The VPP program is a three-tier rate plan in which participants pay a lower rate for electricity used during off-peak hours (when demand for electricity is less) and higher rates for electricity used during on-peak hours (when demand for electricity is high) from June - October.
Participants can save on their electric bills by shifting their energy usage from on-peak hours during the summer months, to low- or medium-cost hours. High-cost hours are weekdays from 2 PM - 7 PM.
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From June - October, when demand for electricity is high, PSO can call up to 16 Critical Peak Events when the price for electricity will be 75 cents per kWh from 2 PM - 7 PM.
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VPP participants are notified via email by 4 PM the evening prior to a Critical Peak Event to give participants the opportunity to make adjustments to decrease their electric usage from 2 PM - 7 PM the following day.
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This optional rate plan also has a one-year “hold harmless” clause, which means that if a customer pays more than what they would have paid on the standard residential rate, PSO will reimburse the customer the difference after one year.
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It is not required to have a Wi-Fi thermostat to participate in the VPP program.