Powering Neighbourhoods With the Sun

Solar Neighbourhoods

Affordable Solar and Battery Program

Hunter households are keen to reduce energy costs and emissions but face confusion, mistrust, and perceived complexity when it comes to solar and battery adoption. Many don’t know where to start, who to trust, or how to access rebates — and uptake slows when the process feels risky or overwhelming.

Insight: People are more likely to act when they feel part of something others are already doing — especially if it’s backed by a trusted source. Normalising solar through community connection and making it feel simple and supported would unlock far more interest than just another “deal”.

We created Solar Neighbourhoods, a council-backed program that makes it easy and affordable for Hunter residents to power their homes with solar and batteries.

At the heart of the campaign is a clear, positive promise: “That’s good energy! Be part of it.” This line ties affordability, ease, and trust to a community movement — inviting people to join their neighbours and power their homes with the sun.

We delivered:

A unified brand identity for Solar Neighbourhoods, spanning logo, colour palette, and iconography to reinforce affordability, ease, and trust
Messaging and creative built around social norms (e.g. “Join 74,664 Hunter homes already powered by rooftop solar”) to normalise participation
A full content suite including a 30-second hero video, 3×15-second reels and 3×6-second cutdowns for Meta and YouTube
Static and carousel posts for Facebook and Instagram, tailored for organic and paid placement
Press and digital ads, EDM assets, screensavers, and in-branch display creative
A library of still photography and storyboard visuals shot during a real installation, featuring a consistent homeowner talent and trusted installer

The campaign reframed solar as an easy, community-backed decision rather than a technical gamble. By combining council trust with Hunter-based expertise and clear, positive messaging, Solar Neighbourhoods shifted solar and battery adoption from “someday” to “why not now?”.

Related work

Annual Report 2023/24

NSW DPI Recreational Fishing Trusts

Go Charter Fishing Campaign

NSW DPI Fisheries

Annual Report 2022/23

NSW DPI Recreational Fishing Trusts

Work

Approach

About

Awabakal Country
PO Box 1695
Newcastle 2300
New South Wales
Australia

Wadawurrung Country

Surf Coast Shire
Victoria
Australia

We acknowledge that we work on the lands of the Awabakal and Wadawurrung nations. We wish to pay respect to their Elders – past, present and future – and acknowledge the important role all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within our region and all of Australia.

Awabakal Country
PO Box 1695
Newcastle 2300
New South Wales
Australia

Wadawurrung Country

Surf Coast Shire
Victoria
Australia

We acknowledge that we work on the lands of the Awabakal and Wadawurrung nations. We wish to pay respect to their Elders – past, present and future – and acknowledge the important role all Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people continue to play within our region and all of Australia.