A virtual power plant for the home, also known as a distributed energy resource (DER) virtual power plant, is a system that utilizes a network of distributed energy resources such as solar panels, battery storage systems, and smart energy management systems to generate and store electricity at multiple locations, typically in individual homes or businesses.

The system is controlled by a central management platform that aggregates the output of the various energy resources and uses advanced algorithms to optimize their performance and manage the distribution of electricity to the grid.

For example, during times of high electricity demand, the virtual power plant can use stored energy from battery systems to supplement the output from solar panels and other renewable energy sources. Additionally, the virtual power plant can also sell excess energy back to the grid during times of low demand.

The key advantage of virtual power plants is that they can help to improve the efficiency of the electricity grid by reducing the need for large, centralized power plants and by increasing the use of renewable energy sources.

Sonnen Batteries

Sonnen batteries are unique in that they use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology, which is considered to be more stable and longer-lasting than other types of lithium-ion batteries. They also have a built-in inverter, which allows them to be used in both off-grid and grid-tied systems, and they have a software that allows for advanced energy management and monitoring capabilities. Additionally, Sonnen batteries are designed to be easily expandable, which means that users can add more capacity as their energy needs change over time.