Explaining the Solar Share Offer (SSO)
18 June 2026
You may have seen the headlines about receiving 3 hours of free primary load electricity usage every single day between 12pm and 3pm.
Starting 1 July 2026, eligible South Australian households can access a new government initiative called the Solar Share Offer (SSO). This offer is exclusively for South Australian households with a smart meter.
A similar initiative for Victorian residents, called “Midday Power Saver”, will be available from October 1st, 2026 (Victorian customers can find out more here).
Will the free electricity start automatically?
To get the 3 hours of free primary load electricity usage from the Solar Share Offer (SSO), you must sign up for the Solar Sharer plan. This offer is a separate electricity plan and cannot be added to your current plan. Other charges, such as daily supply and controlled load charges still apply during the free usage period.
- Already a Lumo customer? From 1 July 2026, call our team on 1300 115 866 to sign up.
- Switching to Lumo? If you are a South Australian resident and already have a smart meter at your property, please call us on 1300 115 866 to sign up.
Are you eligible for the Lumo SSO plan?
To jump on this plan, you just need to tick a few quick boxes:
- You’re a South Australian resident Lumo is offering this plan specifically to our SA community.
- You’ve got a smart meter We need a smart meter to track those free hours between 12pm and 3pm. Don't have one yet? No stress - click here to find out how to get one installed.
- You’re ready to switch plans Because the SSO is a specific standalone plan, switching means you’ll be moving off your current one. That means you’ll trade in your current plan benefits (like standard Lumo Rewards™ Credits). We always recommend weighing up which plan gives your household the best overall value.
Customers in an embedded network can’t take up the offer.
How to make the most of your free midday power
Due to Australia’s high uptake of solar panels, our energy grid benefits from a surplus of energy during the middle day when the sun is at its peak. The SSO is designed to encourage you to use that power when the sun is working overtime.
And the best part, you don’t need your own solar panels to benefit from the offer! All eligible households can utilise the offer, regardless of if you have solar panels.
The benefit of the SSO is the potential to reduce your annual electricity bill by shifting your primary load electricity usage into that 12pm to 3pm window:
- Time your usage Hold off on hitting "start" on your dishwasher, washing machine, or clothes dryer until midday.
- EV charging If your Electric Vehicle is parked at home during the day, plugging it in during the free window will slash your running costs.
- Charge your home battery Got a home battery? Program it to fill up for free from the grid between 12pm and 3pm, then use that free stored power to run your home during the expensive evening peak.
Want the full government breakdown? Check out the official website here.
A few quick things to consider
While the savings can be huge, we like to keep it real with our customers. The SSO plan is awesome, but it requires a little bit of teamwork from your household habits. Keep in mind:
- Some power can’t be moved You’ll still use electricity outside of the 12pm - 3pm window. Things like your fridge, freezer, and evening lighting (your Static Load) run 24/7 and make up a chunk of your bill.
- It’s all about effort Maximising your savings means changing up your routine. If you're happy to switch your habits, you'll see the payoff!
- Take control of your budget If you love predictable expenses, you can pair your plan with EvenPay® to smash your bill into smooth, interest-free installments so there are never any surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will the free hours just appear on my bill?
No. You have to actively choose to switch to the SSO plan to get the 3 free hours.
Is this available across Australia?
For Lumo customers, this specific offer is currently only available for South Australian households.
Is there a limit on how much free power I can use?
Yes, there is a generous daily cap of up to 24 kilowatt-hours (kWh) during the 3-hour window. Considering a large 5-person home usually only uses about 20 kWh across an entire 24 hours, you’ve got plenty of room to move. Other charges, such as daily supply and controlled load charges still apply during the free usage period.
Does this include free gas?
No, this offer is strictly for electricity. Standard rates apply to your gas plan.
Are the rates higher during the rest of the day?
The electricity rates outside of the 12pm - 3pm window may be higher than a standard flat-rate plan, but there are government caps in place to keep things fair. Other charges, such as daily supply and controlled load charges still apply during the free usage period.
Do I need solar panels?
Not at all! This plan is open to everyone, solar or not.
Do I need a smart meter?
Yes. Your meter needs to be smart enough to tell us exactly what you used during those free hours. If you need one, click here to get the ball rolling.
Can I get this for my business?
Right now, the SSO plan is only available for residential properties.
What happens to my Solar Feed-in Tariff (FiT)?
If you have solar, you can absolutely still be on the SSO plan! However, you won’t earn a Feed-in Tariff for power you export during the 12pm - 3pm window (since electricity is already free). You'll still earn your normal FiT for any power you send back to the grid outside of those hours.
What time does it run during Daylight Saving?
It is always 12pm to 3pm local Adelaide time, all year round. Your smart meter adjusts automatically, so just follow the clock on your wall!