Midnight-6am
- Solar Sharer Offer
- Off-peak 35.17c
- Standard time-of-use reference
- Off-peak 32.55c
The Solar Sharer Offer in South Australia
South Australian homes with a smart meter can opt in to free power from 12pm-3pm every day, up to 24 kWh, on the SA Power Networks grid. It is an hour later than the eastern states. Because SA has the highest usage rates of the Solar Sharer regions, every kWh you move into the window is worth more here, and every evening kWh you can't move costs more.
SA Power Networks price caps and retailer plans checked
12pm-3pmfree, local time, every day
58.84cpeak, 6am-10am and 4pm-midnight
$2,276AER annual price, typical home, no shifting
Headline finding. SA's peak covers 12 hours a day, including the morning. Move the dishwasher and washing into 12pm-3pm and a typical three-person home saves $220 a year against the time-of-use reference. A solar home that exports a lot and changes nothing comes out $225 a year worse off, mostly from the lost feed-in tariff.
The SA day, hour by hour
SA Power Networks' tariff has a long peak: 6am-10am and 4pm-midnight, at 58.84c on the Solar Sharer. That morning peak catches breakfast, showers on electric hot water and the morning heater, which Ausgrid, Endeavour and Energex charge at off-peak or shoulder rates.
The cheap middle of the day is the "solar sponge", 10am-4pm on the standard plan. The Solar Sharer makes 12pm-3pm free and keeps the sponge rate, 19.66c, for 10am-12pm and 3pm-4pm. That sponge rate is also what you pay for window use above the cap. Overnight, midnight-6am, is off-peak at 35.17c, which is dearer than the sponge.
| Time | Solar Sharer Offer | Standard time-of-use reference |
|---|---|---|
| Midnight-6am | Off-peak 35.17c | Off-peak 32.55c |
| 6am-10am | Peak 58.84c | Peak 56.22c |
| 10am-12pm | Solar sponge 19.66c | Solar sponge 17.04c |
| 12pm-3pm | Free (first 24 kWh), then 19.66c | Solar sponge 17.04c |
| 3pm-4pm | Solar sponge 19.66c | Solar sponge 17.04c |
| 4pm-midnight | Peak 58.84c | Peak 56.22c |
| Supply | 180.05c/day | 180.05c/day |
6am-10am
- Solar Sharer Offer
- Peak 58.84c
- Standard time-of-use reference
- Peak 56.22c
10am-12pm
- Solar Sharer Offer
- Solar sponge 19.66c
- Standard time-of-use reference
- Solar sponge 17.04c
12pm-3pm
- Solar Sharer Offer
- Free (first 24 kWh), then 19.66c
- Standard time-of-use reference
- Solar sponge 17.04c
3pm-4pm
- Solar Sharer Offer
- Solar sponge 19.66c
- Standard time-of-use reference
- Solar sponge 17.04c
4pm-midnight
- Solar Sharer Offer
- Peak 58.84c
- Standard time-of-use reference
- Peak 56.22c
Supply
- Solar Sharer Offer
- 180.05c/day
- Standard time-of-use reference
- 180.05c/day
Every Solar Sharer rate is about 2.6c above the standard time-of-use cap. The supply charge cap is the same on both.
Worked examples
Computed at build time by the calculator engine| Home | Compared with | Current, per year | Solar Sharer, per year | Solar Sharer is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three people, moves nothing6,102 kWh a year from the grid | time-of-use reference | $3,126 | $3,126 | about the same |
| Three people, dishwasher, washing and dryer at midday6,102 kWh a year from the grid | time-of-use reference | $2,769 | $2,548 | $220 a year cheaper |
| Three people, same loads moved6,102 kWh a year from the grid | flat-rate reference | $3,215 | $2,548 | $666 a year cheaper |
| Two people, rooftop solar exporting 3,000 kWh, moves nothing5,046 kWh a year from the grid | time-of-use reference with a 4c feed-in tariff; Solar Sharer at 0c | $2,920 | $3,145 | $225 a year dearer |
Three people, moves nothing6,102 kWh a year from the grid
- Compared with
- time-of-use reference
- Current, per year
- $3,126
- Solar Sharer, per year
- $3,126
- Solar Sharer is
- about the same
Three people, dishwasher, washing and dryer at midday6,102 kWh a year from the grid
- Compared with
- time-of-use reference
- Current, per year
- $2,769
- Solar Sharer, per year
- $2,548
- Solar Sharer is
- $220 a year cheaper
Three people, same loads moved6,102 kWh a year from the grid
- Compared with
- flat-rate reference
- Current, per year
- $3,215
- Solar Sharer, per year
- $2,548
- Solar Sharer is
- $666 a year cheaper
Two people, rooftop solar exporting 3,000 kWh, moves nothing5,046 kWh a year from the grid
- Compared with
- time-of-use reference with a 4c feed-in tariff; Solar Sharer at 0c
- Current, per year
- $2,920
- Solar Sharer, per year
- $3,145
- Solar Sharer is
- $225 a year dearer
Usage is the AER benchmark for Adelaide. Loads moved come out of the 4pm-9am hours, and the move is applied to both plans. The solar example uses a reshaped profile (little grid use at midday), which is our assumption. Reference plans are the AER caps; a discounted market plan makes the Solar Sharer look worse.
