Power bills keep climbing. Plans and tariffs keep changing. The savings feel thin. Many households sit in the same spot and feel stuck.
Here is why this moment is different.
The Solar Sharer Offer is a new initiative by state and federal governments to reduce energy use in the evening. You can tap it even if you do not have panels.
And with a solar battery, you can completely eliminate your electricity bills.
At PSC Energy, we help thousands of customers save money with solar panels and a solar battery. The Solar Sharer Offer is a great way to make the most out of your solar battery. We love this, and we’re sharing an energy hack that will save you money.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- What is the Solar Sharer Offer (SSO)?
- How Do Solar Battery Owners Benefit from the Solar Sharer Offer?
- What Are the Risks or Downsides of the Solar Sharer Offer?
- How the SSO Compares to What Retailers Already Offer
- What You Need to Do (or Not Do) Right Now to Join the SSO
- FAQ: Solar Sharer Offer
By the end of this guide, you will learn what the Solar Sharer Offer is, who can get it, when the free window applies, and what limits or caps matter.
What is the Solar Sharer Offer (SSO)?
The Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) is a new electricity plan that gives you free electricity for a few hours every day.
The government created it to help households use more power during the middle of the day, when solar energy is at its peak and electricity is cheapest.
Here’s what you need to know:
Free electricity every day:
You’ll get at least three hours of free electricity during the day. Most people will see this between 11 am and 2 pm, but the exact hours may vary depending on your location and retailer.
Smart meter required:
You need a smart meter to get the SSO. Smart meters track your electricity use in real time, so your energy company can apply the free period correctly.
If you don’t have one yet, you can ask your retailer to install one. All homes in the National Electricity Market (NEM) are expected to have smart meters by 2030.
Only in certain states (for now):
The SSO will first roll out in New South Wales, South-East Queensland, and South Australia. The government plans to expand it to other areas later.
Government-regulated pricing:
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) will set the price rules for the SSO. That helps you compare offers more easily and avoid surprise costs.
In a nutshell:
The SSO is not just about savings. It’s part of a bigger plan to fix how and when we use electricity across the country. By shifting your power use to midday, you’re helping the energy system run more efficiently and reducing pressure on the grid in the evenings.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about smart meters, you might want to check out the following article titled, What is a Smart Meter for Solar Panel Energy Systems?
How Do Solar Battery Owners Benefit from the Solar Sharer Offer?
The Solar Sharer Offer is designed to give more people access to the savings that solar power can bring, even if they don’t have solar panels. But how much you benefit depends on how and when you use electricity.
If you have a solar battery:
- You can charge your solar battery during the free window.
- Use that electricity for free at night when energy costs more.
There are other groups of homeowners who can benefit:
- Households without rooftop solar: If you don’t have rooftop solar, the SSO lets you still take advantage of solar energy. During the free period each day, you can use electricity from the grid at no cost.
- Homes with smart meters: You must have a smart meter to get the SSO. Smart meters track when you use power in short time blocks. This is how your retailer knows when to charge you and when to give you free electricity.
- People who can shift when using electricity: The SSO works best if you can adjust your habits. That might mean running your dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer during the day instead of in the evening. If you have an electric hot water system, you could set it to heat during the free hours. The same goes for electric vehicles: charging during the free window can save you money.
- People with smart appliances or timers: You don’t need to sit around waiting for the free hours to begin. If you have a timer or smart home device, you can set your appliances to run automatically during the zero-cost window.
This offer is most helpful for families or individuals who spend time at home during the day or have flexible routines.
If you’re out during those hours and can’t shift your power use, you won’t see as many savings. But even then, it gives you the option to make small changes over time.
It’s also a win for renters, apartment dwellers, and others who can’t install rooftop solar. The SSO gives everyone the chance to benefit from solar energy without investing in a system.
If you’re interested in solar batteries, you might want to check out the following article titled, Are Solar Batteries Worth It in NSW? PSC’s Ultimate Guide for 2025.
