Amber Electric Review: How Amber Can Help You Maximise Your Solar and Battery Savings
Imagine transforming your home into a personal power station—where your solar panels and battery system don’t just save you money but could actually earn you income. In this Amber electric review, we’ll walk through exactly how the platform works, who it’s right for, and how it fits into a smart solar and battery setup.
– Important note: Amber is best suited to homes that have a solar battery. If you don’t yet have one, but are considering adding one, this review will help you decide if Amber is the right energy retailer to pair with your system. If you do not have a solar battery, it is highly likely Amber is not for you. Read on to find out why.
Amber Electric Review Continued. Unlock the Full Potential of Your Solar and Battery System
Amber’s standout feature is this: it gives you direct access to the real-time wholesale price of electricity. That’s something traditional retailers simply don’t do.
This means:
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You buy electricity at its actual cost (when it’s low, typically at night or during high solar generation), and
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You sell excess solar energy back to the grid when prices spike (sometimes as high as $19/kWh during demand surges)
Rather than charging you a margin on every unit of energy, Amber instead operates on a flat $22 per month subscription (at the time of writing). You get the raw market price, plus smart tools to help you make the most of it.
⚡ Amber Can Boost Your ROI
This part of the Amber electric review is where many homeowners lean in: Amber could potentially speed up the return on investment of your solar and battery setup.
If your system is designed and installed well, Amber’s model gives you the tools to:
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Minimise your draw from the grid when prices are high
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Maximise export value when you’ve got excess solar
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Use your battery strategically through automation (more on that below)
In short, your solar and battery can work a lot harder—and smarter—than they would under a standard fixed-rate plan.
Smarter Battery Automation with SmartShift™
Amber’s SmartShift™ technology is where the magic happens.
It’s an intelligent automation tool that monitors:
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Your household energy consumption patterns
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Solar generation forecasts
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Wholesale energy market fluctuations
Then it uses that data to control your battery—charging it when power is cheapest, and discharging it when grid prices are high. All of this happens automatically, based on real-time signals.
You still have full control, but SmartShift™ works silently in the background to help you earn more and spend less.
Who Should Consider Amber Electric?
Amber is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Based on this Amber electricity review, here’s who’s most likely to benefit:
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New solar + battery homeowners: Amber can help accelerate your system payback and reduce bills dramatically.
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Solar owners without a battery: Adding a battery and combining it with Amber can open up new levels of value.
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Current solar + battery owners: You may be able to get a better return than you’re seeing under your current fixed-rate plan.
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EV owners: Amber’s EV integration lets you charge your car at the cheapest (and greenest) times—without needing to think about it.
✅ Pros & ❌ Cons of Using Amber
✅ Pros
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Direct access to real-time wholesale electricity prices
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High feed-in rates during peak demand (up to $19/kWh in rare cases)
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Flat, transparent $22/month fee with no usage markups
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SmartShift™ tech that automates your battery
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Detailed, easy-to-understand app for full visibility
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Optimised EV charging with no extra equipment
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Flexible, contract-free model
❌ Cons
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Wholesale prices can fluctuate (batteries help smooth this out)
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Not ideal for homes without solar and a battery
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Some learning curve for users who want manual control
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Requires a compatible smart meter for full functionality
Amber Electric Review: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a battery to benefit from Amber?
Technically no—but Amber’s biggest advantages come from pairing with a solar battery. That’s when SmartShift™ can do its best work.
What is SmartShift™ and what does it actually do?
It automates your battery to charge when prices are low and discharge when prices are high—based on your home’s usage, solar output, and market pricing.
Can Amber optimise EV charging?
Yes. Amber can automatically charge your EV when electricity is cleanest and cheapest. It’s built to reduce costs and support the grid.
What happens if prices spike?
Spikes are usually brief. If you have a battery, you likely won’t need to buy from the grid during these events—and may actually profit by exporting power to it.
Is Amber environmentally friendly?
Yes. It encourages use when renewable energy is abundant and discourages use during fossil-fuel heavy periods.
Do I still get power bills?
Yes, but they’re fully transparent. You’ll see exactly what you used, exported, and paid for—based on real-time prices.
Can I leave Amber anytime?
Yes. There’s no lock-in contract, so you can cancel if it doesn’t suit your needs.
Final Thoughts: Is Amber Right for You?
As this Amber electric review shows, it’s not for everyone—but it can be a game-changer for the right home.
If you already have solar and a battery (or you’re thinking about getting one), Amber offers a completely different way to approach energy—where your system doesn’t just sit there saving money, but actively works to generate value.
At GI Energy, we’ve been installing solar systems since 2011—and we’ve seen the industry evolve. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to helping Australians get the best long-term return on their investment.
If you’d like help figuring out whether Amber is the right fit for your home, we’d be happy to walk you through your options.
Let’s chat. We’ll give you the facts, not the fluff.
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