Help Center.
Find answers to your questions, or reach out if you need additional support.
Common questions.
If you can’t find your answer, please contact us.
SunStrong Management is an operations and asset management company that sits between asset owners – the capital partners committed to investing in sustainable energy – and the real world, where infrastructure systems need servicing and customers need support.
SunStrong provides comprehensive services such as operations & maintenance, billing & collections, and investor engagement, ensuring a stable, customer-first approach for every household they serve.
If your account has transitioned to SunStrong, this means that your originator – the company that sold and/or installed your solar – no longer manages your system or account.
You will receive communications outlining next steps for maintaining your solar service, billing, and account access.
SunStrong aims to provide:
- Reliable service for your solar and storage systems
- Transparent, timely communication about your account
- Minimal disruption to your existing billing and performance tracking
Your payment arrangements remain the same. Please continue to make payments as usual unless you receive updated instructions directly from SunStrong.
To confirm who took over your account management after your prior company, you can look for communications from SunStrong (an email may have been sent to the email on file for the primary account holder at the time of transition). If you don’t have this, look at a bill from after your transfer date for the brand of the new company. If you are still unsure, you can reach out to our Customer Care team to verify if you are in the right place.
No, you should continue your payments as usual. There will be no changes to your existing financing agreement terms, aside from any previously expected escalators noted in your contract and/or changes to sales tax.
Your billing portal depends on which company originally sold and/or installed your solar system. Visit the Your Account page to learn how to find the right billing portal for you.
Your billing portal depends on which company originally sold and/or installed your solar system. Visit the Your Account page to learn how to find the right billing portal for you.
Having solar doesn’t replace your utility bill, and customers should expect to still receive two types of bills:
- Solar Bill: This covers your lease, loan/financing agreement, or power purchase agreement (PPA) payment to SunStrong. This is for your solar system.
- Utility Bill: You will still receive a bill from your utility company.
With a solar system, your home solar system is still connected to your utility. At night and during times of low solar production, you may need to pull electricity from your utility in order to meet your home energy needs. However, with a home solar system, you can reduce your utility bill.
Your utility bill may include a few important line items:
- Service Charges and Fees: This is a flat rate charged to all utility customers regardless of usage.
- Taxes: Taxes may be a separate line item or may be included in your utility rate.
- Energy Use: The amount of electricity you used from your utility.
- Net Metering: If your utility offers net metering, you may see your net metering credits on your monthly bill or as a total sum at the end of the year.
Note: For customers with add-on battery storage, you may receive a third bill for this solar energy storage service.
You installed solar panels to lower your electricity bill—so it’s understandable to question when your utility bill is higher than expected. In most cases, the explanation comes down to a few interacting factors: home energy consumption, solar production, and utility rates.
Your system was designed around past usage
Your home solar system was likely sized based on your historical electricity usage, along with factors like roof space and budget. If your current usage is higher than what the system was designed to offset, you’ll draw more electricity from the grid and your bill will increase.
Consumption often rises in warmer months or at night (sometimes without noticing)
A high utility bill is often a sign you’re using more electricity than the amount used to design your solar system. Common drivers include:
- Air conditioning changes: Turning the AC down even a degree or two can materially increase usage; you can also check when you last had your AC unit serviced.
- Seasonal activities: Heating a pool; entertaining more guests.
- More people at home: Summer guests, or children home during summer months, can increase overall consumption.
- New or malfunctioning appliances: New appliances may use more energy than before; an appliance that isn’t working correctly can also consume more energy.
Keep in mind: once the sun goes down, your panels stop producing power. Unless you have a solar battery to store excess energy for later, you’ll need to draw electricity from the grid at night.
Solar production can drop due to weather or obstructions
Even if your usage hasn’t changed, the amount of energy your home solar system offsets can vary based on:
- Weather: Multiple cloudy or rainy days in a row; hazy summer days due to wildfire smoke and debris in the air.
- Obstructions and buildup: Shade from trees or shrubs; dust or pollen; debris/dirt on the panels.
Utility rates may be higher in summer and at peak times
Your bill can also increase if your utility rate changes seasonally or if you’re on time-of-use (TOU) pricing. Utility prices are often highest in the summer and during peak-demand hours (often in the evenings). Be sure you understand how your utility is billing you, and try to avoid consumption during peak times when possible.
