Energy Plans

Getting the Most From Your Battery

Once your battery is installed, choosing the right energy plan can significantly improve how much value you get from your system.

For many battery owners, the goal is simple: charge your battery when electricity is free or cheap, then use that stored energy when grid electricity is more expensive.

There are now several energy retailers offering plans specifically suited to homes with solar, batteries and EVs, including plans with up to four hours of free electricity every day.

The right plan for you will depend on your battery size, household consumption, solar production, location, electricity network and how actively you want to manage your system.

Important Note – Energy Plan Sign-Up

While Sapphire Solar is happy to provide general guidance on battery-friendly energy plans, we are not able to sign customers up to an energy retailer or switch your electricity account on your behalf.

If you decide to change energy providers, you will need to complete the sign-up directly with your chosen retailer.

Once your system is installed, we can help point you in the right direction and provide general guidance around configuring your battery to take advantage of your chosen plan.

Energy plans, rates, eligibility requirements and promotional offers can change, so we always recommend checking the retailer's current terms and rates for your address before signing up.

Battery-Friendly Energy Plans to Consider

GloBird ZeroHero

GloBird ZeroHero is a solar and battery-focused electricity plan designed to help battery owners make better use of their system.

Rather than simply offering cheaper electricity, ZeroHero combines a free daytime charging period with incentives for reducing grid usage and exporting energy at useful times.

Core Plan Features

Free daytime electricity

  • $0/kWh grid electricity during the nominated daytime charging window.

  • This provides an opportunity to charge your battery from the grid even when there isn't enough solar production.

  • Particularly useful during winter, cloudy weather or for homes with larger batteries.

Daily ZeroHero credit

  • Customers may be able to earn a daily credit by avoiding grid imports during GloBird's nominated evening peak period.

  • Your battery can supply the home during this period instead of drawing electricity from the grid.

Evening feed-in opportunities

  • Solar and battery owners can potentially earn additional value by exporting stored energy back to the grid during nominated evening periods.

Optional ZeroLimits VPP

GloBird also offers its optional ZeroLimits Virtual Power Plant (VPP) for compatible battery systems.

The VPP can provide additional opportunities to earn credits when GloBird calls on participating batteries during certain energy market events.

Battery compatibility and VPP functionality varies between manufacturers, so customers should confirm current compatibility directly with GloBird.

How It Works With FoxESS Customers

FoxESS customers can schedule their battery's charging and discharging periods to align with their electricity plan.

For example, your battery can be configured to charge during the free daytime electricity window, helping ensure you have stored energy available to use later in the day.

Click here for instructions on how to set up your FoxESS App for ZeroHero.

Battery Scheduling

GloBird also provides information about battery scheduling, including scheduling through its VPP and compatible battery apps:

https://www.globirdenergy.com.au/battery-scheduling/

Typical Eligibility & Requirements

Eligibility depends on your address, electricity network and individual circumstances, but generally includes:

  • A compatible smart meter

  • Stable internet connection for battery monitoring and control

  • An eligible residential electricity connection

  • A compatible battery if joining the optional VPP

Why Consider ZeroHero?

  • Charge your battery using free daytime grid electricity.

  • Reduce reliance on expensive evening grid electricity.

  • Potentially earn additional credits for battery-friendly behaviour.

  • Take advantage of solar, battery and grid energy together.

  • Optional VPP opportunities for compatible systems.

Make the Switch

Sapphire Solar customers can speak to our dedicated GloBird representative for assistance by calling our GloBird priority phone number: (03) 8813 8838. As a guide, wait time is approximately 5–10 minutes.

Learn more:

https://www.globirdenergy.com.au/energy-saver/zerohero/

GloBird FOUR4FREE – 4 Hours Free Every Day

For customers who prefer a simpler approach, GloBird also offers FOUR4FREE.

Instead of the additional battery-specific incentives available through ZeroHero, FOUR4FREE provides eligible customers with a straightforward four-hour free electricity period every day.

Core Plan Features

  • $0/kWh usage charge for four hours each day.

  • The indicative free period is currently 11am–3pm local time.

  • GloBird advises customers to refer to their Welcome Pack for their applicable charging times.

  • Free usage applies to standard circuits and excludes controlled load/dedicated circuits.

  • Smart meter required.

  • Standard electricity rates apply outside the free period.

  • Available to eligible residential customers in VIC, NSW, QLD and SA.

How It Can Work With Your Battery

This type of plan can be particularly useful for larger batteries.

Your battery can be scheduled to charge from the grid during the free period. You can then use that stored energy later in the afternoon, evening and overnight rather than purchasing as much electricity from the grid.

