Note: Solar Choice has no incentive to promote one Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program over another. This review provides unbiased, fact-based information for Australian homeowners.
VPP Overview
The Sonnen Virtual Power Plant, branded as sonnenConnect, allows households with a sonnenBatterie to join a nationwide battery network. When the grid is under stress, Sonnen can remotely charge or discharge participating batteries through the National Electricity Market (NEM). In return, households receive predictable daily credits and occasional bonuses.
- Company: Sonnen Australia (subsidiary of sonnen GmbH, part of Shell Group).
- Commencement: SonnenConnect replaced the discontinued sonnenFlat retail plan in 2024.
- Scale: Exact participant numbers not published.
- Geography: Open to all NEM-connected states – NSW (including ACT), VIC, QLD, SA, TAS. Not available in WA or NT.
Learn more in our What Is a VPP? explainer.
Financial Benefits Offere
- Daily Credits: Fixed daily payment for battery availability.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Sometimes offered and specified in your application.
- Payments: Deposited monthly into your nominated bank account.
- Feed-in Tariff: Remains with your electricity retailer; Sonnen does not set your FiT.
Example savings with a 15kWh battery:
- High-use household: ~$1,200/year from daily cycling plus credits.
- Low-use household: ~$600/year from less frequent cycling.
For context, see our Home Battery Storage Guide.
Electricity Tariffs & Rates
- Retailer: SonnenConnect does not require switching retailers. You keep your current electricity plan.
- Tariffs: Your electricity rates and FiT remain as set by your chosen provider.
Compare plans:
- Electricity comparison overview
- NSW electricity comparison
- VIC electricity comparison
- QLD electricity comparison
- Cheapest electricity providers
Battery and System Requirements
- Battery: sonnenBatterie ≥4 kWh (e.g. sonnenBatterie hybrid 9.53, sonnen Evo).
- Connectivity: Reliable broadband internet required.
- Exclusivity: Cannot join another VPP while enrolled.
- Smart meter: Required for participation.
See our Sonnen battery review for model information.
Contract Length and Exit Terms
- Contract type: No fixed lock-in; you can leave with notice.
- Exiting: Credits may stop if your battery is frequently offline.
- Termination: Sonnen may end participation for repeated non-availability.
Technical Operations
- Control: Sonnen may remotely charge or discharge your battery during grid events.
- Limits: No published caps on frequency or annual energy dispatched.
- Backup reserve: You can set a minimum state-of-charge to retain power for outages.
- Data: Sonnen collects operational data as part of participation.
Compare with other programs: AGL VPP, Origin Loop, ShineHub, Amber SmartShift.
Customer Experience
- App/portal: Sonnen app provides monitoring of your battery, but VPP-specific event reporting is limited.
- Support: Provided by Sonnen Australia.
- Transparency: Daily credit amount is confirmed in your contract, not published online.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Keep your existing electricity retailer | Only supports sonnenBatterie systems |
| Predictable daily credits | Credit rates not published upfront |
| Backup reserve option for outages | Exclusivity prevents joining other VPPs |
| Simple monthly bank payments | Limited visibility of dispatch events |
Is the Sonnen VPP Worth It?
For existing sonnen battery owners, sonnenConnect is a straightforward way to earn additional value. Predictable daily credits and no retailer switching make it attractive. However, homeowners without a sonnen battery or those seeking high event-based payouts may find other programs more rewarding.
See our Compare VPP Providers guide.
How to Join
- Confirm your sonnenBatterie is ≥4 kWh.
- Ensure you live in a NEM-connected state (NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, TAS).
- Review contract terms (daily credit, exclusivity, backup reserve).
- Apply directly with Sonnen. Credit amounts and any bonuses will be detailed in your agreement.
Internal Links for Homeowners
SEO Setup
- URL: https://www.solarchoice.net.au/solar-batteries/vpp/sonnen-vpp-review/
- SEO Title: Sonnen VPP Review (2025) – Daily Credits, Eligibility & Exit Terms Explained
- Meta Description: Independent 2025 guide to the Sonnen VPP (sonnenConnect). Learn how it works, eligibility, battery requirements, incentives, tariffs, pros and cons, and how it compares to other VPPs in Australia.
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