11am-2pm
- Solar Sharer Offer
- Free (first 24 kWh), then 8.10c
- Standard time-of-use reference
- Off-peak 6.98c
Free electricity in Queensland: the Solar Sharer Offer
If you are on the Energex network in South East Queensland and have a smart meter, you can opt in to free power from 11am-2pm every day, up to 24 kWh. Regional Queensland has the same deal under tariff 12F. Because Energex midday power was already cheap, the plan pays mostly for homes that move big loads, such as an EV, into the window.
Energex price caps and retailer plans checked
11am-2pmfree, every day
8.10c2pm-4pm and above the cap
$1,914AER annual price, typical home, no shifting (same as time of use)
Headline finding. On Energex the free hours replace a band that already cost 6.98c. A three-person home moving its washing and dishwasher to midday saves $91 a year against the time-of-use reference plan; a four-person home charging an EV at midday saves $773 a year against the flat-rate reference.
Energex's unusual structure
Most networks have one cheap band and one expensive one. Energex has four. The free window runs 11am-2pm; then comes a cheap off-peak band, 2pm-4pm, at 8.10c, which is also the rate for window use above the cap; then peak, 4pm-9pm, at 48.90c; then shoulder, 9pm-11am, at 26.41c. Note that "shoulder" covers the whole night and morning, so overnight EV charging is not cheap on this plan.
On the standard time-of-use reference plan the cheap band runs 11am-4pm at 6.98c. The Solar Sharer makes the first three hours free and nudges every other rate up by about 1.1c. The supply charge cap, 177.85c a day, is the same on both.
| Time | Solar Sharer Offer | Standard time-of-use reference |
|---|---|---|
| 11am-2pm | Free (first 24 kWh), then 8.10c | Off-peak 6.98c |
| 2pm-4pm | Off-peak 8.10c | Off-peak 6.98c |
| 4pm-9pm | Peak 48.90c | Peak 47.79c |
| 9pm-11am | Shoulder 26.41c | Shoulder 25.30c |
| Supply | 177.85c/day | 177.85c/day |
2pm-4pm
- Solar Sharer Offer
- Off-peak 8.10c
- Standard time-of-use reference
- Off-peak 6.98c
4pm-9pm
- Solar Sharer Offer
- Peak 48.90c
- Standard time-of-use reference
- Peak 47.79c
9pm-11am
- Solar Sharer Offer
- Shoulder 26.41c
- Standard time-of-use reference
- Shoulder 25.30c
Supply
- Solar Sharer Offer
- 177.85c/day
- Standard time-of-use reference
- 177.85c/day
Worked examples
Computed at build time by the calculator engine| Home | Current plan | Current, per year | Solar Sharer, per year | Solar Sharer is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three people, moves nothing6,169 kWh a year | Time-of-use reference | $2,345 | $2,345 | about the same |
| Three people, dishwasher, washing and dryer at midday6,169 kWh a year | Time-of-use reference | $2,032 | $1,941 | $91 a year cheaper |
| Three people, same loads moved, on a flat-rate plan now6,169 kWh a year | Flat-rate reference | $2,427 | $1,941 | $485 a year cheaper |
| Four people, EV (about 33 km a day) charged at midday, on a flat-rate plan now7,682 kWh a year | Flat-rate reference | $2,850 | $2,077 | $773 a year cheaper |
Three people, moves nothing6,169 kWh a year
- Current plan
- Time-of-use reference
- Current, per year
- $2,345
- Solar Sharer, per year
- $2,345
- Solar Sharer is
- about the same
Three people, dishwasher, washing and dryer at midday6,169 kWh a year
- Current plan
- Time-of-use reference
- Current, per year
- $2,032
- Solar Sharer, per year
- $1,941
- Solar Sharer is
- $91 a year cheaper
Three people, same loads moved, on a flat-rate plan now6,169 kWh a year
- Current plan
- Flat-rate reference
- Current, per year
- $2,427
- Solar Sharer, per year
- $1,941
- Solar Sharer is
- $485 a year cheaper
Four people, EV (about 33 km a day) charged at midday, on a flat-rate plan now7,682 kWh a year
- Current plan
- Flat-rate reference
- Current, per year
- $2,850
- Solar Sharer, per year
- $2,077
- Solar Sharer is
- $773 a year cheaper
Usage is the AER benchmark for Brisbane's climate zone. Loads moved come out of the 4pm-9am hours, and the move is applied to both plans. No solar. Reference plans are the AER caps: if you are on a cheaper market plan, the Solar Sharer looks worse. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Regional Queensland: tariff 12F
The federal Solar Sharer Offer sits under the Default Market Offer framework, and in Queensland only the Energex area is a Default Market Offer region, so the amended Electricity Retail Code does not apply in the Ergon Energy area. Instead, the Queensland Competition Authority approved tariff 12F, the Solar Sharer Offer for regional Queensland, effective 1 July 2026. It is a state-regulated notified-price tariff sold by Ergon Energy Retail.
