The AlphaESS app is the free phone app for AlphaESS solar batteries and hybrid inverters, and AlphaCloud is the cloud platform behind it. You log in with your email and password in the “AlphaESS” app (Apple App Store and Google Play) or at cloud.alphaess.com. As at November 2026, an owner registers as an “End user” using the system’s serial number, then sees live solar, battery, house and grid power.
This is independent desk research from AlphaESS’s own manuals and support documents. Solar Cobber did not test the app on a live system, is not paid by AlphaESS, and nothing below asks you to open the inverter, battery or switchboard.
Key facts
- The AlphaESS app is published by Alpha ESS Co., Ltd. on the Apple App Store (listing ID 1088168713) and Google Play (package com.alpha.app), and the AlphaCloud web platform is at cloud.alphaess.com, according to AlphaESS’s manuals and the store listings checked in November 2026.
- The AlphaCloud App User Manual for End Users (version V05) says there are two account types, End user and Installer, and that registration needs a valid email address, a password and the system serial number (SN).
- AlphaESS’s manual says that if the Wi-Fi module loses the router connection (for example after a router change), the owner can reconfigure it from the app by joining the module’s hotspot, which is named after the system SN.
- The AlphaESS Australia warranty conditions dated 30 October 2024 say all products must have an internet or 3G/4G connection for service and monitoring, and that the warranty does not cover failures to detect defects caused by an internet outage.
- AlphaESS Australia lists a support line of +61 02 9000 7676 and the email techsupport@alphaess.au in those warranty conditions, with an office at Chatswood, NSW.
- A 6.6 kW system in Perth is expected to average about 29 kWh a day over a year, against about 24 kWh in Melbourne, using the Clean Energy Council guideline figures (Solar Cobber calculation below).
What is the AlphaESS app, and what is AlphaCloud?
AlphaESS is a Chinese energy storage maker whose SMILE batteries are sold in Australia, and AlphaCloud is its monitoring platform. The app and the web portal use the same account. Store listings call the app “AlphaESS”, while AlphaESS’s end-user manual is titled “AlphaCloud App”, so searching either name finds it.
The app has been redesigned: AlphaESS published a “New AlphaESS App Quick Guide” video in 2026, and the App Store listing shows version 7.4.0. The screens below follow the V05 end-user manual, so menus on your phone may be laid out differently. For hardware context, read our AlphaESS SMILE-G3 review, the AlphaESS battery price guide and our AlphaESS brand guide.
The video above is AlphaESS’s own quick guide to the new app. It is a manufacturer video, so treat it as a walkthrough of the features, not independent advice.
How to log in and set up
You register in the app, activate your account from an email link, then log in. The V05 manual says the welcome page has Register and Login buttons, and a “Log in as Guest” option shows a demo account so you can see the screens before you have a system.
How do I register an AlphaCloud account?
- Open the app and tap Register, then choose End user (not Installer).
- Enter a valid email address and set a password. The manual says registration cannot finish if the email is not available.
- Enter the system serial number (SN). You can type it or scan the barcode or QR code on the unit. The installation details are filled in automatically, and if not, you enter them by hand.
- Tap OK. The manual says the system checks the code you entered, and registration fails if it is wrong. The contact number is optional, and you choose whether to accept automatic firmware updates.
- Open the activation email AlphaESS sends and tap the link. A second email confirms registration.
Who controls the system, the owner or the installer?
Your installer normally commissions the system and links it to their installer account, while you hold the end user account. The manual says that if your SN is not linked to any installer account, a support ticket from the app warns you to contact your installer first to assign the account.
If your installer has closed, the documented route is the app’s support ticket or AlphaESS Australia directly. See our tracker of Australian solar company failures for what that means for warranty support, and browse solar installers in our directory for a company that works with AlphaESS.
How do I reset a forgotten password?
Tap Forgot Password on the login page, enter the email you registered with, tap Send verification code, and enter the new password once the code arrives by email. The manual says the app then returns you to the login page.
How do I connect the Wi-Fi module to a new router?
