Aussies to enjoy 3 hours of free solar power every day under new plan

Australia will introduce the Solar Sharer program in July 2026, providing households in New South Wales, South Australia, and south-east Queensland with at least three hours of free solar power daily during sunny periods. This initiative applies to homes equipped with smart meters, enabling residents to run appliances like washing machines, air conditioners, and charge electric vehicles without electricity costs during the designated free power window. The program aims to encourage energy use when solar generation is highest, helping to reduce peak electricity prices, stabilize the grid, and minimize infrastructure expenses. The government plans to potentially expand the scheme nationally by 2027. The Solar Sharer program addresses the issue of excess rooftop solar generation in Australia, which often leads to negative electricity prices during the day but high demand at night. By incentivizing midday electricity consumption, the scheme benefits all users—whether they have solar panels or not—and supports the country’s renewable energy goals, targeting 82% renewable electricity by 2030. While clean energy advocates have praised the