Solar power isn’t simply eco-friendly; it also provides savings on our daily electricity bills. By reducing the electricity reliance on the main grid, homeowners are now able to power their homes with no extra cost. All it takes is to install and connect solar battery storage systems. And now, homeowners can make money by becoming a grid contributor in the Virtual Power Plant. Read along to learn more about how it works.
What is a virtual power plant (VPP)?
A virtual power plant (VPP) is a network of solar power and battery systems installed at homes and businesses, where all work together in a coordinated way. The systems are coordinated by a centrally-managed network run by the VPP operator that taps into the stored energy of the batteries during periods of peak demand to supply the mains grid.
How does a VPP work?
It works by connecting the consumers’ battery system to a web-based network that can draw upon a small amount of the energy from each small household battery, to form a single large power source in times of peak demand. By joining the VPP network, energy retailers will be able to remotely connect multiple solar batteries, and use the energy they store to create a network of alternative power resources.
About Social Energy
Social Energy is an energy supplier to help households with solar battery storage systems to maximize benefits and save on their electricity bills. They have their experts and consultants in NSW, VIC, QLD and SA that can help you build the smartest community of connected solar battery systems. Their clever technology and team of green pioneers are dedicated to helping homeowners to make the most from their solar system.
How to combine a solar battery system and VPP?
Step 1: Solar Panels
The solar panels will generate 100% clean energy for the home electricity usage during the day and reduce your electricity bills.
Step 2: Battery Storage
By adding a battery storage, homeowners are able to store excess energy that is generated throughout the day, and power your home at night, which will further reduce the bills.
Step 3: Joining a VPP network
The homeowners can choose one of their preferred energy retailers to join the VPP network. With the Social Energy Better Together tariff, the solar system will share the extra solar energy to help power the country with green energy. Every energy retailer will pay the homeowners for the excess solar as a reward. With Social Energy, you will get paid 4x more for the extra solar – 40c for each unit sent back to the grid, up to 300kWh every quarter.
Not just that, Social Energy also provides a Minimum Guaranteed Payment of $600 per year when the homeowner chooses to install the 14.4kWh Duracell Energy Bank batteries. This means that the homeowner will still get paid, even though the solar system did not export any excess solar back to the grid throughout the year.
Learn More about Duracell Energy Bank 2
In Summary
Purchasing solar panels and battery storage is only the start – the next step will be choosing the right energy retailer and getting involved in a VPP. The technology behind VPPs has been tested in Australia over the past few years. If you are interested in knowing more about VPP, please fill out the form below.
