If you live in Sydney, you’ve probably seen headlines about “three free hours of power a day” or a new Solar Sharer scheme. It sounds great – but what does it actually mean for your bill, which providers are involved, and how do you sign up?
This guide walks you through how Solar Share works in Sydney, which plans and providers are involved, and the practical steps to enrol (and avoid nasty surprises).
What Is the Solar Sharer Offer in Sydney?
The Solar Sharer scheme is a new federal initiative that will give millions of Australians the chance to get up to three hours of free electricity each day, starting in July 2026.
Here’s the key part for Sydney:
- Energy retailers will be required to offer a Solar Sharer plan to households in:
- New South Wales
- South Australia
- South-east Queensland
These regions are covered by the Default Market Offer (DMO) – the federally regulated reference price that caps what retailers can charge certain customers. Solar Sharer is being built into that framework.
The basic idea is simple:
- There’s a huge amount of solar power in the middle of the day that often goes to waste.
- The scheme encourages people to run appliances when the grid is overflowing with solar, instead of waiting until the early evening peak.
So think of Solar Sharer as a special time-of-use plan: you get a free midday window, and in return you’re nudged to shift your usage into that period.
Plans and Providers Available in Sydney
Because Solar Sharer is tied to the DMO, all major retailers operating in NSW will need to offer at least one plan that includes the Solar Sharer free-hours deal.
That means you can expect:
- A Solar Sharer–compliant plan from your current provider, and
- Competitors also promoting their own version of a “three free hours” plan.
On top of that, some retailers already have solar share–style offers that reward you for using more power in the middle of the day, even before the official Solar Share Sydney scheme kicks in. These may:
- Offer free or discounted rates in a daytime window
- Use time-of-use pricing with a cheap “solar” period and more expensive peak periods
- Target specific customers – for example, homes with batteries or smart home setups
One example is GloBird Energy’s ZEROHERO plan, which is available in NSW, VIC, SA and SE QLD. It’s a virtual power plant (VPP) product for battery owners that:
- Gives three hours of free grid energy between 11am–2pm (ideal for charging a battery or running big loads)
- Offers bill credits if you avoid drawing from the grid during the evening peak
- Pays a higher feed-in rate for energy exported from your battery in that peak window
ZEROHERO isn’t the Solar Sharer plan – it’s a retailer-designed plan – but it runs on similar logic: use more power in the middle of the day when electricity is plentiful and cheap, and ease off the grid at night.
What to Check Before You Switch
Before you jump across to a Solar Share plan, pause and run through a short checklist.
Look at:
- Network area: Confirm your property is in a supported zone.
- Current contract: Check for exit fees or fixed terms.
- Eligibility: Make sure the account is in your name and your details are current.
- Payment setup: Some offers prefer or require direct debit and e-billing.
If a promotion is attached, read the conditions carefully. Ask yourself: does the benefit period match how long I plan to stay on this plan?
Step-by-Step Enrolment Guide
Getting started with Solar Share Sydney is usually more straightforward than people expect.
Step 1: Confirm you have a smart meter
Check your latest bill or call your retailer to confirm you have a smart meter. Without one, you can’t access free-hours or time-of-use deals like Solar Sharer.
Step 2: Compare your options
Use comparison sites or retailer fact sheets to see:
- Whether another provider has better rates outside the free window
- If there are battery-friendly options (like ZEROHERO) that might suit you if you have storage
Don’t just chase the biggest “free” headline. Check the whole tariff.
Step 3: Apply or request enrolment
Submit your details through the retailer’s sign-up form or call centre. Keep a copy of any confirmation.
Step 4: Note the transfer timeline
You’ll usually move across on your next meter read or according to the process your retailer sets out. You should be told when your new plan starts.
Step 5: Read your first Solar Share bill
Once your Solar Share Sydney plan is active, scan your first one or two bills carefully. Look for the Solar Share credit line, check that your rates match what was advertised, and see how your total compares.
Conclusion
For Sydney households, Solar Sharer Sydney and similar Solar Share plans are a chance to turn the midday solar flood into real savings – but only if your habits line up.
The best approach is simple:
- Understand what’s actually on offer (free hours plus new rates outside them).
- See how your real usage pattern matches that offer.
- Use the free window as much as you reasonably can – then check your bills and adjust.
If you love local aussie customer care, award winning service, great value, and innovative energy plans. Don’t wait for the others to catch up. Check out our range of plans that already here. All available online.