Get paid for your battery
Should you join a VPP?
A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) lets an energy company use a little of your battery when the grid is stretched — like a hot summer evening — and pays you for it. You still own the battery; you just share some of it at agreed times.
What you get vs what you give up
✅ What you get
- •Extra income — how much depends on the plan, so we'll give you a realistic number for your setup.
- •It stacks — you can join a VPP and still take the federal battery rebate.
- •A possible NSW VPP payment on top (the amount varies by provider).
- •You help the grid on the worst days — and you keep a reserve for yourself.
⚠️ What you give up
- •A little battery wear — a few extra cycles a year, usually far less than what the VPP pays you.
- •Some control — it may empty part of your battery before an evening you wanted it full. You set a reserve to limit this.
- •The warranty clock — some batteries change how the warranty is counted once you join a VPP. We check yours first.
- •You must use a maker-approved VPP — the wrong one can affect your warranty.
The one question to ask any VPP
“Does this VPP ever charge my battery from the grid?”
If it does, you can end up paying for power and wearing your battery at the same time. The good plans only ever use the solar you have already stored.
Is a VPP right for you?
👍 Probably yes if…
- Your battery often sits part-full in the evening.
- You want some income back from it.
- You are happy to keep a reserve and share the rest.
🤔 Maybe not if…
- You want the battery full for blackouts at all times.
- You already use most of your own power, with little spare to share.
- The plan charges more for everyday power than a normal plan.
Common questions
＋Will a VPP really wear my battery out faster?
A little, but it is usually overstated. Most VPPs only step in 10 to 30 times a year, adding a few percent of extra use, and the income normally beats the wear.
＋Can I leave a VPP if I change my mind?
Usually yes. Check the notice period and any exit fee before you sign. We read the fine print with you.
＋Does joining void my battery warranty?
No, not with a maker-approved VPP. Some batteries just change how the warranty is counted. Using an unapproved controller is the thing that can cause problems.
＋Can I be in a VPP and still get the rebate?
Yes. The VPP payment and the federal battery rebate stack together.
Not sure if a VPP suits you?
Tell us your battery and how you use power, and we'll give you a straight answer on whether a VPP is worth it — no pressure.