How does 'Solar for Amber' actually work?

How does 'Solar for Amber' actually work?

The Solar for Amber automation plan adjusts your inverter output so that exports are avoided when the Amber feed-in price goes negative. 

When does the automation run?
Amber refresh their price every 5 minutes, so that's how often your Voltello device will check it. When the Amber feed-in tariff goes negative, Voltello will start to curtail your solar output. If you have an energy meter that we connect with (like a smart meter or consumption meter) this will usually involve limiting your exports so that you don't get charged for exporting your solar. Because Voltello checks the prices every 5 minutes, it could be a very brief adjustment in order to avoid a temporary negative price. Generally though, the inverter will remain in an adjusted state for the duration of the negative price event, which could be for several hours at a time. 

How does Voltello access my Amber price?
Amber Electric have a public API that is available to its customers in order for them to create new and exciting responses to price movements, We Voltello accesses the Amber API we do so on your behalf, using an API key that your provide to us. When we use the Amber API we can access the prices for your premises, which includes the prices that you are buying energy for and also the prices that you are being paid for any surplus solar that you export. These are the prices we use when we automate your energy assets or appliances. Amber does not share any of your private information with us through this API, and you can remove our access to the API at any time. 

How do I maintain control?
You are always in control of your automations using the Voltello app. You can suspend your automation plan at any time in the Voltello app. It's easy to do, and can be activated again at any time you choose. 
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