Part of what happens on the power grid starts in the homes we build. As energy demand continues to climb, the challenge - and opportunity - for builders is clear: how can we transform homes from energy consumers into energy producers and contributors to a more stable, sustainable grid?
In the session Transforming Our Communities Into Grid Assets, panelists Megan Cordes, Director of Sustainability and Building Science at Beazer Homes; Joel Abney, Vice President of Operations at SH Residential Holdings, LLC; Matt Brost, Vice President of New Home Sales at Sunrun; and Chip Silverman, Director of Grid Services and Virtual Power Plants at Sunrun; came together to explore how forward-thinking builders and technology partners are reshaping the future of community energy.
The Power Grid Is Changing
The conversation began with a look at how our electrical grid has evolved - and where it’s headed. Panelists noted that the original grid was never designed for today’s rapidly increasing demand, and as homes become smarter and more electrified, they must shift from being passive energy users to active contributors.
This historical perspective set the stage for understanding why distributed energy resources - like rooftop solar, battery storage, flexible load management, and even electric vehicles - are essential for meeting both current and future electrical needs.
Builders as Grid Partners
One of the most compelling points made throughout the session was that builders are no longer just home creators - they’re potential grid partners. By designing communities that can store and share energy, builders are playing an active role in stabilizing local power systems.
“Every home built today has the potential to become part of a virtual power plant,” said Chip Silverman, Director of Grid Services and Virtual Power Plants at Sunrun, the nation’s leading home solar and battery storage company. “When thousands of homes work together like they do in a virtual power plant, the entire community becomes more energy independent, more resilient, and more sustainable.”
Sunrun’s Vision for Smarter Communities
Representing Sunrun, Matt Brost and Chip Silverman shared how the company is advancing the idea of solar + storage as a service and enrolling communities into VPP programs nationwide. Sunrun’s virtual power plant network already boasts over 106,000 customers and a combined output of 416200 megawatts over the past year - comparable to a medium-sized gas power plant.
“Sunrun’s mission is simple,” said Matt Brost. “We want to help every homeowner and builder unlock the value of clean, reliable energy. When you aggregate that power across a community, you create something that serves not just the homeowner - but the entire grid.”
The company’s VPP programs connect thousands of home batteries to work in harmony with the electric grid, discharging energy when demand peaks and reducing strain on utilities. For homeowners, it means more control, backup power, and financial rewards. For builders, it’s a way to deliver smarter, future-ready homes that attract energy-conscious buyers.
Benefits for Homebuyers
Beyond grid stability, the panel emphasized the benefits homeowners experience from these energy systems - lower utility costs, increased resilience, and the peace of mind that comes with having reliable power during outages.
“Homeowners don’t have to be experts in energy to benefit,” added Silverman. “They just need a home built with the right foundation - solar, storage, and smart integration - and the rest works seamlessly in the background.”
A Look Ahead
As the session concluded, the message to builders was clear: energy transformation begins at the foundation of every new home. By embracing battery storage and VPP participation, builders have a direct hand in shaping a cleaner, more reliable energy future for their communities.
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