Millions to receive free electricity in 2026 thanks to Australia’s solar boom

Australia is set to provide millions of electricity customers in New South Wales, South Australia, and southeastern Queensland with up to three hours of free electricity daily starting in July 2026, thanks to the country’s rapid expansion of rooftop solar power. Over a third of Australian homes now have solar panels, driven by significant cost reductions in solar installations. The new Solar Sharer plan will allow all households with smart meters to benefit from excess solar energy, even if they do not have solar panels themselves, enabling residents in apartments or unsuitable rooftops to access free solar power generated by their neighbors. The initiative encourages shifting electricity use to peak solar production hours, likely between 11 am and 2 pm, to better align demand with renewable supply. This demand shift will reduce reliance on coal and gas power during nighttime and decrease the need for grid-scale batteries to store excess solar energy. Customers must opt into the plan, and smart appliances can optimize usage during free electricity periods, such as timing electric vehicle charging or laundry loads