Bottom line: The best way to think about your solar savings is as a balance of production, consumption, and utility rates. Solar is a great tool to limit exposure to rising utility costs, and you’ll get the most benefit by continuing smart energy-saving habits and keeping panels clean and in direct sunlight.
Sales tax is determined by state and local governments and is subject to change based on adjustments to and new interpretations of laws, regulations, and tax rates. SunStrong is required to charge all applicable taxes and does not have the ability to adjust or override taxes set by state or local authorities. SunStrong simply collects required taxes, and all taxes are paid to the relevant authority on behalf of the customer.
There are some instances where former owner/servicers of our customers did not charge the required sales tax. In order to remain compliant with tax law requirements in different states, SunStrong is collecting government-mandated sales tax going forward, which is then passed on to the relevant authorities.
Your home is still connected to your utility, even if you have a solar system. During times when your home solar system cannot meet the energy needs of your home (at night, during times of lower production, etc.), you will need to pull electricity from your utility.
Why isn’t your solar system enough? Your home solar system was likely sized based on your historical electricity usage, along with factors like roof space and budget. If your current usage is higher than what the system was designed to offset, you’ll draw more electricity from the grid and your bill will likely increase.
Net metering measures the electricity you receive from your utility, as well as any excess energy your home solar system sends to your utility. Your utility will supply your net meter to keep track of what you consume from and export to the grid. Some customers may receive credit for exported energy to help offset the cost of the utility electricity you consume.
Net metering is not available in all markets. We recommend you check with your local utility before going solar.
Understanding your energy meters and bills:
Please note that you will have two energy meters and therefore two monthly statements. SunStrong will provide you with a solar meter to measure your solar production, and your utility will provide you with a net meter. Net metering may appear on your utility bill in its acronym form, NEM (Net Energy Metering).
Your electricity needs will vary based on your usage, the energy efficiency of your home and other factors. Your solar system’s production will vary based on weather and other factors. SunStrong makes no guarantees regarding credit for net energy exported to the electric grid, and any credit provided (now or in the future) is subject to change or termination by executive, legislative or regulatory action.
The SunStrong Connect App, formerly mySunPower, is designed for users to monitor solar production and home energy consumption.
The SunStrong Connect app is currently only accessible by former SunPower customers. It replaced the mySunPower application when SunStrong took over account management for 110,000 former SunPower customers.
No, the web portal is no longer supported. Please use the mobile app for all monitoring needs.
Basic Features (Included at no cost):
- System health alerts – Get notified about communication issues or device problems
- Live system monitoring – See your current solar production in real-time
- SunVault management – Control your battery settings, view status and performance
- WiFi management
- Firmware updates
Premium Features ($9.99/month or $99.99/year):
- Historical performance data – Track and analyze your system’s past performance
- Panel-level monitoring – View individual solar panel performance (available for systems with micro-converters only)
- Production and consumption analytics – Understand your energy usage patterns (requires a consumption meter for usage data)
- Monthly performance reports – Receive detailed summaries of your system’s operation
Note: Lease customers receive premium features as part of their lease service at no cost.
Customers will be prompted to subscribe through the SunStrong Connect app when that option becomes available. There is no option to subscribe for paid services in advance. Please do not send money or checks.
You have three options to connect your system:
- WiFi connection
- Ethernet connection
- Power-line communication
Monitoring your solar system requires significant infrastructure and ongoing support. Your investment in clean energy deserves reliable, long-term support, and we remain committed to providing this service.
Therefore, free cellular connectivity is no longer available for systems that use cellular communication for solar monitoring. In addition to the high infrastructure cost for cellular, if a system relies exclusively on cellular communication and does not have an active Cellular Service subscription, there is a risk of permanent hardware damage which may impact energy production.
To help prevent this, we recommended either connecting your system through WiFi or Ethernet, then maintaining an active Cellular Service subscription. If your system is already connected via WiFi, subscribing to cellular service is optional and can be used as a backup connection to help maintain uninterrupted data transmission in the event of WiFi signal loss or instability.
Customers should have received notifications of this change to the main account holder’s email address prior to the cellular deactivation in 2025 that outlined the necessary steps to prevent service interruption.
We also introduced a new service model that ensures we can continue supporting your solar investment while covering our essential infrastructure costs. This approach maintains core features at no cost, while offering advanced capabilities for customers seeking deeper insights into their clean energy investment.
