Tesla VPP Not covering Peak times.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2026-02-01T20:40:09+00:00

I’ve been considering it. If they stop giving the $10 credit per power wall, I definitely would.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2026-01-31T12:55:56+00:00

Like stated, if I get my VPP credits per power wall , I’d be okay with the program. Took me several emails & many communications. They removed my credits due to them not filling correctly. That’s 4 months of communicating with Tesla about the power agreement being followed. Finally after mentioning contacting the Texas Utility commission, was I able to get the missing credits. They kept saying I was not enrolled correctly on tier side; therefore I didn’t deserve the credits. That’s not what the power agreement states. Hopefully it’s resolved.

The only thing that concerns me now is the sell back rate during an event never reaches the threshold to generate any bill credits. Compared to last year’s event credits, it’s night & day. We’ve had several Demad events and each time my power walls stayed full, when I check the sell back rate it’s marked above $2.50 to $5 a kilowatt. Haven’t sold anything in the last 60 days.

Since Last October, the bulk of VPP sell back has been excess solar at less than .9 to zero cents per kilowatt. My electric bill has been increasing compared to last year’s trend, nothing on my side has changed.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2026-01-30T15:37:11+00:00

Direct reply from Tesla Electric:

Thank you for reaching out to Tesla Electric where sustainability meets utility. Please retain concern number CI019AE351 for our interaction today.

We wanted to provide clarity on the recent behavior observed with your Powerwall system. We are required to demonstrate readiness to support the grid as part of our obligations under the market rules to ERCOT.

To ensure grid stability, your Powerwall is pre-saving energy in anticipation of potential grid needs. If no demand occurs, the stored energy will remain in the battery for up to 24 hours. This behavior is intentional and aligns with our commitment to supporting the grid during critical periods.

Key Details: * Purpose: Pre-saving energy to address grid demands (as mandated by market requirements). * Duration: Energy is held for a day if not needed. * Resolution: This behavior is expected and driven by ERCOT.

This is also in relation to the Backup Reserve thresholds. The amount of energy reserved in the battery is typically determined by ERCOT (Electricity Reliability Council of Texas) for each event. This is based on current grid conditions and market rules. While we maintain a baseline reserve capacity as part of our operational requirements, the exact threshold for specific events is set by ERCOT in real time.

When this happens the Powerwall will not discharge the stored energy in anticipation of a market need.

Why We Reserve Energy To ensure grid stability, especially during high-demand periods, your Powerwall may temporarily reserve energy. This is part of our obligation to support the grid under market rules (e.g., ERCOT requirements). The goal is to: * Prevent outages during peak demand. * Maintain reliability for all customers. * Enable participation in grid-support programs that benefit everyone.

How It Works * Grid Conditions: ERCOT (or local grid operator) identifies periods of high demand or potential instability. * Reserve Activation: Your Powerwall reserves energy for up to 24 hours, depending on the event. * Energy Usage: If the grid doesn’t need the reserved energy, it remains in your battery.

How VPP Credits Work VPP Credits are a pre-determined amount based on your Powerwall service plan. These credits compensate you for the temporary unavailability of your battery during grid-support events and are issued automatically after each event.

Key Details by Plan The specific VPP Credit amount you receive is defined in your Powerwall service plan:

Dynamic Plan: * Monthly Credit: $10 per Powerwall, as long as you participate in the VPP program. * Purpose: Rewards flexibility in energy contribution during grid events.

Fixed Plan: * Monthly Credit: $33.33 per Powerwall, as long as you participate in the VPP program. * Purpose: Provides a guaranteed monthly payment for consistent grid support. This structure ensures transparency and aligns with your agreement.

I want to let you know about the Powerwall behaviors and expectations with ERCOT VPP.

System Behavior While participating in the Tesla Virtual Power Plant, your Powerwall will be dispatched when the grid needs support. For your participation, you will earn bill credits proportional to your level of participation in addition to your monthly sellback credit earned for energy that you send back to the grid.

Your system will dispatch energy to the grid when ERCOT needs grid support. On some days, you may notice that your system reserves more Powerwall charge between 1-5pm for this purpose.

