Energy retailers say they've been blindsided by reforms promising free electricity to hundreds of thousands of Australians during peak solar power hours.

The Solar Sharer program, announced by the federal government on Tuesday, would give consumers free access to electricity for three hours each day as part of the default offer available.

Households in NSW, southeast Queensland and South Australia will qualify to access the program from July 2026, with negotiations under way to extend it to other states in 2027.

But a group representing electricity retailers has criticised the government's lack of consultation about the change.

The Solar Sharer program will be introduced to the Default Market Offer , which acts as a minimum standard for plans and prices offered by electricity retaile

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