Chris here, Co-CEO of Amber, with your spring update.
Australia has recently passed 500,000 battery installations under the Cheaper Home Battery Program, and yours might be one of them. Together, these batteries are helping keep the grid stable and shift more money from big generators into consumers' pockets.
There's plenty happening at Amber as we head towards summer, from shifts in wholesale electricity prices and new network tariffs to more ways to get value from your battery and EV.
Spring is peak season for your battery
This winter was the warmest on record for Victoria and NSW, with a strengthening El Niño playing a key role. Combined with record battery and solar output, it pushed wholesale electricity prices to some of their lowest levels in years.
Across the National Electricity Market, average wholesale prices for April to June were down 47% year on year. South Australia was the exception, with lower wind output pushing prices higher at times.
But low average prices don't mean the market has stopped moving. On 8 July, evening prices spiked in Victoria and South Australia, showing how quickly conditions can change. And just last week, prices spiked in NSW leading to a $2 million payday for Amber customers.
With El Niño expected to peak over summer and above-average spring temperatures forecast, spring is typically when we see some of the biggest gaps between low daytime prices and higher evening prices. Solar generation floods the grid during the day, while warmer temperatures can push up demand later on.
For battery owners, that means more chances to charge cheaply, export when prices are high and help balance the grid. SmartShift works to make the most of those opportunities automatically.
If you have solar or a battery, make sure your solar curtailment settings are working so you're not paying to export electricity when midday prices turn negative. Outdated firmware is a common reason curtailment stops working, so check our troubleshooting guide if you need a hand.
Your battery is getting smarter about network tariffs
New two-way network tariffs arrived on 1 July, creating another way for some battery owners to earn from exporting electricity when the grid needs it most.
On some networks, customers can receive a bonus of up to 15c/kWh for exporting during the evening peak, alongside a small charge for exporting during the middle of the day.
These tariffs tend to work best if your battery can export between 4pm and 9pm and you can use more of your own solar during the day. They're not necessarily the right fit for everyone, so it's worth checking the rates and trade-offs for your network.
Eligible SmartShift customers can now request a switch to a two-way tariff directly in the Amber app. You'll be able to review the rates before making a decision, and once you've switched, SmartShift will automatically factor them into its charging and exporting decisions.
We've also made improvements for customers on demand tariffs. SmartShift now includes an automated buffer that tops your battery up to 80% before the demand window begins, helping reduce the risk of being caught short during periods of high household electricity use.
What we've been building
The technology behind Amber keeps growing, and we've been busy adding new features and partnerships to help customers get more value from their energy.
GoodWe ESA batteries are now compatible with SmartShift
We've added GoodWe, one of Australia's top inverter manufacturers, to our SmartShift integrations. Owners of GoodWe ESA series systems can now access Amber's wholesale electricity prices alongside automated battery charging and exporting through SmartShift.
If you're already with Amber and have a compatible GoodWe ESA system, head to the Devices tab in the app and select Enrol solar and/or battery. Your inverter will need to be online and running the latest firmware. If you're new to Amber, sign up and share your GoodWe device details so we can get you enrolled.
Introducing SmartShift Labs
We've also launched SmartShift Labs, a new space in the Amber app where customers can try experimental features and share feedback before they're rolled out more widely.
The first feature is Earnings Optimiser Plus, which looks for opportunities to trade on smaller electricity price movements throughout the day.
SmartShift Labs features are optional, and you can turn them off at any time.
More BYD EVs can now power homes
Our vehicle-to-grid (V2G) partnership with BYD has expanded to include the Sealion 7, their top-selling electric vehicle in Australia.
The Sealion 7 joins the Atto 3 in our V2G program, giving eligible owners the ability to use their EV like a second home battery. That means powering their home, reducing electricity bills and earning from exports to the grid, while retaining BYD warranty coverage as part of the program.
Last quarter, 64 Amber customers with V2G turned stored EV energy into a combined $5,651 in value. You can read more about how V2G is performing or join the waitlist if you're interested.
Share Amber with a mate
One of the best parts of building Amber is seeing customers bring friends and family along as we work towards an energy system powered by 100% renewables. And right now, there's a little extra in it for you.
Until 9 November 2026, we've increased our Mates Rates referral offer from $120 to $200 each for you and the person you refer.
If you know someone who's thinking about getting a battery or switching electricity retailers, you can find your referral code in the Amber app and share it with them before they sign up. You can read the full referral terms and conditions here.
Thanks for being part of Amber and for doing energy differently with us.
Cheers,
Chris, Co-CEO at Amber