Your installer sets up Wi-Fi at commissioning. If you later change the router name or password, the manual says to use WiFi Configuration on the login screen:
- Check the Wi-Fi module’s power light is steady, then join the phone to the hotspot named after the system SN. The manual gives the default password as 12345678.
- Return to the app, pick your home Wi-Fi network and enter its password. Wait for “configured successfully”.
- The app then shows the basic operating and system information for a quick check.
How to read the dashboard
The home screen summarises the system serial number, model, battery status and state of charge (SOC), solar power, self-consumption ratio, CO2 reduction and lifetime energy totals. The My System view draws a live flow diagram, and Statistics, Power and Profit tabs show history.
| Term in the app | What it means, per the AlphaESS manual |
|---|---|
| Solar | Real-time power from your panels |
| Battery | Real-time power charging or discharging the battery |
| Load | Real-time power used by your home |
| Feed-in | Real-time power exported to the grid |
| Grid consumption | Energy imported from the grid |
| Battery SOC | State of charge, the battery level as a percentage |
| Self-consumption ratio | (Total PV generation minus total grid feed-in) divided by total PV generation |
| Profit | Revenue from self-consumption, load shifting and feed-in since installation |
| EVC | Power used by an AlphaESS EV charger, shown only if one is installed |
Table: dashboard terms in the AlphaCloud App User Manual for End Users, V05, read November 2026.
A self-consumption ratio of 100% would mean none of your solar was exported. If your system lacks a consumption meter or CT, load and grid figures can be missing or wrong, so ask your installer which meters are fitted. AlphaESS’s installation manual says the Grid CT is an accessory the installer supplies, and that an AC-coupled or hybrid-coupled system also needs a PV CT.
What settings can I change in the app?
You can change charging and discharging times, backup priorities, EV charger modes and tariffs, with options depending on your model. The V05 manual describes these main settings.
| Setting | What the manual says it does |
|---|---|
| Charge Batteries from the Grid | You set a charging period; the battery charges from solar first, then the grid, until the set SOC is reached. Outside the period it runs in self-consumption mode |
| Discharge Batteries to the Grid | You set a discharge period; outside it, the battery can only be charged, from solar |
| Backup Box | Sets the priority of each load circuit if a Backup Box or Backup Box Plus is fitted |
| AUX contact | Triggers a relay by time or by SOC and export thresholds; available on SMILE systems only |
| EV-Charger Settings | Shows online status, remote start and stop, and four charging modes |
| Other Settings | Meter and CT setup, maximum feed-in rate, work mode (AC, DC or hybrid), upload frequency |
| Electricity Prices | Lets you enter your feed-in tariff and up to seven price periods so the Profit tab shows your savings |
| Upgrade Management | Scans for and installs firmware updates |
Table: function settings in the AlphaCloud App User Manual for End Users, V05, read November 2026.
Set the grid charge window to your off-peak period; see peak and off-peak electricity times in Australia to find yours. The “Other Settings” page holds meter and export-limit values, which are installer settings and should stay as commissioned.
Common problems and fixes
Most “app not working” reports come down to a lost Wi-Fi link, and your battery and inverter keep working while the app is offline. The table lists safe owner actions only.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What you can safely do | When to call the installer |
|---|---|---|---|
| App shows offline or no data | Wi-Fi module disconnected from the router | Check your home internet, then use WiFi Configuration in the app | The module’s power light is off, or reconfiguring fails |
| Cannot log in | Wrong password, unactivated account | Use Forgot Password; check the activation email and spam folder | The SN is not linked to your account |
| Registration fails | Wrong SN or check code | Re-scan the label or retype the SN carefully | The label is unreadable or the SN is rejected |
| Load or grid numbers look wrong | Missing or misplaced CT or meter | Note the screens and times | Always, as it is wiring work |
| Battery will not charge from the grid | Grid charge window not set, or SOC target already reached | Check the charge period and SOC value | Settings are locked or the battery shows an error |
| Fault code on screen | Grid event, wiring or equipment fault | Note the code and time; check the table below | The code repeats or mentions the battery, insulation or PV |
| Data stops after the router was replaced | New router name or password | Rerun WiFi Configuration | The module cannot find the hotspot |
Table: troubleshooting based on the AlphaESS V05 app manual and the SMILE-G3-S5 installation manual (V02), read November 2026.
