Solar and batteries for Newtown homes
Period homes, tall trees and views across Geelong
Newtown sits on the hill just west of central Geelong and runs down to the Barwon River. It has some of Geelong’s oldest and best-loved houses: Victorian and Edwardian weatherboards, brick villas and interwar homes on leafy streets, with newer infill and renovations in between.
It is also one of our busiest inner suburbs. Newtown households tend to go big once they decide: the median homeowner solar system we have installed here since 2024 is 10.3 kW, and since the battery rebate began every homeowner job has included storage.
The roof pictured is a newly built Newtown home, with the panels on the north face and edge protection in place while our crew worked.
72
installs at Newtown addresses since 2017
10.3 kW
median homeowner solar system since 2024
21 of 21
homeowner jobs since July 2025 included a battery
12
batteries added to existing solar since July 2025
Source: Velocity Solar rebate (STC) records, distinct install addresses, checked 18 October 2026. Median size counts homeowner solar systems since January 2024; battery share counts homeowner jobs since 1 July 2025, when the federal battery rebate began. Builder new-home packages are left out of both.
Recent installs in Newtown
Our rebate records show 72 installs at Newtown addresses since 2017, and 22 with a battery from us, 21 of them since July 2025. Some recent jobs, by month only:
- July 2026: 7.84 kW of AIKO panels added to an existing system, with a 24 kWh Sigenergy SigenStor
- April 2026: 19 kW of AIKO panels with a 48 kWh three-phase SigenStor
- February 2026: 13.3 kW of AIKO panels with a 24 kWh SigenStor
- January 2026: 10.9 kW of AIKO panels with a 48 kWh three-phase SigenStor
- December 2025: 10.25 kW of REC panels with a Fronius GEN24 Plus inverter and a 22 kWh BYD battery
- November 2025: a Tesla Powerwall 3 added to existing solar
What Newtown customers said
“Professional and timely service to do a neat installation of battery to our solar panel system.”
Scott, Newtown (SigenStor battery added to existing solar), Google review
“Excellent service: sales listened to what I wanted and made useful suggestions, communication was great, and the installation crew were outstanding – you wouldn’t know they had been on site if it wasn’t for the panels on the roof! Highly recommended – when batteries are affordable I’ll be giving Velocity a call.”
Tim, Newtown (solar system), Google review
Character homes need a careful plan
Heritage streets. Parts of Newtown are under a heritage overlay in the Greater Geelong planning scheme. Panels on the rear or side roof faces are usually the answer, and we check whether a permit is needed before quoting. The same care applies to where the battery and inverter sit: a side path or garage rather than the front verandah.
Old wiring and switchboards. Many period homes still have an older switchboard, sometimes with ceramic fuses. If it needs replacing before solar or a battery can be connected, we include that in your written quote so there are no surprises on the day.
Shade from established trees. Newtown’s big street and garden trees are part of its charm, but they can shade a roof for part of the day. We check shade on site at different angles rather than relying on a satellite photo, and use panel-level optimisers or split arrays where they make a real difference.
Three-phase power. Several larger Newtown homes have three-phase supply, which suits bigger systems like the 48 kWh three-phase SigenStor batteries we have fitted here.
Install time, payback and getting connected
A solar system under 8 kW usually takes one day, and a larger one two days. A battery adds one to two days. Steep or two-storey period roofs can need scaffolding or edge protection, which we include and schedule in your quote.
Payback is subject to many factors, but as a rough guide solar alone takes about 5 to 7 years, solar and a battery about 6 to 8 years, and a battery on its own about 10 years.
Newtown is on the Powercor network. We lodge the connection application and set your export limit. Our Geelong price guide shows typical prices by system size.
Solar in Newtown: common questions
Can I install solar on a heritage home in Newtown?
Usually, yes. Parts of Newtown are covered by a heritage overlay, so we place panels on rear or side roof faces that are not seen from the street where we can, and check with the City of Greater Geelong whether a permit is needed before you commit.
Do I need a new switchboard for solar or a battery in an older Newtown home?
Sometimes. Many period homes have older switchboards that do not have room for the new circuits and safety switches solar and batteries need. We inspect the board at the site visit and include any upgrade in the written quote.
What size battery do Newtown homes usually choose?
It varies widely. Since July 2025 we have installed everything from a single 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall 3 to 48 kWh three-phase Sigenergy SigenStor systems in Newtown. The right size depends on your evening use, heating and whether you charge an electric car.
Planning solar or a battery for your Newtown home?
Nearby areas we service
Highton & Wandana Heights · Belmont, Grovedale & Waurn Ponds · Batesford · Lara · Solar in Geelong · all areas we service
Why Newtown locals choose Velocity Solar: Installing since 2011 · 4,500+ installs · our own crews, never subcontractors · Tesla Powerwall Premium Certified Installer · NETCC Approved Seller · SAA-accredited installers · REC Victorian Partner of the Year 2022–2025 · 4.9★ from 270 Google reviews · workshop in Moolap, (03) 5243 8364
