Australia’s home energy market is changing, with new technologies allowing households to make smarter decisions about when they use, store and export electricity.
Two recent announcements from Amber Electric are attracting attention. GoodWe ESA battery systems are now compatible with Amber’s SmartShift technology, while eligible BYD electric vehicles, including the Sealion 7, can participate in Amber’s expanding vehicle-to-grid (V2G) program.
These developments offer new opportunities for homeowners to manage electricity costs and make better use of stored energy. However, compatibility restrictions, fluctuating wholesale electricity prices and program costs are important considerations.
Here’s what Australian homeowners need to know before making the switch.
GoodWe ESA Batteries Now Work With Amber SmartShift
In October 2026, GoodWe and Amber Electric announced that eligible GoodWe ESA battery systems could connect with Amber’s SmartShift battery automation technology.
The integration allows compatible batteries to respond to wholesale electricity prices rather than relying only on fixed charging and discharging schedules.
For homeowners, this means a GoodWe battery can potentially do more than store excess daytime solar energy for evening consumption.
With Amber SmartShift, a compatible battery can:
- Charge when wholesale electricity prices are low.
- Supply stored electricity to the home when grid power becomes expensive.
- Export electricity when wholesale feed-in tariffs are favourable.
- Adjust battery operation using expected solar generation and household energy consumption.
- Allow users to override automated settings through the Amber app.
The integration follows months of testing involving more than 350 GoodWe ESA systems.
Importantly, eligible households with an existing GoodWe ESA battery may be able to use SmartShift without replacing their current battery hardware.
Homeowners considering a new installation can explore the GoodWe ESA Battery available through Green Light Solar.
How Does Amber SmartShift Work With a GoodWe Battery?
Unlike electricity plans with fixed usage and feed-in rates, Amber provides access to wholesale electricity pricing.
Wholesale electricity prices change throughout the day according to electricity supply, demand and other market conditions.
When renewable electricity generation is high and demand is low, wholesale prices may fall considerably. At other times, particularly during high-demand periods, prices can increase sharply.
Amber SmartShift uses these price movements to help manage compatible home batteries automatically.
Charging During Lower-Price Periods
When electricity prices are favourable, SmartShift may charge the battery using available solar generation or lower-cost grid electricity.
The aim is to store energy when it is more economical to do so.
Using Stored Energy During Expensive Periods
When wholesale electricity prices increase, the battery can discharge to help power the household.
This may reduce the amount of expensive electricity purchased from the grid.
Exporting Energy When Prices Rise
If export conditions are favourable, SmartShift may send stored electricity back to the grid.
The potential value depends on the wholesale feed-in tariff, battery capacity, available stored energy and export restrictions.
However, higher export returns are not guaranteed. Wholesale prices can also fall significantly or become negative, so actual financial outcomes vary.
For more information about the battery itself, read our GoodWe ESA Battery Review.
Which GoodWe Batteries Are Compatible With Amber?
As of October 2026, Amber supports eligible single-phase and three-phase configurations from the GoodWe ESA Series.
Compatibility is not automatically available for every GoodWe inverter or battery product.
Amber is continuing to test other GoodWe inverter ranges, including:
- ET Series
- EHB Series
- XS Series
- MS Series
- DNS Series
- SDT Series
To connect an eligible GoodWe ESA system, homeowners generally need a compatible inverter running current firmware, an internet connection, an Amber electricity account and a property within Amber’s service area.
Amber currently operates in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and South East Queensland.
Its advertised subscription is $25 per month, with no lock-in contract for its standard electricity plan.
Customers should confirm compatibility directly through Amber’s official GoodWe integration information before changing electricity retailers.
BYD Sealion 7 Joins Amber’s Vehicle-to-Grid Program
GoodWe battery compatibility is not the only significant development.
In September 2026, Amber Electric and BYD Australia announced that the BYD Sealion 7 had joined Amber’s vehicle-to-grid program, building on the participation of eligible BYD Atto 3 vehicles.
Vehicle-to-grid technology allows a compatible electric vehicle to send electricity from its battery back to a property or the electricity grid using suitable bidirectional charging equipment.
This creates an opportunity to use an EV battery as part of a home’s energy management system.
Amber’s V2G rollout is supported by $13.6 million in Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) funding and is expanding towards 1,000 participating households.
How Does Vehicle-to-Grid Technology Work?
A standard EV charger primarily transfers electricity from a property to the vehicle.
With compatible V2G technology, energy can flow in both directions.
For example:
- A compatible EV charges when electricity prices are favourable or surplus solar energy is available.
- The vehicle stores electricity in its battery.
- When electricity prices rise, suitable bidirectional charging equipment allows some stored energy to be used by the home or exported to the grid.
- Smart charging controls help maintain enough battery charge for the driver’s planned journeys.
This creates additional opportunities to manage electricity usage, although actual benefits depend on how frequently the vehicle is connected.
BYD V2G and BYD Home Batteries Are Different
It is important to distinguish between BYD electric vehicles and BYD Battery-Box home storage products.
The Amber V2G announcement concerns eligible BYD electric vehicles, not automatic V2G capability for every BYD home battery.
If you are considering stationary home storage, Green Light Solar also offers information about BYD solar battery systems.
What Is the Catch With Amber’s BYD V2G Program?
Although vehicle-to-grid technology creates new possibilities, participation involves additional requirements and costs.
1. A Compatible Bidirectional Charger Is Required
A conventional EV charger cannot necessarily export electricity back to the grid.
Amber’s ARENA-supported program offers eligible participants access to discounted StarCharge V2G chargers.
