July 1, 2026 — 7:30pm
Households could face higher bills after signing up for a new government scheme providing three hours of free electricity each day as power retailers warn of increased rates outside the free window.
The Albanese government’s Solar Sharer program, which took effect on Wednesday, is an attempt to spread the benefits of the clean energy transition by compelling retailers to offer free electricity to opt-in customers from 11am to 2pm, when rooftop solar regularly floods the grid with more supply than it needs and often causes prices to crater.
Government calculations suggest a typical two-person home could save hundreds of dollars a year by shifting power-hungry appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, into the free midday window.
However, because the vast majority of Australians are on electricity plans that are already cheaper than the maximum government-regulated prices, switching to Solar Sharer means moving to a different pay structure.
