Intellihub Encourages Australians to Make the Most of New Free Solar Power Hours.

Solar Season Has Arrived!

As Australia enters “Solar Season”, energy experts are encouraging households to take advantage of new daytime solar energy offers from retailers, including plans that provide three hours of free electricity¹ during the middle of the day when solar generation is at its highest.

With more than 4.3 million Australian homes now equipped with rooftop solar, batteries are becoming an increasingly important part of helping households maximise self-consumption and improve energy independence. The new offers are designed to help consumers shift energy use to periods when abundant solar power is available.

By using app-enabled appliances such as smart washing machines, dryers, and AC systems, smart EV chargers such as those offered by EVSE, smart pool management technologies such as the Pooled by Poolwerx controller, and other connected home technologies, households can use apps to schedule energy use and maximise the value of those free solar hours.²

For years we have focused on how much electricity we use. Increasingly, the biggest savings opportunities come from when we use it.

The middle of the day is becoming one of the cheapest times to consume electricity because solar generation is so abundant. Households with app enabled appliances, smart EV chargers, and connected technologies can automatically shift energy use into these periods and potentially lower their bills without changing their lifestyle.

Nicole Crivelli, Chief Operating Officer, Zelora

Understanding Energy Use

As cost-of-living pressures continue, many consumers are looking for ways to reduce everyday expenses, including electricity bills. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, electricity costs continue to rise, and as consumers prepare for further rebates to end, energy costs could drive even higher.

Understanding energy plans is becoming increasingly important, as time-of-use tariffs charge different rates throughout the day and can help households make smarter decisions about when to use electricity.

For homes that already have rooftop solar or want to use solar, adding a solar and battery system, such as Zelora, can help extend the value of solar generation well beyond the free three-hour window.

A Zelora solar and battery system stores excess solar energy generated during the day and makes it available after sunset, allowing households to power appliances, charge electric vehicles, and reduce reliance on grid electricity during higher-cost evening periods.

Three free hours of electricity is a great opportunity, but a solar and battery system, like our Zelora offering, allows households to capture and use solar energy across the entire day and into the evening – even allowing homeowners to use Zelora’s optimisation software to distribute the energy to use at other times of the day – enabling maximum savings.

As spring and summer arrive, households will have more solar generation available than at any other time of year. It’s the ideal time to consider whether adding a battery could help you store more of your own energy and have more control of your energy consumption and costs.

As spring and summer arrive, households will have more solar generation available than at any other time of year. It’s the ideal time to consider whether adding a battery could help you store more of your own energy and have more control of your energy consumption and costs.

Nicole Crivelli, Chief Operating Officer, Zelora

There are simple ways to maximise free daytime solar power.

• Charge electric vehicles during free solar periods
• Use smart appliances such as app-enabled dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and schedule them to run during the day
• Use smart pool control, such as the Pooled by Poolwerx controller to optimise pump and chlorinator usage
• Pre-cool or pre-heat homes before peak evening periods
• Look at your electricity tariff and understand when energy is cheapest
• Consider adding a Zelora solar & battery system to store excess solar energy for use after sunset

Why it matters

As Australia continues to electrify homes with EVs, batteries, and smart appliances, consumers have more opportunities than ever to reduce energy costs through smarter energy use. Combining free daytime solar offers with connected technologies and affordable rooftop solar and battery storage can help households maximise savings while gaining greater control over their energy future.

1. Retailer programs vary by state and territory. Miday Power Saver available in Victoria. Solar Sharer Offer is available in NSW, South Australia and South East Queensland, for eligible residential customers with smart meters. In Tasmania – Power Hours, a program by Aurora Energy allows residential customers with an aurora+ account and a smart meter to use electricity free of charge during designated time slots. Solar Sharer Offer may be offered in Tasmania starting in 2027. There are no solar saving programs currently available in Western Australia. ↩︎
2. Midday Power Saver and Solar Saver plans require opt-in with your individual retailer. Savings may vary based on individual circumstances. ↩︎