What Are the Risks or Downsides of the Solar Sharer Offer?
The Solar Sharer Offer sounds appealing, but there are a few things to watch out for. Like any electricity plan, it’s not one-size-fits-all. You need to understand the whole picture before switching.
Here are the main risks and concerns:
Higher costs outside the free window:
Some retailers may increase electricity prices during non-free hours. If you use most of your power in the early morning or evening, your bills could go up instead of down. The free period won’t help much if your routine doesn’t allow you to shift usage.
It only helps if you can shift your habits:
If you’re not home during the day or don’t have smart appliances or timers, you may not be able to take full advantage of the free hours. The savings depend on your ability to adjust your energy use.
Supply charges still apply:
Even during the free electricity window, you will still have to pay a daily supply charge. This is the flat fee charged to keep your home connected to the grid. It doesn’t go away just because some of your power is free.
Not all plan details are confirmed yet:
The government is still working out the final rules for the SSO. Things like the exact hours of free electricity, the rates outside those hours, and how supply charges are set could change.
Until these details are locked in, it’s hard to know precisely how the plan will affect your bills.
Could affect feed-in tariffs and solar savings:
If you already have rooftop solar, you might find that feed-in tariffs (what you earn for sending power back to the grid) become less valuable during the day.
This is already happening in some places because there’s so much solar energy being exported. The SSO could make this trend stronger by encouraging even more daytime usage.
It’s also important to read the fine print. Some market offers with free electricity already exist, but they sometimes come with higher supply charges or higher rates outside the free period.
The SSO will help standardise these plans and provide a benchmark to compare against, but you still need to review the full plan details before switching.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about feed-in tariffs, you might want to check out the following article titled, Understanding Feed-In Tariffs and Their Limitations.
How the SSO Compares to What Retailers Already Offer
Some electricity retailers already offer plans that include free electricity hours. These are called market offers. The retailer designs them and can vary a lot in terms of price, time windows, and who can sign up.
The Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) is different. It is a regulated standing offer. This means the government sets the rules, and every retailer in certain states must provide it. It’s intended to be a fair, easy-to-understand plan that works as a reference point for comparing other offers.
Here are the main differences:
Market offers can vary widely:
Some retailers, like AGL, already offer plans with free power windows. One of their plans, called “Three for Free,” gives customers three hours of free electricity each day.
But this plan has higher supply and usage charges than other options, such as their “Smart Saver” plan. This means the free hours might not actually save you money overall.
The SSO creates a price benchmark:
With the SSO in place, you can compare any market offer with a “free” period to the government-regulated version.
If the market offers higher charges or stricter rules, you’ll be able to spot them quickly. This gives you more power to make the right choice for your home.
Retailers must follow explicit rules under the SSO:
The Australian Energy Regulator will set the price structure for the SSO, including how the free window works, what supply charges apply, and how information must be shared with customers. This creates transparency and protects customers from tricky pricing.
In Summary:
The SSO isn’t designed to replace market offers. Instead, it gives you a solid baseline to compare them to. If a retailer promotes a deal with free electricity hours, you can look at the SSO to decide if that deal is actually a good value or not.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the differences between energy retailers and distributors, you might want to check out the following article titled, Energy Distributors vs. Energy Retailers: What’s the Difference?
What You Need to Do (or Not Do) Right Now to Join the SSO
You don’t need to rush into anything, but this is a good time to start preparing if you want to take advantage of the Solar Sharer Offer when it becomes available.
Here are a few simple steps you can take:
- Check if you have a smart meter: The SSO only works if you have a smart meter. If you’re not sure, check your latest electricity bill or call your retailer. If you don’t have one, you can ask your retailer to install one now. By 2030, all households in the National Electricity Market should have smart meters, but you don’t need to wait that long.
- Learn your energy habits: Take a look at when you use the most electricity. If most of your usage happens in the evening, start thinking about what you could move to the middle of the day. This could include running your washing machine, dishwasher, or charging an EV.