SA prices are the highest
Of the five Solar Sharer networks, SA Power Networks has the highest flat-rate reference usage price, 41.91c/kWh. SA was also the only Default Market Offer region where the residential flat reference price rose for 2026-27, by 1.4%, to $2,334 a year at 4,000 kWh. High prices cut both ways: shifting saves more per kWh, and failing to shift costs more. See the Default Market Offer for every region.
Solar exports, the export charge and the 44c scheme
Most SA Solar Sharer plans pay 0-3c/kWh for exports. SA Power Networks also has an export tariff: on interval meters, exports during the solar sponge period above 9 kWh a day attract a network charge of 1.00c/kWh. That charge is billed to your retailer, which decides whether to pass it on.
South Australia's legacy distributor-funded 44c/kWh scheme continues until 30 June 2028 for systems approved to connect by SA Power Networks by 30 September 2011. Several SA Solar Sharer records in the government feed list the 44c premium rate. If you have it, confirm in writing that it carries over before you switch. More on feed-in tariffs.
SA retailer plans
We hold 20 SA Power Networks plans. The usage rates are identical; only Kogan Energy, Powershop and CovaU undercut the maximum, on the supply charge. The feed-in tariff is the main difference.
| Retailer | Supply (c/day) | Peak | Feed-in | Cap | Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EnergyAustraliaStanding Offer Solar Sharer | 180.05 | 58.84c | 3c | 24 kWh | ENE1147744SRE3 |
| Future X PowerSAPN - RESI Solar Sharer Offer FY27 | 180.05 | 58.84c | 3c | 24 kWh | FXP1125577SRE1 |
| Lumo EnergySolar Sharer Offer (Flexible Ref: TU) | 180.05 | 58.84c | 2c | 24 kWh | LUM1116702SRE2 |
| Origin EnergyOrigin Standing Solar Sharer | 180.05 | 58.84c | 2c | not in feed | ORI1139976SRE4 |
| Red EnergySolar Sharer Offer (Flexible Ref: TU) | 180.05 | 58.84c | 2c | 24 kWh | RED1116701SRE2 |
| 1st EnergyStanding Offer - Solar Sharer | 180.05 | 58.84c | 1c | 24 kWh | 1ST1123336SRE1 |
| DodoSolar Sharer Offer | 180.05 | 58.84c | 1c | 24 kWh | DOD1110329SRE1 |
| ENGIESA ENGIE Solar Sharer Standing Elec | 180.05 | 58.84c | 1c | 24 kWh | ENG1118352SRE2 |
| Kogan EnergyKogan Solar Sharer | 174.55 | 58.84c | 1c | not in feed | KOG1060403MRE4 |
| PowershopSolar Sharer (market offer) | 174.55 | 58.84c | 1c | not in feed | PSH1060404MRE3 |
| Alinta EnergySolar Sharer Offer - Time of Use (Interval) | 180.05 | 58.84c | 0.5c | 24 kWh | ALI1138360SRE2 |
| AGLResidential Solar Sharer Offer - No Exit Fee | 180.05 | 58.84c | 0c | 24 kWh | AGL1123054SRE2 |
| Amber ElectricStanding Offer: Solar Sharer Offer | 180.05 | 58.84c | 0c | 24 kWh | AMB1127898SRE1 |
| GloBird EnergyResi Standing Offer (Solar Sharer Offer)-SAPN | 180.05 | 58.84c | 0c | 24 kWh | GLO1128316SRE2 |
| Momentum EnergyStanding Offer - Solar Sharer Offer | 180.05 | 58.84c | 0c | 24 kWh | MOM1123757SRE2 |
| SumoSumo Solar Sharer | 180.05 | 58.84c | 0c | 24 kWh | SUM1125533SRE2 |
| Tango EnergySolar Sharer Offer | 180.05 | 58.84c | 0c | 24 kWh | TAN1128312SRE2 |
| CovaUCovaU Solar Sharer Offer SA Residential TOU | 176.00 | 58.84c | not published | 24 kWh | COV1117999SRE1 |
| Diamond EnergyDiamond Standing - Solar Sharer Offer | 180.05 | 58.84c | not published | 24 kWh | DIA1122061SRE2 |
| OVO EnergyBasic Standing Offer (Solar Sharer) | 180.05 | 58.84c | not published | not in feed | OVO1110158SRE3 |
EnergyAustraliaStanding Offer Solar Sharer
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 3c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- ENE1147744SRE3
Future X PowerSAPN - RESI Solar Sharer Offer FY27
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 3c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- FXP1125577SRE1
Lumo EnergySolar Sharer Offer (Flexible Ref: TU)
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 2c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- LUM1116702SRE2
Origin EnergyOrigin Standing Solar Sharer
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 2c
- Cap
- not in feed
- Plan ID
- ORI1139976SRE4
Red EnergySolar Sharer Offer (Flexible Ref: TU)
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 2c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- RED1116701SRE2
1st EnergyStanding Offer - Solar Sharer
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 1c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- 1ST1123336SRE1
DodoSolar Sharer Offer
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 1c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- DOD1110329SRE1
ENGIESA ENGIE Solar Sharer Standing Elec
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 1c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- ENG1118352SRE2
