How to sign up for a virtual power plant—and decide whether you should

A virtual power plant links smart thermostats, EV chargers, home batteries and solar panels so utilities can reduce peak demand in exchange for bill discounts and signing bonuses—typically $50-$150 upfront and $25-$50 annually for thermostats, with larger incentives for batteries and EVs. In 2023, more than 500 U.S. VPP programs enrolled roughly 4 million households. Experts note that mismanaged programs can misallocate payments, while well-executed ones can postpone expensive grid upgrades. Enrollment usually occurs via utility or device-manufacturer apps under “demand response” or “managed charging” terms.