For many Australian households, the dream of ‘free power’ is now a reality. From 1 July 2026, the Australian Government’s Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) launched in New South Wales, South Australia, and South East Queensland, providing eligible households with three hours of free electricity every day during peak solar generation. Victoria followed with its similar ‘Midday Power Saver’ scheme from 1 October 2026. You do not need to own solar panels or a home battery to participate, making this a significant opportunity for renters and homeowners alike to reduce their electricity bills.
This guide outlines exactly how the Solar Sharer Offer works in 2026, who is eligible, how to maximise your savings, and what to consider before opting in.
What is the ‘Solar Sharer’ Offer?
The Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) is a regulated energy initiative designed to share the benefits of Australia’s abundant midday solar generation more broadly across the population. It mandates that energy retailers with over 1,000 customers in Default Market Offer (DMO) areas must provide an opt-in plan offering a daily three-hour window of free electricity.
This initiative aims to address the issue of excess solar production during the middle of the day, which can sometimes strain the grid or go to waste. By incentivising households to shift their energy use to these free periods, the government seeks to lower electricity bills, spread the benefits of renewable energy, and reduce pressure on the grid during traditional peak evening times.
“The Australian Energy Regulator says that [the 24kWh daily cap] is equivalent to a day’s usage for a five-person household.”
Eligibility and Availability in 2026
To access the Solar Sharer Offer, households must:
- Reside in an eligible state: Currently, this includes New South Wales, South Australia, and South East Queensland (from 1 July 2026). Victoria’s ‘Midday Power Saver’ offers a similar scheme from 1 October 2026. Other states and territories are not yet part of the federal DMO framework and do not have the SSO mandate.
- Have a smart meter installed: The scheme requires time-based billing, which necessitates a smart meter. If you don’t have one, contact your energy retailer.
- Opt-in: The SSO is not automatic; you must actively choose a retailer’s SSO plan.
Crucially, you do not need rooftop solar panels or a home battery to participate in the Solar Sharer Offer. It is open to both renters and homeowners.
Free Power Windows by State
The specific three-hour free electricity period is timed to coincide with peak solar output and varies by network:
| State/Network | Free Power Period |
|---|---|
| New South Wales (Ausgrid, Endeavour, Essential) | 11:00 to 14:00 |
| South East Queensland (Energex) | 11:00 to 14:00 |
| South Australia (SA Power Networks) | 12:00 to 15:00 |
| Victoria (Midday Power Saver, from Oct 1) | 11:00 to 14:00 |
Households can access up to 24 kWh of free electricity during this three-hour window each day. Consumption above this cap may incur charges.
Maximising Your Savings with Solar Sharer
The key to unlocking significant savings with the Solar Sharer Offer is to shift as much of your energy-intensive activities as possible into the free power window. Consider these strategies:
- Appliance Scheduling: Use timers on your washing machine, dishwasher, and clothes dryer to run between 11:00 and 14:00 (or 12:00-15:00 in SA). Many modern appliances have this feature.
- Heating and Cooling: Pre-heat or pre-cool your home by running air conditioning or heating during the free period. This can reduce your energy consumption during more expensive peak times later in the day.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: If you have an EV, schedule its charging to align with the free power hours. This can drastically cut your charging costs. For more on optimising EV charging, see our guide: Slash Your EV Home Charging Costs by 70% in Australia 2026: A Smart Guide.
- Hot Water Systems: If you have an electric hot water system, consider setting it to heat during the free power window.
It’s important to note that while the midday power is free, daily supply charges and electricity used outside the free window still apply, and retailers may charge higher rates for these periods to offset the free power. Always compare your potential SSO plan with other energy offers to ensure it’s the most cost-effective option for your household’s usage patterns.
Beyond Free Power: Other Ways to ‘Share’ Solar in 2026
While the Solar Sharer Offer provides direct access to free midday electricity, several other initiatives and technologies allow Australians to leverage or ‘share’ solar energy, particularly if you own a solar system or battery.
Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)
If you have a home battery, joining a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) can provide additional income. VPPs aggregate thousands of connected home batteries, coordinating them to act as a single power station. When the grid needs extra power, especially during peak demand, your battery can export stored energy to the grid, and you get paid for it.
Typical annual earnings from VPP participation in 2026 range from $200 to $1,000 per year in bill credits or direct payments, on top of your battery’s regular bill savings. Many VPP programs also offer upfront incentives or sign-up bonuses. Popular VPP-compatible battery brands include Tesla Powerwall 2, Sungrow SBR series, AlphaESS SMILE series, and EcoFlow PowerOcean. To learn more, read our guide: Maximise Your Home Battery Savings: Earn $1,000+ Annually with a VPP in 2026.
Community Batteries
Community batteries are shared energy storage systems located within local neighbourhoods, allowing households to store their excess solar energy or access stored renewable energy when needed. These batteries help balance the grid and can provide benefits to households that cannot install rooftop solar themselves.
