PG&E and Rewiring America announce Google-funded virtual power plant program

PG&E, Rewiring America and Google have started a new program in the Bay Area that pays homeowners to let the grid tap into their home energy devices during high-demand periods. It's called SHARE, and it works by linking up things like home batteries and smart thermostats into what's called a "virtual power plant" — a network of small devices that together can act like a power plant when the grid needs extra capacity. PG&E expects the program to reach about 12 megawatts of capacity by 2028.

If you own a PG&E-connected home in Santa Clara or Alameda counties, you may be eligible for a new battery-enabled heat pump from Carrier, with Google subsidizing the cost. Reports indicate a discount of at least $5,000, with $10,000 available to the first 25 households that sign up.

If you already own a home battery or smart thermostat through Sunrun, Tesla or Renew Home, you may also be invited to join. PG&E says participants could get ongoing payments separate from their electric bill, though the exact amount depends on your equipment, eligibility, and when you enroll. As a comparison, Tesla Powerwall owners already enrolled in a related PG&E program earn $2 for every extra kilowatt-hour their battery sends to the grid during an event, up to $350 a year depending on how many emergencies occur.

PG&E and Rewiring America plan to start contacting eligible customers in fall 2026, with the program running through 2027 and early results expected by late 2026 or early 2027.