<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/03/australians-to-get-at-least-three-hours-a-day-of-free-solar-power-even-if-they-dont-have-solar-panels>
"Australian households in three states will be promised access to at least
three hours a day of free solar power, regardless of whether they have rooftop
panels, the federal government has announced.
The “solar sharer” offer will be available to homes with smart meters – which
is the majority of homes – in New South Wales, south-east Queensland and South
Australia from July next year, with other areas to potentially follow in 2027.
The government said Australians could schedule appliances such as washing
machines, dishwashers and air conditioners and charge electric vehicles and
household batteries during this time.
The solar sharer scheme would be implemented through a change to the default
market offer that sets the maximum price retailers can charge customers for
electricity in parts of the country. The climate change and energy minister,
Chris Bowen, said the program would ensure “every last ray of sunshine was
powering our homes” instead of some solar energy being wasted.
Australians have installed more than 4m solar systems and there is regularly
cheap excess generation in the middle of the day. Part of the rationale for the
program is that it could shift demand for electricity from peak times –
particularly early in the evening – to when it is sunniest.
This could help minimise peak electricity prices and reduce the need for
network upgrades and intervention to ensure the power grid was stable."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