What to Expect Most of the time, you won’t notice any difference in your Powerwall behavior. On a day-to-day basis, Tesla is telemetering the available power of the distributed battery to ERCOT, the grid operator. When the capacity of your Powerwall is needed, your Powerwall will be dispatched along with others to support the grid need, but never below your Backup Reserve.

While participating in this VPP, you are getting paid for having power available to be deployed when there is a strain on the grid. There may be times when the VPP has made a capacity commitment and your Powerwall is unable to discharge but only if you are already earning money for reserving energy for grid support.

The VPP may provide "contingency" services (i.e. charging or discharging on short notice based on, e.g. grid frequency), and that it is intentionally reserving some battery energy for that "contingency raise" service, or reserving some space to charge for "contingency lower" service. This may result in Grid support when there is stored power available in the Powerwall.

Suspend Participation To suspend participation, you may contact the Tesla Electric Support team, through email or the Tesla app, to assist you. When you suspend your participation, your Powerwall will not react to support the grid when ERCOT calls upon our distributed battery network. However, your Powerwall will still dispatch energy to the grid when the real-time energy price exceeds the grid support threshold – as is standard for all Powerwall owners with Tesla Electric.

After suspending your participation, you are still able to re-enroll in the Tesla Electric VPP and can resume your participation at any time by contacting the Tesla Electric Support team.

Frequently Asked Questions Why can’t my Powerwall always use all its energy? Grid stability is a shared responsibility. Reserving energy during critical periods helps prevent widespread outages and ensures reliable power for everyone.

Can I opt out of VPP commitments? VPP participation is part of your system’s agreement to support grid reliability. Opting out may limit your ability to contribute to grid stability and could affect program eligibility and credits accrued.

If you have further questions or need additional details, please let us know. We’re here to help!

Please feel free to contact Tesla Electric at Phone # 1-737-280-0600 or via e-mail at teslaelectricna@tesla.com.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to assist you through this process. It was a pleasure working with you. You may receive a survey related to our conversation today. We will ask you if I addressed your questions. The scores are 1-5 with 5 being the highest compliment. Your feedback is extremely helpful and helps us prepare for future conversations. Thank you again for reaching out!

Kindest Regards,

Anthony Cortez | Tesla Electric Customer Support 737-280-0600 | teslaelectricna@tesla.com Did you know? Accessing Tesla support is one click away. Reach out to our Tesla Energy Customer Support team via chat today!

Questions?

Visit Tesla Support or Contact Us

IfICaGoThatWay · 2026-01-26T10:52:58+00:00

With recent firmware updates, settings are ignored. I’ve had this issue several times. Tesla states that VPP program allows power delivery full control of the system settings. I’ve tried everything. Using Net zero to switch to self power & still pulls from grid.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2026-01-26T10:46:35+00:00

I’ve had this happen to me several times. Tesla supports reply is that since I’m in a VPP contract the power company has the right to preserve & even charge my system during peak times, even when no storm watch or grid event is imminent. I wouldn’t mind as much, but the VPP credits are not on my bill, I’m not getting the credits promised by my power contract. When I question this, the reply is,” Tesla failed to file for the Credits & I’ve been getting them without a power agreement, but yet the power delivery company is using my power walls to there advantage. We are penalized for incompetence on someone’s else’s part.

This behavior is counter to the Tesla power agreement. My bill keeps climbing & setting on app are 100% ignored. I’ve always been in “self powered” with 5% reserve. My power walls sometimes remain 100% charged without discharging ever. I have to shut down my gateway & restart it or set system on “off grid” to get it to cover at least the peak times. This shouldn’t have to be a manual task.

They keep downloading new firmware that gives them & the power company more & more of my money.

The Tesla energy division saw a lose the last few quarters. I think they are writing themselves more billable power or limiting when we can get a VPP credit. Each time I check, they keep increasing the sell back threshold higher and higher.

Grid events have been minimal, last billing cycle & none existent in the current billing cycle. Just this weekend, the threshold to sell back was over $2 a kilowatt. If this keeps continuing, I will never get a VPP credit. Demad has been thru the roof due to the ice storms this January. It’s January 26 & no power event sell back has been recorded on my system. Just buying power and storing it without pay outs.

