Solar sharer scheme
New scheme requiring energy retailers to provide at least three hours of free electricity daily during peak solar generation periods.
Cost of living
Term 2
The Albanese Labor Government announced the Solar Sharer scheme on 4 November 2025, which will launch in July 2026 across New South Wales, South-East Queensland, and South Australia. The policy addresses Australia's solar abundance, with the nation now having 4.16 million solar installations generating 41.8 GW of capacity and rooftop solar alone (26.8 GW) exceeding the country's remaining coal-fired generation capacity.
The scheme requires customers to have a smart meter and shift energy-intensive activities such as air conditioning, washing machines, electric vehicle charging, and pool pumps to midday hours when solar generation peaks. During these periods, wholesale electricity prices frequently drop to zero or become negative due to surplus generation. This load-shifting reduces evening demand when electricity predominantly comes from coal and gas, whilst lessening the need for expensive grid-scale batteries.
The Australian Energy Regulator will oversee pricing to ensure customers are not penalised outside the free power window. The offer is available to all households in DMO-regulated states regardless of whether they have solar panels installed. Consultation is underway to extend the scheme to Victoria and Western Australia by 2027, though the Australian Energy Council has raised concerns about insufficient industry consultation and potential unintended consequences including higher supply charges and reduced feed-in tariffs.
Households in NSW, South-East Queensland, and South Australia will receive three hours of free electricity daily during peak solar periods from July 2026
Australia's 4.16 million solar installations produce 41.8 GW of capacity, with rooftop solar (26.8 GW) exceeding total remaining coal power capacity
Smart meters required to participate, scheme applies to all households regardless of solar panel installation
[1] https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/bowen/media-releases/more-australian-homes-get-access-solar-power
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