REPORTING | Three hours of free electricity
On 4 November 2025, the Australian Government announced "Solar Sharer", which will require energy retailers to offer a competitively priced energy plan that includes at least three hours of free electricity in the middle of the day.
The offer will initially be available to homes with smart meters in New South Wales, South Australia and South-East Queensland from July 2026, with plans to extend to the other states and territories in 2027.
Industry and consumer groups have responded positively, with renters and those living in apartments set to benefit, including those without solar. The free electricity incentive aims to shift malleable demand from the evening to the middle of the day.
Just as batteries time-shift renewable energy, Solar Sharer will help time-shift demand, which will make better use of and reduce costly upgrades to the grid.
More options for consumers is excellent! But — and tell your friends — it may not be the right retail plan for those who may be better off on a single-rate tariff if they can’t shift electricity use to the middle of the day.
ANNOUNCING | November 2025's electrification events are here!
The Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow continues across November, with a packed calendar of fantastic community events across the region.
Tuesday 11 November – Broadmeadows
Hosted by Hume City Council
Register
Wednesday 12 November – Online
Hosted by Clean Energy Nillumbik
Thursday 13 November – Preston
Hosted by Darebin City Council
Saturday 15 November – Rye
Hosted by Repower Mornington Peninsula/Flinders Zero Carbon Community
Sunday 16 November – St Kilda
Hosted by Electrify Southside
Friday 21 November – Preston
Electrify your Home and Life (Vietnamese)
Hosted by Darebin City Council
For more information contact Darebin City Council
See full list of events and partners on our website, there’s lots more happening in 2026!
This project is supported by the Community Electrification Engagement Program. The Program is delivered by Sustainability Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government.
REPORTING | YEF at All Energy Australia
Recently, we joined the whirlwind at the All Energy Australia conference, the largest energy industry event of the calendar. Thanks for coming to say hi!
Energy and Storage Project Manager, Finn Buchhorn presented on YEF's recent feasibility study of a microgrid for the town of Trentham as a case study. Learn more about feasibility study.
Solar and Electrification Project Lead, Lloyd Heathfield presented 'Local Councils and Working with Community', highlighting that $1 of Council rebates can unlock an additional $4-5 of State and Federal rebates and a better deal for customers.
TALKING | Toolbox TechTalk with Glen Morris
YEF recently did a technical feasibility study for a low-voltage network connected microgrid in Trentham, Victoria.
We caught up with Jo Oddie from Trentham Sustainability Group and Glen Morris (SolarQuip) on his show, Toolbox TechTalk, about the project.
The town of Trentham in West Central Victoria is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts and extreme weather events. The project was part of an effort to find new solutions to energy reliability and resilience in Trentham.
ATTENDING | Future Grid Summit 2025
Next month we’re joining networks, regulators, policymakers and technologists in Sydney to tackle the real barriers facing the grid, batteries, and distributed energy resources.
The Future Grid Summit will take place 3-4 December 2025, and YEF's Commercial Program Manager, Chris Wallin, will be speaking on a panel about energy storage, from community batteries to large-scale storage projects.
Session: Rethinking the role of batteries in a resilient, distributed grid | Wednesday 3 December 2025 | 4.10pm
The discussion will include governance and ownership models, the role of networks, market operators and communities, and how to balance rapid deployment with long term planning.
ALTONA | YEF | DELIVERING | Community battery offer for Altona residents
YEF is delivering a community battery in Altona to reduce pressure on the electricity grid and support more households to install rooftop solar. Learn more about Altona Community Battery
Through our partner Diamond Energy, Altona residents can apply for a $240/annum credit every year for up to 10 years. Noting that the offer will be available to a limited number of households, with priority given to concession card holders.
Please note: this offer is only available to Altona residents who are Diamond Energy customers.
VIC | VEU | EXPANDING | Commercial and industrial solar discounts
The Victorian Government has expanded the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program to include discounts for commercial and industrial premises to install solar PV systems.
Solar PV systems between 30 kW - 200 kW on any non-residential building in Victoria can apply for the discount through an accredited provider.
Great to see this extra support for businesses, as well as community buildings, schools and hospitals, and we hope to see a greater uptake of solar in these areas.
AUST | CEG | PUBLISHING | Rooftop solar and storage report
Last month, the Clean Energy Council (CEG) released their Rooftop solar and storage report.
Highlights for the first half of 2025:
- 115,584 Aussie homes installed rooftop solar, with the country's total being over 4 million
- Rooftop solar contributed 12.8% of Australia's total energy generation for the period
- 85,000 battery units were sold, a huge jump on the previous period
AUST | EVC | REPORTING | State of electric vehicles 2025
The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) released their State of Electric Vehicles report, sharing data from January to June 2025.
Highlights:
- 24% increase in EV sales in Australia
- EV's make up 12% of all new cars sold
- More than 370,000 EVs on the road, up from 180,000 just two years ago
- ACT has the largest EV uptake of all states and territories while Victoria saw the largest growth in EV sales for the period
SHARING | Our Services
Find out more about the services that Yarra Energy Foundation offers including:
- Feasibility studies
- Community Engagement
- Community battery strategies for local councils
- Consulting & advice
- Project management
- Solar & electrification programs
We are a small team of extremely passionate energy experts with decades of combined industry, governmental, business, and sustainability experience.
MORE:
Yarra Energy Foundation acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung as the Traditional Owners of this country, pays tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Yarra, and gives respect to the Elders past and present.