Australians To Get At Least Three Hours a Day of Free Solar Power – Even If They Don’t Have Solar Panels

Australia’s new “solar sharer” program will give households in NSW, south-east Queensland, and South Australia at least three hours of free solar power each day starting in 2026 — even for those without rooftop panels. Other areas will potentially follow in 2027. The Guardian reports: The government said Australians could schedule appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and air conditioners and charge electric vehicles and household batteries during this time. The solar sharer scheme would be implemented through a change to the default market offer that sets the maximum price retailers can charge customers for electricity in parts of the country. The climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, said the program would ensure “every last ray of sunshine was powering our homes” instead of some solar energy being wasted.

Australians have installed more than 4m solar systems and there is regularly cheap excess generation in the middle of the day. Part of the rationale for the program is that it could shift demand for electricity from peak times — particularly early in the evening — to when it is sunniest. This could help minimize peak electricity prices and reduce the need for network upgrades and intervention to ensure the power grid was stable.