PG&E launches VPP program tapping into home batteries and heat pumps

PG&E is rolling out a new program in the Bay Area called SHARE (Smart Home Assets for Reliability and Efficiency), which pays homeowners for letting the utility tap into home batteries and heat pumps during times of high electricity demand. This kind of setup, where many homes' devices work together to support the grid, is known as a virtual power plant. PG&E is working with Tesla, Sunrun, and Renew Home to enroll close to 21,000 existing home batteries and smart devices already in customers' homes, letting those households earn rewards for features they already have while helping the grid during peak periods. That part of the program is expected to start supporting the grid as early as fall 2026.

The program also includes new equipment going into homes, with Carrier as the launch partner. Its battery-equipped heat pump, the Performance Series Variable-Speed Heat Pump with EnerSync, can store and shift energy use automatically to help lower costs and keep the home comfortable during high-demand periods. Google is fully funding the program, covering customer incentives and technology costs, while Rewiring America will handle outreach and enrollment and work with local installers on quality.

PG&E and Rewiring America plan to start contacting eligible customers in fall 2026. The program is set to run through 2027, with early results expected in late 2026 or early 2027. If you live in PG&E's Bay Area service territory and already have a home battery or are considering one, this is a program worth watching for eligibility details as they come out.