How to Make the Most of SA’s 3 Hours of Free Power Scheme

With South Australia set to receive three hours of free electricity every day under the new Solar Sharer scheme, households have a unique opportunity to slash their power bills - but only if their home energy system is built to take advantage of it.

At first glance, “three hours of free energy” sounds simple. But here’s the catch:
Your solar + battery system must be able to absorb and store enough energy within that three-hour window.

And the biggest factor deciding whether you can make the most of the free period? Your inverter size. Let’s break it down.

Why Inverter Size Matters

A battery can only charge as fast as your inverter allows.So even if you have a large battery, a small inverter may bottle-neck your charging speed - meaning you can’t fully charge during the free 3-hour window.

Example: A 5kW Inverter

• Battery capacity: 30kWh
  
  
• Charge rate: 5kW
  
  
• Time to fully charge: ~6 hours

That means with a 5kW inverter, your battery cannot fully charge within the free 3-hour period. You miss out on half the value you could have captured.

Example: A 10kW Inverter

• Battery capacity: 30kWh
  
  
• Charge rate: 10kW
  
  
• Time to fully charge: ~3 hours

Perfect timing. With a 10kW inverter, your battery fills entirely during the free window, giving you a full tank of stored power to use at night — when electricity is usually most expensive.

Same battery. Different inverter. Completely different outcome.

Why This Matters for South Australians

South Australia leads the country in solar adoption, but many homes have older or undersized inverters that won’t let them capitalise on the free-energy window. With energy retailers required to offer three free hours of power from July 2026, the smartest thing SA homeowners can do right now is:

✓ Check your inverter size

✓ Upgrade if needed to increase charging speed

✓ Pair your system with a battery that fits your household’s usage

✓ Ensure your system is compatible with high-rate charging during the free period

A well-sized system will let you:

• Fully charge your battery for free
• Run heavy appliances (air-conditioning, washers, dryers) during the free window
• Use stored energy in the evening, avoiding higher peak rates
• Reduce bills dramatically — even without rooftop solar (battery-only setups also benefit!)

The Smartest Setup for the Solar Sharer Era

To really maximise the benefits, SA homeowners should consider:

• A 10kW (or higher) inverter: Ensures your battery charges fast enough within the 3-hour window.
• A large battery (10kWh–30kWh depending on usage): More storage = more free energy banked for the evening.
• Smart timers or automation: Schedule appliances to run only during your free hours.
• Quality hybrid systems: A hybrid inverter simplifies battery integration and maximises charging performance.

The Bottom Line: Maximise Your Free Power, Maximise Your Savings

The Solar Sharer program is a huge win for South Australian families - but only if your system is designed to harvest as much free energy as possible, as fast as possible.A larger inverter is no longer just “nice to have.”It’s the key to unlocking the full value of your free 3 hours.If your system can't charge fast enough, that free power simply disappears — wasted potential left unused.

 Want to Be Ready for 2026?

We can help you:

• Assess your current solar + battery setup
• Recommend the right inverter size
• Design a system that charges fully in the free 3-hour window
• Upgrade older inverters that can’t keep up
• Install high-capacity batteries built for rapid charging
  
  

Book a free energy assessment today and get your home ready to take full advantage of SA’s three hours of free power.