Keep your system online. The AlphaESS Australia warranty conditions (30 October 2024) say all products must have an internet or 3G/4G connection for service and monitoring, and the warranty does not cover resulting failures to detect defects or to apply remote updates during an outage. After a claim on an offline system, the owner must arrange a qualified person for an on-site inspection. Read the current terms for your own system.
Error and status codes
AlphaESS fault codes are numbers: six digits such as 100000 for inverter errors and five digits such as 60002 for battery errors. The table is from the SMILE-G3 installation, operation and maintenance manual for the S8, S5, S3.6 and B5 models (version V02, copyright 2022). Newer firmware and other models, such as the three-phase T series, can differ, and the manual’s table is staggered, so we list only rows whose codes and names line up clearly.
| Code | Display name | What AlphaESS says |
|---|---|---|
| 100000 | Grid_OVP (grid over-voltage) | Check whether the grid is abnormal and the grid cable connection, then reset the inverter; if it remains, call service |
| 100001 | Grid_UVP (grid under-voltage) | Same steps as 100000 |
| 100007 | Insulation fault | Check the PV cable connection and whether the cable is damaged; call service if it remains |
| 100008 | GFCI_fault | Restart the inverter; if the fault remains, call service |
| 100043 | Output overload | Check whether the backup load exceeds the rated power, restart the inverter, then call service if it remains |
| 60002 | Circuit_Breaker_Open | Switch on the batteries’ breakers; if that does not solve it, call service |
| 60004, 60006 | Battery communication lost | Check the communication cables between batteries; call service if it remains |
Table: selected codes from the AlphaESS SMILE-G3 S8/S5/S3.6/B5 manual (V02), read November 2026. The manual also lists grid frequency, PV, battery voltage, temperature, parallel and EV charger codes.
Do not carry out the cable, breaker or insulation checks yourself. They are installer tasks. What you can do is photograph the screen, note the time, and send it to your installer. Costs for repairs are covered in solar inverter repair and replacement cost.
Is the AlphaESS app free, and can I export data?
We could not find a published paid tier for the AlphaESS end-user app: the store listing describes it as free, and the V05 manual describes no subscription. We also could not confirm a data retention period or an export-to-spreadsheet feature in the end-user manual, so check the in-app Privacy Policy Management screen, which the manual says lets you view the policy and clear your private data.
What the numbers should look like
A well sited north-facing system should average the figures below over a year, and a system well under them deserves a check. The Clean Energy Council guideline figures, as reproduced by SolarQuotes and installers, put a kilowatt of panels at about 3.5 kWh a day in Hobart and 4.4 kWh in Perth and Darwin. We could not open the Clean Energy Council’s own table, so treat these as guideline averages.
Source: Clean Energy Council guideline figures as reproduced by SolarQuotes, checked November 2026.
View the data as a table
| kWh per kW per day | |
|---|---|
| Darwin | 4.4 kWh |
| Perth | 4.4 kWh |
| Canberra | 4.3 kWh |
| Brisbane | 4.2 kWh |
| Adelaide | 4.2 kWh |
| Sydney | 3.9 kWh |
| Melbourne | 3.6 kWh |
| Hobart | 3.5 kWh |
Darwin and Perth lead at about 4.4 kWh per kW per day, while Hobart is lowest at about 3.5, a gap of about 26% against Perth.
Solar Cobber calculation: daily output for common system sizes
Multiply the figure above by your array size in kW. A 6.6 kW array in Sydney should average about 3.9 x 6.6 = 25.7 kWh a day across the year.
| City | Per kW | 5 kW | 6.6 kW | 10 kW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin | 4.4 | 22.0 | 29.0 | 44.0 |
| Perth | 4.4 | 22.0 | 29.0 | 44.0 |
| Canberra | 4.3 | 21.5 | 28.4 | 43.0 |
| Brisbane | 4.2 | 21.0 | 27.7 | 42.0 |
| Adelaide | 4.2 | 21.0 | 27.7 | 42.0 |
| Sydney | 3.9 | 19.5 | 25.7 | 39.0 |
| Melbourne | 3.6 | 18.0 | 23.8 | 36.0 |
| Hobart | 3.5 | 17.5 | 23.1 | 35.0 |
Table: expected average kWh a day by array size, Solar Cobber calculation from Clean Energy Council guideline figures, November 2026.
