Note: This is an objective, fact-based review using AGL’s own disclosures and accessible documentation; no promotional bias is included.
AGL’s Virtual Power Plant lets AGL briefly control your home battery during “energy events” to support the grid. In return, you receive bill credits: a welcome credit, ongoing quarterly credits, and $1 per kWh for energy AGL moves to/from your battery during VPP events (reconciled annually). You must be on an AGL electricity plan; the VPP terms form part of your AGL Electricity Supply Contract.
Two ways to join:
- BYOB (Bring Your Own Battery) — rolling 12-month services term; no exit fee in the services agreement.
- AGL-supplied battery + discount — 5-year term with a pro-rata exit clawback if you leave early.
Learn more about how VPPs work.
Financial Benefits Offered
- $1 per kWh for total energy charged/discharged during VPP events (annual credit). 250 kWh/year cap on AGL-controlled energy; at $1/kWh this caps event credits at $250/year.
- Quarterly bill credits for staying connected (BYOB): NSW $20, QLD $20, SA $45, VIC $20.
- Welcome credit (AGL advertises $200 on its VPP page).
Note: AGL applies these as bill credits on your AGL bill (not cash).
Compare the best VPPs in Australia
Electricity Tariff / Rates
You must be on an AGL electricity plan. Tariffs and FiTs depend on the plan you choose. Offers vary by location and change over time.
Battery & System Requirements
| Brand | Battery models | Inverter requirement |
|---|---|---|
| LG Home Battery | RESU 16H, RESU 10H | SolarEdge inverter: HD-Wave, Genesis, StorEdge, or Energy Hub. |
| Tesla | Powerwall 2, Powerwall 3 | (Tesla system; no separate inverter listed). |
| SolarEdge | SolarEdge Energy Bank Battery, SolarEdge Home Battery | SolarEdge inverter: HD-Wave, Genesis, StorEdge, or Energy Hub. |
- Compatible brands (examples): Tesla Powerwall 2/3; LG RESU 10H/16H (with SolarEdge inverter); SolarEdge Home/Energy Bank with approved SolarEdge inverters.
- Metering/export: If your battery is AC-coupled, a dual-channel meter is required. Your site must have a fixed export limit ≥ 5 kW.
- Site prerequisites: dual-channel meter for AC-coupled systems; fixed export limit ≥ 5 kW; reliable internet via ethernet/Wi-Fi (not SIM 3G/4G/5G as primary).
Note: AGL’s separate Supply & Install Ts&Cs mention reserve rules for some brands (incl. Sungrow), but Sungrow isn’t listed in the VPP Services Agreement. Treat Sungrow as bundle/offer-specific unless AGL updates the official VPP compatibility list.
- AGL VPP – Services Agreement Terms & Conditions (July 2025)
- AGL VPP – Supply & Install Terms (July 2025)
Contract Length & Exit Terms
| Option | Term | Renewal | Exit fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bring your own battery (BYOB) | 12 months | Auto-renews | None in the services agreement |
| AGL-supplied battery (you get an upfront discount) | 5 years | Fixed term | Pro-rata clawback of the discount if you leave early (you repay the unused portion). An example table is in AGL’s terms. |
- BYOB (Bring Your Own Battery): 12-month VPP Services Term that auto-renews. No exit fee in the services agreement. either party can end the BYOB Services Agreement with 30 days’ notice and there is no exit fee; any owed credits are paid pro-rata.
- AGL-supplied battery with upfront discount: 5-year VPP Services contract. Pro-rata exit fee if you leave early (clawback of the “AGL VPP Payment”). Example table included in AGL’s terms.
Technical Operations
- VPP event: Anytime AGL charges or discharges your battery (up to 10 hours).
- Battery protection: AGL keeps a backup minimum—usually 20% for Tesla and similar models; for some SolarEdge + LG systems, it uses your inverter’s minimum setting.
- Annual cap: AGL can move up to 250 kWh through your battery each year.
- Credits: Your event credits are totaled and paid at the end of each 12-month term.
Customer Support & App Experience
The AGL app shows VPP events, credits and estimated bill savings; the Play Store listing highlights a battery dashboard with charge levels and event tracking.
Pros & Cons of AGL’s VPP
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple, predictable value stack: welcome + quarterly + $1/kWh event credits. | Must be on an AGL plan (retailer lock-in). |
| Backup protection via minimum reserve and 250 kWh/year cap. | Upside capped by the 250 kWh/year limit; event frequency varies. |
| BYOB path is a rolling 12-month term (no exit fee in the services agreement). | 5-year lock-in and pro-rata clawback if you take AGL’s upfront discount. |
| Clear app visibility for events and savings. | Credits are bill credits (not cash) and event credits settle annually. |
| Broad Tesla/SolarEdge/LG compatibility; explicit metering/export rules reduce onsite surprises. | Requires dual-channel metering for AC-coupled setups and export limit ≥ 5 kW. |
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