As advertised in October 2026, the standard installed pricing starts at approximately:
| Charger configuration | Advertised price (incl. GST) |
| Single-phase 7.4kW StarCharge | $2,990 |
| Three-phase 11kW StarCharge | $4,490 |
These prices are subject to eligibility, standard installation conditions and program terms. Additional electrical work may increase the final cost.
2. The Program Has Participation Requirements
Participants in Amber’s ARENA program must remain with Amber as their electricity retailer at the nominated property for at least 12 months to avoid a potential pro-rata charger repayment.
Research participation and data-sharing requirements also apply.
3. Your Vehicle Must Be Available
A vehicle can only export energy while connected to compatible charging equipment.
If your EV is away from home during a high-price period, you cannot take advantage of that particular export opportunity.
4. Savings Depend on Market Conditions
Wholesale electricity prices are unpredictable.
Although price fluctuations may create opportunities to reduce electricity costs, households can also face periods of expensive electricity imports.
The value of V2G depends on energy consumption, charging behaviour, vehicle availability, equipment costs and electricity market conditions.
Homeowners should review the official Amber V2G program requirements before participating.
Can GoodWe Batteries and BYD Electric Vehicles Work Together?
A home with rooftop solar panels, compatible GoodWe battery storage and a BYD electric vehicle may have several ways to manage energy.
For example, rooftop solar panels can generate electricity during the day, a home battery can store surplus energy for later use, and an EV can charge when suitable power is available.
However, having both devices does not automatically mean Amber can coordinate them as one fully integrated system.
GoodWe SmartShift battery support and BYD vehicle-to-grid participation are separate integrations. Their combined operation depends on software compatibility, appropriate charging hardware and the available energy management features.
Homeowners should confirm technical compatibility before purchasing equipment specifically for these purposes.
Is Wholesale Electricity Pricing Worth It for Australian Homeowners?
Wholesale electricity plans can provide additional flexibility, particularly for households with compatible solar batteries or EVs.
However, they are not necessarily the best option for everyone.
Before switching to a wholesale electricity plan, consider:
- Your electricity usage: When does your household use the most power?
- Solar generation: How much surplus energy does your system produce?
- Battery capacity: How much electricity can you store and export?
- Electricity price exposure: Are you comfortable with fluctuating wholesale rates?
- Subscription fees: Will the potential benefits justify the ongoing cost?
- Equipment compatibility: Does your existing system support the required technology?
For households considering an installation, choosing an appropriately sized battery and a compatible inverter is often more important than selecting an electricity plan based on occasional high export prices.
Explore Green Light Solar’s home solar battery storage solutions to understand the available options.
What Do These Developments Mean for Australia’s Solar Future?
The GoodWe and BYD announcements show how home energy technology is moving beyond conventional solar generation.
More households are gaining access to systems that respond to electricity prices, manage battery storage and potentially use electric vehicles as additional energy resources.
For Australian homeowners, this creates opportunities to make better use of existing equipment and consider future upgrades.
However, the technology is still developing. Not every inverter, battery or electric vehicle supports every energy management platform, and the financial benefits depend on individual circumstances.
Before investing in a new battery or bidirectional charging system, homeowners should understand the practical requirements and compare the available options.
Why Choose Green Light Solar for Solar Battery Installation?
At Green Light Solar, we help Australian households find solar and battery solutions suited to their electricity requirements, existing equipment and future plans.
Our team can assist with:
- Residential solar panel installations
- GoodWe and other home battery systems
- Solar inverter selection and upgrades
- Battery storage system sizing
- Integration considerations for existing solar installations
- Professional installation and ongoing support
Whether you’re installing battery storage for the first time or upgrading an existing solar system, we can help assess suitable equipment and installation options.
Explore Your Solar Battery Options
Interested in adding a GoodWe battery or upgrading your home solar system?
Contact Green Light Solar for advice on compatible products, battery capacity and installation requirements.
Call 1300 778 257
Get a Free Solar Battery Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
Does GoodWe work with Amber Electric?
Yes. As of October 2026, eligible GoodWe ESA single-phase and three-phase battery systems can connect to Amber’s SmartShift technology. Other GoodWe models are still being assessed. Compatibility should be confirmed before switching electricity retailers.
What is Amber SmartShift?
Amber SmartShift is an automated battery management technology that uses wholesale electricity prices, solar generation forecasts and household electricity consumption to schedule battery charging and discharging.
Can I make money exporting electricity from a GoodWe battery?
An eligible GoodWe battery connected to Amber may receive higher export value during favourable wholesale market conditions. However, returns vary and are not guaranteed. Electricity costs, subscription fees, battery operation and export restrictions all affect the outcome.
Can a BYD Sealion 7 power a house?
Eligible BYD Sealion 7 vehicles can participate in Amber’s V2G program using compatible bidirectional charging equipment. This allows energy to flow from the EV battery towards household consumption or the grid, subject to program requirements.
Do I need solar panels to use Amber SmartShift?
Solar panels can help households generate electricity for battery storage, but Amber’s automation can also respond to grid electricity prices. The suitability of a particular setup depends on the supported hardware, metering and program conditions.
Is Amber available throughout Australia?
No. Amber currently operates in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and South East Queensland. Availability should be checked using the property’s address before applying.
Is a GoodWe battery worth installing in 2026?
A GoodWe battery may be suitable for households with surplus solar generation, significant evening electricity consumption or backup power requirements. Its value depends on installation costs, battery capacity, tariffs, incentives and household energy usage.