Four free hours also gives you an opportunity to shift other energy-intensive activities into the middle of the day, including:

  • EV charging

  • Hot water heating

  • Pool pumps

  • Washing machines and dryers

  • Dishwashers

  • Heating and cooling

For customers who don't necessarily want to participate in a VPP or actively manage battery exports, FOUR4FREE can provide a relatively simple battery strategy:

Charge for free → store the energy → use it later.

Learn more:

https://www.globirdenergy.com.au/

Flow Power 4Free – Up to 4 Hours Free Every Day

Flow Power's 4Free plan is another option worth considering for homes with solar and battery storage.

The plan provides a free electricity window between 11am and 3pm every day, subject to an hourly allowance.

Core Plan Features

  • Free electricity between 11am–3pm daily.

  • Up to 8kWh free per hour.

  • This provides up to 32kWh of free electricity per day.

  • Usage above the 8kWh hourly allowance is not covered by the free-period credit.

  • Additional plan charges and normal rates outside the free period still apply.

Evening Battery Exports

Flow Power's 4Free plan can also reward customers with solar and batteries for exporting electricity during the evening.

Current peak export periods run from 5:30pm–9:30pm, with feed-in rates varying depending on your state.

This creates an interesting opportunity for battery owners:

Charge during the free 11am–3pm period → use stored energy for your home → potentially export available excess energy during the higher-value evening period.

Why Consider Flow Power 4Free?

  • Four-hour free electricity window.

  • Up to 32kWh of free electricity per day.

  • Suitable for charging batteries and EVs.

  • Opportunity for higher-value evening battery exports.

  • Particularly useful for households able to shift significant electricity consumption into the middle of the day.

Learn more:

https://flowpower.com.au/residential/flow-power-4free/

OVO Energy Free 4 – 4 Hours Free Every Day

OVO Energy's Free 4 plan is another simple option for households that can move electricity consumption into the middle of the day.

Eligible customers receive four hours of free electricity every day from 11am–3pm.

Core Plan Features

  • $0.00/kWh eligible usage from 11am–3pm every day.

  • Four-hour free period.

  • Smart meter required.

  • Controlled load usage is excluded.

  • Daily supply charges still apply.

  • Usage is subject to OVO's Fair Use Policy.

  • Normal electricity rates apply outside the free period.

How It Can Work With Your Battery

For battery owners, the strategy can be very straightforward.

Schedule your battery to charge from the grid during the 11am–3pm free period, then use the stored energy later when normal electricity rates apply.

You can also move other high-consumption activities into the free period, such as:

  • Charging your EV

  • Running your dishwasher

  • Washing and drying clothes

  • Heating or cooling your home

  • Heating hot water

  • Running pool equipment

The more electricity you can shift into the free period, the greater the potential value of the plan.

Learn more:

https://pages.ovoenergy.com.au/the-free-4-plan

Origin Energy – Solar & Battery Plans

Origin Energy also has several plans specifically worth investigating if you own solar and a battery.

Rather than one single battery plan, Origin currently offers different approaches depending on whether you want free daytime electricity, higher battery export rates or VPP participation.

Origin Standing Solar Sharer

For eligible customers, Origin Standing Solar Sharer currently provides three hours of free electricity every day, up to a daily limit of 24kWh.

Current free periods are:

  • NSW & QLD: 11am–2pm

  • SA: 12pm–3pm

  • Up to 24kWh free per day

A smart meter is required and supply charges and controlled load charges still apply.

While this isn't a four-hour plan, 24kWh of free daily electricity can still provide a useful charging opportunity for many home batteries.

Origin Battery Starter

Origin's Battery Starter plan takes a different approach.

Instead of concentrating solely on free daytime charging, it provides a boosted feed-in tariff during peak periods for eligible battery owners.

This can suit customers who want to charge their battery from solar or cheaper grid electricity and then export excess stored energy during higher-value peak periods.

Customers remain in control of their battery and can schedule it using their battery manufacturer's app without participating in a VPP.

Origin Battery Lite / Origin Loop

Origin also offers battery options through its Origin Loop VPP for compatible battery systems.

Eligible customers can receive additional value through VPP participation and certain battery export events.

As with any VPP, we recommend checking that your particular battery and inverter combination is currently supported before signing up.

Learn more:

https://www.originenergy.com.au/solar/battery-plans/

Amber Electric – Wholesale Energy Trading

Amber Electric operates differently from traditional electricity retailers.

Rather than offering a fixed free charging window, Amber gives customers access to wholesale electricity prices.

