ALPHA ESS BATTERY SCHEDULING
Lock in a peak export rate and save at other times by charging your battery when wholesale prices are low.
Alpha ESS solar battery scheduling & setup
This guide explains how to set your Alpha ESS system to discharge to the grid between 5:30pm and 9:30pm using the AlphaCloud app (or web portal), so you make the most of Flow Power’s Battery Happy Hour.
This setup is required if you’re participating in Flow Power’s Battery Happy Hour Electricity Plan.
Why choose Happy Hour?
- Keep full control of your solar and battery and earn a 30-35c/kWh feed-in rate between 5:30-9:30pm, every day.
- Our dynamic pricing rewards you for using energy when it’s cheaper and more renewable.
- Your home’s energy use is matched with 100% GreenPower from one of our renewable projects in your state.
- Better manage their energy use with the help of smart insights via the Flow Power app.
How to set up your battery
Step 1 –
Confirm your system and app access
You need an Alpha ESS system, for example a SMILE all-in-one or an Alpha ESS hybrid inverter with a compatible battery. Download the AlphaCloud app (iOS or Android) or use the AlphaCloud web portal, and log in with your owner account.
Step 2 –
Open your charge and discharge settings
In AlphaCloud, go to Settings, then the function (or advanced) settings, and find the grid charging and discharging, or Time of Use, section. This is where you set when the battery charges and discharges.
Step 3 –
Set the 5:30pm to 9:30pm discharge window
Set a discharge time period from 17:30 to 21:30. This is what pushes the battery to discharge during Happy Hour.
Step 4 –
(Optional) charge when energy is cheaper
If you also want to top the battery up from the grid at cheaper times, set a charging period outside Happy Hour. Keep the charge window clear of 5:30 to 9:30pm.
Step 5-
Check your reserved State of Charge
Make sure your minimum, or reserved, State of Charge isn’t set so high that the battery stops discharging early. Around 10 to 20% leaves enough to discharge through the whole window.
Step 6-
Confirm export is enabled and you’re not on a conflicting VPP
Make sure export is enabled and within your network’s export limit (not zero-export). Some networks restrict battery-to-grid discharge, so check yours allows it. Battery-to-grid export won’t work if you’re signed up to another VPP that controls your battery.
Step 7-
Save and verify
Save your settings. Between 5:30 and 9:30pm, open AlphaCloud – you should see the battery discharging and power exporting to the grid.
Do I control my own exports?
Yes. You keep full control of your solar and battery system at all times.
Flow Power doesn’t remotely control your inverter or battery. Instead, we give you price signals and a clear export window, and you decide how to respond.
If you have a battery or smart inverter, you (or your installer) can set it up so you charge when energy is cheaper and export more during Happy Hour, but all those settings remain in your hands.
Don’t have a battery?
Compare quotes from your local pre-vetted installers with Solar Choice.
Learn more