Follow these simple steps to update your connection:
- Download or update the SunStrong Connect app:
- iPhone users: Search “SunStrong Connect” in the Apple App Store
- Android users: Search “SunStrong Connect” in the Google Play Store
- Open the SunStrong Connect app
- Tap the Profile icon at the bottom of the screen
- Select “WiFi Settings”
- Follow the on-screen connection workflow to complete setup
WiFi connections only supported over 2.4GHz. If your system is unable to connect to WiFi, please use an ethernet cable. Power-line adapters and WiFi extenders are potential solutions to help get connected when your system cannot connect to your router.
First check your system connection type by tapping the Profile icon at the bottom of the screen:
No action needed if you see:
- WiFi
- Ethernet
- Power-Line Communication
Action is required if you see:
- Cellular
- Communication Down
- Unknown
To reset your password:
- Click “Forgot Password” on the mobile app login screen
- Enter the email address associated with your account to receive a reset link
- After resetting your password, be sure to log in through the mobile app
For login issues, ensure you have the latest app version installed. Recent updates have resolved previous login issues. If you experience difficulties, try logging out and back in.
- Confirm your mobile app is the latest version by going to the app store, searching for “SunStrong Connect” – if it’s an option, click the “update” button.
- If you forgot your password, reset your password by clicking the “Forgot Password” option on the mobile app login screen and following the steps.
- If you do not receive an email to reset your password, you may have signed up with a different email address. Please try another email to reset your password.
- If you have never used the app, no longer have access to the email associated with your account or run into other issues, please contact us and include your name, service address, your device serial number, and the email(s) you think may have been previously associated with your account. The serial number can usually be found inside the gray cover and/or at the bottom of the device.
The device might be too far from your router – try moving your router closer to the device. Note that public wifi and hotspots are not supported.
Try using the following connection methods if your WiFi will not reliably reach or connect to your device:
- Direct ethernet connection: Use an ethernet cable to connect your device directly to your Internet router.
- Power-line adapter: Use a power-line adapter and ethernet cables to connect your device to the router by using your home’s electrical wires. Note that for power-line adapters to work they must be connected to the same circuit and not all homes are compatible with this technology.
If troubleshooting options don’t fix your issue, app users needing help can submit a support request.
Subscription Cancellation
You may cancel your premium monitoring subscription at any time by:
- Using the subscription page and cancel button on the SunStrong Connect app
- Submitting a support request
Your cancellation will take effect at the end of your current billing period. You will continue to have access to premium features until that date.
Refunds
Monthly Subscriptions:
- No refunds are provided for monthly subscriptions except in cases of software-specific issues
- Cancellations take effect at the end of the current monthly billing cycle
Annual Subscriptions:
- Refunds for annual subscriptions may be provided on a prorated basis if you cancel within the first 30 days of your subscription period
- After 30 days, no refunds will be issued except in cases of software-specific issues
- If eligible for refund, you will retain access to premium features until the end of your annual subscription period
Software Issues:
- Refunds may be issued at our discretion when service disruptions are caused by software-specific problems on our end
- Such refunds will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
What Happens After Cancellation
When your premium subscription ends, you will:
- Keep access to basic features including WiFi management, firmware updates, and real-time system monitoring
- Lose access to premium features including historical data, analytics, panel-level monitoring, and monthly reports
Important Notes:
- Lease customers continue to receive full monitoring access at no additional cost and are not subject to this policy
- Refunds will be processed using the original payment method within 5-7 business days
You’ve already invested in a solar and battery solution for your home. SunStrong’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) puts that battery to work for your community — and rewards you for it.
A VPP connects individual home energy systems so they can act as one large energy resource. When the grid is under stress — like on a hot summer afternoon when energy demand spikes — SunStrong can draw small amounts of stored energy from your battery to help stabilize the grid and prevent outages. Once the event is over, your battery recharges as normal, and you receive rewards for your contribution.
SunStrong manages everything on your behalf. In most cases, you don’t need to change your behavior or take any action.
The result: your battery does more than back up your home. It becomes part of a smarter, cleaner grid that benefits your whole community, and you get rewarded!