These are yearly averages, not a single day. Your own AlphaCloud Statistics tab will swing far more by season, so compare the same month year on year, or compare against the seasonal table below.
How much does summer differ from winter?
A lot, except in the tropics. NASA’s POWER climatology (January 2001 to December 2025) shows how much sunlight reaches a flat surface in each city, and scaling the guideline annual figure by each season’s share gives an indicative seasonal output.
- Summer
- Winter
Source: Solar Cobber calculation from NASA POWER (all-sky surface shortwave irradiance) and Clean Energy Council guideline figures. Annual guideline kWh per kW multiplied by season sunlight divided by annual sunlight. Flat-surface sunlight, so tilted panels do somewhat better in winter.
View the data as a table
| Summer | Winter | |
|---|---|---|
| Darwin | 4.1 kWh | 4.2 kWh |
| Perth | 6.3 kWh | 2.5 kWh |
| Canberra | 5.9 kWh | 2.6 kWh |
| Brisbane | 5.3 kWh | 2.9 kWh |
| Adelaide | 6.2 kWh | 2.3 kWh |
| Sydney | 5.2 kWh | 2.5 kWh |
| Melbourne | 5.5 kWh | 1.8 kWh |
| Hobart | 5.5 kWh | 1.6 kWh |
In Hobart and Melbourne a winter day delivers only about 30% to 33% of the sunlight a summer day does, while Darwin barely changes because its dry season is its winter.
- Perth
- Sydney
- Hobart
- Darwin
Source: NASA POWER climatology, all-sky surface shortwave downward irradiance, January 2001 to December 2025.
View the data as a table
| Perth | Sydney | Hobart | Darwin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8.2 kWh | 6.5 kWh | 6.7 kWh | 5.1 kWh |
| Feb | 7.3 kWh | 5.7 kWh | 5.7 kWh | 5.3 kWh |
| Mar | 6.1 kWh | 4.8 kWh | 4.3 kWh | 5.5 kWh |
| Apr | 4.5 kWh | 3.8 kWh | 2.9 kWh | 5.7 kWh |
| May | 3.4 kWh | 3.0 kWh | 1.9 kWh | 5.3 kWh |
| Jun | 2.8 kWh | 2.4 kWh | 1.5 kWh | 5.1 kWh |
| Jul | 2.9 kWh | 2.8 kWh | 1.7 kWh | 5.3 kWh |
| Aug | 3.8 kWh | 3.7 kWh | 2.5 kWh | 5.9 kWh |
| Sep | 5.0 kWh | 4.8 kWh | 3.8 kWh | 6.4 kWh |
| Oct | 6.5 kWh | 5.7 kWh | 5.1 kWh | 6.7 kWh |
| Nov | 7.8 kWh | 6.2 kWh | 6.0 kWh | 6.4 kWh |
| Dec | 8.4 kWh | 6.6 kWh | 6.7 kWh | 5.6 kWh |
Perth, Sydney and Hobart all bottom out in June, while Darwin peaks in October, so the shape of your own Statistics chart depends on your city.
For a battery owner the practical message is that in winter a Hobart or Melbourne home may make well under half its summer solar, so the battery will fill more from the grid. Our battery sizing guide and solar system size guide cover how to size for that. If your kWh is far below the table in clear weather, first check panels for shade and dirt, then raise it with your installer.
Third-party monitoring and integrations
AlphaESS publishes an Open API at open.alphaess.com, and community projects use it to feed Home Assistant. You register at that site to get an AppID and AppSecret, which the community integrations ask for. The integration READMEs say AlphaESS asks clients to leave at least 10 seconds between requests, and one notes that the cloud service has changed behaviour before, so it can break.
