Plico makes smart solar simple for households
Virtual Power Plant subscriptions boost energy resilience
The CEFC Household Energy Upgrades Fund™ is backing Plico to expand its Virtual Power Plant service offering to households looking to take control of their energy use.
$35 million
CEFC commitment
VPP
services
Lower cost
finance
Through our commitment to Plico, we’re helping households take control of their energy use in a way that’s simple, flexible and cost-effective. When households join a VPP, they’re not only lowering their own bills, they’re also helping to support wider grid stability.Grace TamHead of Consumer Finance, CEFC
Our investment
The CEFC, through the Household Energy Upgrades Fund (HEUF), has committed up to $35 million to Starling Energy Group, which operates via its retail brand Plico.
Starling Energy Group’s end-to-end solar, battery and VPP service through Plico helps consumers by providing a cheaper energy source while offering lower cost finance.
The HEUF commitment will help Plico reduce household energy bills and accelerate the rollout of Virtual Power Plant (VPP) services across Australia.
The CEFC does not provide finance to individual borrowers and is not involved in individual financing decisions. For more information please see the Plico website.
Learn more about the HEUF and other HEUF products.
OUR IMPACT
Australia’s net zero emissions journey begins at home with more than 11 million existing residential buildings producing about 10 per cent of our carbon emissions.1
Solar and battery systems have proved an effective way for households to reduce both their energy costs and their emissions. These home-based energy resources can then be tapped and coordinated through a digitally connected network – a VPP – to help stabilise the grid, improve system reliability and maximise the value of renewable energy investments.
In 2024, the Australian Energy Market Operator found that without effective coordination of home battery systems, approximately $4.1 billion2 of additional grid-scale investment would be required to support the National Electricity Market.
Plico services help consumers take control of their energy
A Plico subscription service enables households to sign up for solar, battery and VPP packages. Plico manages the installation and ongoing management of the systems for the life of the customer membership subscription, providing dedicated support to customers to check systems are functioning as required.
Subscribers earn rewards by sharing excess energy via the VPP when grid energy demand is high and taking pressure off the grid when demand is low.
Starling Energy Group estimates that households accessing Plico solar, battery, and VPP offerings, could save more than $1,100 annually on energy costs, with CEFC backing providing between $130 and $240 in additional savings annually over 10 years.
1. DCCEEW website: Residential buildings
2. AEMO: 2024 Integrated System Plan, p16
