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Wemen Solar Farm, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Mark Stebnicki on Pexels

The Australian government is floating a scheme that would share the benefits of solar power with everyone on the grid, offering totally free electricity to ratepayers in the middle of the day, when the sun is shining the strongest.

Australia is a sunny place. It’s kind of known for it. It’s the sunniest continent, and the sunniest country outside of the Middle East/Africa, with extensive photovoltaic power potential across its entire territory.

In recognition of that, Australia has been installing lots of solar power. Formerly a coal-heavy nation (for which coal is still its 2nd-largest export), solar and wind have rapidly taken over Australia’s electricity grid, pushing coal and methane gas out of the equation.

This has taken a big chunk out of Australia’s electricity-related climate emissions, and of course resulted in clean air benefits as dirty coal is pushed out of the grid. And climate emissions matter a lot for Australia, a country that is becoming more unbearably hot and suffering more fires due to climate change. (Though Australia is also a great example of how global cooperation on environmental issues can fix a huge problem, as they are the primary beneficiary of global action on closing the hole in the Ozone layer)

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So solar power has been a great thing for Australia, especially with rooftop solar on Australian homes.

But it can lead to swingy electricity supply, given that solar only generates electricity when the sun is out.

How swings in solar supply and electricity pricing work

Most areas have certain times of day where more electricity is used than others. These are referred to as “peak hours” and generally they happen in the early evening, when people get home from work, turn on the HVAC, cook dinner, do laundry and the like.

But there are also certain times of day when more electricity is generated, and that’s particularly the case in places with high solar penetration. Solar obviously generates energy only during the day, and creates a peak of generation in the middle of the day, when most people are at work.

There are ways to mitigate this – for example, with batteries, which Australia has also used a lot of (and is thinking about extending that to EV batteries too). Wind power also helps, since wind tends to pick up in the hours that solar is dropping off.

But another way to mitigate it is through simple economics. Offer people lower prices in the hours that electricity is more abundant, and higher prices in hours where it isn’t. Then, people will tend to use electricity when they can – especially if they have shiftable loads like electric cars, laundry, pool pumps and such, which don’t need to be on at the same time every day (unlike HVAC, cooking, and lighting, for example).

Most electricity providers will offer something like this, called a “time of use” plan. These plans differ in their rates and peak hours depending on your location and how the supply/demand curves work for electricity there (and have seen common use among electric car owners because of the outsized effect an EV has on home electricity use).

On the utility side, though, the swings in price can be much more drastic. Wholesale prices for electricity can go up to multiple dollars per kilowatt-hour during times of extreme demand when the grid is stressed, and electricity prices can even go negative when there is little demand and lots of supply, particularly on an islanded grid like Australia (this also happens in Texas, where the grid is largely disconnected from the rest of the US). These swings are ironed out for the consumer, so things aren’t as spiky for us, but it can be quite a rollercoaster on the grid side.

In Australia and other places with high solar penetration, these negative electricity prices often happen during the day. That’s when generation is the highest for solar panels, and household loads are typically low.

Australia proposes letting everyone benefit from negative wholesale rates

So, the Australian government has decided on a scheme to bring those electricity savings to the consumer, with what its calling its “Solar Sharer” program.

The program would require electricity retailers to provide free electricity to everyone for at least three hours a day, in recognition of the incredibly low wholesale cost of electricity during daytime due to extensive solar power penetration.

These would likely be in the middle of the day, when most people aren’t home. However, every home has some amount of shiftable electricity load, and the Solar Sharer scheme would encourage people to make use of that. With modern appliances that can be scheduled to start in the middle of the day, people can just plan to do laundry, run the dishwasher, run the pool pump, or charge their car at noon, instead of whenever else they were going to.

Additionally, people could fill up a home battery during the day, and then use that electricity during peak hours when rates are higher. And this plan will help to incentivize private installation of batteries, or other shiftable loads.

The overall effect of this is that it will help to iron out electricity use, making it track more closely with electricity supply, reducing the need for grid upgrades to manage swings in generation. Just turning on this simple behavioral switch, and then publicizing it so customers know to use electricity in the free hours, will both help the grid and help ratepayers save money.

Better yet, this scheme will apply not just to people who have solar or home batteries, but to people who live in places where they can’t put up solar – those who live in apartments and the like. The government says it will require companies to offer this scheme to all customers, not just those with solar.

