Australia has announced a groundbreaking clean-energy initiative that will allow households across the nation to enjoy at least three hours of free solar power every day — even if they don’t have solar panels. The new Solar Sharer program, confirmed by Energy Minister Chris Bowen, is scheduled to roll out in 2026.
The initiative will launch first in New South Wales, South Australia, and southeast Queensland, before expanding nationwide. Households will receive free power during the midday peak solar generation window, when Australia’s grid produces the highest surplus of renewable energy.
Bowen emphasized that this initiative is designed to benefit everyone — homeowners, renters, and apartment residents alike.
“People who are able to move electricity use into the zero-cost power period will benefit directly, whether they have solar panels or not and whether they own or rent,” he said. “The more people take up the offer and move their use, the greater the system benefits that lower costs for all electricity users will be.”
The announcement immediately impacted markets, with major energy providers AGL and Origin Energy shares falling around 3% as investors reacted to the future shift in energy consumption patterns.
Australia already leads the world in rooftop solar adoption, with over four million households generating their own clean power. However, the grid often experiences midday energy surplus, and this program aims to balance supply and demand by encouraging daytime usage such as running appliances and charging electric vehicles.
To qualify, customers must have smart meters and shift peak energy usage to daytime hours. This aligns with Australia’s broader energy vision, including its target of 82% renewable energy by 2030 and reducing emissions by 43% compared to 2005 levels.
At its core, this move represents a major step toward democratizing clean energy access — ensuring that cost-of-living support and sustainability go hand-in-hand.
