Solar Citizens welcomes the Albanese Government’s new Solar Sharer initiative as a great start to making clean energy more equitable — helping renters and apartment residents access the cost of living benefits of rooftop solar power by giving many Australians 3 free hours of electricity during the day. [1]
This is a responsible, forward-thinking way to bring down energy prices. Walking away from Net Zero, as the Nationals have, won’t bring down power bills — it will drive them up. The biggest threat to affordable energy is clinging to ageing coal and expensive gas.
But the clean energy advocates say there is more that needs to be done in this term of the federal government to ensure all Australians, regardless of whether they rent or live in apartments, can get access to cheap clean rooftop solar power.
“Solar Sharer is a great start — it’s smart, fair policy that helps renters and apartment residents tap into our rooftop solar advantage,” said Heidi Lee Douglas, CEO of Solar Citizens.
“Now we need to build on this with a dedicated Solar for Renters policy, tied to state-based minimum energy efficiency standards, to overcome the split incentive dilemma that locks millions of renters - one third of our homes - out of solar savings.”
Solar Citizens says Solar Sharer will also help Australians better understand their energy bills and how to take advantage of cheaper, cleaner daytime power.
“Rooftop solar is one of Australia’s greatest energy success stories — and this reform shapes pricing mechanisms to reflect that success, rather than penalising it with clumsy export charges like the so-called ‘sun tax’,” Ms Douglas said.
“Load-shifting is easy — and this will help more people see the benefits. Running your washing machine, dishwasher or air conditioner in the middle of the day makes use of clean, cheap power and helps cool your home for the evening when power is more expensive. Behaviour change like this is smarter and cheaper than building expensive new transmission.”
“Power is already cheapest during the day, when we have an abundance of solar energy flowing into the grid from neighbouring homes. But not many people understand this or understand their electricity bills. Solar Sharer will encourage a better understanding by many more Australians about how to change their behaviour to bring down their energy bills, and do better for the environment and for the energy grid.
As Solar Citizens heads to COP30 in Brazil next week, Ms Douglas says initiatives like Solar Sharer help secure Australia’s global leadership in using solar energy for the public good.
“If Australia co-hosts COP31, we’ll have the chance to show the world how to replace ageing coal-fired power with clean, fair, democratised rooftop solar — especially in nations like South Africa, where millions still lack access to reliable electricity,” Ms Douglas said.
“Australia’s solar success story proves that when people are empowered, the clean energy transition becomes fairer, faster, and better for everyone.”
[1] Minister for Climate Change & Energy Media Release, More Australian homes get access to solar power, 4/11/2025
Solar Citizens shared Australia’s rooftop solar story at COP30 — highlighting how people-powered policy and community leadership can drive energy affordability, equity, and climate action across the Asia–Pacific and beyond.