Energy News
Australians to Receive Three Hours of Free Solar Power Daily: Here’s What You Need to Know
No solar panels? You could still get three free power hours. Let’s break it down.
Important Points
-
A new policy that allows residents in New South Wales, south-east Queensland, and South Australia to get free power hours is coming in 2026.
-
Residents do not need solar panels installed on their rooftop to be eligible but must have a smart meter installed.
-
More information to come as the program goes through final modifications.
The Australian government has introduced a new initiative called the ‘Solar Sharer’ scheme, promising households in certain states at least three hours of free solar-generated electricity each day – even if they don’t have rooftop solar panels.
The policy, set to begin in 2026 for residents in New South Wales, south-east Queensland, and South Australia – with other areas to follow in 2027 – is designed to make use of excess daytime solar output and help households currently reeling from high power bills.
What the New Scheme Is All About
Under the new plan, homes with smart meters and participating electricity retailers will have access to a designated window where any electricity used will be discounted or free.
According to the government, the goal is to shift household consumption to when solar generation is at its highest.
The scheme would be implemented through modifications to the Default Market Offer (DMO), which is the maximum price retailers can charge customers for electricity in parts of the country.
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER), which regulates wholesale and retail energy markets and energy networks under national energy legislation and rules, is lined up to oversee the change to ensure households “get a fair deal” outside the three hours of free power.
Consultations with other states not covered by the Default Market Offer (DMO) may come up to potentially extend the offer after next year.
1Why Should We Pay Attention to This?
A window of free hours allows you to potentially save a significant amount, not just a few cents here and there. For example, you could run your washing machine, dishwasher, or even charge your EV for free during certain hours each day.
Expert Tip
If you plan it right, moving your usage around the three hours of no-cost power could lower your usage charges, and in turn, your power bill.
There’s a bigger picture here, too. Around midday, Australia’s solar generation is at its peak, and solar households are exporting clean energy into the grid, often more than what households are using. That extra energy sometimes goes to waste or even pushes electricity prices down in ways that can make the system less stable.
This new scheme helps fix that. By helping people use electricity when the sun’s shining brightest, it evens out the load on the grid and makes better use of all that solar export. And the best part? A more balanced grid could translate to fewer costly upgrades, which, in the long run, could help keep everyone’s bills a little lower.
Some implementation details are still being worked out. The specific hours, eligibility criteria, and participating retailers are expected to be finalised closer to the launch date. Expansion to other states will likely depend on how well the scheme performs in its initial phase.
Important Qualifications and Caveats
While the scheme is promising, it’s not without caveats. The amount you save depends largely on whether you can move your usage to the free-power window.
Renters, people out during the free window, or households whose major usage happens in the evening may gain less.
Some retailer offers mimic the free-power concept but come with trade-offs like higher charges outside the zero-cost period. These plans are designed for households that can schedule their usage to the allotted free power hours window.
Author
Benjamin TomBenjamin is a utility specialist passionate about creating informative content about the energy, internet, and solar markets. With extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, Benjamin drives our unique blog posts, articles, and reviews. He is focused on breaking down the technical jargon so our readers can better understand the telco market and industry. Whether he is comparing the latest internet deals or creating unique guides, Benjamin takes great pride in creating helpful, easy-to-read content.
