SOLRITE Energy, a company focused on financing solar and battery systems, and sonnen, a leader in energy storage and virtual power plant (VPP) technology, announced a new power purchase agreement (VPA) in Texas’s ERCOT market. This program offers solar and battery power to homeowners at an affordable monthly rate, making it accessible to more Texans.
Through this program, SOLRITE will install solar panels and sonnen batteries at no upfront cost for eligible customers. Homeowners will then pay a low monthly rate for the solar energy they use, which is cheaper than the typical electricity rates in Texas. Since September 2024, SOLRITE has already secured over 40 megawatt-hours of residential battery power for the Texas market, collaborating with top solar installation experts across the state.
The sonnen batteries provide backup power to each home at no cost and allow homeowners to be part of a larger Virtual Power Plant (VPP). This network of batteries supports the Texas grid, reducing the need for polluting power plants during peak demand times. SOLRITE and sonnen earn revenue by using the energy stored in these batteries, which helps cover the cost of the equipment, so homeowners get the batteries at no charge. Participants in the program only pay 12¢ per kWh for solar power, much lower than the typical 19¢ to 20¢ per kWh rate in Texas.
Each day, the sonnen batteries help balance the power supply in Texas by directing energy where it’s most needed, making the grid more efficient and resilient while reducing energy costs. This program is different from traditional solar buyback programs, as it carefully controls when and how energy is shared with the grid, ensuring a more reliable energy source for Texans.
Blake Richetta, Chairman and CEO of sonnen Inc. USA, mentioned, “The bold and inventive SOLRITE introduction in the Texas market represents the most successful early-stage launch of the sonnenConnect VPP in the world. sonnen is proud to dispatch authentic VPPs across the United States and Australia, as well as the largest behind-the-meter residential battery based VPP in the European Union – with nerve centers in Germany, Italy and Belgium, amongst other countries. And in all of these markets, we have never seen anything like the SOLRITE Texas launch. We are so proud of the SOLRITE invention, and we are passionate to build a SOLRITE-Future for Texas.”
Regan George, CEO of SOLRITE Energy, “The era of conflict between solar energy and utilities is over. The SOLRITE Texas VPA establishes a collaborative partnership between renewable energy and retail electric providers, delivering sustainable, reliable, and affordable power for all—a genuine win for customers, communities, and the planet. By strategically harnessing solar and battery storage, the VPA helps stabilize the grid, reduce pollution, and make clean energy more accessible to Texans than ever before.”
The launch of this program is a big step forward for home energy. With SOLRITE and sonnen, Texas homeowners can now access clean, reliable, and affordable energy. To grow this program, SOLRITE is teaming up with retail electricity providers who are ready to support advanced technologies like sonnen’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP). This partnership is set to bring even more benefits to Texas residents, helping them transition to a more sustainable energy future.
