By Solar Energy Adelaide | 19 July 2025
As more Adelaide households install solar and battery systems, many are asking the same follow-up question: “Which electricity provider should I go with now?”
According to Reefe Eleftheriou, owner of Solar Energy Adelaide with over a decade of hands-on experience in the Adelaide solar industry, the right electricity plan can make a significant difference to both your energy savings and how efficiently your system performs.
“We’ve had so many customers reaching out lately, particularly asking about companies like Amber and Ovo Energy,” Reefe explains. “The market’s changing, and with that comes new opportunities — and some traps too.”
Here, Reefe breaks down the main electricity plan options available to South Australians with solar and a battery — from traditional tariffs to wholesale electricity pricing and the increasingly popular free battery charging offers.
For years, most Adelaide households were on flat rate electricity plans — one price per kilowatt hour, no matter what time you used power.
“That used to be the standard,” says Reefe, “but now with smart meters being rolled out across South Australia, most households are automatically being moved to time-of-use tariffs.”
Time-of-use plans charge different rates depending on the time of day:
Reefe notes that for households who can shift their energy use to cheaper periods — such as running appliances mid-day — there are still savings to be had under this model. But when a battery enters the mix, the options start to get more exciting.
With growing interest in alternative energy retailers, many Adelaide homeowners are now asking about Amber Electric — a provider that offers access to wholesale electricity pricing.
But what exactly does that mean, and how is it different from a traditional electricity plan?
As Reefe from Solar Energy Adelaide explains, it all starts with the National Electricity Market, or NEM.
“The NEM is basically where all electricity in South Australia and the Eastern States is traded. Traditional energy providers buy electricity from this market and then resell it to you at a fixed rate. When the wholesale price is low they make money from you and when it is high they can lose money” he says.
Amber works differently. Instead of charging a flat or time-of-use rate, you pay the same wholesale price that retailers pay on the NEM — plus a small monthly fee.
“What makes Amber unique,” Reefe explains, “is that your electricity price updates every 30 minutes to reflect the actual trading price on the NEM. This price fluctuates constantly depending on supply and demand across South Australia and the eastern states.”
That means your electricity could cost next to nothing — or even be negative, meaning you get paid to use power during periods of extreme renewable oversupply. But there’s a catch.
“At other times — like in the evening during winter when demand is high and supply is tight — those wholesale prices can spike dramatically, sometimes hitting $5 to $10 per kilowatt hour or even higher.”
This model can be incredibly beneficial if you know how to work with it, especially if you have a large solar and battery system. With the right setup, you can:
Reefe adds that with Amber users can choose to automate their system using third party apps, allow Amber to control their battery charging and discharging or take complete control themselves.
“There’s definitely money to be made with Amber — but only if you’ve got the system to support it, and you’re willing to either monitor pricing or let technology do it for you,” he says. “It’s not a set-and-forget option. But for the right customer, it can work really well.”
Another trend Reefe sees gaining momentum is the rise of free battery charging plans, offered by retailers like Ovo Energy and Globird Energy.
“These plans are pretty exciting,” he says. “Ovo offers free electricity from 11am to 2pm every day, and Globird has a similar offer that allows you to charge compatible batteries for free during the same three hour window.”
For homeowners with a battery — especially those with smaller solar systems — this can be a game-changer.
“If your solar can’t always charge your battery fully, these plans let you top it up for free from the grid. That means you can run your home on that stored energy overnight and avoid peak pricing altogether.”
The trade-off is that these plans often come with higher daily supply charges or slightly elevated general usage rates. But according to Reefe, the numbers still stack up for many households.
“It’s particularly good for people who’ve accessed the SA Government battery rebate to install a large battery,” he explains. “Even if their roof space only allows a modest solar system, they can still fill a big battery thanks to these free charging windows.”
When asked how homeowners should decide between these options, Reefe says it all comes down to how the system is used — and how involved the homeowner wants to be.
“If you’ve got a large battery and you’re keen to play the market a bit, Amber’s wholesale model can really pay off. But if you want something more stable and reliable, Ovo or Globird’s free charging plans are a fantastic alternative — especially with energy prices as high as they are now.”
He also cautions that these types of offers may not be around forever.
“The reason we’re seeing these free charging plans now is because of all the excess solar on the grid. As more people get EVs and more batteries are installed to soak up that excess, these deals might disappear. But for now, they’re absolutely worth looking into.”
Reefe’s biggest tip?
Don’t just go with the first plan you see — and don’t rely on comparison websites that don’t factor in solar battery dynamics.
“Too often, people call us after they’ve locked into a plan that doesn’t suit their system,” he says. “It’s why we always take the time to talk through how you use power, how big your battery is, and what your goals are. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.”
At Solar Energy Adelaide, Reefe and his team offer more than just installation — they help homeowners make informed, long-term energy decisions. Whether you’re just starting out with solar or looking to get more from your current system, they’re ready to help.
If you’re considering solar or a battery system — or if you already have one and want advice on how to maximise your return — contact the team at Solar Energy Adelaide.
“We’re a family-run business, we know the local conditions, and we genuinely want to help you make the most of your solar investment — not just today, but for the years ahead.”
Looking for the best solar battery for your Adelaide home? Our 2026 guide compares Sigenergy, Tesla, Enphase, BYD, Sonnen, Sungrow, GoodWe and more to help you find the right battery for your budget, backup needs and energy goals.
Discover the best solar panels for Adelaide homes in 2026. We compare Trina, Jinko, Aiko, REC and more, looking at quality, warranties, heat performance and value to help you choose the right panels for your home.
The SigenStor NEO is Sigenergy’s most accessible battery yet — a cleaner design, no separate gateway, and pricing expected to rival the GoodWe ESA. Here’s what Adelaide homeowners need to know before it lands.
As a local, family-run business with over a decade of experience, Solar Energy Adelaide is committed to helping Adelaide residents make informed decisions about solar energy.
We prioritise customer satisfaction and transparency, ensuring you understand exactly how much you’ll save and how the process works.
We also provide comprehensive services, including solar battery storage and solar repairs, so you can get the most out of your solar system for years to come.
Solar power has become a staple for South Aussie homes and businesses.
With rising electricity costs, solar panel installation offers long term savings and financial security with minimal maintenance and solar rebates available.
Ready to gain energy independence? Dreaming of a day with a $0 power bill?
With a solar battery for your home or business, you can store your excess energy and use it when you need it most.
Solar battery storage has become more affordable in recent years and can even be added to most existing solar systems.
Worried your solar system is underperforming?
If your solar system is not covering between 60-90% of your energy needs there is likely a problem that needs attention.
Our skilled technicians handle all aspects of solar system servicing, including solar panel repairs, solar inverter repairs and solar warranty assistance.