Battery
AlphaESS SMILE
5 models from 3.6 to 9.6 kWh usable. Listed as compatible by 9 of the 9 open VPP programs we track.
This page summarises the battery family. Choose a review below for model-specific findings. The figures below come from the manufacturer’s documentation, and the program list comes from each provider’s published compatibility list.
Reviews by model
Choose the exact model you are considering. Each review covers its named model.
Models and usable capacity
| Model | Usable capacity |
|---|---|
| SMILE-G3 (3.8 kWh module) | 3.6 kWh |
| SMILE-G3 (4.0 kWh module) | 3.8 kWh |
| SMILE-G3 (8.2 kWh module) | 7.8 kWh |
| SMILE-G3 (10.1 kWh module) | 9.6 kWh |
| SMILE-G3-S5 with 1 × SMILE-G3-BAT-9.3S | 9.3 kWh |
SMILE-G3-S5 with 1 × SMILE-G3-BAT-9.3S: manufacturer datasheet (opens in a new tab)
Manufacturer datasheet www.alphaess.com/Public/Uploads/uploadfile/files/20240621/Datasheet_EN_SMILE-G3-S3.6&S5&B5_V11.22052024.pdf
VPPs that list AlphaESS SMILE
Compare programsThese programs list the battery family. Your exact battery, inverter and address still need approval; inclusion does not confirm warranty cover. How VPPs work.
All programs shown require an electricity account with the provider. If you already use that retailer, a switch may not be needed; a particular plan may still be required.
Compare the required electricity plan as well as VPP rewards. Credits are before electricity costs and any program fees.
9 family listings · Program A–Z
ActewAGL
Battery Power Top-Up
Listed: ACT · south-east NSW
- Reward snapshot
$240/year in bill credits
Standard Top-Up credits accrue daily. Sign-up eligibility and sibling offers are explained on the program page.
- Program costs
No exit fee
Membership fee unknown. Setup fee unknown.
AGL
AGL VPP
Listed: NSW · VIC · QLD · SA
- Reward snapshot
Sign-up, ongoing and event credits
SA ongoing credits conflict across published sources. Confirm the amount in your Welcome Letter.
- Program costs
No BYO battery exit fee
Membership fee unknown. Setup fee unknown.
Amber
SmartShift
Listed: NSW · VIC · SA · ACT · QLD (Energex)
- Reward snapshot
Variable wholesale export earnings
Automation responds to market prices. There is no fixed export rate or guaranteed return.
- Program costs
$25/month membership
Setup fee unknown. No exit fee. Additional charges may apply.
CovaU Energy
VPP · BYO battery
Listed: NSW · VIC
- Reward snapshot
15c/kWh during VPP events
For discharged energy in the 5–9pm event window. Events have no fixed schedule.
- Program costs
No exit fee
Membership fee unknown. Setup fee unknown.
EnergyAustralia
Battery Ease
Listed: NSW · address check required
- Reward snapshot
$15/month in bill credits
Paid whether or not the VPP uses your battery. Grid charging is billed at your plan rates.
- Program costs
No membership, setup or exit fees
ENGIE
ENGIE VPP
Listed: NSW · VIC · SA
- Reward snapshot
Monthly credits that vary by state
Requires the VPP Advantage plan. Published control limits differ between the current page and older terms.
- Program costs
No membership, setup or exit fees
GloBird Energy
ZEROHERO · VPP add-on
Listed: NSW · VIC · SA · QLD (Energex)
- Reward snapshot
Conditional daily and export credits
Daily credits depend on evening imports. Export rewards have separate windows and limits.
- Program costs
No membership, setup or exit fees
Origin Energy
Loop · Battery Lite
Listed: NSW · SA · VIC · QLD · ACT
- Reward snapshot
$1/kWh during VPP events
Dispatch limit: 200 kWh/year. The dispatch limit applies to Battery Lite event credits; Origin may change the rate with notice.
- Program costs
No Battery Lite exit fee
Membership fee unknown. Setup fee unknown. Incentive-linked terms can differ.
Diamond Energy
WATTBANK
Listed: NSW · VIC · SA · QLD (Energex)
- Reward snapshot
$250–$450/year in bill credits
Four credit blocks set by solar, battery and inverter size — from $250/yr (5 kW solar, 5–10 kWh battery) to $450/yr (up to 18 kW solar, 20 kWh battery); accrued as cents/day, and unverifiable systems default to the lowest block.
- Program costs
$68 one-off setup fee
Membership fee unknown. No exit fee. Waived for new Plenti-financed systems.
Reward snapshots — open the program for all credits, tariffs and conditions.
A battery advertised as “VPP-capable” only has to be technically able to join one — the federal battery rebate requires nothing more.
Whether a particular program actually lists it is a separate question, and it is the one that decides what you can do. The VPP-capable rule.