Australia Mandating Three Hours a Day of Free Power for Households

Australia will mandate utilities to provide free power to some households during parts of the day in a bid to soak up excess solar generation, reduce power bills and improve grid stability.

The so-called Solar Sharer program will require retailers to offer free power to households for at least three hours in the middle of the day when generation is at its peak, according to a statement from Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen on Tuesday. The initiative is scheduled to start in July.