GVEC FAQs
GVEC Partnership FAQs
Who is my energy provider?
If you receive your monthly energy service from GVEC, you will continue to do so with the installation of a Base battery.
Does my energy provider change when I get a Base battery?
No. Your energy provider does not change when you get a Base battery. If you see language about energy provider services on Base’s website, this is because Base also serves customers in competitive (deregulated) service areas of Texas. If you live in a competitive area, your zip code will return plans here.
Why is my first bill with GVEC higher than what I’m used to?
Your first energy bill with GVEC will include a $25 membership fee, as well as a $50 account activation fee. These are unrelated to the battery activity or program. There will be a “Renewable Energy Credit” on your bill to reimburse you for energy that your battery consumed. Base advises members to reach out to GVEC directly with specific questions related to energy bills.
Will there be any impact to my bill outside of the Renewable Energy Credit?
Just like any other home appliance, the electricity to keep the device powered will be ~$5-10 per month. Similar to the impact of a dishwasher or washing machine on your monthly energy bill is what you can anticipate once we install your battery.
On the Interconnection Agreement (IA), there are charges outlined called “Interconnection Fee” for $150 and “Renewable Rate Change” for $50, do either of these apply to the Base program?
No, these do not apply to Base members.
What happens if I do not want to pay for recharging the battery after an event?
Members are not responsible for battery activity that their home did not use. GVEC net meters the battery activity and credits the activity back to the member in the form of the 'Renewable Energy Credit. This is a billing line-item members will see on their bill after joining the program.
How does grid-balancing work during an outage?
During an outage, the batteries automatically detect the loss of grid voltage and immediately disconnect your house from the grid. At that point, the battery supplies energy exclusively to your home—you are legally entitled to this energy, and our batteries will never discharge to the grid during an outage. Once the outage is over, your battery seamlessly reconnects your house to the grid and resumes normal operation.
Is there a way for members to see exactly how many kWh I am paying each month to recharge the batteries?
If the battery energy ends up being consumed by your home, then you will be responsible for paying for it just like you would if you consumed energy from the grid. In your Base member app, you can navigate to the following page to see your home consumption, including a breakout by source of power (i.e., grid, battery, solar).