The government did receive some pushback from electricity retailers, who feel they were not properly consulted on the plan. But Australia’s Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said he would make “no apologies” if this scheme reduced their margins, and that “consumers are put first” as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The government plans to implement the scheme starting in July next year, first in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. If it works well, other regions will get it starting in 2027.

Electrek’s Take

Australia is doing a lot of great things with electricity, and acting somewhat like a natural laboratory for a lot of ideas that people have been talking about for a long time. Since the whole country has similar solarization, it can work somewhat as a unit in pushing for solar power, and for reforms to help enable it.

It’s already working on V2G, with a huge trial started recently, and the wide adoption of solar and batteries is proving that even a solar-heavy grid can still work. And an idea like this, showing how simple economics can be used to change consumer behavior, could provide a model for the rest of the world on how to usher us into a cleaner energy future.

So we’ll be watching with interest how this turns out – I think it will likely turn out quite well, if the government goes through with it fully.

The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.


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This Chinese EV has 300+ miles range, can swap batteries in 99 secs, and costs under $15,000

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November 5, 2025

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This Chinese EV has 300+ miles range, can swap batteries in 99 secs, and costs under ,000

Aion-UT-Super-99-sec-battery

How does a fully charged battery in under 100 seconds sound? China’s CATL, GAC Group, and JD.com revealed a battery-swappable version of the Aion UT that can swap batteries quicker than you can pump gas.

The Aion UT Super can swap EV batteries in 99 seconds

The new battery swap version looks about the same as the current Aion UT sold in China, but it’s equipped with CATL’s Choco-SEB battery packs.

CATL introduced the new battery packs in December that can be swapped for a fully charged one in under 100 seconds, making it just as fast as filling up a gas tank.

The new Aion UT Super draws power from a 54.036 kWh CATL LFP battery, providing a CLTC driving range of 500 km (310 miles). Drivers can swap, charge, or rent batteries at one of CATL’s Choco Battery Swap Stations. It also features a single electric motor with 134 horsepower (100 kW).

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Measuring 4,270 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,575 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, the electric hatch is about the size of the Volkswagen ID.3.

Chinese-EV-99-battery-swap
Chinese-EV-99-battery-swap

Don’t feel like swapping? The electric hatchback can still recharge from 30% to 80% in 26 minutes, the company said.

Inside, the setup is relatively simple, with a floating infotainment screen at the center and a smaller driver display cluster.

Chinese-EV-99-battery-swap
Chinese-EV-99-battery-swap

The new Aion UT Super will be sold exclusively on JD.com, also known as the “Chinese Amazon.” GAC opened blind pre-orders on Wednesday ahead of its official launch next week during the 11.11 shopping festival, China’s largest shopping event.

According to CarNewsChina, prices for the swappable Aion UT Super are expected to range from 100,000 yuan ($14,000) to 120,000 yuan ($16,800).

The Aion UT Super joins other Chinese EVs, including the Changan Oshan 520, that are rolling out with CATL’s 99 second swappable batteries. Several major brands in China, including GAC, Chery, NIO, FAW, and BAIC, are partnering with CATL to launch vehicles using its Choco-SEB batteries.


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Anker SOLIX early Black Friday Doorbusters with up to $3,599 savings, exclusive new lows on EcoFlow and Jackery power stations, more

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November 5, 2025

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Anker SOLIX early Black Friday Doorbusters with up to ,599 savings, exclusive new lows on EcoFlow and Jackery power stations, more


Today’s Green Deals are jam-packed with returning and new low prices on power stations, headlined by Anker’s SOLIX early Black Friday doorbusters that are taking up to $3,599 off a selection of units, including the F3000 Portable Power Station at its $1,399 low. From there, we have up to $2,779 in exclusive savings on the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra and DELTA 3 Ultra power stations at new low prices starting from $949, as well as up to $1,650 exclusive savings on Jackery’s Explorer 3000 V2 and 2000 V2 power stations at new lows starting from $599. There’s also the annual low on an AeroGarden indoor hydroponic system, BougeRV’s 200-pound carrying bike/e-bike rack, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about the hangover deals that are collected together at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s EcoFlow early Black Friday Sale with up to 80% discounts, the exclusive new low prices on eight Mammotion robot lawn mowers, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Save up to $3,599 on a selection of Anker SOLIX early Black Friday power station doorbusters starting from $449

Anker SOLIX has launched its early Black Friday doorbuster promotions through the rest of the week, with a select collection of power stations getting up to 65% early-access discounts ahead of the full sale’s launch. One notable inclusion here is Anker’s new SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station dropping back to $1,399 shipped, beating out Amazon’s pricing by $100. Since hitting the market in June, this newer unit has carried a $2,599 full price tag outside of sales/discounts, with this all-time low having first appeared during last month’s Prime Day event and then repeating during the brand’s previous Halloween Sale. With these Anker SOLIX Black Friday Doorbuster deals, the all-time low is coming back around to provide $1,200 in savings so you can upgrade your backup support at the best price we have tracked. Head below for the full lineup of doorbusters ahead of the rush.

