Australia now has more rooftop solar per person than any other country in the world. That’s great news for clean energy. But it has created an unexpected daily problem: a large surplus of solar power flooding the grid during the day. The federal government’s Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) sets out to fix exactly that. From 1 July 2026, eligible households can access up to three hours of free electricity each midday. Importantly, you don’t need solar panels or a home battery to take part. This guide unpacks the Solar Sharer Offer and helps you decide whether it’s right for your home.
What Is the Solar Sharer Offer?
The Australian Government has introduced the Solar Sharer Offer as a new regulated energy plan. It gives eligible households a three-hour window of free electricity each day. This window falls at midday, when solar generation peaks across the national grid. Each day, you can use up to 24 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of free electricity during that window. According to the Department of Energy, that cap covers the typical daily needs of a family of five.
Electricity retailers with customers in eligible areas must offer at least one SSO residential plan. However, signing up is entirely your choice — the SSO is opt-in, not automatic. It also forms part of broader reforms to the Default Market Offer (DMO) framework. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) administers the DMO. It sets a maximum price that retailers can charge households on standard electricity contracts.
Where Is It Available?
Currently, the Solar Sharer Offer covers three areas:
- New South Wales
- South Australia
- South East Queensland (SE QLD).
These regions fall under the DMO framework. Both homeowners and renters are eligible. The SSO, however, excludes small businesses.
If you live in Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania, Western Australia, or regional Queensland, the offer doesn’t apply yet. Victorians can instead look to the state government’s Midday Power Saver scheme. It launches on 1 October 2026 and delivers a similar free midday electricity window. The federal government has also flagged plans to expand the SSO nationally at a later date.
When Is the Free Power Window?
The free-power window runs year-round. It doesn’t shift with daylight saving time. The times vary slightly by state:
- NSW and SE QLD: 11am to 2pm AEST
- South Australia: 12pm to 3pm ACST
The Australian Energy Regulator set these windows to match peak solar generation and the lowest network costs in each region.
What Do You Need to Sign Up?
To join an SSO plan, you need two things. First, you must live in an eligible area. Second, you need a smart meter. A smart meter records your electricity usage in short intervals and sends that data to your retailer automatically. A standard digital meter won’t do the job, even if it looks similar. The most reliable way to check is to call your retailer directly.
Once you’ve confirmed your smart meter, contact your retailer to ask about their SSO plan options. Then, compare those rates carefully against your current plan before making any decisions.
What to Watch Out For
Here’s an important detail that often goes unnoticed. Free electricity during the window doesn’t mean your whole bill is free. You still pay a daily supply charge. You also continue to pay standard rates for electricity used outside the three-hour window.
Some SSO plans carry higher peak or off-peak rates than your current plan. As a result, higher costs at other times of the day could cancel out those free-power savings. So, always compare the full rate card — not just the free-power feature — before you switch. The fine print matters here.
Who Benefits Most?
The Solar Sharer Offer works best for households that can shift their heavy electricity use into the free window. Think dishwashers, laundry, pool pumps, or charging an EV or e-bike during those midday hours. Smart appliance timers can also help. For example, shifting a daily dishwasher cycle to the free window could save around $127 a year.
On the other hand, the offer is less useful if you’re out of the house during the day. In that case, the free window adds little value and the higher rates could leave you worse off. Therefore, retirees, people who work from home, and those on caring duties are likely to get the most benefit. Moreover, households running EV chargers, washing machines, or hot water systems stand to gain the most by making that midday switch.
What About Home Batteries?
A battery can change the value equation of the Solar Sharer Offer. Here’s why. Most households use the bulk of their electricity in the morning and evening. So, many people simply can’t shift enough usage into that three-hour window to make the most of it.
That’s where a battery comes in. Instead of running every appliance at once, you can charge a battery during the free window. Then draw on that stored energy throughout the evening peak. In effect, a battery lets you capture the free midday power and use it whenever you actually need it.
Furthermore, evening peak electricity rates are among the highest of the day. Replacing peak-rate power with stored free energy is where the real savings stack up. For EV owners in particular, a battery is a real game-changer. Charge it during the free window and use it to top up your car overnight.
The numbers are already moving in this direction. In the second half of 2025, Australians bought more batteries than in the previous four years combined. The SSO is likely to accelerate that trend further. More people are realising that a battery turns a three-hour daily perk into an all-day advantage.
Of course, a battery is a significant upfront investment. However, the federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers rebates to help reduce that cost. Additionally, households with existing rooftop solar are especially well placed. Their panels generate the free midday power directly, and a battery stores whatever isn’t used straight away.
If you don’t have solar panels yet, the Solar Sharer Offer is still a useful starting point. But for households thinking about long-term energy savings, combining rooftop solar with a home battery remains the most effective approach. The SSO makes the case for that combination even stronger.
How to Get Started
The Department of Energy recommends a simple step-by-step approach. First, review your current energy bill and think about when your household uses the most electricity. Next, contact your retailer to discuss their SSO plan and compare rates. Then, if the plan suits your home and routine, sign up from 1 July 2026. Finally, set a schedule for energy-heavy tasks during the free window and keep an eye on your bills after switching.
The Bottom Line
The Solar Sharer Offer is a practical step toward spreading the benefits of Australia’s solar boom more widely. It gives renters and households who can’t afford their own panels a way to access clean, low-cost energy. It could also help ease pressure on the grid during evening peak periods over time. But it won’t suit every household. Before you opt in, compare rates closely, reflect on your routine, and confirm your smart meter is ready to go.
If you’re thinking beyond the SSO, rooftop solar plus a battery remains the most powerful long-term option. Together, they let you generate, store, and use your own power on your own terms. To explore your options, getting three quotes from accredited solar and battery installers is a smart first step.