Free power in the middle of the day
What is Solar Sharer — and is it worth it?
Solar Sharer is a new rule (NSW, from July 2026) that makes power companies offer a plan with 3 hours of free electricity in the middle of the day, when the grid is full of cheap solar. You do not even need solar panels — just a smart meter, and you opt in.
What you get vs what you give up
✅ What you get
- •3 hours of free power in the middle of the day, every day.
- •It works even without solar panels — you just need a smart meter.
- •Great if you can run big things at midday — hot water, the pool, an EV, the washing.
- •You can fill a battery for free, then coast through the pricey evening.
⚠️ What you give up
- •There is a daily cap on how much free power you can use.
- •Power companies usually charge more at other times to pay for the free bit.
- •It only wins if you actually shift real usage into that midday window.
- •You have to opt in — it is not automatic.
The simple test
“Can I move my big power use to the middle of the day?”
If yes — with timers, a battery, or someone home midday — Solar Sharer can pay off. If your power use is mostly at night and cannot move, a normal plan may be cheaper.
Is Solar Sharer right for you?
👍 Probably yes if…
- You have a battery to fill on free midday power.
- You can put hot water, the pool, an EV or the washing on a midday timer.
- Someone is home during the day using power.
🤔 Maybe not if…
- Your power use is mostly in the evening and cannot move.
- You would pay more in higher charges than you save.
- You cannot use the free window most days.
Common questions
＋Is the power really free?
Free in that 3-hour window, up to the daily cap. But power companies usually make it back with higher prices at other times, so you only come out ahead if you use that free window.
＋Do I need solar panels for it?
No. Anyone with a smart meter can opt in. It works brilliantly with a battery, though — you fill up for free and use it at night.
＋How is this different from a VPP?
Different things. Solar Sharer is a cheaper way to buy power at midday. A VPP is about getting paid to share your battery. You could do both.
＋When does it start?
From July 2026 in NSW. It is brand new, so the exact plans and caps vary by power company — we help you read the fine print.
Want to make the most of Solar Sharer?
A battery or a few midday timers can turn those free hours into real savings. Tell us your setup and we'll show you how.