Expert Insights on Solar, Batteries and Power Bills

If you've got an electric vehicle and solar panels on your roof, you're probably wondering: can I actually power my car with sunshine? The short answer is yes, and it's a practical way to cut your charging costs while making the most of your solar system. In this guide, we'll walk you through how solar EV charging actually works, what equipment you need, how many panels it takes, and how to make the whole system work smarter with your lifestyle.

Daytime energy prices are dropping to zero or even going negative as Australia's solar systems pump out more energy than the grid needs. For Amber customers with batteries or EVs, these are golden opportunities to charge up for free (or get paid to do it). But if you charge everything at once at full speed, you might overload your home and lose power. The good news? A few simple tweaks to your charging settings mean you can safely soak up all that cheap energy without any drama.

Installing solar panels is a brilliant first step towards energy independence, but what happens when you're ready to take things further? Maybe you want to store excess solar energy for use at night, or perhaps you're eyeing off an electric vehicle and need more power flexibility. This is where a battery-ready solar system becomes invaluable.

If you're an Amber customer in NSW, you might have noticed something unusual on your app over the past couple of days. Electricity prices didn't just spike - they went on a rollercoaster ride that's relatively rare to see in the National Electricity Market. Let's unpack what drove these price movements and what they tell us about Australia's changing electricity system.

You have solar panels pumping out energy during the day, but what happens when the sun sets? That is where batteries come in. Adding battery storage to your existing solar system lets you store excess energy for use at night, during peak price periods, or when the grid needs support.But how much does it actually cost to add a battery to solar panels in Australia? And more importantly, is it worth it?

If you have a home battery, you've probably heard about Virtual Power Plants. The promise is simple: connect your battery to a network, help the grid, and earn money in return. But here's where it gets complicated. Not all VPPs operate the same way, and the differences between them can mean thousands of dollars in savings and significantly more control over your own energy. Let's break down how VPPs actually work, where traditional VPPs often fall short, and why Amber's approach delivers better outcomes for households.

The Australian Government has announced the Solar Sharer scheme, a new initiative designed to reward households for using electricity during the middle of the day when solar generation is at its peak. It's a welcome recognition that Australia's energy system works better when we use more power during solar hours, and a sign that time-varying pricing is becoming mainstream. The Solar Sharer scheme acknowledges what many in the energy sector have known for years: when solar is abundant, electricity should be cheap, and households should benefit from using it.

If you're new to EVs, you've probably experienced it: that nagging worry about whether you've got enough charge to make it home. But here's the good news - a new Australian study shows that range anxiety is temporary, and your charging habits will naturally evolve as you get comfortable with your EV.