Veridian at County Farm in Ann Arbor is home to Michigan’s first residential battery virtual power plant pilot, a collaboration between DTE Energy and sonnen. Announced on October 29, 2026, the two-year program will coordinate home batteries to explore how stored energy can support the electric grid, strengthen reliability and help manage long-term energy costs.
The launch was featured in Crain’s Detroit Business in its article, “DTE launches Michigan’s first virtual power plant in Ann Arbor subdivision.” For Veridian, it is a new chapter in a community designed from the beginning to bring solar energy, battery storage and all-electric living together.
What is a virtual power plant
A virtual power plant, or VPP, connects energy resources through software so they can support the electric grid together. At Veridian, participating sonnen home batteries will operate as a coordinated resource while continuing to serve individual homes.
Batteries can store electricity when energy is readily available, including electricity generated by solar panels. That stored energy can then be used when homes need it or when demand on the grid is high. Coordinating those batteries gives the utility another way to respond to changing energy needs.
Why Veridian is a natural fit
Developed by THRIVE Collaborative, Veridian at County Farm is a 14-acre neighborhood beside County Farm Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Energy planning is part of its foundation, with systems designed to generate, store and use electricity efficiently.
· Rooftop solar generates renewable electricity close to where it is used.
· sonnen battery storage saves electricity for later use and can provide backup power for essential home loads.
· Geothermal heating and cooling systems use advanced heat pump technology for efficient indoor comfort.
· All-electric appliances and EV-ready charging support daily life without natural gas lines or combustion appliances in the home.
As THRIVE Collaborative founder Matt Grocoff explained in DTE’s announcement, “Veridian was designed from the outset around a fundamentally different approach to energy.” The VPP pilot builds directly on that approach.
What the DTE and sonnen pilot will explore
Approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission, the two-year pilot is designed to virtually connect up to 100 homes. DTE will study how coordinated battery storage can make better use of existing grid resources and help meet growing electricity demand.
The pilot will evaluate potential benefits such as lower energy costs, more reliable service and greater flexibility for integrating solar energy. It will also explore whether coordinated home batteries can reduce the need for certain infrastructure investments. The findings could help inform future residential VPP opportunities across Michigan.
Sustainable homes connected to everyday Ann Arbor living
Veridian’s energy systems are part of a broader approach to neighborhood life. Front porches face greenways, and the adjacent 130-acre County Farm Park offers wooded trails and space to spend time outdoors. Homes combine efficient technology with a setting that encourages walking and connection with neighbors.
For buyers exploring sustainable homes in Ann Arbor, Veridian offers an opportunity to experience solar energy and battery storage as part of a complete neighborhood. The new pilot adds another reason to take a closer look at how this community was designed.
Questions about the Veridian virtual power plant
Where is the first residential battery virtual power plant in Michigan
The pilot is located at Veridian at County Farm in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It brings together DTE Energy, sonnen and a neighborhood developed by THRIVE Collaborative.
Will the virtual power plant lower electricity bills
Potential cost savings are a key focus of the two-year pilot. The amount of any additional savings from VPP participation has not yet been established.
Can home batteries provide backup power during an outage
Yes. Battery storage can help power essential home loads during an outage. What stays powered and for how long depends on the system configuration, available battery charge and household electricity use.
How are solar panels and battery storage different
Solar panels generate electricity. Batteries store electricity for later use, including backup power. A virtual power plant adds software that coordinates participating batteries to help support the electric grid.
Experience Veridian at County Farm
Explore available homes at Veridian or schedule a visit and model tour to see how solar energy, battery storage and life beside County Farm Park come together. You can also learn more about sustainable living at Veridian.