topic Re: AGL App in Solar, Batteries & Electrification

AGL App

Darryl2 — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 08:18:36 GMT

I do not use the grid at all but AGL app is charging me small amounts daily for grid power. I

I understand I have a service charge which is additional

Re: AGL App

John-T — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 05:15:21 GMT

Join the club,

I have asked AGL to clarify what is happening.

I can go 3 days with zero usage yet when checking usage on the site "app is broken"

I see typically 1-3KW of usage for each day even though my grid independence is 100% "These are not estimates"

When the clouds roll in that is a different matter and i am forced to use the grid as I only have 1 battery.

But i would dearly love to know how they calculate that I have used 1kw 2kw or 3 when in fact I have not used anything 3 days in a row. If there is going to be a mistake it is never in the consumers favour.

I have yet to have a $0 Dollar day since atleast my new billing period atleast 20 days in question so far and growing.

This all started from either 1st July or my new billing period a few weeks later.

Solar Savers

Endeavour Energy

N.S.W

Re: AGL App

Lester — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 06:14:45 GMT

My understanding with small grid use appearances is that when solar is overtaken by usage, before a battery can kick in where there is a small amount still taken from the grid before the full switch over happens.
Another scenario occurs when usage with appliances used, and other usage in the home, exceeds the inverter size.

Eg. If you are using 2 kettle say 2.1kw, the HWS might kick in 3.6kw, total draw 5.7kw, maybe 0.5kw used in the general home tick over, that's 6.2kw . . . with a 5kw inverter you will draw around 1.2kwh while these run same time.

With motors starting, there is also the initial spike starting up, and that might also make that gradual difference to peaks of power used from the grid.

Inverters use a minute amount of power too, though some state this is not included in your usage, but comes from the grid somehow, though I'm not sure it that is totally correct.

1kwh to 3 kwh seems high though John.

Re: AGL App

John-T — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 06:45:58 GMT

Lester,

Here earlier in the year.

I highlighted one day this was the norm for me I was lucky enough to have plenty of sunshine that period.

Now after 1st July or my new billing period I will never see a day under a 1K usage never.

John

Re: AGL App

Lester — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 06:57:11 GMT

The usage table you posted looks about normal from what I've seen for that minor usage when generally fully covered by solar and / or a battery.

The new normal is not looking right John, say an avg 2 kwh daily, maybe 35c per, costing $60 odd a quarter on the bill ?

Something drastic has changed since July 1st, and it's usage in metering, obviously nothing to do with charges increasing, but a fairly stark coincidence.

Have you had AGL escalate this to check into metering data, and that it started July 1st ?

Re: AGL App

John-T — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 05:58:23 GMT

@Lester

Fingers crossed as of Monday this week I have yet to see usage greater than 1KW all show under this week with the lowest being 0.10kwh, i am hoping it has been resolved but again will not hold my breath.

It was escalated approx two weeks ago though the offshore centres do not make life easy.

Nothing has been communicated to me as of yet.

I am just waiting to see what is going on and what transpires.

Of note twice I have had warranty / workmanship issues and it was immediately handled by our onshore direct support, If memory serves I think it was battery support that took care of it both times but do not quote me on it.

It is a contracted AGL install so i am safe there.

I really wish they had everything onshore, 2 NBN providers 1 a major telco have brought all call centres back onshore, I really wish AGL would do the same with its services.

Kind Regards

John

Solar Savers

Endeavour Energy

Solar Savers

Re: AGL App

Darryl2 — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:55:07 GMT

Hi John
I have finally received my first full monthly account with my batteries installed.
As I suspected after monitoring the AGL app I have been charged for grid use. I have been away the whole month so no way my batteries could not handle the small demand.
I guess I will now phone AGL and waste an hour with probably no resolution.
Darryl

Re: AGL App

John-T — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 12:19:30 GMT

@Darryl2

What you should really look out for is usage above 1Kwh. I typically call a day with less than 1k usage a zero dollar day.

When everything is running normally for me I can see a 0.10 to 0.90k usage per day usually below 0.50.

I have never seen a 0.00k day as I feel that it is technically unachievable at this point in time.

So yes if you are showing 1 to 3k a day usage then something is not right which was my case.

Darryl,

What size is your solar system

How much battery storage do you have.

I am curious

John

Solar Savers

Endeavour Energy

N.S.W

Re: AGL App

Darryl2 — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 12:35:07 GMT

Hi John
We have a 10.4 Kwt solar 27 Wkt batteries so never use the grid to date.
We have been away all August with everything turned off except fridge and pool pump.
It appears to be .3 Kwt grid use every day at varying rates.
It is not a lot but added to the supply charged you have to export a lot of power to get to a zero account.
I will phone AGL but do not expect to get an answer.

Re: AGL App

John-T — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 12:50:53 GMT

Yes it all adds up I will not argue that.

You have a very decent system

My daily supply charge alone automatically takes me to $100 for 90ish days.

So my system has its work cut out.

8.58 3 phase PV

8.2K Fronius inverter

And my trusty Powerwall 2

Have almost saved enough to add a 2nd.

I need the 2nd battery as that is what will grant us all night heating in the midst of winter. 1 battery won't do it .

I wish you luck with your call.

Most of My experiences to date have been

Extremely frustrating!

John

Re: AGL App

Darryl2 — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 13:34:07 GMT

Yes I put in two Tesler power wall 2 batteries so can discharge up
To 10 Kwts.
I get 10 cents per Kwt on exports but it takes a lot of export just to
Pay the service fee.
I live at Lake Macquarie, Greater Newcastle City and normally away for winter. I think I would get through a winter on batteries.

Re: AGL App

John-T — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 14:22:11 GMT

I live a little south from you

Outer North Western Sydney

Riverstone not far from Richmond

On 2 battery's I would get through winter

no sweat. Though I would never export

power to the grid.

I want 100% independence without crucifying my battery's life span. So no

VPP for me, besides at the rate we get blackouts around here the reserve always comes in handy.

Not so long ago we had a blackout that lasted over 9hrs. And with the way things a heading with political decisions blackouts will become the norm.

Re: AGL App

Darryl2 — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:07:07 GMT

I looked at a VPN setup but I watch the wholesale prices (PocketNEM) that have crashed in recent years. Often during the day the grid pays the retailers to take power with negative pricing. I get more by getting 10 cents per Kwt.
I live on Lake Macquarie so never get a frost but still cold enough for heating that really uses power.
My supply charge is similar.
Glad I got 2 batteries with the 30% rebate plus got good pricing.