Renewable energy credits (RECs), are one way in which renewable power is purchased and managed. One REC equals one megawatt-hour of power. When renewable energy is produced there are actually two components to the generation; the kilowatts of electricity produced and the environmental attributes of the electricity – the “claim” of clean energy. RECs represent the attribute of energy produced from a renewable energy facility. Since all electricity generated flows into the electric grid, it is impossible to distinguish which electrons are “green” and which are not. RECs allow utilities and end-users to buy and track electricity from renewable sources from the grid as opposed to owning and taking from on-site generation. As a consumer you can purchase RECs derived from wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and some low-impact hydro facilities.
 

BUYING RECS

You can purchase RECs in both regulated and deregulated states.

• Deregulated states: can purchase RECs from an alternative energy supplier
• Regulated states: some utilities have clean power purchase options

In deregulated states, a minimum amount of RECs are available for purchase to cover state-mandated Renewable Portfolio Standards, or if you want to be considered more “green” than the compliance there is the ability to purchase as many certificates as you wish. In a regulated state, you may purchase through the local utility or buy RECs on the open market.

You may decide to purchase RECs for your business for a number of reasons, including;

• Building/owning on-site generation is not a viable option but you still want to offset the electric portion of your carbon footprint
• Green-e^® RECs qualifying for points under the LEED Green Power Credit
• Reduce emissions, meet compliance requirements, support carbon reduction goals, demonstrate environmental leadership
   

4 Basic Buying Steps

1. Identify your company’s energy & environmental goals
2. Measure your baseline electricity consumption
3. Verify they are Green-e^®
4. Communicate your purchase publicly

In deregulated states, purchasing RECs from a supplier/provider through a procurement bid can yield a lower cost. View our case study on how we saved one client thousands by bidding out their RECs. RECs can be sold as a “bundle” as part of the electric power supply, or “unbundled” and sold separately from supply.
 

Selling your company’s RECs

If you have decided to invest in your own organization’s onsite generation, you will also need to determine if you want to claim RECs yourself through marketing/public relations efforts, or if you want to sell RECs into the marketplace. You can’t do both.

If you decide to sell your RECs, be aware of what can and can’t be published on the internet and in print, what information can be given in interviews, and what claims your company can make publicly as there are many restrictions. Remember that you are selling the environmental claim of renewable energy, so you can’t also claim it yourself. Failing to control the message could lead to an inability to sell RECs into the marketplace for a premium (Mass Class 1 or Green-e^®).

In New England, there is a cost differential between Mass Class 1 and non-certified RECs because of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS). For 2016, the MA RPS mandates that all electricity suppliers (this includes utilities) must source 11% of their electric load from renewable generators built after 1997 via purchasing a combination of “Class I” and solar carve-out RECs. Because RECs are part of the compliance market, more and more renewable energy generators must come online in order for suppliers to comply with RPS.

Here’s an example of the monetary impact of selling your RECs as Mass Class 1 vs. non-certified.

Electricity consumption * differential = lost opportunity

Mass Class 1 = $39-$40
Green-e^®REC= $0.50-$1

2,000 RECs*$38= $76,000 lost opportunity per year

RECs can be sold for future years going out five years and rolling back up to 18 months.

Renewable Energy Credits pricing can fluctuate based on several factors. Click here to learn more about RECs pricing and alternatives to renewable energy credits for carbon mitigation.