PSE Introduces Flex Batteries Program

Are you a PSE customer who owns a compatible home battery storage solution? Get rewarded for participating in Flex events. Earn rewards automatically while helping ensure stable energy for the community and enjoy backup power for your home during outages.

What is a Flex Event?

A Flex Event occurs when PSE experiences high energy demand on the grid due to various factors. You’ll be notified in advance of a Flex Event and provided with tips on how to reduce your energy usage. These events occur between 6 AM and 10 PM and never happen on the holidays listed on PSE’s website.

How does the Flex Batteries program work?

During a Flex Event, your battery system will automatically discharge energy to help ease the strain on the electrical grid. Once you’re enrolled in the program, no further action is needed from you—your battery will begin discharging energy on its own. It will stop discharging once it reaches 20% capacity, ensuring you still have some energy reserves. If there is a power outage or your battery is currently powering your home, you will be exempt from participating in the ongoing Flex Event.

Here's how your participation benefits you and your community:

Help the environment

Pairing solar panels with battery storage allows you to capture and use renewable energy from the sun, contributing to a greener future.

Earn money

After enrolling your battery in the Flex Batteries program, you’ll receive a one-time payment of $1,000, plus up to $500 annually—no additional action required.

Support your community's energy stability

During Flex Events, high energy demand can strain the electrical grid. By enrolling your battery, you can help ease the load and promote a more stable and reliable energy system.

Flex Battery Incentives

Once enrolled in the Flex Batteries program, you’ll receive a one-time check for $1,000 per battery. You’ll also be eligible to receive an e-gift card up to $500, redeemable through various retailers.

PSE will have your battery automatically discharge energy from your battery storage system during a Flex Event; no additional action is required from you.

Enhanced Incentives

Pathway A: Residential electric customers may be eligible for enhanced incentives under Pathway A due to factors such as limited income, lack of access to food or healthcare, language barriers, disabilities, or other circumstances.
If eligible, you may receive up to $10,000 in enhanced incentives or 100% of eligible equipment and installation costs covered. This is in addition to Flex Batteries program incentives.

Pathway B: Residential electric customers facing reliability issues and residing in certain areas of PSE’s grid may qualify for enhanced equipment and installation incentives through Pathway B.
If eligible, you may receive up to $5,000 in enhanced incentives or 100% of eligible equipment and installation costs covered. This is in addition to Flex Batteries program incentives.

Qualified Battery Products

SolarEdge: Currently, PSE only accepts SolarEdge batteries as eligible for the Flex Batteries program. PSE is hoping for more battery manufacturing partners, like Tesla and Enphase, in the future to expand its options for the program.

How to Enroll in Flex Battery

Your battery must be connected to PSE’s grid to participate in the program. If paired with solar, learn more about connecting on PSE’s Customer Connected Solar page. For a storage-only battery system, visit PSE’s Distributed Renewables page.

If you don't already have a battery installed, start by installing an eligible battery.

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1. Contact an installer

Contact a PSE Recommended Energy Professional. Your installer will help you to purchase an eligible battery and apply for any eligible incentives.

2. Install and interconnect your battery system

Your installer will work with you to install and interconnect your battery. Once your battery is fully installed, has an interconnection agreement with PSE, and is online, you will be able to enroll in Flex Batteries.

3. Enroll your battery, begin to participate in events, and start earning rewards.

If you already have a battery installed… Enroll your compatible battery.  Enrollment is currently accepted from the following batteries: SolarEdge

Curious About Battery Backup for Your Home?

Battery backup systems can function as stand-alone units or be paired with solar panels. Stand-alone batteries can provide power to your home during outages or, if you’re on a time-of-use plan, allow you to charge your batteries during off-peak periods and use the stored energy during peak times. When combined with solar, batteries enable you to store excess energy instead of sending it back to the grid. This versatility allows you to tailor your battery system to meet your specific energy goals and needs.

Flex Battery FAQs

  • How will I be compensated and how much can I expect to earn?

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    All enrolled participants will receive $1,000 (per battery) via check and up to $500 via e-gift card (redeemable at a wide variety of retailers) every year they are enrolled.

    Participants can monitor their progress towards meeting performance requirements for the annual incentive through their FlexSaver account.

  • When do I receive my enrollment incentive?

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    You will receive your enrollment reward via check within 4-6 weeks of completing your enrollment and submitting a W9 form. Additionally, at the end of the summer season, you’ll receive an e-gift card as payment for your participation in Flex events.

  • After I enroll, where can I receive support?

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    AutoGrid manages the Flex Batteries program on behalf of PSE, handling program implementation, payment processing, and customer support. Enrolled customers can access and manage their accounts via the FlexSaver portal provided by AutoGrid. For prompt assistance, you can reach AutoGrid’s customer support directly at flex@pse.com or by calling 1-888-292-0502.

  • Does my battery system qualify?

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    At the time of this blog’s writing, SolarEdge batteries are the only ones eligible for the Flex Batteries program. Make sure to check PSE’s website for updated information.

  • Can I participate in Time-of-Use and enroll my battery?

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    At the time of writing this blog, customers can not participate in both Time-of-Use and be enrolled in the Flex Batteries program. PSE hopes to change this in the future.

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Manuel Larrain
Manuel Larrain is a Chilean-born US citizen who studied business and sustainability at Western Washington University. Solar energy is his passion, as it is transforming how Washingtonians power their lifestyle. He believes we can address climate change, environmental justice, and steward a brighter future for all of us through renewable energy.