Australia to Offer Three Hours of Free Solar Power Daily to Millions
Federal “Solar Sharer” programme will grant households three midday hours of no-cost solar electricity from 2026 in selected states
Australia’s federal government has unveiled a major new initiative under which households will receive at least three hours of free solar-generated electricity each day, regardless of whether they own rooftop panels.
Announced by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, the “Solar Sharer” scheme is set to launch in 2026 in the states of New South Wales, South Australia and southeast Queensland before wider expansion.
Under the programme, households equipped with a smart meter will be able to shift their electricity-intensive usage into the mid-day window, when solar generation is most abundant and wholesale prices are typically very low or even negative.
Bowen said: “People who are able to move electricity use into the zero-cost power period will benefit directly, whether they have solar panels or not, and whether they own or rent.”
The policy targets the roughly four million homes in Australia that already have rooftop solar panels, while also opening access to households without solar installations — including renters or those in apartments.
The goal is to ease pressure on the grid’s evening peak by moving demand into the mid-day solar “sweet spot”.
Energy-market reaction was swift: shares in two of Australia’s largest electricity suppliers, AGL Energy and Origin Energy, fell about three per cent following the announcement, reflecting investor concern about impacts on business models.
While the initiative has been widely welcomed as a bold step to bring clean energy benefits directly to households, energy analysts have flagged risks.
Some warn the scheme may exacerbate inequalities if renters or households without smart meters are ineligible, and that shifting demand may raise costs in non-free hours.
Others point out that the policy might dampen incentives for rooftop solar or home-battery uptake.
The Solar Sharer scheme forms part of a broader government agenda to achieve around 82 per cent renewable generation by 2030, alongside a legislated target of a 43 per cent reduction in emissions from 2005 levels.
The initiative is designed to make Australia’s clean-energy transition not just into an environmental exercise but one that also delivers tangible household cost relief and grid-efficiency gains.
As Australian households plan for the rollout — expected in mid-2026 in the first states — the policy marks a shift in how solar generation and consumer behaviour will be aligned to support both individual savings and system-wide stability.
Announced by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, the “Solar Sharer” scheme is set to launch in 2026 in the states of New South Wales, South Australia and southeast Queensland before wider expansion.
Under the programme, households equipped with a smart meter will be able to shift their electricity-intensive usage into the mid-day window, when solar generation is most abundant and wholesale prices are typically very low or even negative.
Bowen said: “People who are able to move electricity use into the zero-cost power period will benefit directly, whether they have solar panels or not, and whether they own or rent.”
The policy targets the roughly four million homes in Australia that already have rooftop solar panels, while also opening access to households without solar installations — including renters or those in apartments.
The goal is to ease pressure on the grid’s evening peak by moving demand into the mid-day solar “sweet spot”.
Energy-market reaction was swift: shares in two of Australia’s largest electricity suppliers, AGL Energy and Origin Energy, fell about three per cent following the announcement, reflecting investor concern about impacts on business models.
While the initiative has been widely welcomed as a bold step to bring clean energy benefits directly to households, energy analysts have flagged risks.
Some warn the scheme may exacerbate inequalities if renters or households without smart meters are ineligible, and that shifting demand may raise costs in non-free hours.
Others point out that the policy might dampen incentives for rooftop solar or home-battery uptake.
The Solar Sharer scheme forms part of a broader government agenda to achieve around 82 per cent renewable generation by 2030, alongside a legislated target of a 43 per cent reduction in emissions from 2005 levels.
The initiative is designed to make Australia’s clean-energy transition not just into an environmental exercise but one that also delivers tangible household cost relief and grid-efficiency gains.
As Australian households plan for the rollout — expected in mid-2026 in the first states — the policy marks a shift in how solar generation and consumer behaviour will be aligned to support both individual savings and system-wide stability.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