For households with compatible batteries, Amber's SmartShift™ technology can automatically manage battery charging and exporting based on wholesale electricity prices.

Benefits

  • Access to wholesale electricity pricing.

  • SmartShift™ battery automation for compatible systems.

  • Potential to charge when wholesale electricity is very cheap or negative.

  • Potential to export battery energy when wholesale prices are high.

  • Amber's current subscription is $25 per month.

Unlike a fixed free-energy plan, electricity prices through Amber can vary considerably. This creates opportunities for battery owners but also means it is important to understand how wholesale pricing works.

Useful Guides

Amber Set-up guide for FoxESS users

Amber Electric podcast – How Amber works with your battery

Using the Amber Electric App

How to Get Started

  1. Sign up directly with Amber.

  2. Download the Amber app for iOS or Android.

  3. Add your compatible battery through the Devices section.

  4. Follow Amber's in-app instructions to complete the connection.

You may be asked for information including:

  • Your battery serial number

  • Your site's export limit

  • Battery and inverter details

Where asked how you heard about Amber, you can nominate Sapphire Solar.

Need assistance with your Amber account or SmartShift? Contact Amber Support directly.

A Note on Amber

Amber has delivered some exciting results for battery owners, particularly customers who are comfortable participating in the wholesale electricity market.

However, it is a more dynamic electricity model than a simple free daytime plan. Wholesale prices can move significantly and results will vary depending on your household usage, battery, solar production and market conditions.

We recommend understanding how wholesale pricing and SmartShift work before deciding whether Amber is right for you.

Which Energy Plan Should I Choose?

There isn't one energy plan that will be best for every battery owner.

The right plan depends on:

  • Your battery capacity

  • Your solar system size

  • Your daily electricity consumption

  • When you use the most electricity

  • Whether you have an EV

  • Your electricity distributor/network

  • Your export limit

  • Whether you want to manually schedule your battery

  • Whether you are comfortable participating in a VPP or wholesale electricity market

As a general guide:

GloBird ZeroHero
A battery-focused option for customers wanting free daytime charging combined with additional credits, feed-in opportunities and optional VPP participation.

GloBird FOUR4FREE
A simpler option for customers wanting four hours of free electricity each day to charge their battery and shift household consumption.

Flow Power 4Free
Offers up to 32kWh of free electricity between 11am–3pm each day, plus the potential for higher-value evening exports.

OVO Energy Free 4
A straightforward four-hour free electricity option from 11am–3pm, which can work well for battery and EV charging.

Origin Energy
Worth comparing for customers interested in either free daytime electricity, boosted peak-period battery exports or VPP participation.

Amber Electric
A more dynamic option for customers comfortable with wholesale electricity pricing and automated battery trading.

Don't Look at the "Free Hours" Alone

Four hours of free electricity can sound like the obvious choice, but the longest free period doesn't necessarily mean the lowest overall electricity bill.

When comparing plans, consider:

  • Electricity rates outside the free period

  • Daily supply charges

  • Feed-in tariffs

  • Peak and off-peak rates

  • Free electricity caps or hourly limits

  • Controlled load exclusions

  • VPP requirements

  • Battery compatibility

  • Your battery capacity

  • Your household's actual consumption pattern

For example, a household with a large battery may place greater value on a four-hour free charging period, while another household may achieve better results from a plan offering a shorter charging window but stronger evening export incentives.

A Simple Battery Strategy

For many Sapphire Solar customers, one of the easiest ways to maximise the value of a battery is:

1. Generate from solar during the day.

Use your own solar electricity to power your home and charge your battery whenever possible.

2. Take advantage of free or low-cost grid periods.

If your battery isn't full, use your retailer's free or low-cost period to top it up.

3. Use your battery when electricity is expensive.

Allow your battery to power the home through the afternoon, evening and overnight, reducing the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the grid.

4. Take advantage of valuable exports where appropriate.

If your plan rewards evening exports and you have sufficient battery capacity, you may also be able to export stored energy and receive additional feed-in credits.

The best settings will depend on your battery, solar production, electricity plan and household usage.

Need Help?

Once your battery is installed, Sapphire Solar can provide general guidance on how to configure your system around your chosen electricity plan.

However, electricity retailers are responsible for their own plans, billing, eligibility, rates, credits and VPP programs. You will need to sign up directly with your chosen retailer.

Before switching, always check the retailer's latest pricing and terms for your specific address, as plans and eligibility can change.

For Victorian customers who would like to independently compare electricity retailers and plans, we also recommend:

Victorian Energy Compare