- For residential customers with a smart ("advanced digital") meter on a standard contract. You opt in.
- Free 11am-2pm, up to 24 kWh a day.
- A cheap "day" rate 2pm-4pm, which also applies above the cap; peak 4pm-9pm; "night" at all other times.
- The same structure, rates and conditions as the Energex Solar Sharer. The QCA publishes its prices excluding GST; with GST added they equal the Energex caps in the table above.
So regional Queensland users can use the Energex figures on this page, and pick Energex in the calculator: the rates are identical. The retailer table below covers Energex only.
Regional Queensland also has a regulated solar feed-in tariff: 6.006c/kWh for 2026-27, down 31% from 8.66c, set by the QCA. See feed-in tariffs.
Energex retailer plans
We hold 19 Energex Solar Sharer plans. Peak, shoulder and off-peak rates are identical across them; only Kogan Energy, Powershop and CovaU undercut the maximum, and only on the supply charge. The real difference for solar owners is the feed-in tariff.
| Retailer | Supply (c/day) | Peak | Feed-in | Cap | Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red EnergySolar Sharer Offer (Flexible Ref: TU) | 177.85 | 48.90c | 5c | 24 kWh | RED1116665SRE1 |
| EnergyAustraliaStanding Offer Solar Sharer | 177.85 | 48.90c | 4c | 24 kWh | ENE1147740SRE3 |
| Future X PowerEnergex - RESI Solar Sharer Offer FY27 | 177.85 | 48.90c | 3c | 24 kWh | FXP1125576SRE1 |
| Origin EnergyOrigin Standing Solar Sharer | 177.85 | 48.90c | 3c | not in feed | ORI1139974SRE4 |
| Alinta EnergySolar Sharer Offer - Time of Use | 177.85 | 48.90c | 2c | 24 kWh | ALI1138373SRE2 |
| 1st EnergyStanding Offer - Solar Sharer | 177.85 | 48.90c | 1c | 24 kWh | 1ST1123332SRE1 |
| DodoSolar Sharer Offer | 177.85 | 48.90c | 1c | 24 kWh | DOD1109081SRE1 |
| ENGIEQLD ENGIE Solar Sharer Standing Elec | 177.85 | 48.90c | 1c | 24 kWh | ENG1109094SRE2 |
| Kogan EnergyKogan Solar Sharer | 172.35 | 48.90c | 1c | not in feed | KOG1060625MRE4 |
| PowershopSolar Sharer (market offer) | 172.35 | 48.90c | 1c | not in feed | PSH1060629MRE3 |
| AGLResidential Solar Sharer Offer | 177.85 | 48.90c | 0c | 24 kWh | AGL1123053SRE2 |
| Amber ElectricStanding Offer: Solar Sharer Offer | 177.85 | 48.90c | 0c | 24 kWh | AMB1127899SRE1 |
| CovaUCovaU Solar Sharer Offer QLD Energex Residential TOU | 176.00 | 48.90c | 0c | 24 kWh | COV1117998SRE2 |
| GloBird EnergyResi Standing Offer (Solar Sharer Offer)-Energex | 177.85 | 48.90c | 0c | 24 kWh | GLO1128314SRE2 |
| Momentum EnergyStanding Offer - Solar Sharer Offer | 177.85 | 48.90c | 0c | 24 kWh | MOM1123755SRE2 |
| Tango EnergySolar Sharer Offer | 177.85 | 48.90c | 0c | 24 kWh | TAN1128308SRE1 |
| Diamond EnergyDiamond Standing - Solar Sharer Offer | 177.85 | 48.90c | not published | 24 kWh | DIA1122719SRE2 |
| OVO EnergyBasic Standing Offer (Solar Sharer) | 177.85 | 48.90c | not published | not in feed | OVO1110153SRE3 |
| SumoSumo Solar Sharer | 177.85 | 48.90c | not published | 24 kWh | SUM1125535SRE2 |
Red EnergySolar Sharer Offer (Flexible Ref: TU)
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 5c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- RED1116665SRE1
EnergyAustraliaStanding Offer Solar Sharer
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 4c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- ENE1147740SRE3
Future X PowerEnergex - RESI Solar Sharer Offer FY27
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 3c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- FXP1125576SRE1
Origin EnergyOrigin Standing Solar Sharer
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 3c
- Cap
- not in feed
- Plan ID
- ORI1139974SRE4
Alinta EnergySolar Sharer Offer - Time of Use
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 2c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- ALI1138373SRE2
1st EnergyStanding Offer - Solar Sharer
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 1c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- 1ST1123332SRE1
DodoSolar Sharer Offer
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 1c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- DOD1109081SRE1
ENGIEQLD ENGIE Solar Sharer Standing Elec
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 1c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- ENG1109094SRE2
Kogan EnergyKogan Solar Sharer
- Supply (c/day)
- 172.35
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 1c
- Cap
- not in feed
- Plan ID
- KOG1060625MRE4
PowershopSolar Sharer (market offer)
- Supply (c/day)
- 172.35
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 1c
- Cap
- not in feed
- Plan ID
- PSH1060629MRE3
