Solar Sharer Offer - How to Use 3 Hours of Free Power
Australia's Solar Sharer Offer gives eligible households three hours of free power every day, even without rooftop solar panels. By shifting energy use into these free periods, households can potentially reduce their power bills while maintaining comfort with smarter energy management.
October 21, 2026
Energy Efficiency
Solar Sharer Offer - How to Use 3 Hours of Free Power
The Australian Government's Solar Sharer Offer gives eligible households three hours of free electricity every day, even without rooftop solar panels.
Available in New South Wales, South East Queensland and South Australia, the offer allows households to use electricity for free during the middle of the day, when solar power is abundant.
From running appliances to pre-cooling your home, making better use of these free hours could help reduce your electricity bill.
And with smart air conditioning technology such as MyPlaceIQ's IQe, households can take advantage of eligible free electricity periods without relying solely on manual air conditioning control.
What Is the Solar Sharer Offer and How Does It Work?
The Solar Sharer Offer is an optional electricity plan introduced on 1 July 2026. It gives eligible residential customers access to three hours of free electricity each day, up to a daily allowance of 24 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
A kilowatt-hour is the unit used to measure electricity consumption on your power bill.
The offer aims to make better use of Australia's excess daytime solar generation. It encourages households to shift electricity use away from expensive peak times and into periods when renewable energy is plentiful.
Importantly, you must opt in through your electricity retailer.
For full details, visit the Australian Government's Solar Sharer Offer page.
When Are the 3 Hours of Free Electricity Available?
The free electricity window depends on where you live.
State or region | Daily free electricity period |
|---|---|
New South Wales | 11am–2pm |
South East Queensland | 11am–2pm |
South Australia | 12pm–3pm |
These hours apply every day, including weekends and public holidays, and stay fixed in local time throughout the year.
Eligible households can use up to 24 kWh of electricity during the three-hour period without paying the usual electricity usage charge.
You'll still pay daily supply charges and electricity rates outside the free period. Charges also apply to electricity used above the 24 kWh allowance.
Solar Sharer Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
The Solar Sharer Offer is available to eligible homeowners and renters in NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia.
To qualify, your household generally needs to:
Live in an eligible Solar Sharer Offer area.
A smart meter installed.
Receive electricity from a participating or required energy retailer.
Not be supplied through an embedded electricity network.
Opt in to the offer through your electricity retailer.
Do you need solar panels to qualify?
No. You don't need rooftop solar panels or a home battery to access the Solar Sharer Offer.
The initiative allows more Australians to benefit from solar power generated across the electricity network, including households that cannot install their own panels.
If you already have solar panels, you may also qualify. However, compare your current electricity plan, solar exports and daytime usage before switching.
The national Solar Sharer Offer currently applies to eligible areas in NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia. Other states may have separate free electricity offers.
How to Make the Most of 3 Hours of Free Electricity
The best way to use the Solar Sharer Offer is to move electricity consumption into the free period, particularly for appliances that use more power.
Some practical options include:
Air conditioning: Cool or heat your home during the free period, potentially reducing electricity use later.
Washing machines and dishwashers: Schedule suitable cycles during the day.
Electric vehicles: Charge your EV during the free hours using a compatible charger.
Home batteries: Store electricity during the free period for use later, where supported.
Other appliances: Shift suitable high-energy tasks into the free window where safe and practical.
This can help reduce the electricity you purchase during more expensive periods.
However, many households are away during the middle of the day. That's where timers, automation and smart home technology become valuable.
Can You Use Free Electricity to Reduce Air Conditioning Running Costs?
Yes. Running your air conditioning during the Solar Sharer Offer's free period can help shift some heating or cooling costs away from more expensive times of day.
Heating and cooling are among the largest sources of electricity consumption in many Australian homes.
Traditionally, households often turn on their air conditioning when they arrive home in the afternoon or evening. Depending on their electricity plan, these can be more expensive periods.
Instead, eligible households can consider pre-cooling or pre-heating their home during the free electricity window.
Why Air Conditioning Is a Major Opportunity for Free Electricity
Heating and cooling are among the biggest energy users in many Australian homes.
Depending on the climate and household, they can account for up to 40% of annual energy consumption.
That makes air conditioning an important consideration when looking for ways to benefit from the Solar Sharer Offer.
Traditionally, many households switch on their air conditioning when they arrive home in the late afternoon or evening.
But depending on the electricity plan, these periods may have higher electricity usage rates.
Instead, eligible households can consider pre-cooling or pre-heating their home during the free electricity window.
How does pre-cooling your home work?
Pre-cooling means using your air conditioning to lower the indoor temperature before you need the home to be comfortable.
For example, on a hot summer day, you could run your air conditioning between 11am and 2pm using eligible free electricity.
