Since 1 July 2026, eligible households in NSW, South Australia and South East Queensland can get up to 24 kilowatt-hours of free electricity every day, no rooftop solar required. It's called the Solar Sharer Offer, and because it's opt-in — your retailer won't switch you onto it automatically — a lot of eligible households simply don't know it exists yet.
It's not free electricity all day, though, and it doesn't suit everyone. Some modelling even shows certain households could end up worse off. Here's exactly how it works, who qualifies, and how to tell if it's worth signing up for.
What the Solar Sharer Offer actually is
The scheme takes advantage of a well-known problem: in the middle of the day, when rooftop and grid-scale solar output peaks, wholesale electricity prices often collapse — sometimes to zero. That cheap midday power has always existed, but it rarely made it through to household bills. The Solar Sharer Offer changes that by requiring larger retailers in Default Market Offer (DMO) regions to offer a standing plan that passes a three-hour window of free power straight to customers, whether or not they have solar panels of their own.
The free window, by region
| Region | Free window | Free electricity cap |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 11am – 2pm | Up to 24kWh/day |
| South East QLD | 11am – 2pm | Up to 24kWh/day |
| South Australia | 12pm – 3pm | Up to 24kWh/day |
These times are fixed year-round and don't shift with daylight saving. Any usage beyond the 24kWh cap in the window, and all usage outside it, is billed at your plan's normal time-of-use rates — which on a Solar Sharer plan tend to be higher than a standard plan's peak, shoulder and off-peak rates to offset the free hours.
Who's eligible
- You're a residential customer with a smart meter installed.
- You live in a DMO region — NSW, South Australia or South East Queensland. Victoria uses its own Victorian Default Offer and wasn't part of the initial rollout; other states are expected to follow from 2027.
- You're not on an embedded network (common in some apartment buildings and retirement villages).
- Your retailer has more than 1,000 customers in DMO regions, which makes offering the Solar Sharer Offer mandatory for them. Smaller retailers are exempt.
Meeting all four doesn't put you on the plan automatically — it's opt-in. You need to contact your retailer and ask for it.
Who it actually saves money for
The Solar Sharer Offer rewards households that can shift usage into the midday window: running the dishwasher, washing machine or dryer after lunch, charging an EV midday instead of overnight, or pool pump timers set to the free hours. If you're home during the day or can automate appliances with timers, the free hours can meaningfully cut a bill.
It suits fewer households than it sounds like it should. Because the trade-off for free midday power is higher rates at other times, households whose usage is concentrated in the early morning and evening — the classic 6–9am and 5–9pm pattern for most working households — can come out behind. Energy Consumers Australia has flagged that the offer won't be right for everyone, and retailers are required to tell customers that before signing them up.
The Solar Sharer Offer vs comparing plans generally
The Solar Sharer Offer is one specific plan structure, not a replacement for shopping around. Even if you're not eligible, or you've decided the free-hours trade-off isn't for you, it's still worth checking whether a standard market offer beats your current plan — for most households, that's where the bigger and more reliable saving is.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need solar panels to get the Solar Sharer Offer?
No. The offer is available to any eligible household with a smart meter, whether or not you have rooftop solar. It passes on cheap grid solar, not power from your own panels.
Is the free electricity really unlimited?
No — it's capped at up to 24kWh per day during the free window. Usage above that, or outside the window, is charged at your plan's normal rates.
Can I switch back if it doesn't suit me?
Yes. It's a standard opt-in plan, not a lock-in contract — you can move to a different offer with your retailer or switch providers at any time.
Do comparison sites show every plan on the market?
No — no comparison service covers every retailer. Ours compares plans from 15+ participating retailers. For a full list of every offer in your area, the government's free Energy Made Easy site (or Victorian Energy Compare in VIC) shows all of them, though without the guided switching.
Last updated: July 2026. Prices and regulations change — always confirm details with the retailer before signing up.