Australia launches Solar Sharer scheme offering three free power hours

From 1 July 2026 the Australian government’s Solar Sharer scheme requires electricity retailers with more than 1,000 customers to provide a free three‑hour power window each day, from 11 am to 2 pm, in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Households and renters with a smart meter can opt‑in to these plans, which aim to shift appliance use to the middle of the day, reduce the midday surge of renewable generation, and ease the evening peak. The government estimates a three‑person home that moves 10‑30 % of its usage to the free period could save between $350 and $1,000 a year.

The scheme is part of Australia’s broader energy transition, with rooftop solar on about 4.5 million homes and renewables supplying roughly half of grid electricity. Because solar output drives wholesale prices toward zero around noon, there has been a need to encourage daytime consumption to avoid voltage spikes and curtailments. Retailers argue the policy may create cross‑subsidies for customers who cannot shift usage, and they are not obliged to migrate existing contracts or proactively notify customers.