As of early 2026, the Australian Energy Regulator confirmed 244 community battery storage systems connected to Australia’s distribution networks, with significant deployments in Queensland (Energex, Ergon Energy) and New South Wales (Endeavour Energy, Ausgrid). The federal government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program is investing $200 million to install 400 batteries across Australia.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Energy Trading
Blockchain-based platforms like Power Ledger enable direct peer-to-peer energy trading, allowing solar owners to sell their surplus electricity directly to neighbours or other consumers within a local network, bypassing traditional retailers.
While still a developing market, the P2P energy trading market in Australia is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2030. As of January 2026, around 8 operational platforms and ~18,500 households were actively trading. Average P2P prices (18-26¢/kWh) can be significantly lower than retail rates (28-41¢/kWh).
Solar for Renters and Apartments
For renters or those in multi-unit dwellings, accessing solar has traditionally been challenging. The Solar Sharer Offer directly addresses this by not requiring solar ownership. Additionally, state programs like Queensland’s ‘Supercharged Solar for Renters’ offer landlords up to $3,500 to install solar on tenanted properties. In Victoria, the ‘Solar for Apartments Grant’ provides grants for shared solar systems in apartment buildings, up to $2,800 per apartment (capped at $140,000 per building).
NSW also has its Community Energy Activation Program, which awarded $4.7 million in grants in July 2026 to help community organisations support renters and apartment residents in cutting energy bills and accessing solar and batteries. For more information, see our comprehensive guide: Renters’ Guide: How to Get Your Landlord to Install Solar Panels in Australia in 2026.
Australian Solar and Battery Rebates in 2026
For those considering installing their own solar or battery system, significant federal and state rebates are still available in 2026. These can substantially reduce upfront costs.
Federal Rebates
- Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs): This federal incentive provides an upfront discount on eligible solar PV systems. For a typical 6.6 kW solar system, the STC rebate can reduce the price by approximately $1,500 - $2,000 in 2026, depending on location. This is typically handled by your installer and factored into the advertised price.
- Cheaper Home Batteries Program: This federal program offers an upfront discount on eligible home batteries via STCs. From 1 May 2026, the rebate is tiered by battery size:
- Up to 14 kWh: Full rate (6.8 STCs per usable kWh, roughly $250 per usable kWh). This translates to approximately $2,500 off a 10 kWh battery and $3,400 off a 13.5 kWh battery.
- 14-28 kWh: 60% of the base rate.
- 28-50 kWh: 15% of the base rate.
- Above 50 kWh: No further rebate support.
This rebate is not means-tested and applies across all states where a VPP-capable battery is installed with new or existing solar. Be aware that the STC factor for batteries will step down again to 5.7 STCs per usable kWh from 1 January 2027.
State-Specific Rebates (2026)
| State | Solar PV Rebate | Battery Rebate (State-specific) |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | Up to $1,400 (income < $150k from 1 July 2026) + optional interest-free loan up to $1,400. | No standalone state battery rebate. Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program applies. |
| NSW | No state-wide residential rebate for owner-occupiers. | No state-wide residential battery rebate for owner-occupiers. NSW Community Energy Activation Program supports community-led initiatives, including solar/battery for renters/apartments (grants $150k-$600k). NSW VPP incentive can be combined with federal battery discount. |
| Queensland | No state-wide residential rebate for owner-occupiers. Supercharged Solar for Renters: up to $3,500 for landlords. | No state-wide residential battery rebate for owner-occupiers (Battery Booster closed May 2024). Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program applies. |
| South Australia | Federal STCs apply (approx. $1,600 for 6.6kW system). | Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program applies. SA REPS VPP incentive up to $2,050 for VPP-connected batteries. |
| Western Australia | Federal STCs apply. Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) offers feed-in tariff up to 10 cents/kWh (peak). | WA Residential Battery Scheme can be combined with federal rebate. |
| ACT | Federal STCs apply (approx. $2,000 for 6.6kW system). Home Energy Support: up to 50% (capped at $2,500) for eligible concession cardholders + interest-free loan. | Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program applies. |
For a full breakdown of solar installation costs, consult our guide: Solar System Installation Costs in Australia 2026: A Complete Guide.
Bottom Line
The Australian Government’s Solar Sharer Offer, launched in 2026, presents a genuine opportunity for households in NSW, SA, and SE QLD (and Victoria’s ‘Midday Power Saver’) to significantly reduce their electricity bills by leveraging free midday power. While it requires a smart meter and an active opt-in, it democratises access to solar benefits regardless of rooftop ownership. Before switching, carefully assess your household’s ability to shift high energy usage to the free window and compare the overall costs, including daily supply charges and off-peak rates, with your current plan. For those with solar and batteries, combining the SSO with VPP participation or other sharing schemes can amplify your savings and contributions to a cleaner grid.