SunStrong currently offers VPP participation in three regions. You can review the full terms of your program by accessing the applicable Master Services Agreement (MSA) below:
- Puerto Rico — Customer Battery Energy Sharing (CBES) | Master Services Agreement
- Northeast (MA, CT, RI) — ConnectedSolutions | Master Services Agreement
- California
- Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) | Master Services Agreement
- SCE | Master Services Agreement
We’re your Aggregator — the company that:
- Enrolls you in the program
- Connects to your battery and manages dispatch events
- Tracks and validates your performance
- Distributes your Rewards
We work with different program operators depending on where you live:
- California: We aggregate into the program with Leap Energy as the DSGS Provider, with Olivine as the program administrator for the California Energy Commission (CEC)
- Puerto Rico: We work directly with LUMA Energy as the program operator, under the oversight of the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB)
- The Northeast: We partner with EnergyHub, which manages the program on behalf of the local utilities (Eversource, National Grid, Cape Light Compact, Rhode Island Energy)
Important: SunStrong is solely responsible for issuing your Rewards. The program operators and utilities are not parties to your agreement with SunStrong.
There are two ways you might be enrolled:
1. Automatic Enrollment (most common)
If you’re a qualifying SunStrong customer with a compatible battery, you may be automatically enrolled unless you choose to opt out. We’ll notify you in advance and give you a chance to decline.
2. Opt-In Enrollment
If you are not currently enrolled — either because you’re new or previously opted out — you can request to join at any time through the SunStrong Help Center, your battery manufacturer’s app, or via direct outreach from SunStrong.
Basic eligibility:
- 18 years or older
- Active utility account
- Compatible battery system
- Not enrolled in a conflicting energy program
Additional eligibility requirements may apply based on your SunStrong contract type and the manufacturer of your battery storage system. SunStrong reserves the right to unenroll you from the program at any time without prior notice.
When the grid operator (LUMA, CEC, or a utility) calls a dispatch event, we automatically signal your battery to discharge. Depending on your battery’s charge level and settings, it will either:
- Power your home from stored energy (reducing strain on the grid), or
- Send stored energy back to the grid
You don’t need to do anything. Your battery handles it automatically and returns to normal operation when the event ends.
Weather note: We won’t dispatch your battery during severe weather events.
Tesla owners: If your battery reserve is set very high, your battery may not have enough charge available to participate, which may reduce or eliminate your Rewards for those events.
Yes. VPP participation does not disable your battery’s backup capabilities. Your battery’s reserve setting determines the minimum state of charge that is preserved and not dispatched during events. SunStrong will not override your reserve settings without providing notice first and giving you an opportunity to decline.
SunStrong may request to adjust your reserve levels up to once per quarter, with advance notice. You maintain the right to reject such changes.
Yes. You can withdraw at any time by contacting us at sunstrongmanagement.com/support/virtual-power-plant-vpp-support. Processing with SunStrong typically takes up to 5 business days. Unenrollment with the program administrator or utility is subject to their processing times. After your withdrawal is processed, SunStrong will stop dispatching your battery and you will no longer be eligible to receive Rewards.
Unenrollment from the VPP program does not affect any obligations you have under your separate solar lease or loan agreement.
For California (DSGS) customers: Per program guidelines, your formal unenrollment from the DSGS Program will take effect in the month following processing.
SunStrong collects Program Data including your identity information, enrollment and event participation status, energy usage and production data, and operational data from your battery.
We will not sell your Program Data. It is shared only with:
- The program operator (LUMA, Leap/Olivine, or EnergyHub) for program operation and regulatory reporting.
- Service providers who need the data to operate the VPP program and who are bound by confidentiality obligations.
- Regulators or government entities as required by law.
View our full privacy policy at sunstrongmanagement.com/privacy/.
SunStrong may modify the MSA terms at any time and will notify you of material changes. SunStrong may also transition your enrollment to a “Successor Program” — a replacement or expansion program approved by the relevant regulator — without prior consent. If the Successor Program requires new terms, SunStrong will provide them and you’ll have an opportunity to opt out. SunStrong reserves the right to suspend or cancel the VPP Program at any time without prior notice.
Rewards are calculated based on your battery’s validated participation during dispatch events. “Validated” means SunStrong and the program operator have confirmed your battery actually responded to the dispatch signal at the required level.
Once performance is validated and SunStrong receives payment from the program operator, Rewards are typically issued to you:
- Lease customers: Rewards are applied as bill credits against your monthly SunStrong lease payment.
