Australian households with compatible GoodWe ESA battery systems can now access Amber’s SmartShift technology, following the official launch of the long-awaited integration between the two companies.
The partnership allows eligible GoodWe battery owners to automatically charge, discharge, and export electricity in response to changing wholesale energy prices. This creates new opportunities to reduce electricity bills and potentially earn additional revenue from stored energy.
The integration is now publicly available to eligible households across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and south-east Queensland.
Following months of development and extensive beta testing involving more than 350 GoodWe installations, the technology is available to both new and existing customers. Importantly, eligible GoodWe ESA owners can access the integration without replacing their existing battery hardware.
What is Amber SmartShift, and how does it work?
Amber operates differently from traditional electricity retailers by giving customers access to wholesale electricity prices rather than conventional fixed retail rates.
Its subscription-based model currently costs $25 per month, with no retail markup applied to electricity usage.
For households with compatible battery systems, Amber for Batteries includes SmartShift, an automated battery optimisation platform.
SmartShift analyses several factors to determine how and when a household battery should operate, including:
- Wholesale electricity prices: Identifying opportunities to charge when electricity is cheaper and discharge when prices increase.
- Expected solar generation: Forecasting how much electricity a household’s solar system will produce.
- Household electricity consumption: Predicting energy demand to help maintain sufficient battery capacity.
- Potential export earnings: Identifying opportunities to sell stored electricity to the grid when wholesale feed-in tariffs rise.
Rather than following a fixed charging schedule, SmartShift continuously adjusts its strategy based on changing conditions.
For example, when wholesale electricity prices fall, the system may automatically charge the battery using cheaper grid electricity. When wholesale prices rise, SmartShift can prioritise stored energy to reduce expensive grid imports or export electricity for potential financial returns.
Amber does not retain a percentage of customers’ wholesale feed-in tariff earnings, allowing households to benefit directly from favourable market conditions. However, wholesale prices can fluctuate significantly, and financial outcomes depend on individual household circumstances.
What the integration means for GoodWe ESA owners
The announcement represents a significant development for Australian households already using GoodWe’s ESA home energy storage systems. Previously, owners could configure their batteries to maximise solar self-consumption or operate according to scheduled charging and discharging periods.
The Amber integration introduces another level of automation, allowing eligible systems to respond dynamically to wholesale electricity market conditions. This means households can potentially benefit from electricity price movements without constantly monitoring the market or manually adjusting battery settings.
Unlike some conventional virtual power plant (VPP) arrangements, SmartShift creates a personalised operating strategy based on each household’s electricity consumption, solar generation, and energy requirements.
Customers also retain control of their battery operation through the Amber app, including options to override SmartShift, charge or discharge their battery, and preserve stored energy.
GoodWe welcomes greater battery flexibility
Dean Williamson, Country Manager for GoodWe Australia and New Zealand, said the integration responds to growing customer demand.
“GoodWe customers have been asking us about Amber compatibility for some time, so we’re excited to see this integration become widely available,” said Dean Williamson, Country Manager for GoodWe Australia and New Zealand.
“Australians have made a significant investment in home energy storage, and they increasingly expect their battery to do more than simply store excess solar. This integration gives eligible GoodWe customers another way to use their system intelligently, respond to real energy market conditions, and potentially unlock greater value from the energy they generate and store.”
“It also reflects where the Australian energy market is heading. Smarter, connected energy systems can give households greater control while helping distributed energy resources respond more effectively to conditions across the grid.”
The integration also supports GoodWe’s broader focus on connected home energy management and compatibility with third-party energy services.
More than 350 GoodWe systems involved in beta testing
Before the public launch, GoodWe and Amber conducted an extensive development, testing, and validation program. The initial beta program involved more than 350 GoodWe sites, allowing both companies to assess the integration under real-world operating conditions.
Following successful testing, access was progressively expanded while the companies continued monitoring system performance. The integration currently supports compatible GoodWe ESA home energy storage configurations.
Customers with other GoodWe battery systems should not assume their equipment is compatible. Amber offers a waitlist for GoodWe customers without an eligible ESA system.
Amber responds to growing customer demand
Tim Barson, Partnerships Manager at Amber, said the integration gives more Australian households flexibility over their battery investments.