Kogan EnergyKogan Solar Sharer
- Supply (c/day)
- 174.55
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 1c
- Cap
- not in feed
- Plan ID
- KOG1060403MRE4
PowershopSolar Sharer (market offer)
- Supply (c/day)
- 174.55
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 1c
- Cap
- not in feed
- Plan ID
- PSH1060404MRE3
Alinta EnergySolar Sharer Offer - Time of Use (Interval)
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 0.5c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- ALI1138360SRE2
AGLResidential Solar Sharer Offer - No Exit Fee
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 0c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- AGL1123054SRE2
Amber ElectricStanding Offer: Solar Sharer Offer
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 0c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- AMB1127898SRE1
GloBird EnergyResi Standing Offer (Solar Sharer Offer)-SAPN
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 0c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- GLO1128316SRE2
Momentum EnergyStanding Offer - Solar Sharer Offer
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 0c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- MOM1123757SRE2
SumoSumo Solar Sharer
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 0c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- SUM1125533SRE2
Tango EnergySolar Sharer Offer
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- 0c
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- TAN1128312SRE2
CovaUCovaU Solar Sharer Offer SA Residential TOU
- Supply (c/day)
- 176.00
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- not published
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- COV1117999SRE1
Diamond EnergyDiamond Standing - Solar Sharer Offer
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- not published
- Cap
- 24 kWh
- Plan ID
- DIA1122061SRE2
OVO EnergyBasic Standing Offer (Solar Sharer)
- Supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Peak
- 58.84c
- Feed-in
- not published
- Cap
- not in feed
- Plan ID
- OVO1110158SRE3
A missing cap means the retailer did not encode it in the government feed; the regulated cap is 24 kWh. ENGIE's SA record lists a four-hour block in eastern time; confirm the window with ENGIE. Full detail in the retailer register.
Before you opt in
- Check you have a smart meter (smart meters) and confirm you can get it with the eligibility checker.
- Work out what you can run from 12pm to 3pm: hot water on a timer, EV, pool pump, washing, dishwasher, pre-cooling.
- Put your current rates into the calculator, including your feed-in tariff.
- Compare the wider market on compare electricity in SA and 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
What time is free electricity in South Australia?
12pm to 3pm local time, every day, up to 24 kWh. South Australia's window is an hour later than NSW and Queensland. It does not move with daylight saving, and retailers cannot choose a different window for the Solar Sharer Offer.
Why is the SA window 12pm-3pm and not 11am-2pm?
The window is fixed for each region in the AER's Solar Sharer tariffs, and South Australia's is 12pm-3pm local time. It sits inside SA Power Networks' 10am-4pm solar sponge period, so the hours either side of it, 10am-12pm and 3pm-4pm, are still charged at the cheap solar sponge rate.
Do I lose my 44c feed-in tariff if I switch to the Solar Sharer Offer?
Check with the retailer before you move. The legacy distributor-funded 44c scheme continues until 30 June 2028 for systems approved to connect by 30 September 2011, and several SA Solar Sharer plan records list it. Ask the retailer in writing that your premium feed-in carries over.
Is the Solar Sharer Offer worth it in SA?
It can be, because SA prices are high so every kWh moved is worth more. A three-person Adelaide home moving its washing and dishwasher to midday saves about $220 a year against the time-of-use reference. A solar home that moves nothing can lose. Run your bill through the calculator.
Sources
- AER, Default Market Offer 2026-27 final determination (SAPN Solar Sharer and time-of-use caps, annual prices), checked 17 October 2026
- AER, Solar Sharer Offer fact sheet, checked 17 October 2026
- AER, Default Market Offer 2026-27 information kit (change by region), checked 17 October 2026
- SA Power Networks, 2026-27 customer overview document (export tariff, solar sponge), checked 17 October 2026
- IEA policy database, South Australian feed-in tariff scheme (legacy 44c scheme), checked 17 October 2026
- AER Energy Made Easy plan data (CDR product feed), one record per retailer row, checked 17 October 2026