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Australia is set to introduce a groundbreaking initiative that will give households at least three hours of free solar power every day starting in 2026, even for those without solar panels installed. Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced that the Solar Sharer programme will first roll out in New South Wales, South Australia and southeast Queensland before expanding nationwide.
In the introductory phase, users will receive free solar power during midday hours when generation peaks and electricity is most abundant. Bowen said the programme is designed to help both owners and renters shift their electricity usage to zero-cost periods, lowering overall system strain and contributing to reduced energy costs across the grid.
Australia currently has nearly four million homes fitted with rooftop solar panels. On sunny afternoons, solar output can surge so much that wholesale electricity prices fall into negative territory, only to rise again during evening peak demand. The new initiative aims to balance this disparity by encouraging midday consumption, benefiting the grid and consumers alike.
Non-Solar Homes to Benefit by Shifting Usage to Midday
Importantly, households without their own solar installations, including apartment residents, will still be eligible for the programme. Participants will need a smart meter and must shift appliance use and electric vehicle charging to midday to benefit fully.
The scheme is part of Australia’s broader renewable energy transition. In 2022, Bowen set a target of sourcing 82 percent of national electricity from renewable sources by 2030, alongside the legislated goal of reducing emissions by 43 percent from 2005 levels.
Authorities believe that widespread adoption of the Solar Sharer initiative will ease grid pressure, cut consumer bills and support the country’s long-term clean energy objectives.
