Note: This is an independent fact-based review using Amber’s official terms, conditions, and published information. It is designed to help Australian homeowners make an informed decision.
Amber VPP Overview
mber Electric’s SmartShift program is a type of Virtual Power Plant (VPP) that works differently from most. Instead of paying a fixed solar feed-in tariff, Amber passes through the real wholesale market price for your electricity use and exports. Your home battery is automatically charged or discharged at the most favourable times based on live market prices.
To participate, you must have your electricity retail account with Amber. SmartShift is offered in the states where Amber retails power, but some government rebate programs tied to VPPs currently apply only in New South Wales and South Australia.
Financial Benefits
Unlike most VPP programs, Amber does not pay you a set per-kWh rate for exports. Instead, you receive the full wholesale market price for every unit of electricity exported. This can mean very high export values in rare price spike events, but it also means earnings vary and can be much lower during calmer market periods.
Fees and incentives:
- Amber’s $25/month retail subscription fee gives you access to wholesale rates and SmartShift automation.
- The SmartShift service is a separate contract to your electricity supply. Amber reserves the right to charge separate SmartShift-specific fees (such as partner API charges) in addition to your retail plan fee.
- Eligible NSW and SA customers may receive state battery rebates for joining with a battery.
- Export revenue is uncapped but depends entirely on wholesale price at the time of export.
How Amber’s pricing could affect you
Let’s say you have a 10 kWh battery and 5 kWh is available to export.
- On a “price spike” day
- Wholesale price jumps to $5.00/kWh for half an hour.
- You export all 5 kWh during that spike.
- You earn: 5 kWh × $5.00 = $25.00 in just 30 minutes.
- On a calm market day
- Wholesale price sits at $0.05/kWh all afternoon.
- You export 5 kWh at that rate.
- You earn: 5 kWh × $0.05 = $0.25.
Why this matters:
The potential upside can be much higher than a fixed feed-in tariff, but the downside is you might earn very little on most days if prices are low.
You also pay Amber’s $25/month subscription regardless of how much you earn, so in months without price spikes, the fee could outweigh your extra export income.
Electricity Tariff / Rate
SmartShift customers pay and earn based on wholesale electricity prices:
- Usage charges: Vary every market interval (no fixed rate). Prices may drop very low or even go negative when renewable generation is high.
- Export payments: Equal to the wholesale price at the time of export (can be far above or below standard feed-in tariffs).
- Other charges: Network, metering, and other regulated charges still apply.
Battery and System Requirements
SmartShift integrates directly with a wide range of compatible battery brands including: Tesla, SolarEdge, LG Chem, AlphaESS, Hive, REA Power, BYD, Sungrow, Redback, Sigenergy, Neovolt, Enphase, GivEnergy — selected models only.
Other requirements:
- You must be an Amber electricity retail customer. SmartShift ends if your Amber retail contract ends.
- A smart meter configured for solar exports.
- Reliable internet with at least 90% uptime.
- Your system must not be in any other VPP or optimisation program at the same time.
Contract Length and Exit Term
- No lock-in contract — you can cancel with 14 days’ written notice.
- Amber may terminate with 30 days’ notice or immediately if your Amber retail supply ends.
- Control of your battery may continue for up to 14 days after cancellation while unenrolment is processed.
- No early exit fees are listed in the materials provided.
Technical Operations
From the SmartShift terms and conditions and support material:
- Automation control: Amber and its technology partners may adjust firmware, communication settings, and optimisation schedules to improve performance.
- Override in extreme conditions: Amber can temporarily override your settings during severe market volatility or weather events.
- Battery cycling: Limited to no more than two full cycles in any 24 hours under automation.
- Manual control: You can switch to manual mode at any time to charge, discharge, or preserve your battery, or turn SmartShift off entirely.
- Connectivity requirement: Your system must remain online and accessible at least 90% of the time.
- Exclusive participation: You cannot be enrolled in any other battery control or optimisation program while in SmartShift.
Customer Experience
- The Amber app shows live wholesale prices, your battery’s planned actions, and projected earnings.
- You can override automation instantly if you need to keep energy for later.
- Enrolment includes a technical check: you must be transferred to Amber retail supply, have a smart meter enabled for exports, and be unenrolled from any other VPP before joining.
- Amber’s complaints process follows its published dispute resolution procedure.
Important Note on Third-Party Automations
Amber also supports some third-party battery automation systems for brands not yet integrated with SmartShift. However:
- These are not part of SmartShift.
- Amber states rebate eligibility is not guaranteed if you use a third-party automation instead of SmartShift.
- You should confirm eligibility for NSW and SA battery rebates before joining via a third-party service.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full wholesale export value passed through to you — no revenue share with the operator. | The program and management can be complicated — it’s not a “set and forget” option, and you may need to understand how wholesale pricing works to get the most benefit. |
| Ability to manually override automation at any time through the Amber app. | Requires switching to Amber’s retail electricity plan; not compatible with other retailers. |
| No lock-in; can opt out with 14 days’ notice and minimal unenrolment delay. | Some systems may require technical checks or firmware updates before enrolment, adding time and cost. |
| Broad compatibility list including Tesla, BYD with Fronius, Sigenergy, and others. | Regulatory delays (e.g., VIC Emergency Backstop, SA Flexible Exports) can hold up enrolment for certain brands. |
| Transparent pricing with live wholesale rate and planned battery actions visible in app. | Battery warranties may be impacted; manufacturer advice is recommended before joining. |
| Earnings are entirely market-dependent and can be low in stable price periods. |
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