Note: Solar Choice has no incentive to promote one VPP program over another. This review is designed to educate customers with unbiased information and opinions.
VPP Overview
Company behind it: GloBird Energy, an Australian electricity retailer.
Partners involved: Installation support via SolarRun; rebate processing (NSW & SA) via Mac Trade Services.
Commencement: ZeroHero launched in 2024/25 with fact sheets published July 2025.
Geographical limitations: Available in VIC, NSW, SA, and SE QLD (Energex distribution zone).
For general context on Virtual Power Plants see Solar Choice’s VPP guide.
Financial Benefits Offered
Incentives:
- ZeroCharge: Free grid energy from 11 am–2 pm daily (excludes controlled load).
- ZeroHero: $1/day if grid imports are ≤ 0.03 kWh per hour (0.06 kWh total) during the two-hour evening peak.
- ZeroWastedSolar: 15 c/kWh feed-in tariff for the first 10 kWh exported during the evening peak.
- ZeroLimits (optional add-on): $1/kWh for exports during critical peak events, plus 5 c/kWh on imports during critical import events.
Rebates:
- Federal “Cheaper Home Batteries Program” rebate (≈30% of eligible install cost from 1 July 2025).
- NSW and SA: additional VPP incentives up to $2,050 for eligible households.
Expected savings with a 15 kWh battery:
- If ZeroHero credit is achieved 6 days per week: ≈$312/year.
- Super Export (15 c x 10 kWh) could add up to $1.50/day if the battery often has spare evening capacity, though in most cases self-consumption is more valuable.
- Free midday charging is most useful for smaller PV systems in winter/cloudy periods.
- Critical event credits are uncertain and should be treated as a bonus.
See how this compares in our VPP comparison table.
Electricity Tariff / Rates
Joining ZeroHero means switching to GloBird as your retailer. Rates vary by state and DNSP. Example (VIC – Citipower, July 2025):
- Daily supply charge: 114.40 c/day
- Usage: Peak (4–11 pm) 34.43 c/kWh; Shoulder 23.10 c/kWh; 11 am–2 pm 0.00 c/kWh
- Controlled load: 22.00 c/kWh
- Feed-in tariff (time-varying): 10 am–2 pm 0 c/kWh; 4–9 pm 3 c/kWh; other times 0.3 c/kWh
Customers should always check the most up-to-date fact sheet for their DNSP when joining.
Battery and System Requirements
- Solar inverter size: 3–30 kW
- Battery capacity: 3–100 kWh
- Compatible brands: ZeroHero plan applies broadly. ZeroLimits add-on available with AlphaESS, Redback, Sungrow, SolaX, Sigenergy, SAJ, Neovolt, eCactus, Solis + Dyness.
- Internet: Requires a smart meter and stable internet (Wi-Fi, 4G or fibre acceptable).
- Additional hardware: Not required for core plan; 5-minute metering required for ZeroLimits credits.
Contract Length and Exit Terms
- Contract length: No lock-in contracts.
- Exit terms: Customers can leave at any time without exit fees.
- Note: GloBird reserves the right to change credit rates, tariffs, and event conditions with notice.
Technical Operations
- Battery control: Customers manage their own charge/discharge times under the standard ZeroHero plan.
- Retailer control: Only applies if you opt into ZeroLimits. GloBird may then discharge/charge your battery during declared events.
- ZeroHero credit: Requires ≤0.03 kWh/hour grid imports in the defined 2-hour peak window.
- Super Export: Bonus 15 c/kWh applies only to the first 10 kWh exported during evening peak.
- Critical events: Frequency not guaranteed; declared at retailer’s discretion.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Three hours of free electricity 11 am–2 pm.
- $1/day credit possible for strict evening peak avoidance.
- No lock-in contracts or exit fees.
Cons:
- $1/day credit has a very tight grid import limit (0.06 kWh total over 2 hours).
- Time-varying feed-in tariffs are low at midday; larger PV systems may lose export value.
- Benefits and event credits can be changed by GloBird with notice.
For context on whether joining a VPP suits your household, see Is a VPP worth it?.
- GloBird ZeroHero VPP: An Independent Review - 16 September, 2025
- ENGIE VPP: An Independent Review - 16 September, 2025
- Diamond Energy WATTBANK® VPP: An Independent Review - 15 September, 2025
