In the wake of the disruption caused by Hurricane Beryl, which left around three million homes and businesses without power, Sunrun, a leading provider of residential solar and battery storage solutions, is taking steps to reinforce the Texas grid.
Partnership for Aggregated Power Program
Sunrun has announced a partnership with Tesla Electric, a retail electricity provider operated by Tesla Energy Ventures, to launch a customer-driven power plant in Texas.
This innovative initiative leverages the power of aggregated solar energy from at-home batteries to increase available electricity reserves on the grid during peak consumption periods.
Already, over 150 Sunrun customers have enrolled in this program.
Enhancing Grid Resilience and Empowering Homeowners
Sunrun CEO Mary Powell expressed enthusiasm about the project, highlighting the vulnerability of the Texas grid to weather-related challenges and the need for increased power capacity to meet the surging demand.
She believes that Sunrun’s expertise in on-demand battery response can contribute to grid resilience.
Powell also noted the growing trend of Texas homeowners adding batteries to their solar installations, providing them with outage protection and the opportunity to participate in programs that benefit their communities.
Expanding Enrollments and Customer Benefits
This marks Sunrun’s first operational virtual power plant program in Texas, and the company plans to expand enrollments in the future.
Sunrun customers with solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall battery are eligible to participate by selecting Tesla Electric as their electricity provider.
Financial Incentives and Backup Power
Participants in the program will receive various benefits, including greater control over their energy usage and the peace of mind that comes with backup power during outages.
Additionally, they will be compensated annually for their participation, with current estimates at $400 per Powerwall for 2024. Sunrun will also generate incremental recurring revenue through the program.