sonnenConnect VPP Program (California) FAQs

1. How will I be compensated?

sonnen, a global leader in Virtual Power Plant (“VPP”) technology, manages and operates groups of sonnen batteries connected to renewable energy using their innovative sonnenConnect platform. By connecting the batteries virtually, sonnenConnect enables fleets of batteries to act like a traditional power plant, providing services to the local grid to improve grid efficiency while generating revenue for participants.

The revenue generated by your home is calculated based on the amount of energy your home consumes during specific time periods. The battery will be automatically scheduled to optimize the amount of money you earn while also reducing your utility bills and improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the grid. It is a win-win-win scenario.

2. When will I receive my revenue payments?

Monthly revenues earned for participating in sonnenConnect are paid at the end of each calendar quarter, and they are based on your battery’s contribution to grid services as measured and reconciled by sonnen and the CAISO. All payments will be issued to the name and address or banking institution that you provide during your payee account registration.
Please note that payment processing can take up to 10 business days after the close of the previous quarter due to the required sonnen system performance analysis and process. Along with your quarterly payment, you will receive a monthly statement with details of your contributions to the grid.

3. How does the sonnenConnect VPP Program Work?

Work with a certified sonnen installer to evaluate your home battery and solar options.
Read through the sonnenConnect Terms and Conditions to ensure joining the program is right for you.
Install a solar system plus a sonnen battery, which has been approved for inclusion in sonnenConnect, and complete interconnection with your utility.
Apply for enrollment to sonnenConnect using the application link on our website
Complete all steps of the battery enrollment process, including authorizing your utility to share your data with sonnen
If you enrolled under a partner program, you may be elligible for an up-front rebate that will be disbursed upon program enrollment and active CAISO revenue generation status.
sonnen sets and manages your battery schedule to increase daily cycling, maximize utility bill savings/program revenue and ensure access to reliable battery backup in the event of power outages.
sonnen sends you monthly battery performance statements.
sonnen sends you quarterly revenue payments based on the energy your battery provides to help the grid

4. Am I eligible?

To participate in the sonnenConnect VPP program, you must be a residential or small business customer within a supported utility territory. (This currently include SDG&E, SCE, PG&E, and their subsidiary community utility programs. Please see our website for additional eligible territories as the become available). You must have a qualifying sonnen battery system, including Ecolinx legacy products, sonnenCore, sonnenCore+, or sonnenEvo, paired with a solar array, internet access, and qualifying utility rate tariff.
The utility billing address match address data stored in the sonnen battery system, and you must authorize the utility to share your meter data with sonnen and its affiliates.

5. How do I apply for or enroll in the program?

Please follow this link to apply!

6. If I previously installed solar, can I add a battery and participate in sonnenConnect?

Yes, you can add an eligible sonnen battery system (sonnenCore, sonnenCore+ or sonnenEvo) to your solar home to qualify for the program. Your participation in the sonnenConnect VPP will not impact your current metering/customer generation rate tariff.

7. How are the sonnen batteries charged?

Sonnen batteries are primarily charged by customers' onsite renewable generation (e.g., rooftop solar array). In addition, sonnen reserves the ability to utilize an optimized grid purchase strategy to charge your battery when weather conditions are poor.

8. Is on-site renewable generation required to participate in the program?

Yes. At this time, all sonnen batteries must be paired with a local renewable generation source to qualify for the program.

9. Will I have backup power in the event of severe weather or a grid outage?

The sonnen batteries are capable of pairing with solar to supply reliable backup power during outages. A solar system alone typically cannot operate during a power outage without a battery! Please consult with your certified sonnen installer to ensure the solar plus sonnen system design will meet your backup power requirements and expectations.

10. Will batteries have a reserve percentage to be used for emergency power outages?

Yes, sonnenConnect participants are allowed to reserve a backup buffer of capacity for emergencies, so you will have a backup power reserve available whenever you need it. SonnenConnect operations will never discharge your battery below the buffer you set. The larger your backup buffer, the less revenue you are capable of generating on the CAISO market. Furthermore, if a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event is expected within the next 24 hours, the sonnenConnect VPP will suspend regular schedules and allow the sonnen system to retain all energy in preparation for a potential grid outage. Some PSPS events are not scheduled, however, and other emergency grid events may occur that cause outages that the sonnenConnect VPP cannot schedule around.
Please note: sonnen reserves the right to disqualify you from the program if you choose to keep your backup buffer at 100% for extended periods. SonnenConnect can only discharge the capacity in excess of your buffer, so a 100% backup buffer effectily means your battery have opted out of revenue generation.

