Expert Insights on Solar, Batteries and Power Bills

As more households invest in solar, batteries, and smart energy technology, one term keeps popping up: Virtual Power Plant (VPP). And for good reason. VPPs represent an important piece of Australia’s energy future, allowing thousands of individual homes and devices to help stabilise the grid, support renewables, and create new income streams for households. Amber’s approach is often compared to a VPP. In fact, Amber qualifies as a VPP for the purposes of rebate schemes like the NSW battery rebate. While Amber for Batteries has some overlaps with traditional VPPs, such as how we allow household batteries to contribute to grid stability and the energy transition, the way we operate is quite different. Let’s unpack what those differences are - and why they matter for your household finances.

A year after joining Amber with his two Powerwalls, David is $2,146 in credit. That’s after powering everything, including two Tesla EVs, hot water, heating, cooling and cooking for five people in a busy home. He says the "magic" happens on a handful of nights a year when prices spike.

Calvin lives in Stanmore, New South Walesin a fully electrified, mostly automated house. He’s made energy management a passion project that’s paying off with Amber.

When most people think of home batteries, they’re thinking about one simple problem: "How can I store my solar so I can use it at night?" And for good reason. For years, that’s largely been how batteries have been marketed. A bit more independence from the grid. A bit more peace of mind if the lights go out. But as we move deeper into Australia’s renewable energy transition, that’s no longer the full story.

At Amber, we've gotten used to hearing a few myths here and there about what it's like to be an Amber for Batteries customer. So we thought we'd tackle them head on! After all, there's a reason we've become Australia's most popular energy company for battery owners.

Driven by a desire to reduce their carbon footprint and take meaningful action against climate change, Chris invested in a solar and battery setup. But it wasn’t until he joined Amber that he felt like he was truly in control of his energy.

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.

Amber has closed a $45 million funding round to supercharge its growth and expand its battery and EV automation technology into global markets. The round was led by UK/Europe-based impact investor ETF Partners (The Environmental Technologies Fund), as well as participation from existing backers including Square Peg, Gentrack, Rubio Impact Ventures, and Breakthrough Victoria.

If you’ve got a home battery, or you’re thinking about getting one, chances are you’ve heard the phrase ‘battery automation’.It may sound like something you need an engineering degree and four different apps to use properly. But the truth is, when it’s set up right, battery automation is surprisingly simple - and seriously powerful. Battery automation is what transforms your battery from a backup box on the wall into a tool for bringing your energy costs down, and in some cases, flipping them into earnings. In this blog, we break down what battery automation actually means, why it matters, and how Amber helps your battery do more - automatically.

How much does a solar battery cost? Our 2025 guide covers prices, rebates, value, and whether it’s worth buying today.

Thinking about a home battery but unsure if the numbers stack up? You’re not alone. One of the biggest questions we hear is: “How long will it take for a battery to pay itself off?” With wholesale energy prices on the move, solar feed-in tariffs shrinking, and new government rebates landing in mid-2025, it’s a good time to revisit the numbers, and what they really mean for your household. Here’s a deep dive into battery payback periods - what they are, what affects them, and what can make the difference between a 10-year payback and one that’s nearly halved.

You’ve probably heard a lot of buzz about home batteries lately. And with solar panels now on more than 3 million Aussie rooftops, it’s no wonder people are starting to ask: should I get a battery too? If you’re curious but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone. Here’s a simple breakdown of what batteries actually do, how much they cost, and how to work out if one’s right for your home.