If you already have solar and battery storage or you’re planning to install a system, you may be able to earn additional income simply by allowing your battery to support the electric grid when it’s needed most.
Through Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs, homeowners across the country are turning their energy storage systems into valuable grid resources while maintaining reliable backup power for their homes. With Fortress Power EnergyBroker, participating in a utility battery program is simple. Eligible homeowners can enroll in available programs, earn incentives, and let their battery work automatically behind the scenes.
What Is a Virtual Power Plant?
A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a network of connected home battery systems that utilities can temporarily draw from during periods of high electricity demand.
Instead of relying solely on traditional power plants to meet spikes in demand, utilities can dispatch energy from thousands of distributed battery systems. This helps stabilize the grid, reduce strain during peak demand, and improve overall energy reliability.
When your Fortress Power battery participates in a Virtual Power Plant program, only a portion of your stored energy is used during scheduled dispatch events. In return, you receive financial incentives from your local utility. The process is completely automated through your Fortress Power system and Guardian monitoring platform—no manual action is required.
How Do Virtual Power Plant Programs Work?
Every utility program is slightly different, but the overall process is simple:
- Install a qualifying Fortress Power battery system.
- Enroll in an eligible utility battery program through EnergyBroker.
- Your utility schedules dispatch events during periods of high grid demand.
- Your battery automatically exports a portion of its stored energy.
- You earn incentives based on your participation.
Many homeowners never notice when a dispatch event occurs because the system handles everything automatically.
How Much Can You Earn?
Virtual Power Plant incentives vary depending on your state, utility, and program structure. Some utilities provide:
- Upfront installation incentives
- Annual participation payments
- Performance-based incentives
- Monthly bill credits
- A combination of multiple incentive types
For example, homeowners participating in Vermont’s Green Mountain Power Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program may qualify for substantial upfront incentives. Other states, such as Arizona, reward customers based on battery performance during summer dispatch events.
As new utility battery programs continue to launch nationwide, opportunities for homeowners continue to grow.
Will I Still Have Backup Power?
One of the most common concerns homeowners have is whether participating in a Virtual Power Plant leaves them without backup power during an outage. Most utility programs maintain a battery reserve—often around 20%—that remains untouched. This means your battery still provides backup power when your home needs it.
In addition, Fortress Power’s intelligent monitoring helps ensure your battery is prepared for severe weather and outage conditions whenever possible.
Will I Still Have Backup Power?
One of the most common concerns homeowners have is whether participating in a Virtual Power Plant leaves them without backup power during an outage. Most utility programs maintain a battery reserve—often around 20%—that remains untouched. This means your battery still provides backup power when your home needs it.
In addition, Fortress Power’s intelligent monitoring helps ensure your battery is prepared for severe weather and outage conditions whenever possible.
What Happens During a Dispatch Event?
A dispatch event occurs when your utility requests stored energy from participating battery systems.
These events typically happen during:
- Extremely hot summer afternoons
- High electricity demand periods
- Grid reliability events
- Peak energy pricing windows
Depending on the utility program, dispatch events may last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Because the process is automated, homeowners don’t need to monitor or control anything manually.
Which Fortress Power Systems Qualify?
All Fortress Power batteries and inverters are approved for participation in available EnergyBroker programs. No additional hardware is required beyond your standard Fortress Power system and Guardian monitoring. Eligibility ultimately depends on your state’s utility requirements, but qualifying homeowners may be able to enroll immediately after installation.
Why Participate in a Utility Battery Program?
Beyond earning incentives, Virtual Power Plants provide meaningful benefits for both homeowners and the electric grid.
Generate Additional Value: Your battery doesn’t just provide backup power—it can also generate recurring financial benefits through eligible utility programs.
Improve Grid Reliability: Participating batteries help utilities manage periods of high demand, reducing stress on the electric grid.
Reduce Peak Demand: Virtual Power Plants help decrease reliance on expensive and higher-emission peaker plants that are traditionally used during demand spikes.
Support Renewable Energy: Battery storage allows renewable energy generated during the day to be stored and dispatched when electricity demand is highest, making the grid cleaner and more efficient.
What Is Fortress Power EnergyBroker?
EnergyBroker is Fortress Power’s Virtual Power Plant platform that connects eligible homeowners with available utility battery programs.
Through EnergyBroker, homeowners can:
- Discover available incentive programs in their state
- Enroll with participating utilities
- Receive ongoing performance reports
- Track incentive payments
- Automatically participate in dispatch events
The platform works seamlessly with Fortress Power batteries and Guardian monitoring, creating a simple experience from enrollment through ongoing participation.
Is a VPP Program Right For You?
If you’re planning a new battery installation—or your utility allows existing systems to enroll—a Virtual Power Plant program can increase the long-term value of your energy storage investment.
With automated participation, protected backup reserves, and the opportunity to earn utility incentives, VPP programs allow homeowners to do more with the battery system they already own. As utilities continue expanding these programs across the United States, now is an excellent time to explore what’s available in your area.
Ready to see if your state offers a Virtual Power Plant program? Visit the Fortress Power EnergyBroker page to explore available utility incentives and learn how to enroll.
