Millions of Australians are set to get at least three hours of free electricity in the middle of the day, starting July 2026 in New South Wales, South Australia and south‑east Queensland. The government’s Solar Sharer plan shifts household use into sunny hours so the grid can soak up surplus rooftop solar, cut bills and reduce evening stress on the system, with a national rollout targeted for 2027.
- Free power window applies daily during peak sunlight to households with smart meters.
- Launches in NSW, SA and south‑east QLD from July 2026, with national expansion expected in 2027.
- Aims to use excess daytime solar that often pushes wholesale prices to zero or below.
- Designed to help everyone, including renters and apartment dwellers, by rewarding daytime use.
Tech & Environment: Australia’s Solar Boom to See Millions Get Free Electricity
Australians feeling the squeeze on energy costs are about to get an unusual offer. Free power in the middle of the day. The federal government’s Solar Sharer program will give households at least three hours of no‑cost electricity during peak sunshine, even if they do not have panels on the roof. The move turns a growing grid headache into a simple consumer win.
“We want every last ray of sunshine working for households,” said Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen as he unveiled the scheme. It will begin in New South Wales, South Australia and south‑east Queensland from July 2026, with plans to extend nationwide as early as 2027.
Why move power use to midday?
Australia leads the world in rooftop solar adoption, with more than four million systems now installed and output that rivals what is left of the coal fleet. That success brings a twist. On sunny days, wholesale electricity prices routinely sink toward zero. At times they even turn negative. Grid operators call this the duck curve. Low demand through the day, then a sharp evening jump when solar fades and people get home.
The government’s answer is to pull some of that evening demand into the daylight. Use the cheap solar while it is there. Keep the system steady. Lower costs for everyone.
How will Solar Sharer work?
It is straightforward. If you live in a participating state and have a smart meter, you will get a daily free power window during peak sunshine. The minimum is three hours. It applies whether you own, rent or live in an apartment. Retailers will be required to offer it through reforms to the Default Market Offer, the price cap covering standard offers in NSW, SA and south‑east QLD, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Minister Bowen said people who shift usage into the zero‑cost window will see the biggest savings. The Australian Energy Regulator will oversee implementation to keep it fair and to reduce the risk of prices creeping up outside the free period. In the background, this aligns with the Australian Energy Market Commission’s push to roll out smart meters for most homes by 2030, which makes flexible pricing and free windows possible. You can read more on the AEMC smart meter program here.
What does this mean for households?
It could be a bigger deal than it sounds. Think washing machines, dishwashers, hot water heat pumps and pool pumps. All timed for the free window. For EV drivers, it makes weekday charging essentially cost‑free if you plug in at lunch. For renters and apartment dwellers, it finally shares the solar dividend without needing to install anything on the roof.
It is also about habits. Over time, shifting a few big appliances into daylight can chip hundreds off annual bills, especially as more devices and cars go electric. That is the point. Make the sunny hours your cheapest hours.
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If you want to set and forget, a smart thermostat helps you pre‑cool or pre‑heat during the free hours. We like the Google Nest Learning Thermostat. It learns your routine and nudges heating and cooling into the lowest‑cost part of the day.
How does this help the grid and climate?
Flattening the duck curve is the big win. By moving demand into the solar peak, retailers can absorb more rooftop output and dial back expensive evening generation. That stabilises the system and helps hold down prices. It also means fewer fossil fuel generators ramping hard at sunset, which cuts emissions and improves air quality. As The Guardian has noted, every kilowatt shifted into sunshine is a cleaner kilowatt.
What are retailers saying?
Some retailers worry about disruption. They argue free windows could squeeze margins and require changes to billing and hedging. The government’s response has been blunt. Consumers come first. As reported by ABC News, the Australian Energy Regulator will monitor compliance and pricing outside the free period to protect households. That scrutiny matters, especially after past pricing controversies like software subscription hikes that left customers feeling short‑changed.
When will other states join?
Consultations are moving to bring Victoria and Western Australia into the fold so the model works across the National Electricity Market and beyond. The target on the table is 2027 for full national coverage. The idea is simple. If your state has lots of rooftop solar, a midday free window can make the grid run better and make bills lighter.
How can households prepare to make the most of the free hours?
- Check your meter. If you do not have a smart meter, your retailer can advise on an upgrade timeline and costs under your state program.
- Use timers. Most washing machines, dishwashers and heat pump hot water systems have delay start features. Set them for the free window.
- Pre‑condition your home. Pre‑cool in summer or pre‑heat in winter during the zero‑cost period to reduce evening demand.
- Plan EV charging. If you cannot plug in at work, consider a simple daytime charge at home when you can. Even a quick top‑up helps.
- Automate where possible. Smart plugs and home energy apps can schedule appliances for you.
The inclusivity of Solar Sharer is deliberate. It is built so renters and apartment residents benefit alongside homeowners. That lesson was hard‑earned across essential services. The fallout from the Optus outage showed the cost of leaving everyday users exposed when critical systems fail.
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What happens next?
Between now and launch, regulators and retailers will lock in the details. Expect clear communication on the free window times, eligibility and how it appears on bills. Australia has already trialled daytime‑friendly tariffs and incentives through state programs and national demand flexibility pilots, so the building blocks are in place. If Solar Sharer lands well, it becomes a template for how to run a grid that is increasingly powered by rooftops.
FAQs
Who will get the free midday electricity?
Households and small customers in New South Wales, South Australia and south‑east Queensland that have a smart meter will be eligible from July 2026. The program is designed to include owners, renters and apartment dwellers.
Do I need rooftop solar to benefit?
No. The free window applies regardless of whether you have panels. It uses surplus solar already flowing into the grid.
How long is the free power window each day?
The policy guarantees at least three hours a day during peak sunlight. Retailers will specify the exact hours for your area.
Will retailers raise prices outside the free period?
The Australian Energy Regulator will oversee implementation and pricing to prevent unfair cost shifting. The goal is lower bills overall as demand moves into cheaper sunny hours.
Can I charge my EV for free?
Yes, if you plug in during the free window. Even partial daytime charging reduces your overall costs.
What if I do not have a smart meter?
Smart meters are needed to measure and bill the free hours. Check with your retailer about upgrades. National reforms target widespread smart meter installation by 2030.
When will Victoria and Western Australia be included?
Consultations are underway with a national rollout targeted for 2027, subject to state participation and market readiness.
