Sunrun customers in California have begun to share the excess solar energy they are generating on their rooftops with their neighbors - increasing grid resilience during critical months of peak energy consumption. Through an exclusive partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E;), Sunrun quickly reached maximum enrollment and energy capacity goals of 7,500 new and existing residential solar-plus-storage systems and 30 megawatts in the Energy Efficiency Summer Reliability Program, also known as Peak Power Rewards. Due to very strong interest, the program quickly expanded to 8,500 customers and 34 megawatts, respectively.
The program provides meaningful and flexible energy to support the grid, every evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the months of August through October, when high temperatures challenge California's grid to meet peak energy demand. California is among the top five states with the most hours of power disruption, making this program vital to overall grid health. Elibility for Peak Power Rewards requires Sunrun solar and battery customers in single-family homes to have an interconnection agreement with PG&E; and not be enrolled in other demand response programs. Customers will receive an upfront payment of $750 and a free smart thermostat for participating.