- Don’t assume all “free electricity” plans are equal: Some retailers already offer market plans with free usage windows. These can be good, but not always. Many have higher charges at other times of the day or higher daily supply charges. Use the SSO as your comparison point once it launches.
- Watch for updates in your area: The SSO will start in New South Wales, South-East Queensland, and South Australia. The government may expand it to other regions in 2027. If you’re outside those areas, keep an eye on announcements about when it could become available in your state or territory.
You don’t need to change anything today, but being ready helps. The more flexible you are with when you use electricity, the more you’ll benefit from this offer, and possibly from other new energy plans coming soon.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about weighing the cost of solar against the cost of the grid, you might want to check out the following article titled, Cost of Solar Panels vs. Cost of Energy from the Grid.
The Solar Sharer Offer and Net Zero
The Solar Sharer Offer is not just about lowering power bills. It’s part of a larger shift in how we use and share energy in Australia. This offer supports the country’s move toward cleaner, smarter, and fairer electricity.
Right now, more than one in three homes in Australia have rooftop solar. This has pushed down electricity prices during the day as more solar energy flows into the grid. In some places, wholesale prices even go negative in the middle of the day. But not everyone can install solar panels. Renters, apartment dwellers, and people on lower incomes are often left out.
The SSO helps fix that gap. It lets everyone with a smart meter benefit from cheap daytime energy, even if they don’t own solar panels.
It also helps the power grid. When more people use energy during the middle of the day, it takes pressure off the grid during the evening peak. That can lead to fewer expensive upgrades, fewer blackouts, and more stable prices for everyone. It also supports the shift to renewable energy by helping the grid use more solar energy rather than letting it go to waste.
The SSO works alongside other reforms:
- Smart meters: By 2030, all homes in the NEM should have smart meters. This will make offers like the SSO easier to use and more common.
- Cheaper home batteries: Government programs are making home batteries more affordable. This helps more households store energy during the free window and use it later.
- Transparent pricing rules: The Australian Energy Regulator will set clear rules for the SSO, just like it does for the Default Market Offer. That means better consumer protections and simpler comparisons.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about lowering greenhouse gas emissions with solar, you might want to check out the following article titled, What Is Net Zero by 2050 for Australia?
Wrapping Things Up: Solar Share Beats Solo Fare.
The success of the SSO will depend on three things:
- Consumer engagement: People need to know how the offer works and how to change their habits to save money.
- Technology access: Households need smart meters and, ideally, timers or smart appliances to get the most benefit.
- Retailer responsibility: Companies must clearly explain how their plans work, follow the rules, and treat customers fairly.
The Solar Sharer Offer won’t solve every problem in the energy market, but it’s a smart step forward. It helps more people share in the benefits of solar energy, reduces pressure on the grid, and supports the long-term goal of a clean, affordable energy future.
At PSC Energy, we’ve seen programs come and go that offer big savings. This one is the real deal, especially if you have a solar battery. You could be scoring free electricity without solar panels. We’ll help you find the right battery and help you save with the Solar Sharer Offer. It’s what we do.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about solar and battery rebates in NSW, Australia, you might want to check out the following article titled, Ultimate Guide to Australia’s 2025 Solar Rebate and Battery Rebate: Federal and NSW Rebate for Solar.
FAQ: Solar Sharer Offer
What is the Solar Sharer Offer (SSO)?
The Solar Sharer Offer is a government-designed electricity plan that gives you a daily window of free power in the middle of the day. It encourages households to use more energy when solar is abundant and cheap.
Who can get the SSO?
Most households in eligible states can join if they have a smart meter. Renters and apartment residents can qualify. You do not need rooftop solar to benefit.
Which states will get the SSO first?
The rollout starts in New South Wales, South-East Queensland, and South Australia. Other regions may follow later as the program expands.
Do I need a smart meter for the SSO?
