Sunrun Builds the Nation’s Largest Distributed Power Plant After Quintupling Customer Participation in 2025

Core Insights - Sunrun has achieved significant growth in its distributed power plant programs, with customer participation increasing over fivefold in 2025, making it one of the largest sources of flexible, dispatchable energy in the U.S. [2][3] - The company dispatched nearly 18 gigawatt-hours of energy from batteries, enough to power 15 million homes for one hour, with a peak output capacity of 416 megawatts [2][3] - Sunrun's distributed power plants have been crucial in meeting rising electricity demand, which is projected to increase by 25% by 2030 [4] Company Performance - In 2025, over 106,000 customers participated in Sunrun's 17 distributed power plant programs, a significant increase from approximately 20,000 the previous year [3] - The company recorded more than 1,300 dispatches throughout the year, providing energy during critical hours and helping to avoid power outages [3] - Customers earned over $17 million in 2025 for their participation in the distributed power plant programs [8] Industry Context - The U.S. electricity demand is being driven by factors such as AI, data centers, electrification, and extreme weather, leading to a widening gap between supply and demand [4][5] - Grid operators are facing challenges, including record-high capacity prices and the risk of outages, highlighting the need for innovative solutions like those offered by Sunrun [4][5] - Sunrun's distributed power plants are positioned as a quick solution to build dispatchable capacity without the need for new transmission or lengthy construction timelines [5] Innovations and Partnerships - Sunrun's distributed power plant programs leverage a fleet of 217,000 home battery storage systems, the largest in America, with plans to have 10 gigawatt-hours of dispatchable capacity by the end of 2028 [6] - Notable partnerships include collaborations with Vistra's TXU Energy, NRG Energy, Tesla Electric, and Ford, enhancing the company's ability to provide energy solutions [7] - The company has successfully operated the largest distributed power plant in California, providing significant energy relief during peak demand periods [7]