Amber Electric FAQs: Is Amber Electric Right for Your Solar & Battery System?

 

Quick Answer: Amber Electric can unlock major energy savings for solar battery owners by giving direct access to wholesale electricity prices. But it only works well if your battery is correctly sized and compatible with Amber’s platform. This Amber Electric FAQs article unpacks what you need to know.

 

 

 

What Is Amber Electric and How Does It Work?

 

Amber Electric is a retail electricity provider offering access to real-time wholesale energy prices via a $25/month subscription. Unlike traditional providers, Amber doesn’t markup energy rates. Instead, you pay exactly what it costs to buy electricity on the National Energy Market (NEM) – whether it’s 1c or $20/kWh.

Amber is a great fit for Australians with a well-sized solar and battery system because it allows you to:

• Buy grid energy when it’s cheap
• Avoid using grid energy during expensive peak periods
• Sell energy back to the grid during high-price events

 

 

Amber Electric FAQs Continued: Who Is Amber Electric Best Suited For?

 

Amber is ideal for homeowners who:

• Have a modern solar system AND a large battery (10kWh+ preferred)
• Want to maximise return on investment with real-time energy trading
• Are open to a dynamic pricing model

 

It is not recommended for:

• Homes without a battery
• Battery systems under 5kWh
• Households with very high grid reliance from 4pm–8pm

 

Key Hardware Requirements

To get the most out of Amber, you’ll need:

• A battery that integrates with Amber (e.g. Tesla Powerwall, BYD, Sungrow, Sigenergy)
• A smart inverter (e.g. Fronius)
• A consumption meter if curtailment is needed (e.g. for negative feed-in)

 

How Amber Pricing Really Works

 

 

Cost Component	Details
Amber Subscription Fee	$25/month
Electricity Price (Wholesale)	Varies from 1c to $20+/kWh
Network Charges	~$1.40/day (similar to other retailers)
Feed-in Tariffs	Based on live spot price (can be 0 to $10+)

 

Amber does not mark up the spot price like most retailers. However, the “wholesale price” includes spot rate + delivery + environmental fees.

Can You Really Save Money with Amber?

This is a very common Amber Electric FAQ and the answer is… yes, but only if your battery covers your peak demand. Amber clients with large, well-managed systems report average rates of 11 – 18c/kWh—significantly lower than fixed-rate retailers.

And yes, price spikes do occur (up to $20+/kWh), but they are rare and short-lived. A price spike means if you have battery power available to export,  you can sell it back to the grid for whatever the peak is worth, which is sometimes over $20 a kWh. The smart thing is to treat spikes as a bonus, not a strategy.

 

 

How Hard Is It to Use Amber?

 

Thanks to the SmartShift plan, most of the optimisation happens automatically:

• Amber learns your usage patterns
• It charges/discharges your battery based on price forecasts
• You can override it with a single tap if needed

There’s no need to micromanage or sit on the app every evening.

Tip: After signup, there’s a short waiting period while Amber integrates with your battery. Make sure you have your inverter and battery model info handy.

 

Amber Electric AFQs: Common Pitfalls to Avoid

 

• Wrong battery sizing: A 5kWh battery likely won’t cut it. Aim for at least 10–15kWh if you want to see results.
• Incompatible hardware: Some inverters/batteries don’t work with Amber. Double-check their supported device list.
• Export limits: If you’re on single-phase with a 5kW limit, your export income will be capped unless you’re in a “dynamic” area.
• No curtailment control: Without a consumption meter or compatible inverter, Amber can’t stop you exporting during negative pricing events.

Example Amber User Setup

• Battery: 2x Tesla Powerwalls (27kWh total)
• Inverter: Fronius Symo Gen24 10
• Panels: 14kW of REC Alpha
• Consumption Meter: Yes
• Usage Pattern: Aircon-heavy summer load, between 30 – 80kWhs per day of consumption
• Strategy: Charge battery by 4pm, limit usage from 4–8pm, sell excess during price spikes

Result: $0 bills or credits most months

 

How to Know If Amber Is Right for You

 

We strongly recommend speaking with a solar expert who understands Amber integration. At GI Energy, we evaluate:

• Your solar + battery specs
• Your typical usage patterns
• Your feed-in/export potential

Then we design or retrofit a system that works with Amber—not against it.

Request a free battery health check or quote today.

Amber Electric FAQs

 

Is Amber better than a traditional fixed-rate plan?

For many battery owners, yes. But it depends on your system size, usage, and ability to avoid peak pricing.

Can I use Amber without a battery?

Technically yes, but it’s rarely cost-effective. Prices often spike during peak usage times, which you can’t avoid without a battery.

Does Amber support all battery brands?

No. Only selected models with compatible APIs are supported. Check Amber’s website or ask GI Energy to assess your setup.

Can I control when to sell energy?

Yes. The SmartShift app automates trading but allows manual overrides when price spikes are forecast.

Are price spikes common?

No. They’re rare and short-lived. You shouldn’t base your ROI purely on them—but they’re a nice bonus.

What happens if my inverter is outdated?

You may not be able to integrate with Amber properly. Upgrading your inverter or installing a consumption meter may be required.

Summary: Should You Switch to Amber?

 

Amber Electric is a powerful option if you’re properly equipped. With the right system, it can accelerate your return on investment and slash your power bills to near zero. But success depends on:

• Having a large enough, compatible battery
• Using a smart inverter
• Understanding your energy patterns

 

 

 

Get a Custom Proposal from GI Energy

If you’re interested in learning how Amber Electric can work for your home, GI Energy offers free, no-obligation proposals. Our expert team will assess your energy needs, recommend the right system size, and show you how much you can save with solar and battery storage. Get your proposal now!

About GI Energy?

 

At GI Energy, we’re incredibly proud to have been serving Australian homes and businesses since 2011. Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of customers reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint through innovative solar solutions. Our expertise has evolved to encompass a broad range of energy-saving strategies, catering to small, medium, and large-scale energy needs.

As one of Australia’s most trusted and longest-serving solar energy companies, our mission is to deliver the highest quality products and services. We take pride in offering accurate solar quotations and personalized solutions that meet your unique requirements. Let us help you make the switch to solar energy with confidence.