Yes. A smart meter records your usage in short time blocks so the free window applies correctly. If you do not have one, ask your retailer to install it.
How many hours are free each day and when?
You will get at least three hours of free electricity each day. Most homes will see this around late morning to early afternoon, such as 11 am to 2 pm. Exact hours can vary by retailer and location.
Will I still pay a daily supply charge?
Yes. The daily supply charge still applies even during the free window. It is the fee to stay connected to the grid.
Can the SSO reduce my bill if I do not have solar?
Yes. You can run appliances during the free window and pay nothing for that usage. Shifting more of your routine into those hours increases your savings.
How does the SSO help if I own a solar battery?
You can charge your battery during off-peak hours and use the stored energy at night when rates are higher. This can cut your bill sharply and may offset most evening use.
Can the SSO eliminate my bill with a battery?
In the right home, it can get very close. Charge the battery during the free period and run major evening loads from the battery. You will still pay the daily supply charge and any usage that falls outside your strategy.
What appliances should I run during the free window?
Target high-draw loads. Run the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer. Heat electric hot water. Schedule pool pumps. Charge your EV if you have one.
What if I cannot shift when I use electricity?
You will save less if most of your usage is in the evening. Try small changes first. Use timers and delay-start features to move some loads into the free hours.
Could prices be higher outside the free window?
Yes. Some plans may lift rates at other times. If your evening use is heavy, your bill could rise. Check the full tariff, not just the free hours.
Will the SSO affect my solar feed-in tariff?
It might. Daytime feed-in value has been falling in some areas because there is so much solar on the grid. The SSO pushes more daytime use, which can lower exports and reduce feed-in earnings.
How is the SSO different from retailer “free hours” market offers?
Market offers vary widely and can hide higher charges elsewhere. The SSO is a regulated standing offer with clear rules set by the Australian Energy Regulator. It provides a fair benchmark for comparing retailer deals.
Do I need to switch retailers to get the SSO?
Every retailer in eligible states must offer the SSO. You can compare their SSO version and any market offers. Choose the plan that best fits your usage pattern.
How do I check if I have a smart meter?
Check your latest bill for meter type details or call your retailer. If you need an upgrade, ask your retailer to arrange it.
What are the main risks to watch?
Watch for higher usage rates outside the free window. Confirm the daily supply charge. Check any caps, exclusions, or billing quirks. Make sure the free hours match your routine.
Are there caps or limits during the free period?
Retailers may set rules on how the free window works. Read the plan factsheet. Confirm if all usage in that window is free and whether demand or capacity charges apply.
When will the SSO expand to other regions?
The program starts in NSW, SE QLD, and SA. The government may later extend it to other regions. Keep an eye on updates for your state or territory.
How should I prepare now?
- Confirm you have a smart meter.
- Map your usage and find loads you can shift.
- Set appliance timers for the likely free hours.
- Compare SSO details against your current plan when it launches.
Does the SSO work well with EV charging?
Yes. EV charging is a perfect match for the free window. Set your car to charge during those hours to cut costs.
How does the SSO support Australia’s net zero goals?
It shifts demand to the sunny part of the day, reducing evening peaks and grid stress. It helps the system use cleaner solar that would otherwise go to waste. It also spreads solar benefits to households without panels.
Is this a good option for renters and apartment dwellers?
Yes. You do not need panels to benefit. With a smart meter and a bit of timing, you can use free daytime energy like any other household.
What should I compare before switching?
Compare the free window hours, the usage rates outside the window, the daily supply charge, any demand charges, contract terms, and exit fees. Make sure the plan fits your routine before you move.
Works Cited
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). Projections of Distributed Solar PV and Battery Uptake, 2024.
Clean Energy Regulator. Small-scale installations by postcode.
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) Consultation Paper 2025–26.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry – Final Report, 2018.
Australian Energy Regulator (AER). Default Market Offer (DMO) Pricing and Reforms.
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC). Rule Change to Accelerate Smart Meter Deployment.
