Virtual power plants

California could save big if virtual power plants target ‘sweet spots’

The state’s utilities could use rooftop solar, batteries, and EVs to cut $13.7B in costs — by applying those to the right parts of stressed-out local grids.

By Jeff St. John . 11 September 2025

Shot of white and orange homes with solar panels on the roofs — Rooftop solar in San Diego (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)

Virtual power plants

California quietly guts ambitious virtual power plant bill

Bills boosting solar, batteries, EVs, and smart thermostats to rein in California’s utility costs moved ahead — but the most innovative approaches were cut.

By Jeff St. John . 5 September 2025
Virtual power plants

California’s biggest virtual power plant may get a funding reprieve

Home batteries enrolled in the program can provide 700 MW of cost-effective grid support, new analysis finds — but only if state lawmakers preserve its funding.

By Jeff St. John . 21 August 2025
Virtual power plants

As rooftop solar gets hammered, virtual power plants offer a way forward

VPPs built out of home solar and battery systems could bolster the overtaxed power grid, lower energy costs for consumers, and help invigorate a struggling industry.

By Jeff St. John . 28 July 2025
Clean energy

A heat wave hit New England's grid. Clean energy saved the day.

On the hottest day this year, behind-the-meter solar panels and a growing network of batteries helped prevent blackouts and saved consumers millions of dollars.

By Sarah Shemkus . 8 July 2025
Virtual power plants

California’s successful virtual power plant program faces big budget cuts

Companies tapping smart thermostats and solar-charged home batteries to help the grid say funding cuts could undermine their efforts and cost customers.

By Jeff St. John . 5 June 2025
Virtual power plants

Haven to install free solar, batteries for thousands of California homes

The startup is tapping a new state funding pool to help low-income families access the benefits of clean energy and battery backup for their residences.

By Julian Spector . 21 April 2025
Climatetech finance

DOE finalizes $9.8B in financing for Rivian, Plug Power, Sunwealth, and Ioneer

The Biden administration’s Loan Programs Office has sprinted to issue clean energy loans before Trump’s inauguration. Four more deals closed this week.

By Jeff St. John . 17 January 2025
Virtual power plants

Sonnen, Solrite to offer free batteries and solar to Texas homeowners

The catch: The companies will own and use the equipment to create a virtual power plant that they are betting will pay off installation costs.

By Jeff St. John . 16 January 2025
Virtual power plants

Fine-tuning how homes can help the grid as 'virtual power plants'

Real-world tests show that EnergyHub’s ‘dynamic load shaping’ tech can get thousands of thermostats and other devices to ramp up and down like a power plant.

By Jeff St. John . 26 November 2024
Virtual power plants

Google Nest spinout picks Texas for 1GW virtual power plant

NRG Energy and Renew Home think Texas is the place to use millions of smart thermostats to build the country’s biggest virtual power plant. Here’s why.

By Jeff St. John . 19 November 2024