For retailer or VPP control, a virtual power plant (VPP) is a group of home batteries that an operator coordinates to export or hold energy at peak times. The V05 manual says that if a device is in dispatch mode, the Power diagram shows a VPP button marking the dispatched period. Compatibility lists conflict between sources: reporting we read mentions Origin Loop, GloBird and others, and says that Amber supports only some AlphaESS serial number prefixes. Check the specific retailer’s current list and your model before signing. See what a VPP is, our Amber Electric review and the GloBird Energy review. A VPP drawing on the battery uses up cycles, which matters for the warranty cap described in our SMILE-G3 review.
When to call your installer
Call your installer for any fault code that repeats, wrong load or grid readings, a module with no power light, or any setting that is locked. If they have closed, use the AlphaESS Australia support line and have your SN ready. If the problem is a system that cannot be fixed, read how long solar batteries last and the federal battery discount guide before replacing it.
FAQ
What is the AlphaESS app?
The AlphaESS app is AlphaESS’s free phone app for monitoring and controlling its solar batteries and hybrid inverters. It works with the AlphaCloud platform, also reachable at cloud.alphaess.com, and shows solar, battery, load and grid power plus history and savings.
How do I log in to AlphaCloud?
Log in at cloud.alphaess.com or in the AlphaESS app with the email and password you registered. If you have no account, register as an End user using your system’s serial number and activate it from the email AlphaESS sends. Forgot Password sends a verification code to your email.
Why is my AlphaESS app not working or showing offline?
The usual cause is that the Wi-Fi module has lost its link to your router, for example after a router or password change. Your battery and inverter keep running. Use WiFi Configuration in the app to rejoin your network, and call your installer if the module’s power light is off.
What are the AlphaESS error codes?
AlphaESS fault codes are numbers such as 100000 for grid over-voltage and 60002 for an open battery breaker. The SMILE-G3 S5 manual lists corrective steps, and many say to restart the inverter and call service if the fault remains. Cable and breaker checks are for a qualified installer.
Does AlphaESS need an internet connection?
AlphaESS Australia’s warranty conditions say all products must have an internet or 3G/4G connection for service and monitoring. The system still works offline, but the warranty does not cover resulting failures to detect defects or update remotely. Keep the Wi-Fi module connected.
Can I change my AlphaESS charge and discharge times?
Yes, in the app’s Function Settings, owners can enable grid charging with a time period and SOC target, or a discharge period. What appears depends on your model. Installer-level meter and feed-in limit settings should stay as commissioned.
Can I connect AlphaESS to Home Assistant?
Yes, community integrations use AlphaESS’s Open API, which needs an AppID and AppSecret from open.alphaess.com. AlphaESS asks for at least 10 seconds between requests. These are third-party projects, not official AlphaESS software.
Who do I contact for AlphaESS support in Australia?
AlphaESS Australia’s warranty conditions list +61 02 9000 7676 and techsupport@alphaess.au, with an office at Chatswood, NSW. The conditions also say to use the complaint form at cloud.alphaess.com/createComplaint, or the app’s support ticket. Contact your installer first where you can.
Sources
- AlphaESS, AlphaCloud App User Manual For End Users V05
- AlphaESS, AlphaCloud App User Manual For End Users V04 (Plico Energy copy)
- AlphaESS, SMILE-G3-S8/S5/S3.6/B5 installation, operation and maintenance manual V02 (distributor copy)
- Alpha ESS Australia, warranty conditions for the residential product series, 30 October 2024
- AlphaESS, AlphaESS app on Google Play
- AlphaESS, AlphaESS app on the Apple App Store
- AlphaESS Australia, contact page
- AlphaESS, New AlphaESS App Quick Guide (YouTube)
- SolarQuotes support, expected daily solar output per day
- NASA POWER, climatology data (all-sky surface shortwave irradiance)
- CharlesGillanders, homeassistant-alphaESS (community integration)
About this guide
By the Solar Cobber editorial team. This is independent desk research checked in November 2026, based on AlphaESS’s published documents rather than hands-on use. Solar Cobber is a free directory that may earn referral or advertising fees from installers, and commercial relationships never affect our content. This is general information, not financial or electrical advice. Corrections are welcome via /contact.
Filed under Solar Guides
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