By SB Staff December 18, 2023
Enphase Energy is expanding its support for virtual power plants (VPPs) through grid services programs across the United States. Most recently, homeowners who install Enphase IQ Batteries are now eligible to enroll in Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E) Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP). Homeowners with IQ Batteries can also now enroll in Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) Long Island’s Battery Storage Rewards Program and Connecticut’s Energy Storage Solutions Program.
Via these VPPs, utilities can tap into fleets of Enphase’s IQ Battery 5P to perform grid services instead of firing larger power plants when electricity demand is high. In return, homeowners can receive hundreds to thousands of dollars from the utilities toward their purchase of an Enphase Energy System with IQ Battery 5P or as annual incentive payments.
“Home solar and batteries can play an essential role in maintaining grid operations and keeping electricity costs down for everyone,” said Aaron Nitzkin, executive vice president of solar at Citadel Roofing and Solar, an installer of Enphase products with operations in California. “Enphase plays a key role in the clean energy future thanks to its reliable, high-performance, and safe home energy technology that’s outfitting more and more homes across California.”
Each VPP has its own peak time nuances and payback incentives for homeowners …
PG&E Emergency Load Reduction Program | California homeowners in PG&E territory who install Enphase IQ Batteries and enroll in the program will earn $2 per kWh from PG&E for using the electricity stored in their IQ Batteries to help reduce demand on the grid during peak load periods.
The ELRP demand response events are scheduled to occur during hot summer days between May and October, and last from one to five hours between 4pm and 9pm. Between 20 and 60 event hours will be scheduled during each ELRP “season,” with homeowners expecting to earn between $100 to $250 per year.
PSEG Long Island’s Battery Storage Rewards Program | Currently, Long Island homeowners who install Enphase IQ Batteries and enroll in PSEG Long Island’s Battery Storage Rewards program will receive an upfront incentive from installers of Enphase products of at least $250 per kilowatt-hour of useable battery capacity with a cap of $6,250 per household.
For example, homeowners with two IQ Battery 5Ps offering 10 kilowatt-hours of useable capacity will receive an upfront discount of $2,500 from their Enphase installer as part of the program. Low-to-moderate income homeowners may be eligible for a larger $400 per kilowatt-hour discount or $4,000 for installing two IQ Battery 5Ps with 10 kilowatt-hours of useable capacity. In return for the upfront incentive, participating homeowners agree to let PSEG Long Island use the electricity stored in their batteries to help reduce demand on the grid during peak load periods about 10 times per year. The power sharing would occur automatically, and participants would keep the functionality of their IQ Batteries, including backup power.
Connecticut Energy Storage Solutions Program | Connecticut homeowners who install Enphase IQ Batteries and are electric customers of United Illuminating or Eversource Energy are eligible to enroll in the Energy Storage Solutions program. Enrolled homeowners currently receive an upfront incentive from the Connecticut Green Bank of at least $250 per kilowatt-hour of useable battery capacity with a cap of $16,000 per project, or 50 percent of the battery plus installation cost (whichever is lowest).
For example, homeowners with two IQ Battery 5Ps offering 10 kilowatt-hours of useable capacity will receive an upfront incentive of at least $2,500 from the program. Underserved communities, lower-income households, and “grid edge” customers (homeowners in areas with more frequent or longer grid outages) may qualify for an even larger incentive of between $450 – $900 per kilowatt-hour of useable battery capacity.
In addition, the upfront incentive can be coupled with seasonal performance incentives from United Illuminating or Eversource of up to $200 per kilowatt each summer and $25 per kilowatt each winter for sharing the electricity stored in the homeowner’s IQ Batteries to help reduce demand on the grid during peak load periods. Learn more about the program on the Enphase website.
“Grid services programs unlock more value for homeowners with batteries, which expand access to this critical technology,” said Michael Catizone, president and co-founder at Long Island Power Solutions, a leading solar installation company in New York. “As electrification increases and demand on the grid grows, we’re excited to expand deployments of IQ Batteries to support powering homes and a more resilient energy future for the community at large.”
Listen to more in-depth conversations on Solar Builder’s YouTube channel
Our most popular series include:
Power Forward! | A collaboration with BayWa r.e. to discuss higher level industry topics.
The Buzz | Where we give our 2 cents per kWh on the residential solar market.
The Pitch | Discussions with solar manufacturers about their new technology and ideas.
Tags: Enphase Energy