Enrolling your AlphaESS system to Amber for Batteries

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Which AlphaESS batteries are compatible?

You can join Amber for Batteries using Amber’s SmartShift™ technology with any AlphaESS battery whose integrated inverter module has a serial numbers starting with "AL". This number can be located on the side of the top half of the battery system.

Note: If you have an AlphaESS and you can’t find this serial number on your battery, it’s possible your system came with a Goodwe inverter. These AlphaESS systems are not yet compatible with SmartShift™.

Solar curtailment: We can only limit solar exports during times of negative FiT for AlphaESS systems that are DC-coupled. Solar curtailment is not available for AC-coupled systems. Read more about this in our Best Fit Guide.

The same considerations apply to Hive batteries as these are re-branded AlphaESS systems.

Amber for Batteries | Amber Electric

How do I sign up to Amber for Batteries?

If you haven't already provided the battery details during sign-up for your Amber account, follow these steps via the Amber app:

  1. Download the Amber app.
  2. Log into the Amber app using the email and password created on registration.
  3. Head to the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen.
  4. Select AlphaESS/ Hive as your battery brand.
  5. Fill in your battery details in the form.

 

What happens after I sign up?

We've published this guide on the Amber for Batteries Enrolment Process if you want to take a deep-dive.

After you've signed up to Amber and submitted your battery details via the website or app, we will check that your site is all set up to join the SmartShift™ program. This includes making sure that you've officially transferred to Amber as your electricity retailer, that you've got a smart meter installed and that your meter is configured to record solar exports. All this has to happen before we can continue with the battery enrolment.

Once your site is good to go, our Operations team will request access to the battery control from AlphaESS. The team will then be alerted if there are any issues with the enrolment. Please see the below for common issues that may delay the enrolment of your battery.

 

Checklist to avoid delays during enrolment

Did you use the correct battery details during sign-up?

  • We require the serial number and check code in order to gain access to control your AlphaESS/ Hive system.
  • You can usually locate these details on the side of the top half of the battery as this is the integrated inverter module. 

AlphaESS serial number.png

 

Did you unenroll from your previous battery optimisation program?

What to do if you're in a virtual power plant (VPP) before you join Amber (+ clues to tell if you're part of a VPP if you're unsure)

Remember how we ask you during sign-up if you’re already enrolled with another VPP? Well, if you end up still being with your previous provider when we try to enrol your battery, AlphaESS will let our Operations team know and we will send you an email requesting for you to get in touch with the previous provider.

Please let the team know once you've been unenrolled from your previous provider and they can re-attempt the enrolment for you.

 

What if I have multiple AlphaESS batteries?

We will need to onboard your batteries separately. Please follow these steps to enrol the additional device(s) once the first system is onboarded.

  1. Open the Amber app.
  2. Tap 'Devices' and navigate to the 'Plan' section
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the screen, then tap 'SmartShift™ Settings'.
  4. Tap 'Add another device', then provide device details in the form.

 

Getting your AlphaESS system ready for automation

Configure timezone

Please ensure that the timezone is configured to the correct time on your AlphaESS console.

  1. Log in to https://cloud.alphaess.com/login
  2. Open Basic Settings > User information Settings > Time Zone
  3. Ensure the timezone is correct and set to your nearest capital city (e.g. "(UTC+10:00) Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney". Please do not use the options in the "Australian Eastern Standard Time" format).

Screenshot 2024-02-22 at 4.01.15 pm.png


Should you have any trouble with this, please reach out to your installer to configure the timezone on your device.

Remove any time-based control settings

If you have time-based control settings enabled in your AlphaESS app, these will override any SmartShift™ controls so we won't be able to optimise your system effectively.

This is because these settings mean that the battery is directed to charge/ discharge at specific times of the day.

Please ensure you remove any time-based controls in your AlphaESS cloud settings.

  1. Log in to https://cloud.alphaess.com/login
  2. Open Basic Settings > System Setup
  3. Ensure the Charge/ Discharge periods are blank (see example below)

Screenshot 2024-02-22 at 3.55.01 pm.png

Please reach out to your installer to give you a hand should you have any trouble with this.
 

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