topic Re: 3 Free hours of Energy in Solar, Batteries & Electrification

3 Free hours of Energy

HLF — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 04:58:41 GMT

The idea of free three hours of energy to use the abundance of mid day energy. But to many variables. How about this idea 💡

When the Retailer is experiencing an abundance of energy which is creating negative prices, develop something similar to Peak Energy Rewards but in reverse. So you are incentivised to use more energy with zero usage charges within 1 to 4 hours. With the communication similar to peak energy rewards.

Re: 3 Free hours of Energy

Lester — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 23:22:53 GMT

That's good idea @HLF and I'm pretty sure AGL is making inroads to have such things in their plan packages in future.

The Solar Grid Savers trial is one where they are trialling curtailment of solar to the grid when such grid power excesses occur, but that only stops perfectly good energy going to the grid, a waste.

Such a shame to just see that power dumped to nowhere, when it could be used at times it's needed in the grid . . . all it would take is that little extra demand a reverse Peak Energy Rewards type setup could bring.

Hopefully a seed planted with the AGL execs and techies.

Re: 3 Free hours of Energy

HLF — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 08:08:24 GMT

Looks like the seed has died. Not even recognition that they have reviewed the idea.

Re: 3 Free hours of Energy

Lester — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:06:02 GMT

@HLF it could certainly work, Peak Energy Rewards for using less power when the grid is under high demand.

Off Peak Energy Rewards for when the grid needs to offload as much of the excess power generation as they can . . . instead of retailers / DNSPs curtailing production from solar farm, wind farm, rooftop solar, encourage consumers to use it.

A win win (for common sense), but is it a win for retailers ?

If they make less during high demand and less during low demand, there isn't a lot of space left to make the needed profit.

It could just be that the grid balance is already complex to deal with, those sorts of shifting back and forth of a real dynamic grid might just be too hard to implement for now.

Three for Free and other such offers* is a start to this concept though, isn't it ?

*One retailer offers 4hrs, others 8c power for up to 6hrs.

Just cutting peak demand was a good start, now encouraging usage in 3hrs free power (or 4hrs free or cheaper tariffs) in the peak of the solar soak daily is another step.

Re: 3 Free hours of Energy

HLF — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:20:33 GMT

Another Retailer is now offering 3 different plans for owners with batteries, with higher fit in the peak time, and still have great competitive usage rates. Unlike the unfavourable rates that are currently available. Currently a plan that gives a higher fit then an even higher usage rate.

Re: 3 Free hours of Energy

matt_AGL — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:19:36 GMT

Hey @HLF,

Sorry for the slow response! As Lester mentions in his later post, we did launch "Three for Free' in SA in July and are looking at this concept in other states too.

In short the plan provides just what you suggest, three free hours of electricity usage (excluding controlled load and supply) from 10am-1pm everyday. The ambition was to share the benefits of renewables with those who were traditionally locked out of solar (ie renters, low income homes, apartments etc). Almost like having solar without the panels!

Three for Free is currently the same discount to the reference price as SmartSaver (our highest discount on generally available offers). Like solar however, customers will really only benefit if they shift consumption from peak times to the free window. So it suits customers who are home during the day to turn on energy intensive appliances, or those who have the ability to automate appliances remotely.

Interestingly the federal government has jumped on the idea of free daytime electricity usage with their recently announced "Solar Sharer Offer" or SSO, whereby they are looking to mandate that all retailers offer three free hours of electricity each day in NSW, QLD and SA. We will know more about this in the next few months.

We also definitely see the benefit of having higher feed-in tariffs during the evening peak (say 5pm-9pm) to encourage customers with batteries to export to the grid when their excess electricity is actually needed. We have our Battery Rewards Plan that provides gift cards for exports in the evening, and we have more plans in the pipeline. Watch this space!

Thanks again for your suggestion!

Re: 3 Free hours of Energy

matt_AGL — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:20:14 GMT

You are absolutely right @Lester!

Offering free electricity usage during the middle of the day to encourage consumption is one of the rare initiatives that benefits customers, retailers AND networks for the reasons you mentioned. No wonder the federal government is floating the SSO!

3 for Free hours of Energy

Dennissmith-195 — Wed, 20 May 2026 00:49:42 GMT

How do I sign up for this

Re: 3 Free hours of Energy

ChrisE_AGL — Wed, 20 May 2026 03:14:57 GMT

Hi @Dennissmith-195

Thank you for your post.

At this point in time, this plan is only available in South Australia, so if you are located in this state, you'll be able to switch over online on our Three for Free plan page.

We do also have a Help Article on Changing your energy plan, which will guide you through the steps of changing plan from within your My Account.

Thanks, Chris

Re: 3 Free hours of Energy

Seafarer — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 02:33:51 GMT

Resurrecting this thread. Is this happening its 1 days before it comes into effect. What do you need to do to register with AGL for this?

Re: 3 Free hours of Energy

HLF — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:34:31 GMT

Matt from AGL seems to have missed my Idea and concentrated on stating AGL already have a 3 free hour plan. My suggestion was How to Implement the Plan. This seems to have been passed by.

Re: 3 Free hours of Energy

Seafarer — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:48:58 GMT

Thanks @HLF.

I used AGL chatbot and asked the same of the consultant and they said it will be implemented tomorrow and AGL will know more.... hmmmmm not a great response from AGL. Let see what @matt_AGL reverts on "Solar Sharer Offer - SSO".

Re: 3 Free hours of Energy

Swimmers4 — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 02:55:00 GMT

Most of the media coverage says that the 3 for free will be available in South East Qld. Why is it not??

Re: 3 Free hours of Energy

ChrisE_AGL — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:03:56 GMT

Hi @Swimmers4,

If you are referring to the Solar Sharer Offer, that is different to the Three for Free plan.

If wanting to swap to the Solar Sharer Offer, this is a plan that you have to Contact Us directly to do.

Thanks, Chris

Re: 3 for Free hours of Energy

Tony101 — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:03:43 GMT

This seems to be the only place on the web that claims NSW hasn’t got the offer yet! Ive been on with a agl chat bot, and they tell me i can sign up, you have to change plans apparently.

Quote from chatbot, "The Three for Free plan is a different plan, and you would need to switch to it in order to access the three hours of free usage."

EDIT:

Well im in NSW and ive just signed up, she tried to put me off by telling i wont get my feed in tariff (All of $20), as if that makes a difference.

Seems to me some people at AGL haven’t go a clue what’s going on, the web site wont even let me access the page of the deal ive just signed up to.