Battery brands and comparisons
Alpha ESS SMILE batteries: sizes, backup, warranty and VPPs (2026)
The short answer
SMILE systems in hybrid versions (for new solar) and AC-coupled versions (for existing solar), single- and three-phase. Sizes: SMILE-G3: 9.3 kWh modules, 9.3 to 37.2 kWh single-phase and up to 55.8 kWh three-phase. SMILE-M5/M10: 13.99 kWh modules, 14 to 28 kWh. SMILE5: modules of 13.3 or 15 kWh, up to about 75 to 80 kWh. The warranty is 10 years; at least 70% of usable capacity over 120 months, with a throughput limit of about 3.12 MWh per kWh. It's on the approved list for the federal battery rebate (about $3,663 on 15 kWh if installed now), and Amber SmartShift, AGL VPP, Origin (Loop), ENGIE VPP and GloBird ZEROHERO VPP list it. Facts from Alpha ESS's Australian datasheets and warranty, checked 15 October 2026.
What the Alpha ESS SMILE batteries is
SMILE systems in hybrid versions (for new solar) and AC-coupled versions (for existing solar), single- and three-phase. It's imported and supported in Australia by Alpha ESS Australia Pty Ltd (Homebush West, NSW), in Australia since 2015.
Sizes and power
| Sizes | SMILE-G3: 9.3 kWh modules, 9.3 to 37.2 kWh single-phase and up to 55.8 kWh three-phase. SMILE-M5/M10: 13.99 kWh modules, 14 to 28 kWh. SMILE5: modules of 13.3 or 15 kWh, up to about 75 to 80 kWh. |
|---|---|
| Modules | 9.3, 13.99, 13.3 and 15 kWh modules depending on the series |
| Phases | Single-phase 5 kW (G3-S5, M5, SMILE5) and 8–10 kW (M10); three-phase G3-T5 to T20. |
| Power | About 5 kW on the single-phase 5 kW models; up to 20 kW of backup on the three-phase G3. |
| Build | LFP, IP65, outdoor; aerosol fire suppression in the G3 and M series. |
Can you add a Alpha ESS battery to existing solar?
AC-coupled versions (SMILE-G3-B5, and the M5-B) add a battery to existing solar. See adding a battery to existing solar.
How does Alpha ESS blackout backup work?
UPS-style backup: under 10 ms switch-over on the three-phase G3 and under 20 ms on the M series.
What warranty does a Alpha ESS battery have?
The Alpha ESS battery warranty is 10 years; at least 70% of usable capacity over 120 months, with a throughput limit of about 3.12 MWh per kWh.
- It covers self-consumption, time-of-use, backup and VPP operation.
- It needs an internet connection, an SAA-accredited installer with an Alpha installer ID, and an ambient temperature of −10 to 50 °C out of direct sun.
- It transfers with the building.
Source: Alpha ESS Residential Product Series warranty conditions (Australia), 15 June 2026. Warranty terms change; the version that applies is the one on the day your battery is installed.
Which virtual power plants work with Alpha ESS?
| VPP | Alpha ESS |
|---|---|
| Amber SmartShift | Yes |
| AGL VPP | Yes |
| Origin (Loop) | Yes |
| ENGIE VPP | Yes |
| GloBird ZEROHERO VPP | Yes |
- Amber supports Alpha ESS systems with serial numbers starting "AL".
- Alpha says the SMILE5, SMILE-G3 and SMILE-T10-HV are eligible for the NSW VPP incentive.
- Western Australia: On Synergy's Supported Solutions List as ready for its VPP (a green tick) on 1 October 2026, which matters for WA's battery scheme.
A VPP list changes often, so check with the provider before you choose. What VPPs pay and the trade-offs: virtual power plants · Sigenergy vs Sungrow · home batteries compared · which batteries work with which VPP.
How much is the battery rebate on a Alpha ESS battery?
The federal battery rebate on a Alpha ESS battery depends on its usable size and the installation date: it's the same for every approved brand of the same usable size. SMILE batteries are on the Clean Energy Council approved list.
| Usable size | Installed now | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kWh | $2,516 | $2,109 |
| 15 kWh | $3,663 | $3,071 |
| 20 kWh | $4,403 | $3,700 |
| 30 kWh | $5,698 | $4,773 |
Estimates at an STC value of $37. More: the solar battery rebate.
How much does a Alpha ESS battery cost?
A Alpha ESS battery's price depends on the size, the inverter and your home more than the badge. Across brands, most homes pay about $700 to $850 per kWh installed after the federal rebate (October 2026); large modular batteries can be lower. See solar battery cost, or get a price for your home.
Who it suits, and what to check
It suits:
- Sizing to the rebate tiers: the M series' 13.99 kWh modules match the 14 and 28 kWh steps
- Joining a VPP: on every main list we checked, and VPP-ready on Synergy's list in WA
- Adding a battery to existing solar (AC-coupled versions)
Check before you buy:
- Battery power on the single-phase 5 kW models is lower than on larger hybrids
- The warranty's internet and temperature conditions
No battery is right for every home. How to compare any two: how to choose a home battery.
Questions people ask
Is Alpha ESS a good battery?
It depends what you need. The Alpha ESS SMILE batteries suits sizing to the rebate tiers: the M series' 13.99 kWh modules match the 14 and 28 kWh steps. Before you buy, check: battery power on the single-phase 5 kW models is lower than on larger hybrids.
How much does a Alpha ESS battery cost?
Most home batteries cost about $700 to $850 per kWh installed after the federal rebate (October 2026). Your price depends on the size, the inverter and your home.
What warranty does a Alpha ESS battery have?
10 years; at least 70% of usable capacity over 120 months, with a throughput limit of about 3.12 MWh per kWh.
Does Alpha ESS work with Amber?
Yes, Amber SmartShift lists Alpha ESS (checked 15 October 2026).
Does a Alpha ESS battery get the battery rebate?
SMILE batteries are on the Clean Energy Council approved list. The rebate is about $3,663 on a 15 kWh battery if installed now.
Sources
- Alpha ESS: SMILE-G3 series (Australia)
- Alpha ESS: SMILE-M series (Australia)
- Alpha ESS: AU warranty conditions (15 Jun 2026)
- Synergy: Supported Solutions List
- Amber SmartShift: compatible batteries
- AGL VPP: compatible batteries
- Origin (Loop): compatible batteries
- ENGIE VPP: compatible batteries
- GloBird ZEROHERO VPP: compatible batteries
- DCCEEW: Cheaper Home Batteries eligibility
- Clean Energy Council: approved batteries
General information, not financial advice. Rebate rules change: figures on this page come from our rules table, last verified 26 September 2026. How we're paid: installers pay Homerise for introducing you. No brand or installer pays to be mentioned in a guide.