- Loan customers: Rewards are applied as reductions to your outstanding loan balance.
Rewards will not be issued if you don’t have an active Customer Agreement with SunStrong, or for events where you did not participate (due to reserve settings, connectivity issues, or opt-outs). Rewards are contingent upon receipt of funds from program administrators.
Tax note: Customers receiving Rewards above IRS reporting thresholds must provide valid taxpayer identification (Form W-9 or W-8 as applicable) before payment. SunStrong may withhold and report compensation per applicable tax law requirements.
SunStrong deducts management and, where applicable, partner fees from the gross program Reward before delivering your net Reward.
Management fees can vary on a customer-by-customer basis depending on program requirements, dispatch type and volume, and device settings. You will receive advance notice of any changes to management fees.
Please see your Master Services Agreement for more information.
Rewards follow a multi-step settlement process:
- The program administrator (CEC, LUMA, or the utility) pays the program operator.
- The program operator forwards payment to SunStrong — typically within 30 days of receiving it.
- SunStrong validates your event performance and then applies your net Reward to your account.
Because of this process, there is typically a delay of several weeks to a few months between when an event occurs and when your Reward is reflected on your account.
Rewards will not be delivered if you don’t have an active Customer Agreement with SunStrong, or if your participation was impaired by reserve settings, connectivity issues, or an opt-out.
Reward delivery depends on your Customer Agreement type:
- Lease customers: Rewards are applied as bill credits against your SunStrong monthly lease payment.
- Loan customers: Rewards are applied as reductions to your outstanding loan balance.
Regardless of program, no bill credits will appear on your utility bill (LUMA, PG&E, SCE, Eversource, etc.) as a result of VPP participation — all compensation flows through SunStrong.
Customers who receive Rewards above IRS reporting thresholds must provide valid taxpayer identification before payment:
- U.S. residents and citizens: Form W-9
- Non-U.S. persons: Applicable Form W-8
- Puerto Rico customers: Form 480.6A (as required by Puerto Rico tax law)
SunStrong may withhold and report compensation per applicable federal and local tax law requirements. If you haven’t yet set up your SunStrong billing portal account to provide this information, please contact [email protected].
Consult your tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Event-by-event opt-outs are only available through your battery manufacturer’s application if your device supports this functionality. SunStrong does not provide a direct event-by-event opt-out mechanism.
If you opt out through your battery manufacturer’s app, SunStrong has no obligation to override that selection. However, opting out of events will reduce or eliminate your Rewards for those events.
SunStrong may request to adjust your battery reserve levels, but will do so no more than once per quarter and only with advance notice. You will always maintain the ability to decline such a change — SunStrong will not override your reserve settings without notice.
You can adjust your reserve setting independently at any time through your battery’s OEM application. A higher reserve setting means more battery capacity preserved for backup — but also less capacity available for dispatch, which may reduce your Rewards.
SunStrong (or the program operator) may unenroll you if:
- Your battery loses connectivity for an extended period
- Your battery cannot be reliably dispatched
- You enroll in a conflicting demand response program (note: this may be subject to a penalty)
- Your system is not compatible with DERMS requirements
- You decline to accept modifications to the Master Services Agreement
- Puerto Rico only: You fail to maintain NEM eligibility
- You no longer have an active Customer Agreement with SunStrong
Unenrollment from the VPP program does not affect your obligations under your solar lease or loan agreement.
Your VPP enrollment is tied to your Customer Agreement with SunStrong (your lease or loan). If you sell your home, refinance, or otherwise transfer or terminate your Customer Agreement, it may affect your VPP enrollment and eligibility for future Rewards.
Contact SunStrong before any such transaction to understand how it will affect your VPP participation.
What is the CBES program and who runs it?
The Customer Battery Energy Sharing (CBES) program is Puerto Rico’s battery demand response program, operated by LUMA Energy under the oversight of the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB). It was launched as a pilot in 2022 and approved as a permanent program through fiscal years 2026–2028.
CBES allows residential and small commercial customers with solar-plus-storage systems to share stored energy with the LUMA grid during periods when electricity demand threatens to exceed available generation. The program is designed to reduce rotating outages caused by generation shortfalls — a persistent reliability challenge in Puerto Rico.
SunStrong acts as your aggregator: enrolling you in CBES, managing your battery’s participation, and delivering your Rewards. Learn more at lumapr.com.
