The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has announced an investment of up to $35 million in Starling Energy Group, expanding access to sustainable household energy through its retail brand, Plico.
The funding, part of the CEFC’s Household Energy Upgrades Fund (HEUF), aims to reduce Australian household energy bills and accelerate the rollout of Virtual Power Plant (VPP) services nationwide.
The latest HEUF commitment increases total investments under the program to more than $380 million, supporting innovative clean energy solutions that enhance grid reliability and cut household energy costs.
The HEUF, launched in 2023, partners with banks, retailers, and energy providers to make clean energy improvements more accessible to Australian homeowners.
Plico offers end-to-end solar, battery, and VPP services that help consumers generate, store, and share renewable energy while reducing reliance on the grid.
Households can sign up via affordable weekly instalments, with Plico managing installation and system maintenance for the duration of the customer’s membership.
A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a digitally connected network of solar panels, batteries, and other distributed energy assets that operate together to deliver reliable, sustainable power to the grid.
According to Starling Energy Group, households using Plico’s solar and battery system could save more than $1,100 annually, with CEFC financing providing an additional $130–$240 in savings each year over a decade.
CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth said: “As Australia transitions to a more decentralised and decarbonised energy system, new consumer energy models like VPPs are essential.
“By tapping into the dispatchable energy capacity of households, coordinated technologies like rooftop solar, home batteries and other consumer energy resources can help stabilise the grid, reduce energy costs, improve system reliability, and maximise the value of renewable energy investments.
“This investment supports long-term energy system efficiency and highlights the role of smart, flexible technology in delivering better outcomes for both consumers and the grid.”
Through its VPP service, Plico rewards customers with credits when their systems supply energy back to the grid during peak demand, helping to balance supply and demand during critical times.
Homeowners who already have compatible solar battery systems can also join Plico’s network to earn rewards and contribute to broader grid stability.
Grace Tam, CEFC Head of Consumer Finance, added: “The HEUF is making clean energy more accessible and affordable for Australians.
“Through our commitment to Plico, we’re helping households take control of their energy use in a way that’s simple, flexible and cost-effective.
“When households join a VPP, they’re not only lowering their own bills, they’re also helping to support wider grid stability.”
Starling Energy Group CEO Robbie Campbell said: “Plico is committed to democratising energy through Plico’s affordable solar and battery plans, with generous VPP rewards and active participation in grid stability using a model that provides direct and meaningful benefits.
“There is a real sense that VPP contribution makes a difference to Plico members, both through household earnings, and how they support the greater community through energy resilience.
“Working with the CEFC enables Starling Energy Group to bring these benefits to even more Australians, making solar and battery even more affordable.”
In 2024, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) warned that without effective coordination of home battery systems, an additional $4.1 billion of grid-scale investment would be needed to maintain stability across the National Electricity Market.
Plico backer SUSI Partners’ Co-CIO Richard Braakenburg said: “Innovative, smart energy solutions like Plico’s will continue to gain importance in building clean, affordable, and resilient energy systems.
“By connecting an existing asset base at minimal cost to provide essential grid services, Plico’s VPP helps avoid costly investments into grid upgrades while creating a shared profit for the company and its customers.
“This financing from the CEFC represents a significant milestone for the Plico business and we look forward to a fruitful relationship.”
The CEFC’s investment strengthens Australia’s growing clean energy infrastructure, with over 3.7 million rooftop solar installations nationwide as of mid-2025, highlighting the continued momentum toward household-led renewable energy adoption.
