Another Solar Battery Question - Amber Electricity

jollster101 on 17/08/2025 - 16:56

Hi all

I have been looking at getting a battery to complement the 6.6Kw system we installed a couple of years ago via Marshall Energy. That install included a Sungrow SG5K-D which I believe is a hybrid inverter. I have been in contact with Amber Electricity and they have quoted on Sigenergy and Alpha batteries as a Premium / Budget option. This is what they have come back with based on all the details I have provided to them:

The provided quotes are based on your individual balance of 2/3 off peak and 1/3 peak. I don't feel you need to try to cover all of your usage on the Amber model. An efficient heat pump on your Spa would reduce your peak load days that sometimes get up to 45 kWh and free up more of your Solar.

I recommend between 20-25kWh to handle all of your peak usage but not leave you over dependant on charging from the grid in winter. In winter your excess Solar is averaging as low as 3kWh. In Summer you average about 20kWh feed in.

I recommend a Sigenergy 24 kWh battery with a 10kW Single Phase inverter allowing for your maximum phase export limit. This improves your speed that you can charge the battery, an electric vehicle, how much load you can use in the home and how fast you can feed into the grid.

Estimated Price: $16,500.00 inc gst, warranty, installation and the larger built in 10kW inverter (Standard is 5kW)

or

AlphaESS Smile5MBatt 20kWh Estimated Price: $8,400.00 inc gst, warranty, installation and 5kW built in inverter.
AlphaESS Smile5MBatt 25kWh Estimated Price: $10,360.00 inc gst, warranty, installation and 5kW built in inverter.

Forgetting the reference to a heat pump for the spa, and also the random 45KWh reference as that is only when the spa gets refilled which is only ever ~4 months, what do people think about the advice offered?

One piece of info that's probably worthwhile, on all our bills, our daily use is typically about 18kWh. The house is all electric, heat pump for hot water, split systems downstairs for heating and cooling and Fujitsu reverse cycle ducted heating and cooling upstairs.

Would appreciate any advice and guidance the more experienced solar peeps may have.

Cheers

Home & Garden Solar Battery

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Amber Electric
Amber Electric

Comments

  • jjjaar on 17/08/2025 - 18:48
    +1

    Try asking on Solar Q&A Aus/NZ on Facebook. Lots of people there to answer your questions like this.

    • jollster101 on 17/08/2025 - 20:13

      Thanks, will have a look.

  • AndyC1 on 17/08/2025 - 19:36

    What did Marshall Energy quote to add battery to the system they supplied a couple of years ago?

    • jollster101 on 17/08/2025 - 19:38

      I haven't got a quote from Marshall.

      • jv on 17/08/2025 - 20:46
        -2

        You need to holler…

      • Brick50 on 17/08/2025 - 21:42

        I emailed them to ask for a quote to add to my system they installed 12 months ago but didn't get a reply

  • dirigibile on 17/08/2025 - 23:25

    You can get a 12kW single phase inverter with from sigen

  • brad1-8tsi on 20/08/2025 - 11:41
    +1

    I'd get other quotes. Amber is primarily an energy wholesale club rather than a battery installer.

    I'd also fit a lot more battery. I have 27kW batteries and 5.4kW on the roof and during this winter season in Sydney it's not big enough for 2 adults and playing the Amber Smart Shift gambling game.

    • jollster101 on 20/08/2025 - 14:56

      I have been in touch with Cerium Energy and got another quote for Sigenergy, Alpha ESS, Anker and Goodwe.

      The Sig was cheaper than Ambers, and the GW was less than the Sig (that's probably to be expected though as I think it's middle ground between Alpha and Sig). Interestingly, the guy from Cerium just installed GW on a house he has finished building

      I'm also wondering whether the Amber shuffle becomes worth it. I know they can control what goes on if you use certain batteries but is it more restrictive in the long run.

      I've got a wife and two teenage kids and so ensuring everyone is pulling in the right direction with regards to use, is an uphill battle at the best of times.

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