A new partnership between a major technology company, a California utility and a national electrification nonprofit is putting household energy equipment into the grid-planning conversation. On September 3, 2026, PG&E, Google and Rewiring America announced SHARE, a virtual power plant initiative for Bay Area communities.
For homeowners interested in solar and batteries, the development highlights an encouraging possibility: equipment serving individual homes can also help the wider electricity system when coordinated carefully.
What did the partners announce?
PG&E's announcement says Google will fund SHARE's incentives, technology deployment and program delivery. PG&E plans to enroll nearly 21,000 existing flexible devices through partners including Tesla, Sunrun and Renew Home, alongside new battery-enabled heat-pump installations.
Customer outreach is planned for fall 2026, and the initiative is expected to run through 2027. These are rollout plans, not a count of devices already delivering power. The partners intend to evaluate performance and customer benefits as the program develops.
How does a virtual power plant work?
The Department of Energy describes virtual power plants as connected groups of distributed energy resources that can improve demand flexibility and renewable-energy integration. Software coordinates equipment across many properties so their combined response can help the grid.
A home battery might supply household loads or send stored energy to the grid during a program event. The useful idea is timing: coordinating many small responses during periods when electricity is especially needed. Specific controls and operating rules depend on the program.
Does SHARE accept every California solar home?
The public offer is targeted. As checked September 8, the official SHARE program page lists a launch offer for battery-enabled heat pumps at eligible addresses in Alameda and Santa Clara counties. Its criteria include owning and living in the home for at least a year, having central air conditioning, and having no rooftop solar or whole-home battery. It also excludes homes already enrolled in a demand-response program that shifts electricity use.
Those conditions describe the advertised heat-pump offer. The announcement's planned enrollment of existing devices is another part of the initiative. Use the official program channel to confirm the applicable pathway, address and equipment eligibility before assuming you qualify.
Ask how grid participation fits your backup priorities
For any battery program, request an explanation of who controls dispatch, what charge is reserved for outages, whether events can be declined and how payments are calculated. If equipment belongs to a provider, ask who receives any participation rewards.
PG&E's battery guidance explains that grid-support modes may export stored energy during events. Backup duration still depends on available charge, supported circuits and household demand. Outage power needs compatible backup equipment; solar can recharge storage only when conditions permit.
Where can a solar-plus-battery PPA fit?
Separately from SHARE, a qualifying no-upfront PPA can help eligible homeowners access solar and included battery equipment while preserving cash. The provider owns the solar system, and the homeowner pays for its generated electricity.
Use the CPUC's Solar Consumer Protection Guide to review the rate, any escalator, term, maintenance and home-sale provisions. Confirm battery ownership, backup scope, installation charges and any grid-program obligations. Include ongoing PPA payments and remaining utility costs; neither enrollment nor savings are guaranteed.
Read our California solar PPA guide, explore the homeowner journey, or consult a West Coast Alternatives energy specialist about a separate proposal tailored to your home.