By the time you arrive home, the indoor temperature may already be closer to your preferred comfort level.
This can reduce the need for higher-priced electricity later in the day.
The results depend on your home's insulation, outdoor temperature, air conditioning system and how long the home retains its temperature.
Pre-cooling doesn't eliminate the need for air conditioning later, but it can help move some energy use into a lower-cost period.
How IQe Energy Optimisation Makes Better Use of Free Electricity
The Solar Sharer Offer provides free electricity in the middle of the day. But what if you're not home during those hours?
MyPlaceIQ's IQe technology is designed to help schedule compatible ducted air conditioning around available solar energy and eligible lower-cost electricity periods.
Instead of relying on someone to manually turn on the air conditioning, IQe can help plan when the system runs to make better use of suitable energy conditions.
For example, IQe can help pre-cool your home during a lower-cost daytime period, so it's already closer to your preferred temperature when you arrive.
This may reduce the amount of higher-priced electricity needed later, depending on your home's insulation, weather conditions and electricity plan.
How does IQe work?
Depending on system features and configuration, IQe can:
Consider energy availability: Use solar generation estimates and relevant electricity tariff information.
Identify suitable running times: Help schedule air conditioning when electricity costs less.
Pre-condition your home: Cool or heat the home before occupants return.
Support comfort: Help reduce reliance on more expensive electricity while maintaining preferred indoor conditions.
This approach is known as electricity tariff optimisation, where energy use is shifted towards lower-cost periods.
And with MyPlaceIQ's zoned ducted air conditioning, homeowners can also manage which rooms receive conditioned air.
The benefit is simple: use electricity when it costs less to help prepare your home for when you need it.
IQe can also make use of available excess rooftop solar, where supported. This means its energy management capabilities aren't limited to households with rooftop solar panels.
Learn more about MyPlaceIQ smart air conditioning and IQe technology.
Will the Solar Sharer Offer Actually Save You Money?
The Solar Sharer Offer can lower electricity costs if you shift enough energy use into the free period. However, savings are not guaranteed.
Your electricity bill depends on the full plan, including usage rates outside the free hours and daily supply charges.
A simple energy savings example
Imagine your air conditioning would normally use 5 kWh of electricity during a period charged at 40 cents per kWh.
That electricity would cost $2.
If you could shift the same 5 kWh of eligible grid electricity into the Solar Sharer Offer's free period, the usage charge for that electricity would be $0.
That's a potential $2 difference in usage charges for the example.
However, this doesn't guarantee a $2 reduction in your total bill. Your overall savings depend on other electricity rates, supply charges and household usage.
In fact, electricity outside the free period may cost more under the Solar Sharer Offer than under another plan.
How to Sign Up for the Solar Sharer Offer
If you're considering the offer, follow these steps:
Check your eligibility: Confirm you live in an eligible area and have a smart meter.
Review your electricity use: Identify when your household uses the most power.
Contact your retailer: Ask whether you can access the Solar Sharer Offer.
Compare electricity plans: Check rates outside the free period and daily supply charges.
Opt in: Sign up provided the offer suits your household.
Shift your energy use: Use timers or compatible smart technology to make the most of the free hours.
Monitor your bills: Check whether your new plan is delivering savings.
The right electricity plan is one that suits your household's actual energy use, not simply the one advertising free power.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Solar Sharer Offer
What is the Solar Sharer Offer in Australia?
The Solar Sharer Offer is an optional regulated electricity plan introduced on 1 July 2026. It provides eligible households in NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia with three hours of free electricity daily, up to 24 kWh.
What time are the three hours of free electricity?
The free period runs from 11am to 2pm in NSW and South East Queensland, and 12pm to 3pm in South Australia.
Do I need solar panels to get free electricity?
No. Eligible homeowners and renters can access the Solar Sharer Offer without rooftop solar panels. A smart meter and other eligibility requirements apply.
Can I use free electricity to run my air conditioning?
Yes. Eligible households can run air conditioning during the free period. Pre-cooling or pre-heating the home may also help reduce electricity use later in the day.
Can IQe automatically use free electricity periods?
IQe is designed to help schedule compatible ducted air conditioning around available solar energy and eligible lower-cost electricity periods. Supported features depend on the system configuration and electricity tariff.
Smarter Energy Management Starts With Better Timing
Smarter energy management isn't just about using less electricity. It's also about using electricity when it costs less.
The Solar Sharer Offer gives eligible Australian households an opportunity to move more energy use into the middle of the day.
And with smart air conditioning technology such as MyPlaceIQ IQe, households can make better use of suitable electricity periods while maintaining comfort.
Explore IQ Air by MyPlaceIQ and discover how IQe helps bring comfort and smarter energy management together.