PROGRAM INFORMATION
What is the Connecticut Energy Storage Solutions program?
The Energy Storage Solutions Program is a Connecticut-based program designed to alleviate grid stress during times of peak energy use. This program leverages energy storage systems, like the Generac PWRcell, to help reduce the overall cost of electricity by reducing peak consumption levels and eliminating the need for additional fossil fuel burning power plants. In exchange for enrolling your battery in one of these programs, you may be eligible to receive incentive payments.
How does the Energy Storage Solutions program work?
When electrical demand is high, your electric utility provider will notify Generac and we may discharge a percentage of the stored energy in your battery storage system to help reduce peak energy demand.
Where is this program offered?
Energy Storage Solutions is offered to Eversource and United Illuminating customers in Connecticut.
How will I be rewarded for my participation?
For participating in the Program, Generac will pay you a guaranteed incentive payment on an annual basis as reflected on the chart below.
If you enroll in the program after the start of the summer season (June-September), we will adjust your incentive payment proportionally based on the amount of time you have been enrolled.
| PWRcell Battery Size |
Kilowatt Hours (kWh) |
Eversource |
United Illuminating |
| M3 |
9 |
$325 |
$325 |
| M4 |
12 |
$450 |
$450 |
| M5 |
15 |
$575 |
$575 |
| M6 |
18 |
$700 |
$700 |
| M7 |
21 |
$800 |
$800 |
| M8 |
24 |
$900 |
$900 |
| M9 |
27 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
| M10 |
30 |
$1,100 |
$1,100 |
| M11 |
33 |
$1,100 |
$1,100 |
| M12 |
36 |
$1,100 |
$1,100 |
How does the Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) upfront discount work?
By joining the ESS program, you may be eligible to receive up to a $7,500 upfront incentive offered by ESS. The upfront ESS incentive is separate from Generac’s Guaranteed Incentive program and is subject to its own set of terms & conditions. Click here to learn more.
When will I receive my Guaranteed Incentive program incentive?
You will receive your payment for each year you participate (for a maximum of five years), in either December or January of the following year.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND ENROLLMENT
Who can participate?
The program is available to customers that meet the following conditions:
- Live in Connecticut, in an area serviced by Eversource or United Illuminating
- Have an installed or soon to be installed Generac PWRcell
- PWRcell is connected to an active internet source (ethernet or cellular)
- You are not currently enrolled into any other demand response programs
- You have not applied for or received status as a Chronic Care, Critical Care, or Critical Load designation from your Transmission and Distribution Service Provider.
- You do not operate critical life support equipment at the participating address.
See Terms and Conditions HERE for a complete list of Program Requirements.
How do I enroll?
You can apply to participate in the program by clicking HERE to submit your application. We will review the information you provide and reply with your status within 30-90 days.
If I am already enrolled in the Energy Storage Solutions program, am I eligible to re-apply through Generac?
If you’ve participated in at least one Energy Storage Solutions program season (summer or winter), then you will not be eligible to join the Energy Storage Solutions program through Generac for the 2023 summer season.
How long does the program last?
This is a 5-year program where Generac is guaranteeing your annual payment for each of those five years, so long as you remain in the program. More information on opportunities to remain in the program and earn additional incentives, beyond the five years, will be released at a later date.
How will my data be used?
To confirm you are eligible to participate in the program, we need to gather data including your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, utility account number, and retail electric provider. This data will be shared with Generac affiliates and subcontractors for the purposes of implementing the program and with your Retail Electric Provider (Eversource or United Illuminating). Your data will never be sold to other parties. You can read more about how we collect and treat your data in Generac’s privacy policy.
After I enroll, do I need to do anything to participate?
No. The value of signing up for Energy Storage Solutions through Generac is that you do not need to take any action for the rest of the program. Our Network Operations Center will remotely set up your PWRcell and manage it during energy events.
PARTICIPATION IN ENERGY EVENTS
What is an energy event?
An energy event is a period where there is very high energy use in your area, extremely high wholesale electricity prices, or there has been loss of energy supply from power plants, and we can reduce the energy demand of our customers by discharging their PWRcell to help the electricity system maintain reliability.
When do energy events occur?
Energy events most typically occur during peak demand times, on non-holiday weekdays between 2-7pm EST.
Summer events will be called during the “summer season”: June1 -September 30, and winter events will be called during the “winter season”: December 1- March 31.
Energy events will not occur if severe weather is forecasted in your area.
How long will an energy event last?
Unless in the case of extreme emergency, individual energy events will not exceed 3 hours.
How many energy events will occur during the program?
The number and nature of the events will be decided by the utility administering the Program. There will be no more than 60 events per summer season and five events per winter season.
Who is controlling my system during an event?
Your electric utility will notify Generac when an energy event is called. Generac may remotely start dispatching your PWRcell reserve. When the event concludes, or when your PWRcell drops to 20% remaining battery reserve, we will stop dispatching your unit and your whole home will go back on utility power.
What happens to my system if there is an outage?
Energy events will never utilize all of the energy reserved by your PWRcell system, protecting your home’s resiliency in the case of an outage. Generac will discharge up to only 80% of the usable capacity during an event, keeping your reserve at a minimum of 20%.
Can I opt-out of participating in an event?
Because this is a guaranteed fixed payment program, you are not able to opt out of individual events.
PROGRAM UNENROLLMENT
How do I unenroll?
You can unenroll from the program by clicking HERE.
If you would like to remain in your utility’s battery program, but unenroll in the Generac Guaranteed Incentive program, send an email to your utility program administrator asking them to change the “Customer Incentive Payment Option” to “Customer.” Your utility will inform Generac directly of this change.
Are there any penalties for unenrolling?
There are no penalties for unenrolling. However, if you elected to receive the annual incentive payments, and you unenroll before the end of September, you will not be eligible to receive an incentive payment for that year.