The Sunsave Virtual Power Plant is a network of Sunsave customers’ batteries, working together to move energy to and from the UK grid. Because there are a bunch of batteries connected together, the grid can use this extra capacity to balance UK energy demands – and they pay Sunsave customers for the privilege.

What is the Virtual Power Plant?

Head to your Sunsave account, tap ‘Sign up’ near the top of the page and follow the instructions. You’ll need to give us some information about your tariff set-up, which we explain as part of the sign-up process.

How do I sign up to the VPP?

Yes, anyone can opt out of the VPP at any time. Email us and we’ll remove you from the VPP.

Can I opt out of the VPP?

There’s no charge to be part of the VPP. Joining or leaving it is free.

Does it cost money to be on the VPP?

Right now this is a trial, so we can’t be sure how much you’ll earn – but it could be around £5–£10 a month initially, and we expect it to go up over time as the network grows. The collective power of the network is what makes it attractive to the grid.

We pay everyone who's part of the VPP an equal share of the total earnings of the network. So the more people who sign up, the more you can earn.

How much money will I make from the VPP?

We’ll automatically send you your VPP payments monthly on the 7th of every month. These will arrive as separate payments into your account from Sunsave.

How and when will I receive money from the VPP?

Sometimes to help balance the grid your battery might charge with energy which you’ll pay for. But this will never happen unless the VPP is being paid significantly more than the cost of that energy.

So your bill might go up or down a little bit, but your VPP payments will always more than cover it.

Will the VPP affect my electricity bill?

When you sign up to the VPP, you give us permission to manage your battery settings. So you won’t be able to change how and when your battery charges and discharges while you’re on the VPP.

This won’t affect your free battery upgrade though. Since we’re the ones managing your battery, you're still protected by the Sunsave Guarantee under the terms of your Monitoring and Maintenance agreement with us, which guarantees your battery will keep operating at a good state of health for the duration of the Sunsave Plus term. (We know the VPP Ts&Cs could be clearer on this point, and we’ll bear that in mind for future improvements.)

How does the VPP affect my battery?

No, when you sign up to the VPP you give us permission to manage your battery settings. If you use any other device to control your battery, you won’t be eligible for the VPP. This is important because the freedom to change those settings as necessary is how the VPP works to balance the energy grid.

Will I have control of my battery with the VPP?

Yes, you might notice your battery charging and discharging at unexpected times of day. The VPP is driven by smart algorithms designed to maximise how much you can earn.

Remember, if you’re unhappy with how the VPP is working or with your earnings, you can opt out at any time.

Will I notice anything different when I’m on the VPP?

No, you will always have all the energy you need to power your home and appliances.

Will the VPP affect my own energy use?

Your earnings from the VPP are separate from your export tariff earnings. Being part of the VPP may mean your export earnings increase, but you shouldn’t ever see them decrease as a result of being part of the VPP.

Will the VPP affect my existing export tariff?

We've gathered answers to the most common queries. If you've got a question we haven't covered here, please email to let us know!

Common questions about the Sunsave Virtual Power Plant

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Contact us

A survey is when our technicians make a full assessment of your home, including roof space, shading, cable runs and scaffolding structure. It helps us validate your quote and predict how much money you’ll save. We’ll also discuss where to install your battery and inverter.

What is a survey?

We need to survey your home to ensure that we can deliver the system we’ve designed for you at the price we’ve quoted. It helps to avoid any surprises or unexpected costs when it comes to installation day.

Why do I need a survey?

You can share your home for surveying in your customer account. We ask a couple of questions, and request a series of photos. This takes about 10 minutes and you can do it at any time.

We’ll then review your photos, usually on the same day.

How do I complete the survey and how long does it take?

The survey is free and there’s no commitment to move forward with your installation afterwards.

Does a survey commit me to anything and are there any costs?

We’ll send you a finalised price and contract, which you can discuss with your sales specialist. If you want to go ahead with your installation, we’ll ask you to sign a contract. We can typically install your system in 3 to 6 weeks, and we’ll work with you to find a date that fits your schedule.