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.

	Enrollment incentive for solar applicants prior to September 1, 2021	Enrollment incentive for solar applicants after September 1, 2021	Participation incentive
	(one-time upfront cash payment)	(one-time upfront cash payment)	(annual bill credit starting in the second year of the program)
Residential Batteries	$600 per kW (based on 4-year commitment)	$400 per kW (based on 4-year commitment)	$15 per kW*
Commercial Batteries	$600 per kW (based on 4-year commitment)	$600 per kW (based on 4-year commitment)	$15 per kW*
Example Incentive	6 kW x $600 = $3,600	6 kW x $400 = $2,400	6 kW x $15 = $90

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, if your current battery is a Sonnen or SolarEdge 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. Your participation in the Wattsmart Battery program, will not impact your current net metering/customer generation rate.

Yes, standalone qualified batteries for commercial and residential customers are eligible to participate in the program and receive an incentive.  Residential customers are required to be on time-of-use or time-of-day rate schedules 2E or 2 to participate in the program.  Commercial customers are required to participate in a rate schedule with time of day and/or demand charge. 

Customers must submit a customer generation application for pre-approval before the battery/project can be installed.   Customers are not allowed to export the energy in their battery to the electric grid unless called upon by Rocky Mountain Power for grid services.   

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.  

It is anticipated annual participation limits will be required in the future to ensure the program is operating within budgets. The previously announced limit on batteries for 2021 has been removed due to the incentive level adjustments made during the year.

As long as a customer is installing an approved battery and following the Customer Generation process they are eligible for an incentive.  Battery sizes over 500kw require pre-approval.

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. 

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. 

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.

It is anticipated annual participation limits will be required in the future to ensure the program is operating within budgets. The previously announced limit on batteries for 2021 has been removed due to the incentive level adjustments made during the year.

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, the following batteries qualify for the program:

• Sonnen Core
• Sonnen Eco
• Sonnen EcoLinx
• SolarEdge Energy Bank 
• Fortress Power Envy True
• Torus Station Core

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

The batteries will be eligible for the current enrollment incentive. Participation is subject to approval of the battery and Rocky Mountain Power's Wattsmart Battery Terms & Conditions.

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%.

Rocky Mountain Power will not discharge customer batteries below 10%. The minimum percentage is continually being evaluated. Rocky Mountain Power recommends customers manage their battery usage to ensure there is sufficient backup power.