Solar Sharer Offer

The Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) is intended for households that are able to use some of their electricity during a set daytime period.

As part of an Australian Government initiative, the Solar Sharer Offer is an electricity plan that includes a daily free electricity period of up to three hours, making use of excess solar power generated during daylight hours that would otherwise go unused.

Is the Solar Sharer Offer right for your household?

The Solar Sharer Offer can help some households lower their electricity costs, but it won't suit everyone.

To get the most value from the offer, you'll generally need to be able to use a meaningful amount of your electricity during the designated free electricity period. The more electricity you can shift into this period, the more benefit you may receive from the plan.

You may benefit from the offer if:

✔You regularly spend time at home during the day.
✔You work from home.
✔You're retired.
✔You're a shift worker.
✔You can run high usage appliances during the free electricity period.
✔You charge an electric vehicle during the day.
✔You're comfortable adjusting when you use electricity.

You might not get as much value from the offer if:

✖Most of your electricity use happens in the morning or evening.
✖Nobody is typically home during the day.
✖You're unable to regularly run appliances during the free electricity period.

Households that continue to use most of their electricity outside the free electricity period may see less benefit from the Solar Sharer Offer and may be better suited to a different plan.

Tip callout

Top tip: If you're not sure when your household uses most of its electricity, it may be worth reviewing your usage patterns in the Alinta Energy app before switching to the Solar Sharer Offer.

How does the Solar Sharer Offer work?

The Solar Sharer Offer includes a daily period of free electricity during the middle of the day. The free electricity period varies depending on where you live:

  • 11am to 2pm — New South Wales and South East Queensland
  • 12pm to 3pm — South Australia

Note: A 24 kWh daily usage cap applies during the free electricity period.

During this time, eligible customers can use electricity without usage charges applying, up to the daily usage cap. Usage charges may apply if electricity usage exceeds the daily usage cap during the free period.

Outside the free electricity period, your normal electricity rates apply. This means the offer is generally best suited to households that can use some of their electricity during the free daytime period.

Rates and charges outside the free usage period vary depending on your location. Visit our energy plan information page to view these rates and charges.

Eligibility

The Solar Sharer Offer is available to eligible residential customers with a compatible smart meter in NSW, Queensland or South Australia.

To check if you're eligible or to request the Solar Sharer Offer, call us on 13 37 02.

Important information

Important information
View rates
Standard Retail Contract
Basic Plan Information Document

How to get the most value from the Solar Sharer Offer

The Solar Sharer Offer is designed for households that can shift some of their electricity use into the free electricity period. Small changes to when you use electricity can help you get more value from the offer over time.

Run high-usage appliances during the free period

Where practical, consider using appliances such as the following during the free electricity period:

  • Washing machines
  • Dishwashers
  • Clothes dryers
  • Pool pumps
  • Electric hot water systems
  • EV charges

Make use of timers and scheduling features

Many modern appliances include delay-start or scheduling functions that can help you take advantage of the free period without changing your daily routine.

Keep an eye on your usage

Checking your electricity usage regularly can help you understand how much electricity you're using during the free period and identify opportunities to shift more usage into those hours.

Tip callout

Track your usage: Regularly reviewing your electricity usage in MyAccount or the Alinta Energy app can help you understand how much electricity you're using during the free electricity period and whether the Solar Sharer Offer is working for your household.

FAQs

No. Eligible customers can access the Solar Sharer Offer whether or not they have rooftop solar panels.

Your standard electricity rates apply outside the designated free electricity period. That's why the Solar Sharer Offer is generally best suited to households that can shift some of their electricity use into the free daytime period.

No. The Solar Sharer Offer includes a daily usage cap of 24 kWh. Charges may apply if electricity usage exceeds this limit during the free electricity period.

The offer is generally best suited to households that can regularly move a significant portion of their electricity use into the free electricity period. This may include people who work from home, retirees, shift workers, or households that can schedule appliance use during the day.

Reviewing your electricity usage in MyAccount or the Alinta Energy app can help you understand how much electricity you're using during the free electricity period and whether the offer suits your household's usage patterns.

Graphical representation of a house with solar panels on the roof and sun shining above
House graphic square