I just had virtual power plant pop up for me this week. My application is pending but I'm looking forward to this. Hoping to pay some of my Powerwall costs.
Thanks for sharing, let me ask your opinion. My solar is 4.8kW size with one power wall. Will it be a good idea to join virtual power plant? I’ve been off the grid from the most part, including when charging my EV car.
That's a good question! All depends on your preferences and a couple different variables. Do you overproduce throughout the year? You will have to use the grid if you deplete your Powerwall during the event. We use our excess credits for that, but if you don't net export you'll pay retail rates for those kWh after the event (which are probably still cheaper than the $2/kWh they give us during an event!) If you're in an area that doesn't lose power that much, I'd say go for it! You can always set a reserve limit so you have a little bit of backup in case of an outage.
Unfortunately I believe in California it's only PG&E and SCE customers at this time. With how well this worked hopefully they expand it widely very quickly!
@@TheMahkus Thanks! I hope they do expand it to San Diego area. California will need to expand this program if we want to have a reliable renewable energy future.
Wow, that’s nothing like how the VPP works here in the UK. We just get lower per-kWh prices and refunded for any kWh we send back, plus Tesla controls when my PowerWall charges and discharges and the controls are removed from my app.
Interesting! In addition to the $2/kWh compensation, we also get the NEM credits for peak production (which is especially awesome as our panels are all east facing and barely produce at all during peak times). We definitely are allowed to control them too...did you get a discount or something for allowing them to control the Powerwalls?
Hi Deborah! Signup process was in the app, just needed name, address, meter number, and had us sign off on some agreements. First two times we were rejected as we used Ohmconnect. I wanted to see if I could use two demand response programs (they only let you do one at a time), second time was rejected after I left Ohmconnect but it took about a week or so to register. After that I was accepted in!
@@TheMahkus I was just thinking about signing up to Ohmconnect. Good thing you mentioned about it. Now I got in this month. Can't wait for the summer..
Tesla recently offered me the opportunity to join its Virtual Power Plant to use my three Powerwalls in the next few months to earn (up to) ~$1,100. Each year SDGE pays me ~ 3 cents per kilowatt hour of my substantial excess production. I suspect Tesla will pay a bit more. I bet other viewers would appreciate your opinion on which is the best option. Care to opine, or make a video to explain these options?
What is the per kWh rate that the SDG&E VPP pays? For us with PG&E it's $2/kWh. Definitely worth it to discharge them whenever. Some companies do fixed rates based on storage capacity (I believe on the East Coast I've heard that more commonly). If you're a net exporter the VPP rates are generally going to be quite a bit more lucrative (for us about 40x) than the rates you get paid for excess at the yearly true up!
I’m not sure , I am assuming they sell it to the local energy company . Or you could mine crypto, or maybe power your business . Maybe 3d printing , it can get pretty creative
You earn peak credits along with the $2/kWh for every kWh sent back to the grid during an event, so you'd be using those banked credits and it wouldn't matter!
I just had virtual power plant pop up for me this week. My application is pending but I'm looking forward to this. Hoping to pay some of my Powerwall costs.
Very cool. Thank you for explaining it. This is the future
I agree! Thank you!
super cool
Thanks! If you ever feel like doing a collaborative FSD beta video, let me know! I'm in the Sacramento area.
This is the future! 😍
Yes indeed!
I love these type of videos
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing, let me ask your opinion. My solar is 4.8kW size with one power wall. Will it be a good idea to join virtual power plant? I’ve been off the grid from the most part, including when charging my EV car.
That's a good question! All depends on your preferences and a couple different variables. Do you overproduce throughout the year? You will have to use the grid if you deplete your Powerwall during the event. We use our excess credits for that, but if you don't net export you'll pay retail rates for those kWh after the event (which are probably still cheaper than the $2/kWh they give us during an event!) If you're in an area that doesn't lose power that much, I'd say go for it! You can always set a reserve limit so you have a little bit of backup in case of an outage.
Makhus - I'm writing about a VPP proposal in Texas and would like to hear how its working in California. Up for an interview?
Try green mountain power in Vermont they to have done a vpp using thousands of tesla powerwalls for a couple of years now. 👍🏻
Hey Russell! I had already responded to you on Twitter about this, but just wondering how your proposal went?
Thank you for posting! I’m with SDG&E how do you sign up for the VPP? Thanks!
Unfortunately I believe in California it's only PG&E and SCE customers at this time. With how well this worked hopefully they expand it widely very quickly!
@@TheMahkus Thanks! I hope they do expand it to San Diego area. California will need to expand this program if we want to have a reliable renewable energy future.
Wow, that’s nothing like how the VPP works here in the UK. We just get lower per-kWh prices and refunded for any kWh we send back, plus Tesla controls when my PowerWall charges and discharges and the controls are removed from my app.
Interesting! In addition to the $2/kWh compensation, we also get the NEM credits for peak production (which is especially awesome as our panels are all east facing and barely produce at all during peak times). We definitely are allowed to control them too...did you get a discount or something for allowing them to control the Powerwalls?
What was the signup process like? Did you have to give them access to your utility account (what did they ask for and was the process easy/hard?)
Hi Deborah! Signup process was in the app, just needed name, address, meter number, and had us sign off on some agreements.
First two times we were rejected as we used Ohmconnect. I wanted to see if I could use two demand response programs (they only let you do one at a time), second time was rejected after I left Ohmconnect but it took about a week or so to register. After that I was accepted in!
@@TheMahkus I was just thinking about signing up to Ohmconnect. Good thing you mentioned about it. Now I got in this month. Can't wait for the summer..
Tesla recently offered me the opportunity to join its Virtual Power Plant to use my three Powerwalls in the next few months to earn (up to) ~$1,100. Each year SDGE pays me ~ 3 cents per kilowatt hour of my substantial excess production. I suspect Tesla will pay a bit more. I bet other viewers would appreciate your opinion on which is the best option. Care to opine, or make a video to explain these options?
What is the per kWh rate that the SDG&E VPP pays? For us with PG&E it's $2/kWh. Definitely worth it to discharge them whenever. Some companies do fixed rates based on storage capacity (I believe on the East Coast I've heard that more commonly).
If you're a net exporter the VPP rates are generally going to be quite a bit more lucrative (for us about 40x) than the rates you get paid for excess at the yearly true up!
How large is your system (KWH)? I have an 8.0KWH system and 2 power walls, and am considering the VPP program.
Ours is a 12.24 kW system with three Powerwalls.
What type of solar arrays you have on your roof?
We have Hanwha Q cell 340 watt panels, a total of 36 of them all east facing. 12.24 kW total
How do you get paid
I’m not sure , I am assuming they sell it to the local energy company . Or you could mine crypto, or maybe power your business . Maybe 3d printing , it can get pretty creative
You receive a check from Tesla in March for the total of all the events.
What if they want to take it all and leave you to pay higher cost
You earn peak credits along with the $2/kWh for every kWh sent back to the grid during an event, so you'd be using those banked credits and it wouldn't matter!
Would you be willing to join me for an interview? Would love to share this with a wider audience. :)
Definitely! Feel free to message me privately.
@@TheMahkus will do!