Australia to introduce free daily solar power hours by 2026

Photo: basengreen.com, photo editor: Serikzhan Kovlanbayev

Australia will offer households at least three hours of free solar electricity each day starting in 2026, including for those without rooftop panels. The Solar Sharer program will help households use excess daytime energy more effectively and ease pressure on the national grid, Reuters reported.

The scheme will launch in New South Wales, South Australia and southeast Queensland, then expand nationwide. Energy Minister Chris Bowen aims to encourage people to shift their electricity use to midday, when solar generation peaks and costs drop.

For those who want to take part in the program and benefit from running appliances or charging electric vehicles during free-power hours, the key requirement is having a smart meter.

Australia has one of the world’s highest rates of rooftop solar adoption, with approximately four million homes utilizing solar panels. During sunny afternoons, solar energy can exceed demand, driving electricity prices into negative territory. By encouraging consumption during these periods, the government aims to balance supply and demand, supporting its broader target of achieving 82% renewable energy by 2030.