As batteries become more affordable, more visible, and more supported by incentives, interest is growing fast. But not everyone’s starting from the same place, and not everyone owns their home. Whether you're renting, just installed solar, or trying to work out if now’s the right time to invest in a battery, this guide is here to help.
We’ll break down what’s changing in the battery landscape, what options are available to different households, and how Amber can help you make the most of your setup, no matter where you’re starting from.
Why batteries are having a moment
For a lot of people, the biggest barrier wasn’t the battery - it was figuring out if a battery was right for them. Now, with clearer info and better support, it’s easier to make the call.
- Government rebates (both state-based and a potential incoming federal scheme) are helping bring down the up-front cost of batteries.
- Over the past two years, household energy prices have surged 40% in Australia, with additional increases of 2% to 9% anticipated this year, varying by region.
- With energy becoming a hot topic of conversation and political debate, Australians are looking for ways to get more value out of their solar as feed in rates fall.
- A growing number of households are not just cutting their bills, but actually earning money by exporting stored battery power back to the grid.
For many Australians, it’s no longer a question of if a battery makes sense – it’s when.
Homeowners: is now the right time to install a battery?
If you own your home and already have solar, you’re in a strong position to take advantage of what a battery can offer, particularly when it’s backed by real-time pricing and smart automation, like Amber’s.
A battery can help you cut your bills by:
- Use more of your own solar, instead of sending it back to the grid for a low feed-in rate
- Avoid peak pricing in the evenings by drawing from your stored energy
- Export energy when prices are high, making the most of market spikes
- Support the grid during high-demand periods and get rewarded for it
With Amber for Batteries, you can automate this entire process. Our SmartShift technology takes the guesswork out of when to charge and discharge, optimising your system every five minutes based on wholesale energy prices.
You stay in control, but your battery does the work. This helps significantly lower bills and, in some cases, even flips them. 74% of Amber battery customers had at least one negative bill in the past year, where they were credited at the end of the month instead of owing us.
We’re seeing battery earnings climb across the country. In fact, Amber automated battery customers in NSW earned more than double in February 2025 compared to March 2024. That’s the power of smart automation, real-time pricing, and giving your battery a job to do.
Not sure if your system is compatible? Check here to see if your battery works with Amber’s SmartShift automation.
What should every household consider before getting a battery?
Whether you’re renting, own your home, or still weighing things up, here are some key questions to ask:
- Is my home battery-compatible? If you’re installing solar and a battery together, this is easy. If you’ve got existing solar, you’ll need to check inverter compatibility.
- Will I qualify for a rebate? Check federal and state eligibility criteria - some require specific battery types or VPP compatibility.
- Can my battery connect to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP)? Many rebates require this. While Amber for Batteries is different to a typical VPP in important ways, Amber qualifies as a VPP under the federal scheme, with the benefit of keeping you in control.
- Do I want to earn more from exports? Real-time pricing gives you access to price spikes, and some customers earn more in a day than they would from weeks of flat feed-in tariffs.
- How much automation do I want? Batteries work better with smarts. Amber’s SmartShift can automate your battery to charge/discharge based on price signals with no manual input needed.
How much could you save with Amber?
By signing up your battery to Amber’s SmartShift™, you could significantly boost the value you get from your solar setup. SmartShift automatically manages when to charge and discharge your battery based on live wholesale prices, your energy use, and solar forecasts — helping you make the most of every kilowatt.
Across Australia, customers using solar and batteries with SmartShift™ are seeing substantial savings through smarter self-consumption. Here’s a snapshot of the average annual savings by state:
SA
$1,312
QLD
$1,358
NSW
$2,085
VIC
$1,179
How long do batteries last?
Most home batteries last 10-15 years, with warranties typically covering 10. They’re low-maintenance, but performance can vary based on usage patterns and temperature. Using automation (like SmartShift) can help optimise battery health by avoiding unnecessary cycling.
Worried about battery safety? Let’s clear things up
You’re not alone - battery safety is one of the most common concerns we hear from households thinking about making the switch. The good news? Modern home batteries are built with safety as a top priority, and serious incidents are extremely rare.
All batteries installed in Australia have to meet strict national safety standards. When they’re installed by a qualified professional and used correctly, they’re very safe.
A few simple ways to stay safe:
- Work with a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer
- Choose batteries that meet Australian safety standards
- Make sure your battery is installed in a well-ventilated area and maintained as recommended
Amber integrates with a range of leading battery brands, including Tesla, SolarEdge, and BYD. These systems are designed to meet Australian safety standards and work seamlessly with our SmartShift technology to optimise energy use in real time.
Renters: what if you can’t install solar or a battery?
If you’re renting, it’s easy to feel locked out of the energy transition. Most rebate schemes are geared toward owner-occupiers. Battery systems aren’t portable. And landlords are often slow to upgrade.
But you’re not out of options.
With Amber, renters can still:
- Access wholesale prices, which are often lower when renewable energy is abundant
- Shift their usage to cheaper, greener times, saving money and supporting the grid
- Use smart home devices or automation to avoid high-price windows
- Track their usage in real-time and see where savings are coming from
If your rental has solar or a battery already, you can make the most of it by switching to a provider like Amber that helps you earn more – not just through flat feed-in tariffs, but by tapping into real-time market dynamics. By making your battery smarter, you can save more and accelerate your battery’s payback period.
Renters with solar? You might be missing out
If you’re renting a house and your property has solar, there’s a good chance your current retailer isn’t passing on the full benefit. Most offer flat feed-in rates, no matter when you export or what the wholesale feed-in rate is at that time.
And if your rental happens to have a battery, it may be possible to optimise its performance with Amber for Batteries (though you’ll likely need landlord approval), and compatibility will depend on the system setup.
If your landlord is open to upgrades, it’s worth sharing information about solar and battery incentives in your state - they may not be aware that support is available.
Live in an apartment? While rooftop solar or batteries might not be an option, Amber still gives you access to cheaper, greener energy through the wholesale market.
Control, clarity, and smarter energy
You don’t need to own a home or spend thousands upfront to take control of your energy.
Whether you're installing a battery, exploring options, or simply trying to reduce your bill, Amber is designed to help households make smarter energy decisions with full visibility, real-time savings, and automation that works with you (not around you).
This is your energy. We’re here to help you use it better and get rewarded for it.
Curious about your setup? We can help.
- Call our energy specialists. They can help you figure out if a battery makes sense for your home.
- Head to our Get a Quote tool to check if your system is compatible with Amber and SmartShift.