Am I eligible for CBES in Puerto Rico?
To be eligible for CBES through SunStrong, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Maintain an active and current LUMA service account
- Be registered in LUMA’s Net Energy Metering (NEM) program (required)
- Have a compatible behind-the-meter battery connected to a solar PV system
- Maintain continuous connectivity between your battery and SunStrong systems
- Not be enrolled in a conflicting demand response program
- Provide information required for regulatory reporting, including Form 480.6A
Customers cannot be enrolled with more than one aggregator at a time. Additional eligibility requirements may apply based on your SunStrong contract type and the manufacturer of your battery storage system. SunStrong reserves the right to unenroll you from the program at any time without prior notice.
How are CBES Rewards calculated?
CBES compensates you based on the energy (kWh) your battery delivers during dispatch events — not on capacity (kW) alone. Please see your Master Services Agreement for more information.
Rewards are not issued for events in which you did not participate due to reserve settings, connectivity issues, or opt-outs. You must also maintain NEM eligibility — losing NEM eligibility is grounds for unenrollment from CBES.
When and how often does LUMA call CBES events?
LUMA schedules CBES events when it forecasts that electricity demand will exceed available generation supply or minimum reserve levels. Events can be called year-round (unlike the seasonal California and Northeast programs), given Puerto Rico’s year-round demand profile and grid reliability needs.
When an event is called, LUMA notifies SunStrong (as aggregator), and SunStrong’s systems automatically dispatch your battery. You do not need to take any action. Dispatch will not occur during significant severe weather as defined by LUMA or PREB.
How do I file a complaint about the CBES program?
Submit VPP complaints to SunStrong first:
- Email: [email protected] (include your full name and “CBES Complaint” in the subject line)
- Mail: SunStrong Management LLC, 20 Greenway Plaza, Suite 540, Houston, TX 77046-4845
SunStrong will acknowledge receipt and aims to resolve complaints within 30 days. Privacy-related investigations may take up to approximately 3 months.
If you are dissatisfied with SunStrong’s response, you may escalate to:
- Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB): energia.pr.gov — procedures under Regulation 8543 (available in English and Spanish at energia.pr.gov)
- Independent Consumer Protection Office (OIPC): (787) 523-6962 or [email protected]
What is the DSGS program?
The Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program is a California state program created by Assembly Bill 205 and administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC). It is part of California’s Strategic Reliability Reserve — a suite of programs designed to reduce the risk of rotating power outages during extreme events like heat waves.
DSGS pays customers and aggregators to reduce load or provide backup energy to the grid during high-stress periods, primarily from May through October (the summer reliability season).
SunStrong participates in Participation Option 3, the Market-Aware Storage Virtual Power Plant pathway, which is specifically designed for aggregated behind-the-meter batteries.
SunStrong aggregates your battery into the program via Leap Energy (as the DSGS Provider), with Olivine serving as program administrator. The CEC publishes official program guidelines at energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/demand-side-grid-support-program.
How are DSGS Rewards calculated?
DSGS compensates based on average kW of capacity delivered during dispatch events (not kWh of energy). The program uses capacity-based monthly rates that vary by season.
Rewards are not issued for events in which you did not participate due to reserve settings, connectivity issues, or opt-outs.
These are the gross rates paid by the CEC to the program. SunStrong deducts management and partner fees before distributing your net Reward — please see your Master Services Agreement for more information.
When do DSGS events happen?
DSGS events run during the summer reliability season: May through October. The CEC may call events during periods of high system load, reliability needs, or other grid stress conditions. Events are called by Leap (the DSGS Provider) based on CEC direction.
Events can be called on a day-ahead basis (capacity-based compensation at monthly rates) or a day-of basis (energy-based compensation at $1/kWh). Your battery may be pre-charged before an anticipated event to maximize available capacity during dispatch.
Dispatch will not occur during significant severe weather as defined in the CEC’s Program Guidelines.
What utility do I need to be with to qualify for DSGS?
The DSGS program is available statewide in California. Eligible Utility Distribution Companies (UDCs) include Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).
You must maintain an active and current service account with your UDC and have permission to operate (PTO) your battery system from your host utility. You also must not be enrolled in a conflicting demand response program with your utility. Additional eligibility requirements may apply based on your SunStrong contract type and the manufacturer of your battery storage system. SunStrong reserves the right to unenroll you from the program at any time without prior notice.
