Australia to Offer Three Hours of Free Solar Power Daily for Households in Three States

Australia to Offer Three Hours of Free Solar Power Daily for Households in Three States
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Australian households in New South Wales, South-East Queensland, and South Australia will soon receive at least three hours of free solar power each day, under a new federal government initiative starting July 2026.

According to The Guardian, the “solar sharer” scheme, announced by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, will give homes with smart meters access to free electricity during periods of high daytime solar generation — even if they don’t have rooftop panels. The plan aims to make use of excess solar energy that often goes to waste and shift energy use away from evening peaks.

Australians will be encouraged to run appliances, charge electric vehicles, or store energy during the free power window. The offer will be implemented through changes to the default market offer, which caps how much electricity retailers can charge customers.

Bowen said the initiative ensures “every last ray of sunshine powers our homes,” cutting costs and carbon emissions. However, the Australian Energy Council criticized the lack of industry consultation, warning the sudden policy could undermine confidence and innovation in the energy market.