Tesla Energy says it paid out $9.9 million to Powerwall owners across the U.S. in 2024 for supporting the electric grid through its Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program.
The update came after a Tesla owner, Steeg Haskell, shared a post on X, thanking the company for a $593 payment he received as part of the program.
“Another year of being self-sufficient with my own power for home and cars, and now a $593 sweet virtual power plant payment! Tesla rocks!” he wrote.
In response, Tesla Energy confirmed the broader impact, writing: “We paid out $9.9M to Powerwall owners who supported the grid through Virtual Power Plant participation in 2024.”
What’s a Virtual Power Plant?
Tesla’s Virtual Power Plant allows Powerwall users—who have home batteries—to automatically send stored energy back to the grid during times of high demand, like heatwaves or blackouts. This helps stabilize the power supply and reduces the need for utilities to rely on fossil fuel backup systems.
In return, Tesla shares a portion of the revenue from energy companies with participating homeowners. Tesla says anyone with a Powerwall can join the VPP through the Tesla app.
The program has rolled out in several U.S. states, including California and Texas, and continues to grow as more users install Powerwalls.
