Markets · August 5, 2026 · 8 min read
VPP Programs by State: Where Enrollment Is Open in 2026
VPP availability is set by state policy and utility tariffs, not by hardware. Two identical batteries a state line apart can have wildly different earning potential. This is the 2026 state-by-state picture for where programs are live and open.
The leading states
| State | Anchor programs | Status |
|---|---|---|
| California | DSGS, SGIP-linked BYOD, utility ELRP | Open, largest residential fleet in the US |
| Texas | ERCOT ADER pilot, retailer VPPs | Open, fastest growth, retailer-mediated |
| Massachusetts | ConnectedSolutions | Open, highest per-kW residential payments |
| Vermont | Green Mountain Power BYOD and leased Powerwall | Open, longest-running utility VPP |
| Colorado | Xcel Renewable Battery Connect | Open |
| New York | NYSERDA-backed utility DR + VDER | Open, commercial-heavy |
| Arizona | APS and TEP storage programs | Limited enrollment windows |
| Hawaii | Battery Bonus successor programs | Capacity-constrained |
How state structures differ
Northeastern programs like ConnectedSolutions pay a seasonal performance rate per averaged kW across called events — high value, high dispatch count. California leans on emergency programs with per-kWh payments and a smaller number of high-stakes summer events. Texas routes participation through retail electricity providers, so the program is bundled into your electricity plan rather than offered separately.
That structural difference matters more than the headline rate. A high per-kWh rate with two events a year is worth less than a moderate rate with thirty.
States to watch
- Virginia and Georgia — data center load growth is pushing utilities toward fast-deployable flexibility.
- Illinois and Michigan — recent legislation directs utilities to procure distributed capacity.
- Nevada and New Mexico — storage-heavy interconnection queues plus summer peak stress.
- Puerto Rico — the largest per-capita residential battery penetration in the US territory system.
Finding what is open in your territory
Program eligibility is set by utility service territory, not state boundary, and the same state often has three different programs from three different utilities. Filter the directory by state and technology to see the operators actually serving your address, then check each listing's program status before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the best VPP payments?
Massachusetts ConnectedSolutions has generally paid the highest per-kW residential rates, while Texas offers the most upside in scarcity years because of ERCOT price volatility.
Can I join a VPP if my utility doesn't offer one?
Sometimes. In deregulated markets and where FERC Order 2222 participation models exist, third-party aggregators can enroll you directly into the wholesale market without a utility program.
Do VPP programs have enrollment caps?
Yes. Many utility programs cap total megawatts per year and close enrollment mid-season once the cap is hit, which is why program status changes frequently.
Find the operators serving your market
Compare verified VPP aggregators and flexible capacity providers by state, technology, and program status.
Keep reading
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VPPs stitch thousands of batteries, EVs and thermostats into one dispatchable resource. Here's how they actually work, who operates them, and where the money comes from.
How Much Do VPP Programs Pay in 2026?
Capacity rates, per-event payments, upfront incentives — how the numbers actually stack up for a home battery, an EV, and a 500 kW commercial site.