Is the DSGS program continuing in 2026?
Yes, the DSGS program is active for the 2026 season. However, the CEC has noted budget constraints affecting 2026 participation:
- Option 1 (Emergency Dispatch) is suspended for the 2026 program year due to budget constraints.
- Option 3 (Storage VPP, the option SunStrong uses): Participation in 2026 is limited to storage VPP aggregations that participated in October 2025. New Option 3 enrollments in 2026 may be restricted.
If you were enrolled and participating through SunStrong in 2025, your enrollment should continue into 2026 subject to these constraints. The latest official program guidelines (Fifth Edition) are available on the CEC’s website here.
How do I file a complaint about the California DSGS program?
For complaints related to your SunStrong VPP participation:
- Email: [email protected] (include your full name and “DSGS Complaint” in the subject line)
- Mail: SunStrong Management LLC, 20 Greenway Plaza, Suite 540, Houston, TX 77046-4845
SunStrong aims to resolve complaints within 30 days. Privacy-related investigations may take up to 3 months. Note: This procedure covers issues related to your MSA and DSGS program only. Disputes about your Customer Agreement (lease/loan) are resolved under that agreement’s separate terms.
What is ConnectedSolutions and who runs it?
ConnectedSolutions is a battery demand response program run by New England utilities and managed by EnergyHub as the technology platform. It is a “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) program — customers bring their own battery storage systems to participate and earn performance-based incentives.
The Program Administrator, the utilities that run ConnectedSolutions, are:
- Eversource (Massachusetts, Connecticut)
- National Grid (Massachusetts)
- Cape Light Compact (Cape Cod / Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts)
- Rhode Island Energy (Rhode Island)
SunStrong acts as your Aggregator, enrolling your battery with EnergyHub and handling all dispatch, validation, and Reward delivery on your behalf.
Official program guidelines:
- Massachusetts (Mass Save): masssave.com
- Rhode Island Energy: rienergy.com
How are ConnectedSolutions Rewards calculated?
ConnectedSolutions pays based on your battery’s average kW of power contribution during summer peak demand events (June 1 – September 30). Your Reward Rate is set at the rate authorized by your utility at the time of enrollment and is locked in for five years.
The five-year rate lock is a key benefit of ConnectedSolutions. Your rate is determined at enrollment and does not change for five summers.
Rewards are only issued if your annual earnings exceed $25 per year. EnergyHub forwards payment to SunStrong within 30 days of receiving it from the Program Administrators.
SunStrong deducts management and partner fees before distributing your net Reward — please see your Master Services Agreement for more information.
When do ConnectedSolutions events happen?
ConnectedSolutions events are called during the summer season (June 1 – September 30), typically on the hottest days when electricity demand on the New England grid peaks.
ConnectedSolution+ is a program for qualifying customers that may include events outside of the summer season. Events are called by EnergyHub on behalf of the utilities. There are typically between 30 and 60 events per summer, which may last 1–2 hours each.
Dispatch will not occur during significant severe weather as defined by the Program Administrators. SunStrong may also charge your battery in advance of anticipated events to maximize your available capacity, and therefore your earnings, during dispatch.
My enrollment is inactive — can I re-enroll for 2026?
Yes. If your enrollment is currently inactive, you may request to re-enroll for the 2026 season. SunStrong will evaluate your eligibility, which includes having an active Customer Agreement, compatible battery, and active utility account. To request re-enrollment, submit a request through the SunStrong Help Center.
Note that re-enrolling after having opted out may reset your rate to the currently authorized program rate rather than your original locked-in rate — contact SunStrong for clarification on your specific situation.
How do I file a complaint about ConnectedSolutions?
For VPP-related complaints, contact SunStrong:
- Email: [email protected] (include your full name and “ConnectedSolutions Complaint” in the subject line)
- Mail: SunStrong Management LLC, 20 Greenway Plaza, Suite 540, Houston, TX 77046-4845
SunStrong aims to resolve complaints within 30 days. Privacy-related investigations may take approximately 3 months. This procedure covers only VPP/ConnectedSolutions-related complaints — disputes about your lease or loan are governed by that agreement’s separate terms.
For any questions about the VPP program, enrollment, or to request unenrollment, please send us a message here: SunStrong VPP Support.