FEDERAL Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said Australians will next year have access to a new retail energy offer that unlocks free solar for homes during the day – whether they have solar panels or not.

As part of the Government’s retail energy market reforms a new regulated electricity offer, Solar Sharer, will be introduced next year through the Default Market Offer.

The reforms will require retailers to offer free electricity to households for at least three hours in the middle of the day when solar generation is at its peak.

Solar Sharer is a uniquely Australian electricity offer and reflects world-leading rooftop solar status, with more than four million installations across Australia.

Mr Bowen said the Solar Sharer offer would ensure every last ray of sunshine was powering homes.

“Our Solar Sharer offer means more Australians can be part of our world-leading rooftop solar take-up,” he said.

“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.

“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.

“Free daytime power for families across Australia is proof that what’s good for the planet is good for your pocket.

“Australians deserve a fairer go when it comes to their energy bills. In our second term, we’re getting on with delivering reform to ensure that no household or business pays more than they should,” he said.

“Reform to the DMO will strip out unnecessary costs and expand protections to all standing offer customers and small customers in embedded networks, including renters and apartment dwellers.”

Customers who sign up to the new Solar Sharer offer through their energy retailer will need to have a smart meter and be able to move their energy use into windows where electricity is free to get the bill savings.

If they choose to take up this offer they will be able to use appliances, run air conditioners or swimming pool cleaners and charge their electric vehicles and home batteries at home during the day for free.

As well as cutting power bills for customers able to shift their electricity use, Solar Sharer will lower costs for the system as a whole by lowering peak demand in the evenings, the federal government says.

A lower evening peak has flow on effects throughout the system, minimising expensive peak electricity prices and reducing the need for costly network upgrades and interventions to ensure grid stability.

The offer, which will be provided through energy retailers, will initially be available to all households in DMO-regulated states – New South Wales, south-east Queensland and South Australia – from July next year.

Consultation will made with other states to potentially extend the offer to other jurisdictions by 2027.

The Australian Energy Regulator will regulate the Solar Sharer offer to ensure customers also get a fair deal outside of the free power period.

Government consultation on the Solar Sharer offer opened this week.

Submissions can be made to [email protected].