Why does Gexa want to influence the behavior of my energy storage system?
Gexa Energy wants customers like you to participate in what is commonly referred to as a Virtual Power Plant (or VPP for short), which is a fancy way of saying that we will coordinate the control of batteries in many multiples of households across Texas. This coordinated behavior can greatly improve the regular operation of the grid.
Gexa would like to maximize the impact of the energy stored in your battery by discharging that energy as it will benefit the grid and/or Gexa Energy’s ability to serve you as an energy customer. By maximizing this value, we are able to compensate you with $50 of bill credits every month you participate with Gexa. But more importantly, your participation helps in supporting a healthy functioning energy grid.
Gexa will establish “events” which delineate at what point during the day your battery will be utilized. You will be able to track a record of these events and see when an event is currently ongoing in the Gexa Energy mobile app.
How will I know if my system is compatible?
Currently the Battery Benefits product is compatible with Enphase Energy battery inverters. You can determine the manufacture of your energy storage system by looking up the system specifications for your installation. If your listed inverters are SolarEdge or Enphase, then you have a compatible system.
Do I still need to pay my electricity bill to Gexa Energy?
Yes, you will continue to pay your electricity bill as usual. Incentives for participation will be paid via credits on your Gexa Energy bill. If you do not pay your monthly electricity bill and Gexa cancels your plan due to non-payment you will be unenrolled from the product, placed on a standard NEM contract, and will stop receiving the pairing credits.
What is the compensation for participating in the Gexa DER pilot program?
Upon enrollment in Gexa Battery Benefits, Gexa will provide a $50 bill credit for every month your system is paired to our battery optimization services. This credit will be applied on your first invoice after enrollment and every subsequent invoice through the term of your energy contract with Gexa Energy.2.
How will the incentives be paid to participants?
Incentives will be paid via bill credits directly on your Gexa Energy invoice.
Your first incentive will be applied to your first invoice after enrollment and as long as your battery system is paired to the Battery Benefits service.
We are sorry you no longer want to participate in the battery program. To stop, simply unpair your battery in the Gexa Mobile app, but keep in mind, you will no longer receive the $50 monthly bill credit.
We’d like to know more of why you have chosen to no longer participate, would you mind sending your feedback to solar@gexaenergy.com?
Aside from voluntarily leaving the product, are there any other ways in which I can be unenrolled?
Yes, if you fail to meet the requirements of your terms and conditions. Please consult the full terms and conditions documents for participation guidelines.
Do I need to do anything to enable my battery to participate in events?
No, no action is needed on your part to dispatch your battery for events after you are enrolled.
Will I be notified when events are occurring?
Given that events will be called based on grid conditions that can vary both daily and seasonally, it is difficult to predict when events will occur. However, during any Gexa-issued event the Gexa Energy mobile app will clearly indicate that an event is occurring.
Yes, but overriding may forfeit your monthly $50 bill credit for that billing period.
Once an event is in progress, we cannot reengage the event. Opting out of an event may result in loss of bill credits for this billing period. Please reach out to solar@gexaenergy.com if you would like to discuss further or indicate an accidental override.
If I am not paired for the entirety of each month, what will happen?
By remaining paired for the duration of your billing cycle, you will receive a $50 bill credit. Gexa reserves the right to disqualify a customer from the bill credit if they do not remain paired for the entirety of the cycle.
Will there be any limitations on how Gexa controls my battery?
Yes, we will not discharge your battery to 0% charge level to ensure that you always have some energy stored in your battery. You have the opportunity to set your lower state-of-charge limit, which you are comfortable sharing with Gexa Energy.
What if I switch to another Retail Electric Provider?
If you choose to switch to another REP, you will automatically be unenrolled from the product and will not receive any future incentives. Gexa may take up to 15 days to unpair your device from our energy platform.
What if my inverter is not compatible? Can I still enroll on this plan?
At this time, our battery program only supports Enphase Energy. But we do have a fantastic solar plan called the Gexa Solar Buyback that offers credits for excess energy exported back to the power grid.
How do you know if there is a weather event in my area to ensure our battery is not discharged and we hold a full charge during the freeze/high heat?
The Gexa Energy battery service actively reviews the weather forecast in your region through a national weather service which will indicate any potential inclement weather patterns. In the event the system does recognize a weather concern the Gexa Energy mobile app will notify you of the weather-preparedness event.
At this time, all solar/battery data is only available through your mobile app and will not appear in your MyAccount. Accessing the app is quick and easy providing charts to view grid consumption, solar production, excess export and battery charge levels.
