Great question! It's confusing as "Credits" and "Certificates" can technically be used interchangeably, but "Solar Renewable Energy Certificates" is the official name as you are purchasing a "certificate" that represents the generation of 1 MWh of renewable energy.
What rights to my residential solar system am i relinquishing if I allow a broker to claim my SRECs? What pitfalls should I be aware of? For the past 3-4 years I have generated an average of 9 SRECs annually.
I have an 18 KW solar array. Solar edge is not an independent verifier for the state of Rhode Island. I don’t know how to choose another independent verifier. Does my installer need to choose one via software? I don’t have any software to make changes. Thanks.
Great question! Retiring of SRECs ensures that any environmental claims can not be double counted. The retirements happen in public registries, and helps corporates taking voluntary actions to address their emissions keep track of their actions as well any auditing they may go through for verification purposes.
There are different registries based on geographic location of the renewable projects. For example PJM, Ercott, Miso, just to name a few. All of them have public websites where previous retirements of the RECs can be seen. To retire SRECs or sell, you will have to go through your solar developer, utility, or REC retailer.
Great question! Each SREC represents one megawatt-hour of electricity generated by the solar array. Additionally, the electricity has to be delivered by the grid in order to count as an SREC.
@@PivotEnergySolar so if you use the energy at your home it doesn’t count towards the SREC accumulation? Kinda lame, since each MWh you consume that you generated means that’s 1MWh less of nonclean sources you could’ve used. I feel u still deserve the credit. Who cares if it’s you use the power or your neighbor does. Appreciate the explanation! Lemme know if I’m misunderstanding.
Great question! No, solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) and carbon credits are not the same thing. A carbon credit is generated when someone takes an action to eliminate or avoid the emission of one metric ton of greenhouse gas emissions. You can think of SRECs as a solar specific renewable energy credit. One SREC represents one megawatt-hour of electricity created by a solar system. Simply put, carbon credits can be any sort of emission reduction activity, while SRECs are specifically tied to solar energy production.
Individuals can buy offsets and RECs to address their emissions. We do not offer this service to individuals, however many utilities have programs to purchase RECs. We suggest starting there!
I'm looking into this now. There is a system for it in texas but from what I see, its a texas only system which makes sence because our grid is isolated
I wouldn’t say virtue signaling. It allows utilities/companies to compensate residents in exchange for SRECs they need to adhere to state requirements/laws. Virtue signaling would be if they do it to appear good to the public. That might be a side effect but they do it to avoid fines and maintain good standing w the government. Probably helps utilities to keep getting subsidies too
Can single family homeowners use/sell SRECs on their own or is it best to sell those to the Solar provider?
Concur. This video is directed toward businesses.
Does the 'C' in SREC mean "Credits" or "Certificates"? They seem to be used interchangeably in this video.
Great question! It's confusing as "Credits" and "Certificates" can technically be used interchangeably, but "Solar Renewable Energy Certificates" is the official name as you are purchasing a "certificate" that represents the generation of 1 MWh of renewable energy.
What rights to my residential solar system am i relinquishing if I allow a broker to claim my SRECs? What pitfalls should I be aware of? For the past 3-4 years I have generated an average of 9 SRECs annually.
I have an 18 KW solar array. Solar edge is not an independent verifier for the state of Rhode Island. I don’t know how to choose another independent verifier. Does my installer need to choose one via software? I don’t have any software to make changes. Thanks.
What is the point of "retiring" SREC's? It eludes me.
Great question! Retiring of SRECs ensures that any environmental claims can not be double counted. The retirements happen in public registries, and helps corporates taking voluntary actions to address their emissions keep track of their actions as well any auditing they may go through for verification purposes.
Where can I find these REC registries?
There are different registries based on geographic location of the renewable projects. For example PJM, Ercott, Miso, just to name a few. All of them have public websites where previous retirements of the RECs can be seen. To retire SRECs or sell, you will have to go through your solar developer, utility, or REC retailer.
Is it 1MWh generated or sent to grid?
Great question! Each SREC represents one megawatt-hour of electricity generated by the solar array. Additionally, the electricity has to be delivered by the grid in order to count as an SREC.
@@PivotEnergySolar so if you use the energy at your home it doesn’t count towards the SREC accumulation? Kinda lame, since each MWh you consume that you generated means that’s 1MWh less of nonclean sources you could’ve used. I feel u still deserve the credit. Who cares if it’s you use the power or your neighbor does. Appreciate the explanation! Lemme know if I’m misunderstanding.
Are SRECs and Carbon Credits Certificates the same thing?
Great question! No, solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) and carbon credits are not the same thing. A carbon credit is generated when someone takes an action to eliminate or avoid the emission of one metric ton of greenhouse gas emissions. You can think of SRECs as a solar specific renewable energy credit. One SREC represents one megawatt-hour of electricity created by a solar system. Simply put, carbon credits can be any sort of emission reduction activity, while SRECs are specifically tied to solar energy production.
So individuals can not buy/sell SRECS?
Individuals can buy offsets and RECs to address their emissions. We do not offer this service to individuals, however many utilities have programs to purchase RECs. We suggest starting there!
I live in TX. Can I sell my SRACS out of my market?
I'm looking into this now. There is a system for it in texas but from what I see, its a texas only system which makes sence because our grid is isolated
In other words, all about virtue signaling
I wouldn’t say virtue signaling. It allows utilities/companies to compensate residents in exchange for SRECs they need to adhere to state requirements/laws. Virtue signaling would be if they do it to appear good to the public. That might be a side effect but they do it to avoid fines and maintain good standing w the government. Probably helps utilities to keep getting subsidies too