October 2026. Offers that need a battery, a VPP or a particular installer are left out.
| Retailer | Plan | Feed-in tariff |
|---|---|---|
| ENGIE | NSW ENGIE -Solar Elec | 10c/kWh for the first 8 kWh a day, then 3c |
| GloBird Energy | SOLARPLUS Residential (Flat Rate CTL Load)-Ausgrid | 10c/kWh for the first 8 kWh a day, then 3c |
| Origin Energy | Origin Standing | 8.66c/kWh (varies by network) |
Feed-in tariff data: Based on AER data, Consumer Data Right Energy Product Reference Data (Energy Made Easy and Victorian Energy Compare), retrieved 2026-10-29. Source: AER © Commonwealth of Australia. Not endorsed by the AER. Rates in c/kWh as published by retailers; no GST added.
Every retailer's rate is on the New South Wales feed-in tariff comparison.
See your Newcastle rebate amount
We'll match you with one SAA-accredited installer who works Newcastle.
How to get a Newcastle solar quote
- Take the 30-second eligibility check (postcode, bill, and whether you already have solar).
- Hear from your specialist within 24 to 48 hours.
- Get matched with one SAA-accredited installer who works your suburb.
- Get a fixed-price quote with every rebate applied at the invoice.
- Install, usually 4 to 6 weeks after you sign.
Common questions about solar in Newcastle
How much do solar panels cost in Newcastle?
A 6.6 kW system in Newcastle costs about $6,900-$9,200 installed, before rebates. The federal STC rebate takes about $1,784 off (45 certificates at $39.65 in STC zone 3), leaving $5,116-$7,416. Figures verified 26 October 2026.
Which solar installer is best in Newcastle?
There is no single best installer in Newcastle, and we do not rank them. We match you with one installer that works your postcode, after checking its ABN and its Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accreditation. Our Newcastle directory lists the 3 solar companies registered nearby, with ABN status and years trading and no scores.
Are solar rebates dropping in 2027?
Yes. The STC rebate is based on deeming years, which fall from 5 to 4 on 1 January 2027. A 6.6 kW system in Newcastle earns 45 certificates if installed in 2026 and 36 from 1 January 2027, about $357 less at today's certificate price. The federal battery discount also steps down on 1 January 2027.
How long does solar installation take in Newcastle?
The install itself is usually one day on site. From signing the quote, expect around 4 to 6 weeks, most of it waiting for the network operator's connection approval and the installer's schedule. Ask for both dates on the quote.
What's the best feed-in tariff in Newcastle?
In the AER plan data retrieved 29 October 2026, the highest generally available flat offer in NSW was ENGIE at 10c/kWh for the first 8 kWh a day, then 3c. Rates change often, and the best plan depends on what you pay for the power you import, so compare the whole plan, not just the feed-in rate.
Is 10 kW solar enough to run a house?
In total energy, usually: a 10 kW system produces about 40 kWh on an average day (national average; Newcastle averages about 4.4 peak sun hours a day). Compare that with the daily usage on your power bill. The gap is timing: panels produce in the middle of the day, so without a battery you still buy power in the evening.
Do solar panels work well in Newcastle's climate?
Yes. Newcastle averages about 4.4 peak sun hours a day. Output scales with sun hours, so the same system produces less in a lower-sun city, but the STC rebate is set by your postcode's zone rating, not by what the system actually produces.
Does NSW offer a solar rebate in 2026?
Not for solar panels on their own. The federal STC discount is the upfront support on panels. NSW programs listed as open or announced: PDRS Virtual Power Plant connection incentive; Home Energy Saver interest-free loan; Home Energy Saver upfront discount (announced, not yet open). Figures and eligibility verified 26 October 2026.
Solar panels in other cities
Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane , Perth , Adelaide , Canberra , Hobart , Darwin , Wollongong , Gold Coast , Geelong , Cairns , Sunshine Coast , Townsville , Central Coast , Toowoomba .