CEFC Commits Up to $35 Million to Accelerate Plico’s National Solar-Battery VPP Expansion

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has announced an investment of up to $35 million (USD 22.9 million) in Starling Energy Group, the parent company of Perth-based energy retailer Plico, to support the nationwide expansion of its residential solar, battery and virtual power plant (VPP) offering.

Plico’s subscription-based model provides households with residential solar and battery systems for a weekly fee, with installation, monitoring, and maintenance managed by the company throughout the duration of the customer contract. In addition to powering homes, these systems are integrated into the Plico VPP, enabling customers to earn credits or payments for contributing energy to the grid during periods of supply-demand imbalance.

The VPP currently comprises more than 3,500 digitally connected households, with the company also opening the network to homeowners who already have compatible solar battery systems.

Plico CEO Robbie Campbell described the CEFC funding as a strong endorsement of its community-based energy model, noting that it enhances value for customers while supporting grid stability. “The future of energy is community powered,” he said. “With the CEFC’s support, we’re accelerating the shift to a cleaner, more resilient energy system.”

CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth emphasised the growing importance of smart, flexible technologies such as VPPs in the country’s transition away from coal. Citing the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), Learmonth noted that without coordinated home battery participation, an additional $4.1 billion in grid-scale investment would be required to support the National Electricity Market (NEM).

“As Australia transitions to a more decentralised and decarbonised energy system, new consumer energy models like VPPs are essential,” he said, adding that coordinated rooftop solar and battery technologies can help stabilise the grid, reduce costs and improve reliability while maximising renewable energy value.