The federal government’s new Solar Sharer plan is expected to roll out in July 2026. It’s designed to help Australians access free electricity for a few hours in the middle of the day. The goal is to make use of excess solar power being generated around that time and shift consumption away from expensive peak hours.
Under this plan, eligible households will be offered electricity plans with free power during a minimum three-hour window during daylight hours. However, not every household will benefit the same way. It depends heavily on your daily routine, the type of appliances you have, your location, and whether you’re able to adjust your electricity use.
Energy providers—including Business Electricity Providers—will play a key role in setting up these offers. So, it’s important to understand what the scheme includes and who stands to gain the most from it.
Where and When the Plan Applies
The Solar Sharer scheme won’t be available to everyone in Australia straight away. It’s starting with households in the areas covered by the Australian Energy Regulator’s Default Market Offer (DMO). This includes:
- New South Wales
- South Australia
- South-East Queensland
Other states may be included later, but nothing is confirmed yet.
The scheme is expected to launch in July 2026. If you’re outside the DMO regions, this plan won’t be available to you right now. The government has mentioned that it will talk to other states to expand the offer nationally by 2027, but that timeline remains open.
Who Needs to Opt In and What Is Required
This isn’t something that will be applied to your energy account automatically. If you want to take advantage of it, you’ll need to actively sign up for the offer with your electricity retailer. That means paying attention to your bill and contacting your provider to see if they’re offering a Solar Sharer plan.
You’ll also need a smart meter already installed in your home. Without one, the provider won’t be able to track your usage in real time and apply the free hours accurately. Smart meters are already common in many areas, but not every household has one yet.
Each energy retailer will set their own pricing for electricity outside the free period. That means while you get a few hours of no-charge usage during the day, your evening or early morning usage might cost more. So it’s essential to check the full structure of the plan before switching.
Households That Can Make the Most of the Free Daytime Power
Not everyone will get the same benefits from this offer. Those who use power mostly during the middle of the day will likely see more savings.
People Working From Home
If you work from home, you’re already running your computer, internet, and heating or cooling, and maybe even doing laundry or cooking. That means your electricity use already lines up with the free period offered in the Solar Sharer plan.
You won’t need to make big changes to how you use electricity. Just turning on the air conditioning during the middle of the day instead of the evening could reduce your bill without extra effort.
You also have full control over appliances like washing machines or dishwashers, which can be used during the free hours. If your daily routine allows for this kind of shift, you’re in a strong position to get real value from the scheme.
Smart Appliance Owners
Homes with appliances that have delay-start or programmable settings will also benefit. You can schedule your dishwasher or washing machine to start when the free electricity kicks in. Some modern hot water systems can also be set to heat up during specific periods of the day.
This kind of automation means you don’t have to be home to take advantage of the plan. If your machine turns on at 12 pm and runs through to 2 pm, and those hours are free under your plan, you’re saving money without needing to remember to do anything.
Will Renters Actually Benefit?
One of the stated goals of the plan is to spread the benefits of solar energy more fairly, especially to those who can’t install solar panels—like renters. But it’s not guaranteed that renters will see any real savings.
Renters usually don’t control their energy setup. They can’t install batteries, can’t always request smart meters, and often use whatever appliances come with the property. That limits their ability to use electricity in the most cost-effective way.
Many renters are also not home during the day. If you’re out at work or uni from 9 am to 5 pm, then the free electricity window isn’t very useful to you. Unless your appliances can be programmed, or your routine happens to match the plan hours, you’ll still be paying regular or even higher rates during the evening.
There’s also the issue of limited options when switching energy providers. Renters may not have the freedom to move to new business electricity providers or set up new Business Electricity Plans without approval from landlords.
Who Benefits Most vs Least (At a Glance)
To make it easier, here’s a simple breakdown of who might gain the most from the Solar Sharer plan based on how they live and work:
| Group | Likely Benefit | Reason |
| Work-from-home individuals | High | Use power during the free period naturally |
| Households with smart devices | High | Can program usage during free electricity hours |
| Renters | Low | Less control over appliances and daytime availability |
| Day workers | Low | Not home to use electricity during free hours |
Final Thoughts: Should You Sign Up?
The Solar Sharer plan can suit households that use power in the middle of the day, especially if you’re home or have appliances with timers. But if most of your usage happens in the evening, the savings may not be worth it.
Check your current usage habits and what’s included outside the free period. If it lines up well, the plan may be useful. If not, it’s better to wait or explore other options.
Services like Connect With Us can help compare offers from different business electricity providers so you’re not guessing. Make sure the plan fits your routine.