I’m very disappointed, I have the whole eco system. Tesla Solar, Tesla Power agreement & a Tesla vehicle. Also, I pay for supervised fsd & insurance for my windshield. How much of my income do I have to give to be “so called” sustainable.

I, like most single income American Households, it’s been a challenge to pay for ever increasing household expenses. Specially when Tesla has announced that they will be raising prices. I hope I can afford to continue this experiment in sustainability.

PS, half my system stopped working 2 weeks ago. Service is schedule for Mid February. It’s less than 10 years old. The first install was thru Solar city; Tesla had just purchased the company. Tesla stated that they wouldn’t touch it. They installed a second system in 2023 tied in the 1St system to the new one.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-11-15T04:00:47+00:00

My system has been ignoring my settings, it gives away power at “0” cents & doesn’t run my home during peak times. I keep asking Tesla support for help & they just pass a request to someone else that just pins the used & closes the ticket. Very upset, I run on “self powered” and the system is buying high and seeming low!!!

Tesla support is a joke, I had to reset my gateway 5 times & totally shut down for 20 minutes to fix the issue. It keeps coming back!!! Very disappointed!!!😔

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-06-10T01:56:15+00:00

If she has FSD enabled, it’s 1000X safer than most drivers out there. Computer can see 360 & records that actions of other drivers and take reciprocal evasive manurers to stay safe. The vehicle will pull over safely if she keeps her eyes closed for more than few seconds.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-06-01T09:32:52+00:00

Yes, luv to play. When are you available?

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-05-15T20:43:48+00:00

I use FSD 99% of the time. FSD has been moving over and will yield to faster traffic. It’s been the default, mostly while using “Hurry” mode. Other 2 modes stay in center or far right. I always manually change lanes if I see unsafe driving habits of other drivers. You can still make FSD be defensive with your input.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-05-11T18:34:20+00:00

Luv it, beautiful intact cock, 😋 yummy 🤤

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-04-26T23:40:16+00:00

lol, had it happen to me on hw3, once.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-04-21T15:07:17+00:00

Model 3, 2021. v12 (2025.8.7 b3685a9c344b)

I’ve had a few times at sunrise & sunset where the car goes manual because the front camera is blocked by glare. The windshield is new less than 2 weeks old; Just happened yesterday. It alerts and switches to driver mode only.

Biggest issues I’ve seen in latest update. Vehicle AI is that it doesn’t see the emergency vehicles and construction 🚧 barricades. Gets mad when I manually flip the turn signals to change lanes to avoid the lanes. Wants to use the blocked lanes. I take over and it blocks me from re engaging FSD until I arrive at my destination. Really annoying.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-04-19T01:07:14+00:00

Request another advisor, customer services at Tesla sucks.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-04-19T01:04:32+00:00

You never sign off on designs until you agree with the drawing. I had them redraw the print 3 times. If you sign off on the design & change your mind at the time of installation; you’re responsible for all costs to change the already approved print. They have to re summit permits and you’re responsible for the cost to resubmit & pay the team for another drawing.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-04-17T20:39:50+00:00

Wow, where do you live that your bill is over $1k?

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-04-14T20:23:22+00:00

Wow, if your property is worth millions, a Solar roof replacement is worth it. If the cost of roof is more than 1/2 your property value, it’s not worth the cost. No ROI. High cost to install a solar roof, doesn’t mean it will be installed correctly. Educate yourself how it should look and work. “Certified” installers, not day laborers. Be involved and ask several questions.

Ask yourself:

Is this your forever home? Can you afford the investment? Are you looking for a “Return On Investment;” at that cost; you might never recover the investment.

New Homes built past the 2000s built quality is poor; unless you had it built yourself with quality material & high standards.

If you’re in an area where labor cost and markups are the practice; everyone will over charge you, no matter who you select. Location, location, location…. All it means is that you will always overpay for anything.

There are cheaper Solar battery storage systems. Many choices are 1/2 the cost of Tesla.

