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The shocking new Virtual Power Plant (VPA) power purchase agreement provides Texans with solar panels and two 20 kWh sonnen batteries at no upfront cost.
New sonnen storage + solar VPP for Texans
SOLRITE Energy, a solar and battery storage financier, and battery storage manufacturer sonnen today announced the launch of their new VPA in Texas' ERCOT market. The program offers solar and battery storage to homeowners at an affordable monthly rate, making backup power accessible to more Texans.
Here's how it works: SOLRITE installs solar panels and sonnen batteries in the homes of eligible customers at no upfront cost. (I asked a sonnen spokesperson what the eligibility criteria are and will update this post when I hear back.) Homeowners then pay a lower-than-average rate for the solar energy they produce each month, saving them money compared to conventional electricity. prices in texas.
Texans participating in the SOLRITE program pay a lead price of 12¢ per kWh of solar energy, much lower than the 19-20¢ per kWh rate typically seen in the state.
sonnen batteries provide backup power for each home at no charge and enable Texan homeowners to join a large virtual power plant (VPP) network. VPP supports the Texas grid, reducing reliance on polluting power plants during times of peak demand. SOLRITE and sonnen generate income from the energy stored in these batteries, which helps cover the cost of equipment, and is what allows homeowners to use battery systems at no cost.
Every day, sonnen batteries at VPP help balance the Texas grid by directing power to where it's needed most and where it matters most. This reduces energy costs for everyone, regardless of whether they are in VPP or not, and strengthens the efficiency and resilience of the grid.
VPP also differs from conventional solar purchase systems that send more power to the grid whenever it's sunny. Instead, the sonnen battery network systematically controls when and how power is shared with the ERCOT grid, making solar power a more reliable energy source.
As of September 2024, SOLRITE says it has already committed more than 40 megawatt hours of residential battery power to the Texas market through this program, working with solar installers across the country.
Blake Richetta, chairman and CEO of Sonnen Inc. USA said:
SOLRITE's bold and innovative introduction to the Texas market represents the first successful introduction of sonnenConnect VPP to the world.
Sonnen is proud to ship authentic VPPs throughout the United States and Australia, as well as the largest battery behind the VPP-supported meter in the European Union – with nerve centers in Germany, Italy and Belgium, among other countries.
And in all of these markets, we've never seen anything like the launch of SOLRITE Texas. We are proud of the founding of SOLRITE, and look forward to building the SOLRITE-Future of Texas.
Electrek's Take
I own a virtual power plant in Vermont and have two Tesla Powerwalls, and I love being a part of this program. I lease my Powerwalls for $55 a month and had to pay several thousand dollars to install them, so what sonnen and SOLRITE are offering Texans is really good value.
Read more: This massive battery storage project will improve San Antonio's grid
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