Batteries used to be seen as a backup plan. A just-in-case. A premium add-on that gave solar households a bit more independence from the grid, but not necessarily a financial return.
That’s no longer the case.
Thanks to falling battery prices, smarter software, and growing access to wholesale energy prices, more Australians are now installing home batteries not just to use their own solar after dark - but to get paid for their power.
And it’s changing everything.
From backup box to income stream
There’s been a quiet revolution happening in Australian suburbs. It’s no longer unusual to see homes with rooftop solar panels and, increasingly, those homes are pairing their panels with batteries.
What’s behind the shift? In short: it’s become a whole lot smarter, simpler, and more valuable to install a battery. Especially if you’re using Amber.
When automated to respond to real-time energy prices, a battery can go from being a passive storage box on the wall to an active participant in the energy market - charging when it’s cheap (or free), and selling when prices spike.
This means households aren’t just saving money on bills. Many are earning money by helping support the grid at critical times and getting rewarded for it.
The numbers don’t lie
Let’s talk results.
Over the past 12 months, 3 in 4 Amber for Batteries customers received at least one negative electricity bill. Yep - the grid actually paid them.
Many Amber for Batteries customers are earning over $1,000 in additional value each year, thanks to our smart software that automatically optimises when their battery charges and discharges based on the real-time price of energy.
That value can come from:
- Selling stored solar back to the grid when wholesale prices spike (which happens more often than you might think)
- Avoiding high prices by using stored energy instead of pulling from the grid
- Charging at times when energy is ultra-cheap or even negatively priced
In some cases, this added value has helped households bring their battery payback periods down by several years, while also reducing emissions and improving grid reliability at the same time.
Automation is the game-changer
Here’s the truth: even if you’ve already got solar and a battery, you might not be getting the full value from your setup. That’s because most traditional battery systems are not set up to make the most of their potential. Rather than being optimised to take advantage of the real-time dynamics of the energy market on your behalf, they simply store your solar and let you use it when the sun goes down. That's great - but it's not even scratching the surface when it comes to what they could be doing for you.That’s where Amber comes in.
Our smart battery automation works behind the scenes to:
- Charge your battery when energy is cheapest and greenest (like when there’s excess solar in the grid)
- Discharge your battery when prices spike (typically in the evening or when demand is high)
- Prioritise your comfort, making sure your home always has the energy it needs
All of this happens automatically - no need to constantly check the app, or guess when the best time to sell might be.
You stay in control, while your battery works smarter and earns more.
Why are prices spiking in the first place?
One word: volatility.
As Australia transitions to renewables, the energy market is becoming more dynamic. Wholesale prices drop when there’s excess solar and wind in the grid. They spike when demand surges, or when renewables dip and fossil fuels kick in.
This volatility isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s a necessary part of the shift to cleaner energy. But it also means households who can be flexible with their energy use (or have a battery to do it for them) are better placed than ever to benefit.
You’re no longer a passive energy consumer. You’re an active part of the energy system, and the system is even going to pay you for your contribution.
Rebates are helping more households get started
One of the biggest barriers to batteries in the past has been the upfront cost. But that’s changing.
State and federal governments are stepping in to help more households make the switch - including the newly-announced Cheaper Home Battery Program, which is expected to offer thousands of dollars off the upfront cost of a home battery system.
Combined with Amber’s automation and smart software, that’s a powerful proposition - making batteries more accessible and more valuable than ever before.
Have a read of our incentives guide here.
It’s not just about money - it’s about momentum
The more homes that install batteries and automate when they use and export power, the more we can collectively shift energy demand to times when renewables are flooding the grid and make sure we’re putting excess renewable energy into the grid when it needs it most.
That means fewer fossil fuels, more clean energy, and a stronger business case for building more wind and solar, helping Australia accelerate toward a fully renewable future.
By choosing a battery and optimising it with Amber, you’re not just cutting your bills. You’re actively helping speed up the transition to 100% renewables.
And you’re getting paid to do it.
Your energy should work for you
A lot of Australians are used to thinking of energy as a bill they have to pay. At Amber, we’re turning that idea on its head.
With the right tools, smart software, and a bit of sun, your home energy setup can become something that actually pays you and puts you in control.
If you’ve already got a battery, Amber for Batteries is the simplest way to unlock its full potential. And if you’re thinking about installing one, we can help you understand the options, the returns, and the timing.
Because energy should be affordable, renewable and (most of all), fair.
Reach out to our team today to see how Amber for Batteries could work for you.