AGLResidential Solar Sharer Offer
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 0c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- AGL1123053SRE2
Amber ElectricStanding Offer: Solar Sharer Offer
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 0c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- AMB1127899SRE1
CovaUCovaU Solar Sharer Offer QLD Energex Residential TOU
- Supply (c/day)
- 176.00
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 0c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- COV1117998SRE2
GloBird EnergyResi Standing Offer (Solar Sharer Offer)-Energex
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 0c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- GLO1128314SRE2
Momentum EnergyStanding Offer - Solar Sharer Offer
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 0c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- MOM1123755SRE2
Tango EnergySolar Sharer Offer
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- 0c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- TAN1128308SRE1
Diamond EnergyDiamond Standing - Solar Sharer Offer
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- not published
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- DIA1122719SRE2
OVO EnergyBasic Standing Offer (Solar Sharer)
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- not published
- Cap
- not in feed
- Plan ID
- OVO1110153SRE3
SumoSumo Solar Sharer
- Supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Peak
- 48.90c
- Feed-in
- not published
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- SUM1125535SRE2
Kogan and Powershop rows are market offers priced like the Solar Sharer. A missing cap means the retailer did not encode it in the government feed; the regulated cap is 24 kWh. Full detail in the retailer register.
Is it worth it in South East Queensland?
- Yes, probably, if you charge an EV, run a pool pump on a normal circuit or can put electric hot water on a timer for midday. See EV plans.
- Marginal if you only move the dishwasher and washing: the free hours save about 7c a kWh against the time-of-use reference.
- Probably not if you are already on a discounted market plan, export a lot of solar, or have hot water on controlled load.
Check you can get it with the eligibility checker, and compare the wider market on compare electricity in Queensland or Energy Made Easy. National rules are on the Solar Sharer Offer page.
General information only, not financial advice. We are not a retailer.
Common questions
Is there free electricity in Queensland?
Yes, in both the south east and the regions. Since 1 July 2026 Energex customers in South East Queensland with a smart meter can opt in to the Solar Sharer Offer: free power 11am-2pm every day, up to 24 kWh. In regional Queensland, Ergon Energy Retail customers can opt in to tariff 12F, which has the same window, cap and rates.
Can regional Queensland get free midday power?
Yes. The federal Electricity Retail Code does not apply in the Ergon Energy area, but the Queensland Competition Authority approved tariff 12F, a Solar Sharer Offer for regional Queensland, from 1 July 2026. It is for residential customers with a smart meter on a standard contract, it is opt-in, and its structure and rates match the Energex Solar Sharer. Ask Ergon Energy Retail.
Is the free window worth much on Energex?
Less than elsewhere. Energex's standard time-of-use reference plan already charges only 6.98c/kWh from 11am to 4pm, so the free hours save about 7c on each kWh you use then. In exchange the other bands are about 1c higher. EV charging and big daytime loads are where it pays.
Which Queensland retailer pays the best feed-in tariff on its Solar Sharer plan?
In our data, Red Energy at 5c/kWh. Most pay 0-3c. Feed-in tariffs change, so check the plan's fact sheet before switching. Everything else is priced almost identically, at the regulated maximum.
Sources
- AER, Default Market Offer 2026-27 final determination (Energex Solar Sharer and time-of-use caps), checked 17 October 2026
- ACCC and AER, joint compliance bulletin (regions in and out of scope), checked 17 October 2026
- Minister Bowen, media release, 19 March 2026, checked 17 October 2026
- QCA, Solar Sharer Offer for regional Queensland (tariff 12F), final determination, June 2026, checked 17 October 2026
- QCA, regional Queensland solar feed-in tariff 2026-27 fact sheet, checked 17 October 2026
- AER Energy Made Easy plan data (CDR product feed), one record per retailer row, checked 17 October 2026
- NSW Government, EV energy use (14.4 kWh per 100 km), used for the EV example, checked 17 October 2026