The Anker SOLIX F3000 power station is a great choice for folks who want more bolstered backup power support for campsites, tailgates, road trips, and even at-home emergencies – especially when considering its passthrough charging capabilities when connected to a gas generator. You’ll gain a sizeable 3,072Wh starting LiFePO4 capacity that can be further built up to 24kWh with additional add-on equipment.

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Through its 11 output ports (including a TT-30R port to cover RV needs) your devices and appliances will receive up to 3,600W of steady power. Alongside the new gas generator option to recharge while providing power elsewhere, you also have the options for a standard AC outlet or utilizing up to 2,400W of solar input.

Anker SOLIX early Black Friday doorbusters:

You can also browse these Anker SOLIX early Black Friday Doorbusters on the main landing page here.

ecoflow's DELTA Pro Ultra power station connected to solar panels in yard

EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Ultra and DELTA 3 Ultra power stations get up to $2,779 exclusive savings to new lows from $949

We’ve secured some exclusive savings from Wellbots on two EcoFlow units that give you new low prices, like the largest DELTA Pro Ultra Whole-Home Backup Power Station coming with a FREE 400W solar panel at $3,599 shipped, after using the code 10BF9TO5 at checkout. While this station carries a $6,098 MSRP directly from the brand, it’s coming down at Wellbots from a $5,799 full price, with discounts having seen the price taken as low as $3,999 from EcoFlow and Amazon, while a previous exclusive deal back from April saw it go further to $3,799. Today’s exclusive deal drops costs further than we’ve tracked before, giving you a $2,200 price cut on the station alongside the $579 value of the free solar panel for a new all-time low price and $2,779 in total savings. You’ll also find the brand’s newest DELTA 3 Ultra Portable Power Station hitting a new low of $949 shipped, after using the exclusive code 150BF9TO5 at checkout. Head below to learn more about these two backup power solutions.

If you want to learn more about these two power stations, be sure to check out our original coverage of these exclusive deals here. We also have two other ongoing EcoFlow exclusive deals at their best rates ever, with the DELTA Pro power station down at a new $1,159 low, while the DELTA 2 Max power station gets a FREE Solar Hat at a new $749 low.

woman powering refrigerator with Jackery explorer 3000 v2 power station

Save up to $1,650 on Jackery’s Explorer 3000 V2 and 2000 V2 power stations at exclusive new lows from $599

Right alongside the pair of exclusive EcoFlow power station deals we secured, Wellbots is also giving 9to5Toys readers exclusive new low prices on two Jackery power stations, including the newer Explorer 3000 V2 (AKA the HomePower 3000) Portable Power Station at $849 shipped, after using the exclusive code 150POWER9TO5 at checkout, with a separate hangover exclusive low price to pick it up with two 200W solar panels. It may carry a $2,499 MSRP since its release in May, but we’ve regularly seen discounts taking this station down between $1,699 and $1,499 in the time since, with Prime Day giving us a drop lower to $999, which is where the savings start here today. Using the exclusive code, you’ll be scoring a total $1,650 in savings off the MSRP that beats out all deals we’ve seen before, dropping things to a new all-time low price. There’s also the Jackery Explorer 2000 V2 Portable Power Station that is dropping to a new low of $599 shipped, after using the exclusive code 200POWER9TO5 at checkout. Head below to learn more about these backup power solutions.

If you want to learn more about these power stations, be sure to check out our original coverage of these exclusive deals here.

aerogarden's Harvest Elite 360 indoor garden sitting on kitchen counter with ingredients

Have fresh herbs in reach with this AeroGarden Harvest Elite 360 indoor hydroponic kit at a $100 annual low

Amazon is offering the AeroGarden Harvest Elite 360 Indoor Garden Hydroponic System at $99.99 shipped. It’s coming down off its $125 full price here, with discounts having taken the costs as low as $100 over 2025 when it’s not in and out of availability at Amazon. While we have seen it go lower in past years, the deal here still gives you a solid 20% markdown that cuts $25 off the tag, giving you the best price that we have tracked over the year while providing your kitchen with a handy means to grow your favorite herbs. Head below to learn more about this gadget and some alternate devices from the brand that are also seeing discounts.

