Solar Sharer Offer eligibility: who can get 3 free hours?

A five-point checklist taken from official government sources. You don't need solar panels.

Disclosure: SavySaver does not sell or switch energy plans and is not an accredited comparator. We have no energy or solar affiliate partners right now. If we add a sponsored retailer, comparison or solar link later, it will be labelled and we may earn a commission if you sign up — see Disclosures.

You can opt in if you…

live in New South Wales, South Australia or South East Queensland
have a smart meter at home
are a renter or a homeowner (both qualify)
are not supplied through an embedded network
are with a retailer that must offer it (more than 1,000 customers in DMO areas)

Source: energy.gov.au Solar Sharer Offer. Checked 21 Oct 2026. You do not need rooftop solar. Checked 21 Oct 2026 (energy.gov.au).

Free hours and limits

It started on 1 July 2026 in NSW, South Australia and South East Queensland (the DMO areas). Checked 21 Oct 2026 (DCCEEW, energy.gov.au).
Free window: 11am–2pm in NSW and SE Queensland, 12pm–3pm in SA, fixed in local time all year (no change for daylight saving). Checked 21 Oct 2026 (energy.gov.au, AER fact sheet).
Up to 24 kWh a day free in the window. Retailers may charge for use above that, up to an AER-set cap, but they don't have to. Checked 21 Oct 2026 (energy.gov.au, ACCC/AER bulletin).
You still pay the daily supply charge and for power used outside the window. Checked 21 Oct 2026 (energy.gov.au).
It is opt-in. Retailers with more than 1,000 customers in DMO areas must offer it. Checked 21 Oct 2026 (energy.gov.au).

Essential Energy customers in border areas that keep SA or Queensland time: the free window always starts at 11am local time. Checked 21 Oct 2026 (AER fact sheet).

Where it doesn't apply

The retail code changes behind Solar Sharer don't apply in Victoria, the NT, the ACT, Tasmania, regional Queensland or WA. Checked 21 Oct 2026 (ACCC/AER bulletin). The government says it is considering an SSO or similar option for other areas. Checked 21 Oct 2026 (DCCEEW).

How to opt in

Check your bill or ask your retailer whether you have a smart meter.
Ask your retailer for its Solar Sharer Offer, including the rates outside the free window and any charge above 24 kWh, in writing.
Compare that against your current plan on Energy Made Easy before you switch.

Sources: energy.gov.au Solar Sharer Offer · AER Solar Sharer fact sheet (PDF) · ACCC/AER compliance bulletin (PDF)

Back to Solar Sharer: should you opt in?

General information only, not financial advice. SavySaver is an independent, anonymous Australian site.