Vistra, a leading energy company, has announced a new program for Texas homeowners in partnership with Sunrun, a leading provider of solar panels and batteries. The program, called TXU Energy & Sunrun Battery Rewards, aims to enhance grid reliability by aggregating power stored in residential solar-connected batteries. This forms a virtual power plant, capable of dispatching energy back to the grid during peak demand, thus supporting the entire community.
TXU Energy customers who participate in the program, with installed Sunrun home solar panels and batteries, will receive financial incentives for their contribution. Importantly, they retain control of their systems during power outages or severe weather events. These customers can also continue to benefit from TXU Energy’s solar buyback plans, which credit solar energy system owners for the electricity they supply to the grid.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in harnessing the collective power of residential solar and storage solutions. As Texas’s population grows and the demand on the grid increases, utilizing distributed energy resources becomes increasingly important.
Sunrun, with a proven track record of incentivizing customers to support local power grids, will network customers’ batteries and manage the seamless discharge of stored solar power to the grid. Their expertise in this area is evident through their operation of over a dozen power plants across the country, including the largest single-owner virtual power plant program.
Vistra is a pioneer in energy-efficiency initiatives, having introduced the first-to-Texas connected thermostat solution and the popular TXU Energy Free Nights and Solar Days plan. This new program further demonstrates their commitment to providing customers with innovative ways to control their energy usage and participate in a responsible energy transition.
This partnership signifies a crucial step in building a more resilient and sustainable energy future for Texas. Homeowners can now play an active role in enhancing grid stability while reaping financial rewards for their efforts.
