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Become a Power Partner

Power Partners help the community manage energy use on days when the demand is highest. During these times, Austin Energy briefly uses a small amount of energy from the battery until the system reaches the backup reserve level.

As a Power Partner, you can:

• Earn rewards for each battery you enroll
• Help lower the cost of electricity in our community
• Enhance power grid reliability during periods of peak energy demand
• Reduce your carbon footprint

Learn more about Power Partner Battery.

Two incentive offerings:

• If you had a battery recently installed: Austin Energy offers a $500 rebate for each battery system that gets Permission to Operate (PTO) after passing Austin Energy’s final inspection on or after 2/18/25. Click the Incentive tab for details.
• Performance payment: Austin Energy will pay you each year based on the maximum device size, backup reserve level, and average event hours. Click on the Incentive tab for details.
• Note: Third party-operated (TPO) batteries are not eligible for enrollment or incentive payments at this time.

Power Partner Events

Power Partner Battery events:

• Can occur on any day of the year and at any time during the day, including weekdays and holidays.
• Typically last 2-3 hours.
• Are limited to 40 per year, excluding grid emergencies.
• Can be overridden at any time before and during an event (except for Enphase systems, which allow opting out up to five minutes before the event starts) by using your battery manufacturer’s app. There is no penalty for opting out of individual events, but doing so will affect your annual performance payment.
• Will not reduce your systems’ reserve below your back-up reserve margin. Battery systems will typically regain full charge within less than 24 hours of being dispatched.
• Will cause your battery to export excess electricity to the grid unless and until the battery’s reserve minimum is reached, at which point exporting would cease, and the battery would serve your house. In short, your batter powers your home first, then sends extra power to the grid.
• Austin Energy will not call events if a severe storm is forecast to ensure customers‘ battery storage systems can be utilized for backup power if needed.

Austin Energy itself does not send Power Partner event notifications, which are set by the battery manufacturer. Event notifications are displayed in your battery app both before and during events.

Eligibility and Enrollment

To enroll as a Power Partner and qualify for incentive payments, find your eligible battery manufacturer and model in the Eligibility tab, confirm you meet eligibility requirements, and click the "How to Enroll" link. You may also enroll through our vendor’s microsite.

View Power Partner Battery Program Terms and Conditions (pdf).

For more information, contact us at AEPowerPartner@austinenergy.com.

Customers who wish to permanently end their participation in Power Partner events may submit a Power Partner Opt Out request form or contact us at AEPowerPartner@austinenergy.com.

Power Partner Battery offers two incentives:

• If you had a battery recently installed: Austin Energy offers a $500 rebate for each battery system that gets Permission to Operate (PTO) after passing Austin Energy’s final inspection on or after 2/18/25. Austin Energy will verify the PTO date with the Austin Services Department upon receiving your application.

  • Payments are issued as checks via mail and will be sent to your home address from our third-party vendor with the Austin Energy logo. (Make sure to give your correct home address when enrolling.) Please allow 1-2 billing cycles (4-6 weeks) to receive payment.
  • If you have yet to purchase a battery, Austin Energy’s installation and inspection requirements are similar to those for residential solar systems. Visit the Solar Inpsections page for guidance on the permitting process. (Note: A solar system is not required for either installing a battery system or enrolling in Power Partner Battery.) Your battery’s manufacturer can refer you to a certified installation company.

• Performance payment: Austin Energy will pay you each year based on the maximum device size, backup reserve level, and average event hours. Click on the Incentive tab for details. You can earn up to $75/kW. For example, a Tesla Powerwall has 13.5 kWh. A 20% reserve provides Austin Energy with 10.8kWh of usable energy. With an average of 2.5 hours per event: (10.8 kWh)/2.5 = 4.3 kW performed average across events; 4.3 kW * $75 = ~$320 per battery. (If you don’t have solar and your battery charges from the grid, your incentive payment will be slightly offset by the cost of recharging your battery following each Power Partner event.)

  • Payments are issued annually as checks in the mail after the end of each calendar year in which the system has been enrolled. Checks will be sent to your home address from our third-party vendor with the Austin Energy logo. (Make sure to give your correct home address when enrolling.) Please allow 2-3 billing cycles (8-10 weeks) for processing after the conclusion of each year.

Enrollment in Power Partner Battery requires the following:

• Customer must be an Austin Energy customer, and the battery must be installed within Austin Energy’s service territory.
• The battery system must be for residential use only.
• Your battery system must comply with the Design Criteria Manual (pdf) and Distribution Interconnection Guide (pdf).
• The battery system cannot be owned or operated by a third-party operator (TPO).
• A certified contractor must be used to install the battery system.
• Electrical systems directly interconnected with Austin Energy’s equipment must comply with the Distributed Generation Planning Application (pdf).

Additional eligibility notes:

• An accompanying solar panel system is not required for battery purchase or enrollment in Power Partner Battery.
• There is no limit to the number of battery systems you can enroll.

Eligible Battery Systems