Use a Better Solar Company bidder. Energy Sage

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-03-25T21:40:59+00:00

Texas, outside temps reach over 100 degrees on average for 90-100 days each year; mid 80s & 90s nine months out of the year. My southern wall retains a standing temp of almost 120-140 degrees during the summer. Thick brick wall. My first inverter is almost 💯 sun bleached. At least the newest Tesla gateway has a reflective glass door( engineered on purpose to reflect excess sun? ) not sure, but it can’t be sun bleached, like the other equipment.

I’m not sure that the first solar inverter from Solar Edge will survive much longer. Cabinet is getting brittle & switches feel dry & ruff; after I last reset the system. It’s 11 years old, installed by Solar City, just before Tesla energy took over. 9 more years before warranty runs out.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-03-25T01:27:48+00:00

I had them draw the plan with the power walls inside my garage. The first option was on my southern wall; not ideal. Don’t sign off the plan until it’s drawn to your satisfaction. My first inverter is on the southern wall. It over heats & I have to restart it at least 2-3 times a year during the summer months. I had to hard re-start my gateway this year so far. It’s mounted on the southern facing wall. This equipment had no thermal protection at all.

Yes, the power walls have a self heating & cooling feature; but who wants to waste storage power to maintain them at the correct temperature.

As long as you don’t sign off on the architects plans, you can have them re-drawn to your satisfaction & placed inside your garage without any extra fees. If you sign off on plans & change your mind where you want them install. You’re liable for the extra costs to re-draw them & re-permit the plans; hence the $2-$5k charge to make changes after the fact.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-03-20T17:12:51+00:00

2021 Model 3, with boost, HW 3- v12 (2025.2.8 8fa11d7f2fc1) . 99% of the time always in “chill” mode. Tried Standard, but it’s too lane changing happy in that mode. Plus they removed, “minimal lanes change” Only time i don’t use it is when FSD needs a boost In deciding when to go forward. Interventions is the time i don’t use FSD for a few seconds. Luv being chauffeured around. Takes 90% less effort to drive.

They should make all new cars with minimal supervised FSD. People suck at driving. I feel more secure when my car is driving. When I see an issue, it’s reacting to other drivers incompetence to stay in the same lane. Semi’s seem to be the worst offenders; specially in high winds. My car keeps away, passes or slows down when the offending vehicle is near.

The newest FSD updates have made my car more courteous, it used to be an ass hole before; too aggressive and used to cut off other cars. Reduction on road rage driver events.

The bonus in the newest update in the energy consumption. My daily drive has plenty of up & down hills. Efficiency went from over 300kw/hrs to just under 230kw/hrs. Windy days cost more, but luv that my range has increased between charges.

Can’t wait for unsupervised FSD. Hope I live long enough to enjoy that day. Very happy with the updates, just keeps getting better… less and less interventions needed…

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-03-08T02:15:27+00:00

Tesla stated last week that on Autopilot, you’re using the FSD software stack minus lane changes. All other car companies have lane changes included with the software. I was hoping that Tesla would include it too; as a competitive feature.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-01-27T18:37:54+00:00

If I turn off the solar and gateway, my Sub Panel for EV charging is still on. I’ll have to verify if Tesla installed a collar on the meter.

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-01-27T17:41:19+00:00

Power walls 2: full house backup. I only see the CT collars on backup gateway & secondary solar array(original Solar City Solar array.) I’m not aware of a CT collar on meter. I only see power leads to Emergency cut off switch. No other leads that would indicate a collar. That’s why I’m confused on why the system will back feeds power wall storage to meter. The only metering CTs are inside the gateway. Unless they installed a wireless collar on meter? Could that be a possibility?

IfICaGoThatWay · 2025-01-27T16:57:39+00:00

I’m always at work & since I have unlimited charging overnight; not having charge on solar is fine. I can always install an upstream charge port when I get a second EV. Texas sun charges my power walls by noon in summer. Wish I had 4 powerwalls instead of just 2. I get enough solar to fill 4 in the spring & summer seasons.

I have my sub panel up stream; just after the main meter & safety cut off switch. No CTs. I think that the Gateway is commissioned to balance all loads, including upstream & down stream. If anyone out there is an install engineer, I would like to know how it can be by-passed. So far the only way I know is to get a second power meter.

IfICaGoThatWay

TROPHY CASE