11. What is a “Dispatch”? How often will my battery participate in dispatch events?

When conditions are right, sonnenConnect may participate your battery in revenue-generating services daily. The scheduling and optimization of sonnenConnect is dynamic and dispatching the battery for a grid event will occur as the market calls for it. If a future grid event is outside of sonnen’s normally scheduled energy management time frames, we will adjust your battery dispatch schedule to participate in these events with the goal of maximizing your revenue. This participation of your battery will appear automatic to participants.

12. What is the likelihood a dispatch event will coincide with a need for backup power?

It is important to note that the grid services provided to the CAISO by the sonnenConnect VPP are to help the utilities meet spikes in demand to prevent blackouts from happening in the first place.
Battery dispatch events can occur throughout the year when energy prices are high, and demand is driven higher by the increased consumption of electricity. However, it is not common for demand to approach or exceed the maximum amount of electricity available to a region. If this does occur and electricity demand outweighs supply, utilities may use rolling blackouts to protect the grid. These outages are infrequent and usually last less than an hour.
The need for backup power in California is most often due to PSPS events, which occur during extreme weather and wildfire conditions. During a PSPS outage, power will remain out for as long as extreme and dangerous weather conditions pose a potential fire risk.

13. What will happen to my battery if there is a PSPS event?

Within seconds of grid power outage, your sonnen battery will switch into “off-grid” or “backup” mode (marked by a green halo on your battery) and start powering your home with stored power. At this time, all sonnenConnect grid support scheduling will automatically stop as energy cannot be sent to the electric grid during an outage. During the day when the solar array is generating electricity, the sonnen system will fully manage your microgrid and discharge electricity to power the protected loads you have defined in the home with any excess solar automatically going to re-charge the battery. The sonnen battery will also automatically recharge when the sun rises the next day.

14. Do I need to maintain an internet connection to my sonnen battery?

Yes, a persistent internet connection is required for your sonnen battery system to operate and update properly. Please note that current sonnen products do not have a Wi-Fi receiver. A hardline connection directly to the unit is required.
Your ongoing revenue payments are based on your sonnen system’s ability to stay connected and contribute energy each month, anything that hinders your battery’s contributions will impact your payments.
If sonnen cannot communicate with your battery system, or if your battery system cannot discharge when needed due to maintenance issues, your generated revenue may be negatively impacted. Note: sonnen always recommends that your home’s router be one of the protected loads you backup in your home.

15. Will participation affect my electric bill?

Yes, participants in sonnenConnect can expect to see a reduction in their utility bills from participating in the program. A time-of-use rate (TOU) plan peak window of 4PM-9PM will yield the greatest savings and the battery schedule will be designed to provide the most value based on the TOU plan selected. Please note: For customers on a grandfathered or existing tiered rate plan, you may see less savings than TOU rates as a result of the sonnenConnect scheduling.
View Current SDG&E Rate Plans View Current SCE Rate Plans View Current PG&E Rate Plans

16. Will the sonnen battery qualify for tax credits?

sonnen is not qualified to provide tax advice. Please consult with your tax professional for information on whether you may qualify for tax incentives. Please visit the IRS website for details about the federal solar tax credit (ITC) and its applicability to your financial situation.
Specific sonnen systems may also be eligible for California’s Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). This upfront rebate is a tiered-block program paid by the utility, meaning that the incentive values decline over time as more battery installations occur throughout your utility’s territory. Please confirm with your sonnen certified installer about the most recent incentive availability and qualifications.

17. Can I request to be removed from the program?

Yes, customers can opt out of the program by providing a 30-day advance notification to sonnen. If you decide to withdraw from the program during your commitment period (one year), you may be required to pay back a prorated portion of any upfront rebates based on the length of time you participated in the program. Notice can be provided through your sonnen App or by emails sonnenconnectUSA@sonnen-batterie.com.

18. Will participating in the program negatively impact my battery?

sonnen battery systems are designed to be the longest lasting and come with industry-leading warranties specifically for use in daily operations. If you were planning to cycle your battery daily, the program will not impact the lifetime effectiveness of the battery system.

19. What happens if my battery has a problem?

sonnen will likely notify you of a problem before you detect it. If sonnen believes the problem is due to a local issue such as internet connectivity, we or your installer will seek your help in restoring the connection. If a problem with the solar array or storage system is detected, sonnen will refer you back to your installer for professional assistance.

20. I received an email that I am “out of compliance” with the sonnenConnect program. What does this mean?

Sonnen has detected a persistent condition preventing your battery from meeting the full requirements of the program. These conditions are most often: The operating mode of your battery is continuously placed something other than “Self-Consumption,” your backup buffer is at 100% for an extended period, or your battery is repeatedly losing internet connection.