Wattsmart batteries

Here are the steps to participate: 

1. Work with a qualified installer to evaluate options.
2. Read through the program rules and requirements to ensure participation is right for you.
3. Have the solar system installed with an approved battery and interconnected with Rocky Mountain Power with a customer generation meter.
4. Submit the application for participation and incentive.
5. Rocky Mountain Power verifies ability to communicate and dispatch the battery.
6. Rocky Mountain Power verifies Customer Generation application has been received and approved.
7. Incentive check issued.

Note: This program became effective December 1, 2020.

Rocky Mountain Power will have the ability to turn the battery on and off, as such participation in the program should not negatively impact your battery beyond what it is designed to do. Please consult with the battery manufacturer to fully understand how their specific battery will perform over time. 

Program participants are eligible for upfront enrollment incentives and ongoing monthly bill credits. Enrollments incentives are $600 per kW for the battery enrolled. For example, if a residential customer enrolls a 6-kW battery, their enrollment incentive will be $3,600 (6kW x $600). Additionally, participants may receive annual incentives of around $15 per kW after year 2 in the program. Incentives will be reviewed periodically and may change at any time with a 30-day notice.

Batteries are capable of supplying backup power during outages, although your specific installation needs to be designed to provide backup power. Please consult with your battery installer and ensure it will meet your expectations.  

The program aggregates all the participating batteries and provides an energy resource large enough to provide energy when it is needed most. Excess solar energy is used to charge the batteries during the middle of the day then that energy is used later in the evening or mornings. In addition, the batteries can be called upon when there is a larger system need to manage voltage to keep the grid stable for everyone.  

At this time batteries need to be charged by customers' onsite solar generation. This is needed due to qualifications for tax credits, although we expect this to change in the future and will work with stakeholders on how the program should evolve to include charging from the grid.

Yes, batteries integrated into customer onsite solar generation is required to participate in the Wattsmart Battery program. We anticipate this may change as the program matures. 

Yes, if your current battery is a Sonnen battery you can enroll in the program, although you will not be able to receive the upfront enrollment incentive. You will be eligible to receive the annual participation bill credit. The enrollment incentive is available for batteries purchased and installed after the effective date of the program.  

Yes, if you are an existing solar customer and install an eligible battery you can receive an enrollment incentive and annual incentives.  

Yes, residential and non-residential Rocky Mountain Power customers with electrical service in Utah are eligible to participate in the program.  

Yes, customers can be removed from the program after providing 30-day advance notification to Rocky Mountain Power. If you decide to withdraw from the program during your commitment period, you will be required to payback a prorated portion of the incentive to Rocky Mountain Power based on the length of time you participated in the program.

As long as you participate through the commitment period of four years and maintain your battery with our system, you will not have to pay back the incentive. You must also maintain your internet connection to the battery so we can communicate with it. If we are unable to communicate with the battery at any point during participation, we will notify you to fix it. If it is not fixed, you will be required to pay back a prorated portion of the incentive.  

Yes, through 2021, the program will be limited to 1,000 batteries. With this being an innovative new program, we need to ensure the program is operating effectively and allow time for qualifying more batteries.   

Yes, currently the maximum battery eligible to participate is 30 kW. We expect this cap to change in the future.

The best candidates are customers who are early adopters of technology, energy conscious and want to make a positive impact on the environment with renewable energy. This innovative program is in its infancy and will evolve over time. Customers who do not wish to be part of a continually evolving program should not participate. 

We are not qualified to provide tax advice, please consult with your tax professional for how you may qualify. Our limited understanding is that a residential battery must be installed with and charged solely by an onsite solar array, while commercial batteries need to be charged by at least 75% from an onsite solar array. 

Due to the tax credit rules we do not intend to have the batteries charged by the grid until there is an allowable exception and a need to do so.

The program is not a pilot as it is based off of a successful 600 individual battery project. Although the foundation is set for this program, it will continually evolve as more is learned on how to integrate batteries into the overall electric grid. We expect future changes may include more batteries being qualified, incentive levels to change, operating parameters of the batteries to evolve, etc. The first year or two of the program will be most suited for customers who want to innovate with us and help us learn how to best integrate utility managed batteries into the grid.

No, for a battery to qualify for the incentive, battery manufacturers must apply and be accepted for their batteries to participate. The incentive amount is based upon batteries being able to connect to our system and meet the requirements for participation. We are hopeful multiple battery manufacturers will work with us to innovate for the future and pave the way for greater utility integration of batteries. 

Yes. Although we have the foundation for a successful program, there is more to learn in our ongoing work with battery manufacturers during the first year or so of the program. In 2021, we will build the foundation for a successful program with a focus on quality and collaboration with interested battery manufacturers to integrate their batteries for participation. 

No. Customers are able to work with any installer they choose; however, we strongly suggest working with installers who have been certified by the battery manufacturer.  Incentives are contingent upon the batteries having a successful connection with our system.

No. For us to justify paying an incentive, the batteries must be able to connect to our system. This will require battery manufacturers to work with us to create a working connection to our system. 

At this time, Sonnen Core, Sonnen Eco, and Sonnen EcoLinx batteries qualify for the program.

Yes, we plan on working with other battery manufacturers to integrate their batteries into our system. This will require battery manufacturers to want to participate. With this being a new innovative program that has the potential to be replicated throughout the country, we are hopeful manufacturers be willing to participate and work with us on tapping into the shared value for customers with batteries and utility management. 

Are you a battery manufacturer? Learn more

When conditions are right, Rocky Mountain Power may utilize the battery on a daily basis.  

You will be required to payback a prorated portion of your incentive. The commitment period is four years. As an example, if you stop participating after two years, you will be responsible for paying back 50% of the incentive amount. Alternatively, we will accept a transfer form to the new owner, if they agree to their responsibility for continued participation.

No, to be eligible for the Wattsmart Battery Program upfront incentive, batteries must be new equipment.

Yes, Rocky Mountain Power will not discharge batteries below 10%.

Batteries will not be controlled daily from November through February. From November through February batteries may only be used by Rocky Mountain Power for grid emergencies. Batteries may be utilized daily by Rocky Mountain Power from March through October.

During the first year of the program, batteries will not be discharged below 50%. After the first year of the program, the minimum percentage will be re-evaluated.