“We’ve built SmartShift in the world’s leading home battery market, and one thing we’ve learned is that people want more choice in how they use the battery they’ve invested in. GoodWe is already in more than 100,000 Australian homes, and we’ve heard from plenty of those owners who want to use SmartShift. We’re really pleased we can now give them that option.”
How to connect a GoodWe ESA battery to Amber
GoodWe ESA owners interested in accessing SmartShift must first confirm that their system is compatible. For new customers, the process begins by signing up with Amber as their electricity retailer.
Once registered, customers provide their GoodWe system details so Amber can verify compatibility and commence device enrolment. Existing Amber customers can begin the process through the Devices section of the Amber app.
Several additional requirements may apply:
- System connectivity: The GoodWe inverter must be online and connected to the internet.
- Software and firmware: Compatible systems should use the latest recommended GoodWe software and firmware.
- Device authorisation: Customers may need to authorise Amber to communicate with their GoodWe system.
- Existing VPP arrangements: Households participating in another VPP or battery optimisation program may need to leave that service before enrolling.
Amber advises that device enrolment can take up to 10 business days after customers submit their system information.
Metering changes or other site-specific requirements may extend this time frame.
Can GoodWe battery owners save money with Amber?
The potential financial benefits depend on several factors, including household electricity consumption, battery capacity, solar generation, and wholesale electricity prices. Traditional solar battery systems generally help households reduce their reliance on grid electricity by storing excess daytime solar generation.
SmartShift introduces another opportunity by allowing compatible batteries to respond to wholesale market prices. For example, households may benefit by charging their batteries during periods of low electricity prices and using that energy when prices increase.
During periods of elevated wholesale feed-in tariffs, SmartShift may also export stored electricity to the grid.
However, higher potential returns do not guarantee lower electricity bills.
Wholesale electricity prices can be volatile, and households remain exposed to market fluctuations. Battery cycling, energy losses, subscription costs, and individual usage patterns can also influence the overall financial outcome. Households considering Amber should compare its wholesale pricing model against their existing electricity plan before switching.
A new chapter for connected home batteries in Australia
Australia’s growing adoption of residential battery storage is changing how households generate, store, and manage electricity. While solar batteries have traditionally focused on maximising self-consumption and providing backup power, smart energy management technologies are introducing additional opportunities.
The GoodWe and Amber integration demonstrates how existing home battery infrastructure can become more responsive to electricity market conditions. Rather than simply storing solar energy for evening consumption, eligible systems can now make automated decisions about when electricity should be purchased, stored, used, or exported.
For households already invested in compatible GoodWe ESA systems, the integration offers another way to manage electricity costs and potentially improve the financial value of their battery.
Frequently asked questions
Is GoodWe compatible with Amber SmartShift?
Yes. As of 12 October 2026, eligible GoodWe ESA home energy storage systems are compatible with Amber SmartShift. Compatibility depends on the specific system configuration, and customers should complete Amber’s verification process before switching electricity retailers.
Can existing GoodWe ESA owners access Amber?
Yes. Eligible existing GoodWe ESA installations can access Amber SmartShift without replacing their battery hardware. Customers must meet compatibility, connectivity, and software requirements before enrolment.
How much does Amber cost?
Amber currently charges a $25 monthly subscription fee, with no retail markup on electricity usage and no lock-in contract. Customers access wholesale electricity pricing, which can fluctuate significantly. Other applicable electricity charges and household usage affect the total bill.
Does Amber automatically control GoodWe batteries?
Yes. SmartShift can automatically manage charging, discharging, and electricity exports using wholesale price forecasts, expected solar generation, and household energy requirements. Customers can also override SmartShift through the Amber app.
How long does GoodWe Amber integration take?
Amber advises that device enrolment can take up to 10 business days after system details are provided. Additional time may be required for metering changes, compatibility checks, or other site-specific requirements.
Where to find out more
GoodWe ESA owners can check compatibility and explore Amber for Batteries through Amber.
Customers with other GoodWe systems can also register their interest through Amber’s compatibility and waitlist process.
Both companies will attend All Energy Australia 2026, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 28 and 29 October.
GoodWe will exhibit at Stand EE135, while Amber will host its Amber Brewhouse opposite Doors 9 and 10.
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