If you want to learn more about this handy kitchen gadget, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

BougeRV's 2-inch e-bike rack hitch attached to SUV with two e-bikes travelling down road

This BougeRV rack attaches to your vehicle to carry up to 200 pounds of e-bikes with a tilting feature at its $300 low

Coming back to us through the official BougeRV Amazon storefront, you can pick up the 2-inch e-bike Rack Hitch with Ramp at $299.99 shipped for the second time that we have tracked. It carries a $500 MSRP, but has been hanging down at $450 since late October, which was also when we last saw the price drop down to this all-time low rate. You’re getting a second chance at this $200 total markdown here, which comes in just $16 above the current pricing of its e-bike-compatible variant that only sports a 150-pound payload over this model’s 200-pound payload.

If you want to learn more about this bike carrier, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Best Fall EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.


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Trump nuclear power investment in Westinghouse could lead to IPO with U.S. government as shareholder

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3 hours ago

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November 5, 2025

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Trump nuclear power investment in Westinghouse could lead to IPO with U.S. government as shareholder

The Vogtle nuclear power plant is located in Burke County, near Waynesboro, Georgia in USA. Each of the two existing units have a Westinghouse pressurized water reactor (PWR), with a General Electric turbine and electric generator, producing approximately 2,400 MW of electricity. Two Westinghouse made AP 1000 reactors are under construction here.

Pallava Bagla | Corbis News | Getty Images

The Trump administration’s plan to spend tens of billions of dollars on Westinghouse nuclear plants could transform it into an independent, publicly traded company with the U.S. government as a major shareholder.

The Commerce Department signed a deal last week with Westinghouse owners Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management to spend $80 billion to build the company’s nuclear plants across the U.S.

Under the deal, the U.S. government is granted a participation interest in Westinghouse and can require an initial public offering on or before January 2029 if the company’s value surges to $30 billion or more.

The government could become an 8% shareholder in Westinghouse under this scenario, said Cameco Chief Operating Officer Grant Isaac on the company’s third-quarter earnings call Wednesday. It is not entitled to a stake in Cameco or Brookfield under the deal, Isaac said.

Cameco would consider spinning out Westinghouse as an independent company in 2029 depending on the circumstances, the executive said.

“There is definitely a unique interest in investing just in Westinghouse,” Isaac said. “Cameco is a funny proxy for that. Brookfield’s probably an even funnier proxy to invest in just Westinghouse.”

Cameco is one of the largest uranium miners in the world and Brookfield is one of the biggest investors in energy generation.

“We’re going to keep all options on the table,” Isaac said. “This partnership agreement does not force us to leave Westinghouse in 2029. We don’t have to sell any of our share — or we may if the value of Westinghouse is so significant come 2029 when that window opens up.”

U.S. government financing

The government’s interest in Westinghouse vests only if it makes a final investment decision with definitive agreements to build new reactors in the U.S. with a total value of $80 billion.

The U.S. could use tools like Department of Energy loans or financing from “other jurisdictions” to finance the projects among other options, Isaac said.

“We’re assured that there is a lot of interest in investing this minimum $80 billion in order to begin the process,” the executive said.

Westinghouse has designed a big modern nuclear reactor called the AP1000 that the Trump administration wants to deploy across the U.S. to meet rising electricity demand from data centers and manufacturing. It generates a gigawatt of electricity, which is enough power for more than 750,000 homes.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in May that called for the U.S. to start construction on 10 large new nuclear reactors by 2030. Westinghouse CEO Dan Sumner said in July that the company would meet Trump’s call with the AP1000.

But Westinghouse has struggled in the past to deliver the AP1000 on time and on budget. It went bankrupt in 2017 from cost overruns at big nuclear projects in Georgia and South Carolina.

The first two AP1000 reactors in the U.S. came online at Plant Vogtle in Georgia in 2023 and 2024 but the South Carolina project was canceled.

Westinghouse was bought by Brookfield and Cameco in 2023, five years after it emerged from bankruptcy. Brookfield has a 51% stake in Westinghouse and Cameco owns 49% of it.

The nuclear industry needs a big order of reactors to stimulate the market and supply chains, Isaac said. The U.S. government is serving that role, the executive said.

“What the U.S. government has done is committed to step in and be that stimulant if you will, their commitment is to facilitate the financing,” he said.

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