2026 Energy Programs & Incentives
Maximize your ROI with batteries, generators and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) rewards.
With the sunset of the residential 30% ITC at the end of 2025, the value of home energy storage has shifted toward local utility programs. Today, homeowners and installers are leveraging Grid Services as a path to more affordable energy. Whether you have a Briggs & Stratton® SimpliPH® Battery System, a PowerProtect™ Standby Generator, or both, you can now earn recurring revenue by supporting grid stability.
Understanding DER: The Power of Your Home Ecosystem
To earn money from your energy equipment, you must first understand Distributed Energy Resources (DER). A DER is any small-scale unit at your home that can generate, store, or manage energy.
How DERs Fuel VPP and Demand Response Programs
- Virtual Power Plants (VPP): These focus on Batteries. Thousands of home batteries are linked to act as one large "virtual" power plant, discharging stored clean energy to the grid during peak heat or cold.
- Demand Response (DR): This often focuses on Generators. During times of extreme grid stress, a DR program like Star Energy sends a signal to your home. Your standby generator kicks in to power your house, allowing you to "curtail" or disconnect your load from the utility grid entirely.
- The Reward: Utilities pay you for this flexibility because it’s cheaper for them to pay you to use your own power than it is for them to build a new power plant.
Featured Program: Star Energy for Generators
Briggs & Stratton standby generators are now eligible for the Star Energy demand response program in Minnesota. This program is designed to reward owners who help stabilize the local energy infrastructure.
- How it Works: When grid demand hits critical levels, the Star Energy platform sends an automated signal to your generator.
- Your Role: Your generator powers your home’s essential (or total) load, reducing the strain on the public grid.
- The Benefit: You receive financial incentives or bill credits for your participation, effectively turning your "emergency insurance policy" (the generator) into a "revenue-generating asset."
Comparison of 2026 VPP Programs
| Program | State/Region | Upfront Rebate | Performance Payout | Link to Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGIP | California | $150 – $1,100/kWh | N/A (Upfront Focus) | CPUC SGIP Portal |
| ConnectedSolutions (Mass Save) | Massachusetts, Rhode Island | N/A | $225 – $275/kW | Mass Save |
| Energy Storage Solutions | Connecticut | Up to $16,000 | $225/kW annually | CT Green Bank |
| Duke PowerPair℠ | North Carolina | Up to $9,000 | Monthly Bill Credits | Duke Energy PowerPair |
| Energy Trust of Oregon | Oregon | Up to $10,000 for income-qualified | N/A | Energy Trust of Oregon |
| LUMA CBES | Puerto Rico | N/A | $1.00 per kWh | LUMA PR |
| VEC Flexible Load | Vermont | $268/kW | $3.20 – $6.40/kW monthly | VEC PowerShift |
Incentive Details by State
California
Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP): California’s primary battery incentive provides substantial rebates, particularly for those in high-risk fire areas or low-income households.
- Asset Type: Battery Storage System (SimpliPHI 6.6) with Sol-Ark or EG4 inverter
- Equity Resiliency: Up to $1,000/kWh for customers in high fire-threat districts or those who have experienced multiple PSPS events.
- Equity: Up to $850/kWh for low-income residential customers.
- General Market: Rebates are distributed in "steps"—check current funding levels to see available rates for your utility (PG&E, SCE or SDG&E).
Download Our Free SGIP Guide
Connecticut
Energy Storage Solutions (ESS): This program offers some of the highest upfront rebates in the country plus ongoing performance incentives.
- Asset Type: Battery Storage System (SimpliPHI 6.6) with Sol-Ark or EG4 inverter
Massachusetts / Rhode Island
ConnectedSolutions: A leading VPP program available through National Grid, Eversource, and Rhode Island Energy.
- Asset Type: Battery Storage System (SimpliPHI 6.6) with Sol-Ark or EG4 inverter
- Incentive: Earn up to $275/kW (MA) or $225/kW (RI) based on your battery’s average performance during summer grid events.
https://www.masssave.com/en/saving/residential-rebatess/battery-storage
Minnesota
Star Energy Demand Response
- Asset Type: Standby Generators (PowerProtect™ Series)
- Incentive: Performance-based bill credits or cash payments.
- Details: Available in select utility territories. This program utilizes the generator to power the home during peak grid stress, reducing overall community demand.
North Carolina
Duke Energy PowerPair℠: An "all-in-one" incentive for new Solar + Battery installations.
- Asset Type: Battery Storage System (SimpliPHI 6.6) with Sol-Ark or EG4 inverter
- Rebate: Up to $9,000 total.
- Inverter Compatibility: Our SimpliPHI batteries paired with Sol-Ark or EG4 inverters meet all Duke Energy telemetry requirements for the program.
https://www.duke-energy.com/powerpair
Oregon
Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO): Provides robust cash rebates for PGE and Pacific Power customers.
- Asset Type: Battery Storage System (SimpliPHI 6.6) with Sol-Ark or EG4 inverter
- Standard: Up to $5,000 for battery storage.
- Solar Within Reach: Enhanced incentives up to $10,000 for income-qualified residents.
https://www.energytrust.org/incentives/solar-for-your-home/
Puerto Rico
LUMA Battery Energy Sharing (CBES): Earn the highest per-kWh rate in the US ($1.00/kWh) by sharing energy during evening peak hours to stabilize the Puerto Rico grid.
- Asset Type: Battery Storage System (SimpliPHI 6.6) with Sol-Ark or EG4 inverter
Vermont
Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) Flexible Load Program: VEC members can choose between an upfront incentive of $268/kW or a monthly bill credit up to $6.40/kW.
- Asset Type: Battery Storage System (SimpliPHI 6.6) with Sol-Ark or EG4 inverter
Find More Local Incentives
While the programs above represent the largest opportunities, hundreds of local municipal utility rebates exist. To find every incentive available in your specific zip code—including property tax exemptions and local utility credits—visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE).
For Solar Installers & Trade Allies
Briggs & Stratton provides the hardware and firmware integration required for seamless VPP enrollment.
- Inverter Compatibility: Our batteries feature full closed-loop integration with Sol-Ark (12K/15K/18K/30K) and EG4 (18KPV/12KPV) inverters.
- Technical Documentation: Access our Integration Guides for specific wiring and programming instructions required by utility aggregators like EnergyHub.
- APL Listing: Our ESS products are on the Approved Product Lists for SGIP (CA), CT Green Bank, and Duke PowerPair.
- Efficiency Standards: Our systems meet the latest UL and interconnection requirements to ensure fast utility approval and rebate processing.
- Leasing Options: With the end of Section 25D, many homeowners are moving toward third-party owned (TPO) models. Our hardware is a preferred choice for residential PPAs and leases where reliability is the top priority for the asset owner.
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