PG&E VPP customers are helping CA stay safe, while they save money
The Virtual Power Plant Program offers grid stability and access to battery storage at a never before seen level in approved areas, for homeowners who qualify.
Learn about the PG&E energy grid
PG&E delivers electricity directly to you. PG&E delivers this power through our electric system to Northern and Central California. PG&E produces or buys energy from many sources. The sources include conventional and renewable sources. This harnessed power travels through our electric transmissions and distribution systems. This series of systems is called the energy grid.
Understand Grid Saturation
Solar panels which do not include on-site battery storage, allow consumers to send electricity back to the grid, which can cause rapid fluctuations in the amount of electricity flowing through the grid.
Solar panels can overload the electricity grid when they produce more power than the grid can handle, especially during peak sunlight. This can happen when solar power production is high but power consumption is low, like on weekends or holidays
Understand Inverter Overload
When the power input from the solar panels is more than the inverter can handle, it can cause the inverters to strain. This can lead to reduced efficiency, power losses, and a shorter lifespan for the inverters in the virtual power plant installation.
Properly positioned solar panels on east and west facades, can help avoid inverter overload on the virtual power plant grid by generating power in the morning and afternoon instead of at midday, then storing that power on-site to consumer during the evening when peak demand from the grid is highest.
How the VPP helps the CA electrical system
The electricity you are using right now was made less than a second ago. The amount of electricity put into the grid must always balance the amount of electricity that is being used.
The virtual power plant program allows homeowners to pay for only what they use, at a greatly reduced rate (typically less than half of current PG&E rates), while receiving whole-home battery backup on-site in the process.
Benefits For ALL PG&E Customers
Virtual power plant program upgrades can benefit Californians with greater energy reliability thanks to on-site solar and battery storage. The micro-grids created by the virtual power plant program allow PG&E to gain more energy from renewable sources. This innovation is a win for customers, the environment and all of California.
To see if your home qualifies for the virtual power plant program click here
How To Apply For The VPP
Incentive program applications are typically completed by the approved VPP installation contractor (SunRun). If you receive incentives, this will discount your monthly costs with your incentive amount for immediate, and long-term savings.
To contact the VPP contractor that services your area click here.
Your energy dollars at work
Receive significant savings through VPP rebates and incentives available for your home, while simultaneously helping to preserve the environment.
PG&E’s Bold Climate Plan
- Committed to reversing climate change
- Committed to ensuring everyone has access to affordable, clean energy.
- Committed to improving grid safety.
Solar + Battery Storage
- Reduce PG&E grid saturation
- Reduce risks from wildfires
- Reduce costs to homeowners
“The Smart Grid will empower consumers to take charge of their energy use and respond to energy waste.”
Al Gore
-Nobel Prize winner and former Vice President