Solar for Amber
What are the settings in Solar for Amber?
When you set up your Solar for Amber plan, you can configure different settings for your automation. After you have set up your plan, you can change these settings at any time: How do I change my Plan settings? You'll need to add your inverter(s) to ...
What are the Advanced Options in Solar for Amber?
You can enable advanced controls in Solar for Amber by turning them ON in the Preferences page and configuring your settings. These settings are useful if you are a battery or EV owner, and allow you more control over your system. Your Advanced ...
How can I retrieve my Amber API key?
Go to www.amber.com.au and log in to your account. 2. Click on "For Developers" on the left hand menu of options. Then select "Generate a new token". 3. Label the API key something unique like "Battery Testing" or similar and then click 'Generate'. ...
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 ...
If I set ‘Maximum Export’ in the Voltello app, will this affect my battery exports/discharge?
Some customers have conditions applying to their solar installation that prohibit exporting greater than a certain limit (in kW). The ‘Maximum Export’ setting in the 'Solar for Amber' Preferences can be used when a customer has an integrated Smart ...
What does 'Scaled Production' mean, and how does it reduce my solar production?
If you don't have a compatible smart meter, you can still curtail your inverter(s) to a Fixed Inverter Output. You can set this up in the 'Solar for Amber' Preferences. You can see a list of compatible smart meters here. Scaled Production Explained: ...
Can I still use Export Control if I have two inverters?
Yes. When a customer has two inverters and a consumption meter, only one Voltello device is required, but each inverter will require its own Solar Plan configured in the Voltello app. The plans work together to ensure the combined total of their ...
How much latency is in the control loop? For example, I switch on my aircon which adds 3kw of load. How quickly will the smart plug respond to ramp up solar to meet the additional load?
The response is nearly instantaneous, i.e. within seconds.
How quickly will the system respond to grid pricing changes? How often does the LinkZB/LinkPro send updates to my inverter?
The inverter is curtailed based on your Amber price, with a new price published every 5 minutes. The inverter responds within seconds of receiving the 5-minute price signal. The 'Solar for Amber' automation plan retrieves the Amber price every 5 ...
As a user, will I be able to see via an app whether curtailment is in progress?
The Village Energy app will show your active control events, including when curtailment occurs. Alternatively, you can track your solar production in the inverter manufacturer's mobile app.
Will this prevent my EV from charging when I have excess solar?
If you use software such as Charge HQ, Myenergi Zappi or the Fronius Wattpilot EV charger to charge your EV from excess solar, these systems usually look for excess exports in order to tell the car to charge at that rate. For customers with EVs and ...