What is Tesla’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP)?
It’s home solar owners, connected via an app, selling excess power to the grid as a single entity.
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Tesla Virtual Power Plant Beta Tracker
The future of grid stability will rely on homeowners with Powerwalls supplying power during demand spikes. Tesla is currently running a VPP test in California. The above graph tracks the growth of the program.
How the beta program works:
During high demand grid events, utilities pull kWh from Powerwalls to prevent using high cost gas “peaker” power plants.
Beta customers earn $2 per kWh sent to the grid during an event (vs. the $.03 usually earned on excess).
Up to 50k home batteries in CA are eligible to work together as a single entity.
Are you a Tesla Powerwall owner and PG&E or SCE customer in CA? Check your app for the Beta tab “Virtual Power Plant” to opt in. Here are the full program details on Tesla.com