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Explaining the Solar Sharer Offer (SSO)

16 July 2026

The Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) is an Australian government regulated, electricity standing offer plan for residential customers. This initiative takes advantage of the solar energy flowing into the grid during peak daylight hours, encouraging households to use power when there’s an abundance of renewable energy.

Here’s what you need to know.

  • You’re eligible if you’re a NSW, SA or SE QLD residential customer with a smart meter (also known as a digital meter, interval meter or comms meter) installed at your property. Learn more about smart meters here.
  • Receive 3 hours of free primary load electricity usage every day (capped at 24kWh daily), other charges, such as daily supply charge and controlled load charges will still apply during the free usage period.
  • You don’t need solar panels to switch to the SSO plan.
  • You are not eligible if you live in an embedded network.
  • You will lose your current market offer benefits if you switch to the SSO plan, such as earning Qantas Points or contributions to BCNA.
  • The electricity rates outside of your free electricity usage window may be higher than a standard flat-rate plan. However, because this is a Standing Offer, government caps (such as the Default Market Offer or Victorian Default Offer, depending on your location) are in place to ensure your rates remain regulated and fair.
  • You can switch to the Solar Sharer Offer plan by calling us on 131 806 or requesting a call back below.

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When is it free?

The 3‑hour free window applies to your primary load electricity usage (capped at 24kWh daily) during the following local times:

  • New South Wales: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • South East Queensland: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • South Australia: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • Victoria: a similar initiative called “Midday Power Saver”, will be available from October 1st, 2026 (Victorian customers can find out more here).

A primary load refers to standard, continuous electricity usage such as your fridge, microwave or lights.

Non primary load (controlled load) is a dedicated circuit for large, high-energy appliances such as your electric hot water system or pool pump.

Charges, such as daily supply charge and controlled load charges will still apply during the free usage period.

Is this plan right for you? (read before switching)

Due to Australia’s high uptake of solar panels, our energy grid benefits from a surplus of energy during the middle day when the sun is at its peak. The SSO is designed to encourage households to maximise their energy usage during these hours of high productivity. You don’t need your own solar panels to benefit from the offer.

Before you call us to switch, please check that you meet the eligibility criteria and are comfortable with the plan structure:

  1. You can shift your energy habits to the daytime

    To see real savings, you need to actively shift your flexible "dynamic load" into the 3‑hour free window. If your home is empty during the day and your heavy usage happens exclusively between 5 PM and 9 PM, this plan may not benefit you.

    Results may vary, the estimated shift is an average across all non-solar customers. Some households will make minimal changes to their consumption behaviour, while others may go to great lengths to change it to maximise savings.

  2. You have (or can get) a smart meter

    You must have a smart meter, also known as a digital meter, interval meter or comms meter installed at your property. Learn more about smart meters here.

  3. You are comfortable parting with your current plan benefits

    You will lose your current market offer benefits if you switch to the SSO plan, such as earning Qantas Points, or your contributions to BCNA.

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Maximise your free electricity use period

Your energy bill is split into two types of power. To lower your bills, leave your Static Load (fridges, freezers, standby power) alone, and shift your Dynamic Load (washing machine, dryer) into the free 3‑hour free window.

A line graph comparing typical vs. shifted household electricity usage. An arrow shows energy use being moved from the evening peak into a shaded midday window to maximise the Solar Sharer Offer. Icons inside the free window include a dishwasher, laundry, EV charging, and a pool pump.

* 11AM - 2PM for NSW and SE QLD. 12PM - 3PM for SA.

What to DO during the free hours What to MINIMISE in the evening
Set delay-timers on your washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher. Avoid running multiple heavy appliances simultaneously.
Pre-cool or pre-heat your home. Keep the use of heating and cooling to a minimum.
Plug in and charge Electric Vehicles (EVs) or home batteries. Turn off all non-essential lights and appliances during peak night hours.

Solar/Battery Owners: Customers who already have a solar system and home battery may find greater flexibility and opportunities to save from the offer.

For more information, please visit the government website here.

How do I sign up?

Sign up to the Solar Sharer Offer by calling our award winning Customer Solutions team on 131 806 or request a call back below.

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Request a call back to discuss the Solar Sharer Offer

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Frequently asked questions

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  • Will the free usage period be applied to my account by default?

    No. The SSO is an opt-in plan. New and existing customers must change to the SSO plan to enjoy 3 free hours of energy usage for primary load. Other charges, such as daily supply and controlled load charges still apply during the free usage period.

  • Is SSO available in all states?

    No. The SSO will only be available to households in New South Wales, South East Queensland and South Australia.

    Victoria will have a similar initiative, called “Midday Power Saver” launching from October 1st, 2026. Victorian customers can find out more here.

    The Australian Capital Territory is currently excluded from the initial rollout, though the government is exploring a potential expansion there in the future.

  • Is there a cap on the amount of electricity I can use?

    Yes. Free usage (for primary load) is capped at 24 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day during the 3‑hour free window. A typical 5-person household uses 20 kilowatt-hours across an entire day.

  • Will gas usage also be free?

    No. The SSO is only applicable to electricity and does not include free gas usage.

  • What rates will I pay for the non-free hours of the day?

    The electricity rates outside of your free electricity usage window may be higher than a standard flat-rate plan. However, because this is a Standing Offer, government caps (such as the Default Market Offer or Victorian Default Offer, depending on your location) are in place to ensure your rates remain regulated and fair.

  • Do I need my own solar panels?

    No. The SSO is available to all eligible households, you do not need solar panels.

  • Do I need a smart meter?

    Yes. A smart meter is required to record electricity usage during the 3‑hour free window. If you don’t have a smart meter installed at your home, click here to find out how you can request one to be installed.

  • I have a home battery / electric vehicle (EV), can I charge it during the free hours?

    Yes. You can charge your electric vehicle and home battery (alongside your household usage) during the free hours. However, please consider the daily cap on usage.

  • Can SSO be used on a business plan?

    No. SSO is only available for residential customers.

  • Will my Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) change if I move to the SSO plan?

    Potentially. SSO has the same FiT as our other Standing offer plans. This may differ from your current plan so please consider this when changing to SSO.

  • When are the free usage periods available?

    The SSO free usage periods are fixed year-round in local time at 11am-2pm for NSW/SE QLD and 12pm-3pm for SA. Times will not vary with daylight savings from a customer perspective.

    In other words:

    • During daylight savings, the free period for NSW will be 11am-2pm AEDT, SA will be 12pm-3pm ACDT.
    • Outside of daylight savings, the free usage periods in NSW and SA will be 11am-2pm AEST and 12pm- 3pm ACST, respectively.