Does Jousto Require Wholesale Energy Plans? Full Guide

As energy prices fluctuate and solar exports become more complex, many homeowners are looking for smart energy management solutions to maximise their savings. Jousto is an advanced energy automation system that helps optimise electricity consumption, battery storage, and solar exports.

But do you need to be with a wholesale energy provider for Jousto to work? The short answer is no—Jousto works with both standard electricity providers and wholesale energy plans. However, the way you save money with Jousto depends on your energy plan, pricing structure, and whether you have solar panels or battery storage.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• What wholesale energy providers are and how they work

• How Jousto functions with both wholesale and standard providers

• How Jousto helps you save money on any energy plan

• The best setup for maximising Jousto’s benefits

What Is a Wholesale Energy Provider?

A wholesale energy provider gives customers access to real-time electricity pricing, which fluctuates based on market demand. Instead of paying a fixed electricity rate, customers pay wholesale prices, which can vary every 30 minutes.

How Do Wholesale Energy Prices Work?

• Prices rise during peak demand (e.g., hot summer afternoons).

• Prices drop during low demand (e.g., late at night).

• Prices can even go negative when there is excess renewable energy in the grid.

Benefits of Wholesale Energy Plans:

✅ Access to cheaper electricity during off-peak times
✅ Potential to charge batteries or run appliances when prices are low
✅ Can export solar power when market prices are highest

Challenges of Wholesale Energy Plans:

⚠️ Prices can spike during high demand, leading to expensive electricity bills if not managed properly.
⚠️ Requires active monitoring unless you have an automated energy management system like Jousto.

Now that we understand wholesale energy pricing, let’s see how Jousto works with different energy providers.

Will Jousto Work with My Current Energy Provider?

Yes! Jousto works with both standard and wholesale energy providers. It does not require you to be on a wholesale plan to function effectively.

1. Jousto with Standard Electricity Providers

Most households in Australia are on a fixed-rate or time-of-use tariff plan from a traditional electricity provider. Jousto still provides major cost savings, even if you don’t have access to wholesale pricing.

• For time-of-use tariffs: Jousto shifts energy usage to off-peak times, reducing electricity costs.

• For fixed-rate tariffs: Jousto ensures that as much solar energy as possible is used within the home, reducing reliance on grid power.

• For feed-in tariff (FiT) plans: Jousto exports solar energy when FiT rates are highest, maximising returns.

Example:
✅ If your electricity provider charges higher rates in the evening, Jousto pre-cools your home during the day using solar power to avoid using expensive grid electricity at night.

2. Jousto with Wholesale Energy Providers

If you are on a wholesale energy plan, Jousto can automate energy usage to take advantage of price fluctuations.

• When prices drop: Jousto shifts electricity usage to this period and charges home batteries when power is cheapest or free.

• When prices rise: Jousto prevents grid electricity use and exports solar power when market prices are highest.

Example:
✅ If electricity prices go negative overnight, Jousto charges your battery using free grid power, so you can use stored energy during peak pricing periods.

Whether you are on a standard electricity plan or a wholesale market plan, Jousto ensures you save money by using energy at the right times.

How Does Jousto Help You Save Money on Any Energy Plan?

Regardless of your electricity provider, Jousto works by intelligently managing your home’s energy consumption. Here’s how it helps:

1. Maximising Solar Self-Consumption

One of the biggest challenges for solar panel owners is wasted solar energy. Many homes export excess solar power to the grid at low feed-in tariff rates instead of using it efficiently.

✅ Jousto ensures that your home uses as much of its solar energy as possible before relying on the grid.
✅ Jousto automatically shifts energy use to align with solar generation.

Example: Instead of exporting excess solar energy at a low 5c per kWh FiT, Jousto runs your water heater, air conditioning, or pool pump during the day to maximise self-consumption.

2. Reducing Peak Electricity Costs

If your energy provider charges more for electricity during peak times, Jousto helps avoid high costs by:

• Pre-cooling or pre-heating the home during off-peak hours using solar power.

• Running appliances like dishwashers and washing machines when electricity is cheaper.

• Preventing unnecessary electricity use during peak demand periods.

Example: If your plan charges 40c per kWh at 6 PM, Jousto ensures that your home is cooled earlier in the day using free solar energy, so you don’t need to use expensive grid power at night.

3. Optimising Battery Charging and Discharging

If you have a home battery, Jousto ensures:

✅ Your battery charges when electricity is cheapest (from solar or the grid).
✅ Your battery discharges during peak pricing periods, reducing grid reliance.

Example:

• If your battery charges using solar energy during the day, Jousto discharges stored energy in the evening when grid prices rise.

• If you have a wholesale energy plan, Jousto ensures your battery charges when electricity prices drop to zero or go negative.

4. Smart Export Management

Jousto prevents unnecessary solar exports at low prices and ensures that:

✅ Excess solar energy is used within the home first.
✅ Exports are delayed until market prices or FiTs are highest.
✅ Grid export limits are never exceeded, preventing energy waste.

Example: Instead of exporting solar power at 5c per kWh at midday, Jousto waits until evening, when electricity demand rises and export prices may increase to 15c per kWh.

Do I Need to Switch to a Wholesale Energy Provider?

You do not need to switch to a wholesale provider for Jousto to work. However, if you are comfortable with dynamic electricity pricing, a wholesale plan can offer:

✅ Cheaper electricity when demand is low.
✅ Higher solar export rates during demand surges.
✅ Opportunities to charge batteries with free or negative-cost electricity.

However, wholesale plans come with risks, including price spikes during high demand. Jousto helps manage this by automating when and how you use energy, ensuring you never pay more than necessary.

Final Thoughts: Will Jousto Work for You?

No matter your energy provider, Jousto helps you save money by:

✅ Maximising solar self-consumption to reduce grid reliance.
✅ Managing electricity use to avoid peak pricing hours.
✅ Charging and discharging home batteries at the best times.
✅ Preventing unnecessary solar exports at low feed-in rates.

🚀 Take control of your energy costs—visit Jousto today to learn more!